A history of the US Army Corps of Engineers Hydroelectric Design Center, 1938-2005 /US Army Corps of Engineers.

2005·25.3 MB·English

by  [Washington, D.C.] :[US Army Corps of Engineers]

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103.2:H 62/4 A
History of the
US Army Corps of Engineers
Hydroelectric
Center
Design
# Corps Hydro Plants
O Non-Federal Plants
at Corps Dams
US Army Corps
of Engineers©

A History of the
US Army Corps of Engineers
Hydroelectric
Design center
1938-2005
Dedicated to the employees,
PAST AND PRESENT, OF THE
Hydroelectric Design Center
US Army Corps
of Engineers ®

ED
UET'AJU
r
For nearly sixty years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'
Hydroelectric Design Center (HDC) has helped shape the
development of the Nation's water resources. The History of
the Hydroelectric Design Center 1938-2005 documents HDC's
proud contributions, from the initial development of some of
the largest hydroelectric generation projects in the world to
the repair, uprating, and modernization of those facilities. The
HDC
employees of have played a critical role in providing
engineering services to the Nation's largest producer of
hydropower. This history gives voice to their stories.
Since its beginning, the design center has been on the cutting
edge of technological advances to meet the evolving needs
of a growing Nation; from maximizing power generation
and designing pump stations that are helping to restore the
Everglades to improving juvenile salmon passage and increasing
in-river dissolved oxygen levels.
As director, I am proud to present our rich and varied history.
This is an organization focused on maintaining its technical
expertise, achieving customer outcomes, and delivering quality
products -- an organization dedicated to being a leader in the
hydropower industry.
My sincere thanks to all past and current HDC staff for their
comments, candor, and color expressed during the personal
interviews. As HDC and the districts we serve face the
challenges of the future together, I am confident we will
continue to provide valuable economic, environmental, and
social benefits to the Nation.
Essayons,
Brent L. Mahan
Director, Hydroelectric Design Center
The Portland District would like to express sincere thanks to the
Hydroelectric Design Center's current and retired employees who
participated in the oral interviews taking the reader through seven
decades of experience. The history began with a request for several
interviews, but expanded into a much more valuable project recording
thirty-eight interviewees, capturing work experiences relating to the
many projects blended with personal stories.
The district especially thanks Ms. Lisa Mighetto, Historical Research
Association, for her exceptional writing ability and the fortitude to
complete fourteen group oral interviews in three days.
We would also like to thank Dr. John Lonnquest, Office of History, for
his work with Vickie Tomberlin, to produce the Hydroelectric Design
Center's first history.
The district extends a special acknowledgement to Ms. Stefanie Baird
for her diligent effort and numerous hours researching and proofing
the history and the oral interviews. Ms. Baird's extensive experience
and long service to the center made her a valuable asset to completing
the project.
The Portland District would like to end with the recognition of Ms.
Carol Hastings, of the Portland District Visual Information Branch, for
designing the book. Ms. Hastings' exceptional talent, professionalism
and creativity are evident on each page.
All photographs, maps, and illustrations are from the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers unless otherwise credited.
Vickie Tomberlin
History Program Manager
Northwestern Division
IV
6
Table of Contents
Foreword
Ill
Preface IV
Milestones VI
History Overview
The EarlyYears 938 969)
(1 -1 1
Table Early Projects 938- 969) 4
1. (1 1
Responding to Environmental Concerns 970 983) 5
(1 -1
Table 2. Projects (1970-1993) 6
Adapting to New Conditions 984-2006) 10
(1
Table 3. Rehab Projects (1992-2005) 15
A Changing Work Environment
1
Table 4. HDC Office Locations 16
Conclusion 17
Glossary 20
Index 21
Employee Interviews
Glenn Meloyand Robert Krahn 25
1.
2. Alan Christensen, Larry Haas, and John Jones 49
3. Mark Pierce and Robert Reynolds 69
4. John Mayer, Ron Leahey, and Gerald Joy 79
5. Bruce Bayley 97
6. LarryJacobs, Jim Kerr, and Jim Norlin 105
7. Jan Leader, Don Trotter, and Dave Raisanen 125
8. Lee Sheldon and Rich Vaughn 139
9. Chester Scott, PaulWillis, and Rod Wittinger 147
10. Philip Davis, Dick Moore, Jack Nelson, and
Glen Woodward 161
Clay Fouts, Ed Miska, and Dick Nelson 179
1 1.
12. Phil Gruwell, Tam Bui, and Steve Maness 195
13. Marjorie Dukes and Brian Moentenich 213
14. Curtis Faulconer, Bud Ossey, and Mike Roll 223
15. Brent Mahan 265
V
Milestones
of Hydroelectric Design
1938 1941 1948 1950 1953
War broughtincreased
INDUSTRY AND POPULATION
to Portland and
Pacific Northwest
Hydroelectric Design Hydroelectric Design
WAS PARTOFTHE Branch (HEDB)
North Pacific Division formed in North
Operations Division Pacific Division
Engineering Division
LOCATED INTHE PlTTOCK
Block
ChieCf. oC.fGEanlgbirnaeietrhs at HEDB MOVEDTO
theTelephone
Portland Bonneville Office
Building
1946
McNary Powerhouse,
or/wa
PowerBhoonunsevei,lOleR/WA ON-LINE IN 1953
ON-LINEIN 1938
DetroitPowerhouse, OR
ON-LINEIN 1953
BigCliffPowerhouse, OR
ON-LINEIN 1953
VI
1955 1956 1957 1962 1963
HEDB MOVEDTOTHE
Federal Reserve RobertSchuknecht Larry Fisher
Bank Building Chief 1958- 1964 Chief 1964- 1967
HillsCreek Cougar
Powerhouse, OR Powerhouse, OR
ON-LINE IN 1962 ON-LINEIN 1963
The Dalles
Powerhouse, OR/WA
LookoutPoint
Powerhouse, OR ON-LINE IN 1957
ON-LINEIN 1955
ChiefJoseph
Powerhouse, WA
ON-LINE IN 1956 IceHarbor
Powerhouse,WA
ON-LINE IN 1962
Dexter
Powerhouse, OR
ON-LINEIN 1955
VII
1964 1965 1966 1967 1968
FirstControl Ice Harbor Ice Harbor NewControl
Computer Projectbrought BROUGHTUNDER Concept
INSTALLED UNDER MANUAL REMOTECONTROL IMPLEMENTED
in a Corps REMOTECONTROL FROM COMPUTER atJohn Day
Powerhouse FROM MCNARY INSTALLED ATTHE Powerhouse
ATTHE McNARY McNary Project
Project but Firstmajor
DEDICATEDTO Corps plantto
AUTOMATIC BE BROUGHTUNDER
CONTROLOFTHE REMOTECONTROL
Lower Snake
Projects Robert Krahn
Chief 1967 1970
-
McNary Powerhouse, OR/WA IceHarbor Powerhouse,WA
VIII