2,000 iJlw* 



• Planned 

 ■ Existing 



FIGURE 20.— Thermal electric power plants (planned and ex- 

 isting) in the Pacific Northwest. 



Water Quality Survey 



In July 1967, the Bureau began a survey of the water 

 conditions of the lower Columbia River from the mouth of 

 the Willamette River downstream to Puget Island. Two 

 thermal nuclear plants have been proposed for this area — 

 2,000 mw. at the Trojan plant in Oregon and 3,000 mw. at 

 Kalama in Washington. 



Nuclear power plants protect their large screening fa- 

 cilities and condensers with chemical antifoulants which can 

 affect the streams receiving the overflow. Thus we have 

 been making chemical analyses of the area's water, along 

 with studies of the biological and physical conditions. 



The data collected in 1967-68 were compared with data 

 from a survey of 1954-55 by R. O. Sylvester, Department 

 of Civil Engineering, University of Washington. Water 

 temperatures had increased during all months, whereas con- 

 centrations and saturation of oxygen had decreased (fig. 21) . 

 Although concentrations of oxygen are still in an acceptable 

 range, the downward trend is one that bears watching — 

 particularly in view of the anticipated industrial expansion. 



MAR. MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. NOV. DEC. 



FIGURE 21.— Temperature-oxygen chart for lower Columbia 

 River — a comparison of conditions in 1954-55 and 1967-68. 

 Note increase in temperature and decrease in oxygen. 



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