J.P. Madgett Generating Station Impingement Technology Performance Optimization Study

ASA will be working with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland) to complete a two-year impingement technology performance optimization study at J.P. Madgett Generating Station (Madgett) in Buffalo County, Wisconsin on the shore of the Mississippi River.  This optimization study, which is set to begin in May of 2020 and continue through April of 2022, will demonstrate that the newly installed Hydrolox traveling water screens at Madgett have been optimized to minimize fish impingement mortality.  This field biological demonstration is a requirement to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued Final Rule (FR Vol. 79, No. 258, August 15, 2014) which became effective on October 14, 2014 implementing Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for existing facilities.  ASA has developed a study plan along with Dairyland and EPRI to evaluate several traveling water screen factors during monthly sampling events throughout the study period. EPRI recognizes this optimization study is one of the first in the nation under the Final Rule and believes the lessons learned during the 2-year study will be a valuable resource for facility operators and permit writers undertaking similar studies elsewhere in the U.S.

The work at Madgett is a part of a larger EPRI traveling water screen optimization program in which ASA has been supporting.  Screen optimization requirements are as set forth in the Final Rule, but its implementation would depend on the State Permit Director’s requirements and site-specific constraints.  Identifying the site-specific constraints upfront is critical for the successful implementation of these projects.  ASA is presently updating the EPRI Traveling Water Screen Optimization Resource Report; which presents the key components of a biologically effective optimization study and the challenges associated with implementing them.  As the optimization parameters and methods selected are site-specific, this resource report is meant to serve as a starting point for facility operators, permit writers, and others involved in planning and implementing the requisite optimization study.  Please reach out to Dan Giza at dgiza@asaac.com with questions.