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  • January

    Zebra mussels cause severe damage to various moving parts of the hydroelectric power plant in Gavins Point, South Dakota. Water strainers and cooling systems clogged up with zebra mussels require regular shut downs due to over heating and the prevention of water flowing through the powerhouse. (photo by: Michael Schnetzer, USACE Omaha District)

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers moves to eradicate invasive species

    Since the discovery of zebra mussels at the South Dakota Big Bend powerhouse intake gates in the summer of 2019, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has conducted an internal analysis of the potential alternatives to control the invasive species.

  • March

    The scaffolding platform reaches first across the draft tube from the door and then builds out geometrically from the center structure. The hexagonal structure connects to anchor brackets on the draft tube wall and then supports a deck surface, which will accommodate scaffolding to provide safe access to the areas where cavitation impacts the turbine blade and the draft tube liner. Project crew members Mike Schnetzer and Dale Stibral place the scaffolding platform in the draft tube beneath the Kaplan Turbine at Gavins Point Dam.

    Project maintenance, cavitation repairs and OJT

    Among the various projects taking place at Gavins Point Power Plant, generator unit number three was recently dewatered to allow project crews to inspect the draft tube for damage caused by cavitation and make the necessary repairs. Cavitation repairs in the draft tube for unit three will continue through mid-March. Additional maintenance and rehabilitation projects are also underway at the Gavins Point project including replacing three power transformers and rehabilitating the spillway’s tainter gates. Work will move to unit two for annual generator maintenance, to install new un-watering and drain valves, to install a new motor control center, and replace switchgear equipment.

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