Overview:
The US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is searching for techniques, tools, and devices that can be readily implemented to increase dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations or general aeration. USBR is open to exploring solutions from a wide range of approaches and development stages.
Background:
In recent years, low water levels and drier conditions have resulted in dam releases having a negative impact on dissolved oxygen levels in dams and reservoirs. As DO levels below 5 mg/L can have significant impacts on the health and populations of native fish, USBR is seeking to understand the landscape of tools, methods, and technologies that could improve DO/aeration levels in and around dams.
Ideal Solution:
The ideal solution would be:
- Able to increase DO levels to between 6 – 12 mg/L
- Easy to construct/implement
- Require minimal maintenance, operational needs, and additional inputs (e.g. electricity, pure oxygen, etc.)
- Provide long-term improved aeration/DO for large bodies of water
- Commercially available to implement, or will be within the next 1-2 years
- Validated in real-world settings
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Key Considerations:
- Placement: Proposed solutions can be implemented in the upstream reservoir, in the dam, or immediately downstream, but should be localized to be within 1000 meters upstream and/or downstream of the dam.
- Hydropower operation: The preference is for solutions that do not affect existing patterns of hydropower generation or water delivery and allow for some control over levels of augmentation.
- High volume of water: The proposed solution would need to improve DO/aeration levels of large bodies of water at moderate/high flow rates.
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Possible Solution Areas:
- Weirs, boulders, concrete blocks
- Hoses
- Speece cones
- Turbine pulsing/Pulse releases
- Hypolimnetic aerators
Field of use and intended applications:
Dams, reservoirs, rivers, lakes
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