SANDY LEVEL, Va., March 2, 1999 -- American Electric Power resumed normal water discharges from its Smith Mountain Lake hydroelectric project at noon on March 1, terminating a water conservation plan that had been in effect for two-and-one-half-months.
Average weekly water flows of 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) were resumed. Such flows had been reduced to 350 cfs to conserve water.
With federal approval and agreement from state and private interests, AEP had reduced water discharges from the hydroelectric project last December 17 in response to a prolonged drought in 1998. The drought had caused the lake´s level to plunge more than four feet below normal. Low water was affecting public safety due to exposed navigation hazards, and further water level reductions would have impacted power production. Low water also threatened AEP´s ability to implement its enhanced water releases planned for the spring of 1999 for the annual striped bass spawn from Kerr Reservoir.
"As a result of the combined effects of the reduction in water releases since December and the rainfall we´ve received this winter in the Roanoke River basin, the lake has returned to normal elevation," said Mike Thacker, a manager in AEP´s Southern Hydro operations group.
AEP, owner of the Smith Mountain hydro project, operates the project in accordance with provisions of a license granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In response to a request from AEP, the FERC last December granted a 45-day emergency variance from minimum discharges under the license. AEP applied for and was granted an extension of that variance in late January.
"We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of the federal and state agencies, businesses and private users of the Roanoke-Staunton River for their cooperation in helping AEP deal with this situation," Thacker said.
For More Information, Contact:
Mike Thacker
American Electric Power
540/985-2875