IMPACTS OF POOL RESTRICTIONS ON THECUMBERLAND RIVER BASIN RESERVOIR SYSTEM OPERATION

摘要

The Nashville District of the Corps of Engineers (Corps) operates a system of ten multipurpose water resources projects in the 17,913 mi2 Cumberland River Basin. Two dams in this system, Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River near Jamestown, KY and Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River near Lancaster, TN, have been classified as Dam Safety Action Classification-1 (DSAC-1) structures. In 2007 pool restrictions were implemented at both projects as part of an overall interim risk reduction effort. These restrictions severely impacted the operation of the entire Cumberland River Basin reservoir system. Therefore, Nashville District prepared and circulated for public and agency review an Interim Operating Plan to address operation of the reservoir system during the pool restriction period. One of the major components of this plan was to establish an order of priority for management of the available water. Dam safety and flood damage reduction continue to be the top system priorities. Otherwise, the order is 1) water supply; 2) water quality; 3) navigation; 4) hydropower; and 5) recreation. A combination of pool drawdowns at the two largest storage projects within the reservoir system and a prolonged period of moderate to severe drought resulted in severe impacts to the volume and location of available water in 2007 and 2008. This resulted in new and innovative operations at several projects within the reservoir system as water managers reacted to dynamic demands for water. The reservoir system continued to meet the primary needs of the region without acute environmental consequences despite significant impacts to several operating objectives.