Tunnel Dam generating schedule?

[Conor]

On 11/5/2023 at 10:03 PM, fishinwrench said:

As I understand it there is no operational "gate", so water flow through the tunnel is constant regardless of power generation.    

Flow over the spillway, and water level at Lake Niangua is unhampered by the generators. They are either online or not.

I think this is wrong.  Note the mention of a "dry channel" at mile 66.  https://missouricanoe.org/niangua-river/

We just floated this section and it is nice.  There was no water coming out at the powerhouse and signs warn of unpredictable water flows when generating and to stay away.  Signs say to move away if a horn blows because power generation is starting and a dangerous surge of water will follow.

It also looks like there will be no more power generation here but the dam and lake will remain intact.  https://ruralmissouri.org/tunnel-dam/

Conor

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, Conor said:

On 11/5/2023 at 10:03 PM, fishinwrench said:

 

I think this is wrong.  Note the mention of a "dry channel" at mile 66.  https://missouricanoe.org/niangua-river/

When the river level is low, to the point that water isn't flowing over the dam..... then the channel goes "dry".   

If there's a gate (or gates) then where is it ?  

[tjm]

gate would be at/in the tunnel not at  the dam, but if there is no gate the water would always be flowing through the tunnel and consequently through the generators. And since the tunnel opening must be lower than the dam there would never be water flowing over the dam.

[Conor]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

gate would be at/in the tunnel not at  the dam, but if there is no gate the water would always be flowing through the tunnel and consequently through the generators. And since the tunnel opening must be lower than the dam there would never be water flowing over the dam.

Yes, the gate is likely at the intake for the tunnel.  I could see there was little water coming out at the powerhouse and that was likely leaking around the gate a bit.  The dam is an ungated spillway which allows water to continually flow but the gate for the tunnel/powerhouse is at a lower elevation and can take all the water.  Bagnell Dam has a gated spillway section to control the lake levels and the powerhouse is basically part of the dam which is more typical.

The Lake was low.  You couldn't even get into Onyx Cave and I hear that they are letting water out at the dam to meet power generation and water quotas downstream.

From what I understand, no power will be generated at Lake Niangua/Tunnel Dam again.

Conor

[Conor]

Here are some pictures of the dam and powerhouse.  I like the art deco industrial architecture of the powerhouse.