NIPSCO submits dam analysis
Report states dams should remain run-of-river
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), which operates Norway and Oakdale dams, submitted a dam analysis to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Friday. FERC requested the report after local flood victims questioned whether the dams could have been operated to mitigate downstream damage during January floods.

According to information supplied to the Comet by NIPSCO, the study was prepared by engineering firm MWH Americas Inc. to "evaluate possible changes in the way the dams operate in order to eliminate or reduce downtream flooding that occurs under the current run-of-theriver operating procedures for floods ranging from a 10-year flood to a 500-year flood." The study also provided information about the January 2008 flood.

The study examined the impact of downstream flooding based on lowering both lakes below their normal operating levels in advance of a storm by one, three, six and 15 feet. The report stated results and figures assumed "perfect forecasting information and operation" would be available. It did not take into account impacts on structures around the lakes and on the shorelines, aquatic life or habitat, recreation, regulatory issues or jurisdictional agency concerns among others.

"The results of these studies show that lowering the lakes by as much as six feet does not reduce the maximum discharge or reduce the ultimate amount of downtream flooding for any flood from the 10-year flood to the 500- year flood, with one exception," the report stated. "The only case where any significant reduction was found was for a 10-year flood event with Lake Freeman lowered by six feet."

Graphs in the report based on information from a guage in the Tippecanoe River near Delphi and hyrdrology equipment operated under the FERC license demonstrated floods could be delayed up to nine hours, but the result would create a spike in the water level after that.

NIPSCO representative Jim Fitzer told the Comet Tuesday that outcome would be unnaceptable to the company. He said downstream water levels could rise up to eight times faster than they did during the January flood.

"NIPSCO's number one priority is public safety," Fitzer said. "Residents who do not react because the river is not flooding could be trapped in a very unsafe situation when the dams must begin to release the excess. The risk and potential loss of life are unacceptable."

NIPSCO Vice President of Electrical Generation Jerome Weeden sent a letter to FERC Regional Engineer Peggy Harding along with the analysis. The letter echoed NIPSCO's study and concern for safety and stated the company would continue to mitigate floods by other means.

"For these reasons, it is NIPSCO's conclusion that the most responsible and safest way to operate the Norway and Oakdale Project is in runof river mode within the lake elevation limits contained the Project license," the letter concluded. "As we have in the past, NIPSCO will continue to work with the emergency management agencies and officials of White, Carroll and Tippecanoe counties to mitigate the effects of future floods through preparedness drills, Emergency Action Plan reviews and improvements, and strong communication."