Summer 2012 RECLAMATIONManaging Water in the West Plains Talk NEWS FROM THE GREAT PLAINS REGION

CAN HYDROPOWER HELP MEET GROWING ENERGY DEMANDS? “THE 97 PERCENT OF EXISTING DAMS ... REPRESENT HUGE POTENTIAL.” THE FUTURE OF WATER: SHIFTING POPULATION, CLIMATE STRESS AND OTHER CHALLENGES FACE RECLAMATION IN THE 21st CENTURY Plains Talk Issue 01-2012: contents PUBLISHER Tyler Johnson 1 Hydropower - The Search for Untapped Energy “The 97 percent of existing dams in the U.S. that are not currently producing power represent EDITOR-IN-CHIEF huge potential.” Buck Feist ASSISTANT EDITOR 4 Always On Sterling Rech Reclamation harnesses the power of the Internet to advance its mission and highlight its objec- GRAPHICS tives to internal and external audiences. Jerry Leggate Tobias Taylor 6 Hall Recognized for Advancing Rural Water

“It has been extremely gratifying to work with rural water systems ... to be a small part in the NEWSPAPER TEAM delivery of high quality water to rural areas.” Paula Holwegner, Montana Patience Hurley, Dakotas Jay Dallman, Wyoming 7 Plant Operators Get “SCADA-fied!” Kara Lamb, Colorado Kimberley Parish, Oklahoma & Texas The SCADA system monitors and controls water treatment plant operations by gathering data Lois Conway, Nebraska & Kansas from sensors at the facility and then sending the information to a central computer system.

Plains Talk is an employee publication devoted to the in- 8 Anniversary Year Spectacular: terests of Reclamation’s Great Plains Region. Fry-Ark and C-BT Hit Milestones

Plains Talk is published from Reclamation celebrates the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project and Colorado Big-Thompson Project the Great Plains Office of Pub- after 75 years of serving the public. lic Affairs. To be added to the Plains Talk mailing list, submit your name and mailing ad- 12 What Do You Do? - Doug Epperly dress: A day in the life of Doug Epperly, Environmental Compliance Specialist at the Great Plains Bureau of Reclamation Regional Office. U.S. Department of the Interior 316 North 26th Street Billings, MT 59101 14 Ready to Respond Phone: 406-247-7610 Email: [email protected] Reclamation supports emergency preparedness through the Incident Command System.

Submission Guidelines: 16 “We Look to the Past, We Look to the Future” Articles and other materials for publication should be sent to Shifting population, climate stress and other challenges face Reclamation in the 21st century. the Great Plains Public Affairs Office, Attn: Plains Talk Editor, GP-1240, or email to bfeist@ 21 Wyoming’s New Area Manager Focuses on usbr.gov. Mission and People Plains Talk encourages em- ployee submissions, and as- “As Area Manager, my job is to make sure our folks have the tools and resources to do their sists with developing ideas. jobs, give them the support they need, and then get our of the way and let them do their jobs.” Questions about stories or photographic essays should be directed to the Plains Talk edi- 22 Shooting for the Best: Composing Photographs tor, at 406-247-7610. Tips from GP’s Regional photographer. Cover: Yellowtail Dam and powerplant, managed by Reclamation’s Montana Area Office. contents 24 Access for Everyone Fry-Ark & CB-T Anniversary, p. 8 How Reclamation ensures everyone has access to electronic communications. 26 Reclamation Hydropower Generates $1 Billion for Taxpayers

Numerous benefits brought by hydropower contribute to viability of Reclamation. 30 Exploring Ancient Floods Examining impacts of ancient floods helps Reclamation boost dam safety program. Water Challenges, p. 16 32 Camera 101

Advanced photography tips offer insight into producing high-quality photos. 35 Canyon Ferry Gets a Face Lift Reclamation mitigates shoreline erosion, helps preserve natural resources and restore habitat. 36 GP Region “Best in Federal Government” Audit results show that GP takes a proactive approach to environmental stewardship.

Hydro Returns $1 Billion, p. 25 38 Reclamation Takes the Fight to Mussels

Early detection systems prove critical in managing infestations and protecting infrastructure.

40 Balancing Budget Realities “Although GP has seen a budgetary decline in recent years, our appropriations continue to reflect support for clean water, affordable power and renewable energy.”

Balancing Budget Realities, p. 40 42 Highlighting Value: Reclamation’s Administrative Professionals

Reclamation celebrates the value of its administrative professionals with top-tier training. 44 High Winds Strike Yellowtail Afterbay Gusts of 70 mph wreak havoc on Yellowtail Afterbay Rehabilitation. 45 Coutant’s Quick Action Saves a Life Coutant receives Exemplary Act Award for saving choking victim. Hydropower: The Search for Untapped Energy By Sterling Rech, from conventional hydroelectric from experience.” Public Affairs Specialist, GPRO power generation and other forms Hydropower fills a crucial role in of renewable energy like solar and America’s energy supply, and offers “Every drop in elevation on every wind power. the potential for reliable domestic river and stream in the country According to a 2009 report by energy independence. holds potential energy,” said Great British Petroleum, “the amount of More than 97 percent of renew- Plains Deputy Regional Director proven oil reserves waiting to be able energy comes from hydro- Gary Campbell. exploited fell last year for the first power, and the United States is “Right now, only three percent of time in a decade. For every four among the leading producers world- existing U.S. dams produce power barrels used today, only one new wide. The Bureau of Reclamation – that represents a huge untapped barrel is found.” was a key player during the devel- source of power for American cities, The U.S. Department of Energy opment of the nation’s hydropower farms and industry,” Campbell said. says that while global oil supplies infrastructure. As a growing global population are not necessarily diminishing, “Reclamation is the second creates demand for more water and largest producer of hydroelectric energy, finding ways to address this “The 97 percent of exist- power in the U.S., and pioneers in challenge using hydropower and ing dams in the United the field,” said Campbell . “I predict other sources of renewable energy States that are not cur- that much of our future planning offers major opportunities. rently producing power will be geared toward hydropower The U.S. currently consumes represent huge untapped development on existing facilities.” more than 19 million barrels of oil potential.” During the first part of the 20th per day. The nation has depended on century, hydroelectric power plants coal and oil as two primary engines - Great Plains Deputy Regional were built to power the machines of economic growth because of Director Gary Campbell needed to build dams and reser- accessibility and affordability. voirs. Hydroelectricity ran saw- But with instability in oil pro- cheap, accessible, and easy to refine mills, giant shovels, concrete plants ducing nations and growing envi- supplies are on a downtrend. and other machines that helped ronmental concerns, the nation is “Because fossil fuels have been so shape the West as we know it today. looking seriously at alternatives. critical in the expansion of industrial Eventually, surplus power was In 2006, the United States societies, it’s hard for some folks sold to distribution systems, as well Geological Survey (USGS), ana- to envision a world where those as local farms and towns around lyzed the energy consumption of resources aren’t drivers behind our dam sites that benefited from the the U.S., estimating that nearly future prosperity and success as a low-cost electricity. 50 percent of the nation’s energy country,” said Campbell. “But 70 or As the booming nation thirsted comes from coal, 20 percent from 80 years ago, much of our nation’s for power to drive a growing indus- natural gas, 19 percent from nuclear energy came from hydropower, so trial base, the hydropower potential energy and less than 10 percent the potential exists. We know that of Reclamation’s dams were soon

Background photo: Mt. Elbert powerplant, managed by Reclamation’s Eastern-Colorado Area Office. tapped as a low-cost and renewable fossil fuel plants are only 50 percent increasing role in America’s energy source of electricity to fuel growing efficient. picture.” economies in the West. Hydropower does have its Studies done by the USGS also “For something that emerged as challenges. show that conventional hydroelec- a by-product of water development “Geographic location, precipita- tric power generation accounted a mere century ago, hydropower is tion and weather patterns are major for as much as 10 percent of the more important now than it has ever influences in a dam’s storage capac- nation’s energy in 1995. been,” said Campbell. ity and power production capabili- As of 2009, only 2,400 - or three During the 1940s, hydropower ties,” said Campbell. percent - of the nearly 80,000 dams accounted for 75 percent of elec- “Those challenges aside, there is in the United States were used to tricity consumed in the West, and great potential for hydropower in generate power. about one-third of “As with all of total U.S. electrical modern projects, energy. we have to take During the into account envi- ensuing 60 years, the ronmental impacts, nation’s hydropower but the reality is use declined as that there is a lot fossil fuels boomed, of potential power but America’s focus generation that is on renewable energy left untouched. in the 21st century There exists enor- has brought hydro- mous potential for power back onto the retrofitting exist- scene. ing dams to gen- “Our energy fron- erate power,” said tier is changing,” Campbell. said Campbell, “The 97 percent “and hydropower is of existing dams in a proven alternative that has been America’s energy future.” the United States that are not cur- successfully used for decades.” U.S. energy demands are only rently producing power represent In the U.S., 81 percent of the likely to increase during the 21st huge untapped potential,” Campbell electricity produced by renewable century. said. sources comes from hydropower. “Despite having been around “Throughout the 20th century, Worldwide, about 20 percent of longer than other developed forms Reclamation was a pioneering force all electricity is generated by hydro- of energy, hydro still remains one in the development of hydropower power, the cheapest and most effi- of our greatest untapped renewable in the United States, and in many cient form of energy available in the resources as a country,” Campbell ways, the 21st century offers as world. said. much, if not more, of an opportu- Modern hydro turbines are “Hydropower means clean and nity for our agency to provide solu- capable of converting up to 90 cheap energy. We are producing tions and enable the Western United percent of available energy into it today, and the future holds the States to continue to grow and fulfill electricity, while the most efficient potential for hydropower filling an its potential.”

Background photo: Mt. Elbert powerplant, managed by Reclamation’s Eastern-Colorado Area Office. By the Numbers: GP’s Facilities Offer “Hydropotential” By Sterling Rech, the availability of clean energy “These projects are prime Public Affairs Specialist, GPRO and water supplies in the West. examples of the power-gener- As part of the Federal Energy ating capacity the Great Plains Reclamation has been contribut- Regulatory Commission (FERC) possesses.” ing to the nation’s supply of clean, and Lease of Power Privileges That amount of electricity would renewable energy for more than a (LOPP) activities, GP is currently also be enough to power 66 million century. retrofitting projects that will sub- computers, 7.2 million refrig- GP operates 80 of Reclamation’s stantially increase power produc- erators, or fuel nearly 208,000 more than 600 dam and transfer tion via existing facilities that gas-powered vehicles for a year, facilities in the western United were either not utilized or under assuming the vehicle averages States. utilized in the past. 25 miles per gallon and travels GP has 20 hydroelectric power The Great Plains Region is cur- approximately 13,000 miles a plants, generating approximately rently working on projects at year. 3.6 billion kilowatt hours of elec- the Carter Lake Outlet outside Retrofitting existing dams for tricity each year, enough energy, at Loveland, Colo., and Pueblo hydropower has real potential to current levels of consumption, to Dam’s modification, both exam- make a huge difference in how we power more than 250,000 homes. ples of retrofitting that are consume energy in the U.S. “There’s ample room for devel- expected to be complete in 2015. “In the 20th century, hydropower opment of additional power gen- “These two projects alone, when was used to power the machines erating capacity on existing facili- completed, will provide a pro- needed to construct dams, said ties,” said Gary Campbell, Deputy posed average annual generation Campbell. “In the 21st century, Regional Director of the Great of nearly 30 million kilowatt hours hydropower will be called upon Plains Region. of electricity, enough to power to fuel the growing demands of a Programs like WaterSMART and 3,000 homes for an entire year,” growing nation.” Rural Water allow GP to advance said Campbell.

(Left) Four hydroelectric turbine generators inside Yellowtail Dam’s powerplant. (Middle) A look inside the housing of a turbine generator. (Right) Workers perform maintenance on turbine generators. From the Mountains to the Great Plains: A Snapshot of GP’s Power Facilities

The Great Plains Region operates and maintains 20 hydroelectric powerplants, producing enough electricity to meet the demand of more than 250,000 homes each year. Hydropower is the country’s largest, cleanest and most efficient source of renewable energy.

MT. ELBERT - ECAO GREEN MOUNTAIN - ECAO 313 Gigawatt-hours/annually 60 Gigawatt-hours/annually

POLE HILL - ECAO CANYON FERRY - MTAO 183 Gigawatt-hours/annually 291 Gigawatt-hours/annually

GLENDO - WYAO FLATIRON- ECAO 58 Gigawatt-hours/annually 240 Gigawatt-hours/annually

page 3 morning, kept the public informed of the elevation, average inflows Always On: and outflows, and snowpack levels GP Harnesses the Power for river systems around the Great Plains Region. The portal also con- of the Internet nected users to other flood informa- tion sites such as U.S. Geological Survey’s flood information site, the National Weather Service’s local- ized flood and high flow data pages, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- neers’ emergency operations pages. In addition, after the primary crisis had passed, GP’s Flood Response Information page serves to provide an archive of flood information from the 2011 Water Year. The regional public affairs office, in conjunction with Information Technology Services, created sev- eral other projects in 2011. In spring 2011, the region de- signed a Snowpack & Reservoir Levels Web page, which proved to be a well-timed addition during By Tobias Taylor, Visual Infor- lishing and Broadcasting Limited, flood season.” mation Specialist GPRO Australia. “What we were trying to provide The responsive nature of the In- was snowpack and reservoir level The Internet never sleeps. ternet helps the Great Plains Region pages so that people visiting our site In the 1990s, the burgeoning share information with the public. could easily read reservoir level and World Wide Web was often re- With advancing software and inte- snowpack level information as con- ferred to as an “information super- grated technology, creating and pub- ditions changed,” said Tyler John- highway,” a term coined by Korean lishing new Web pages takes a American artist, Nam June Paik in relatively short amount of time, 1974. allowing for well-timed distri- In 2012, the Internet has truly bution of information. evolved into a massive conduit of This is especially critical dur- information, allowing the open ex- ing emergency operations, such change of information and ideas as flooding. between people and organizations, In spring 2011, the Great 24-hours-a-day. Plains Region created a Flood For Reclamation, that means Response Information page to sharing what is happening around provide daily updated informa- the region right as it happens, not tion to members of the public, days or weeks later. affected landowners and other “I agree completely with my son federal agencies. James when he said, ‘Internet is The page served as a portal, like electricity. The latter lights up displaying real-time flood in- GP’s Flood Response Information page everything, while the former lights formation from around the region provided real-time flood information up knowledge,’” said Kerry Packer in a single consolidated location. during spring 2011 flooding. (1937 – 2005), Chairman of Pub- River basin bulletins, posted each page 4 son, Regional Public Affairs Officer. “For a region that spans nine states 1963 to 1966, photos employees Current reservoir and snowpack lev- and covers 856,792 square miles, submitted to the 2010 and 2011 GP els, along with historical averages, it’s handy to be able to pull up accu- Photo Contests, and the GP Rope are displayed on an interactive map rate data with the click of a mouse,” Team inspecting facilities. Putting showing the location of each facil- said Craig Scott, NKAO, Civil En- the Great Plains Region on display ity across the region. An average of gineer. “Acquiring information in- helps the public and employees bet- 2,500 people visited the page each stantly can be especially beneficial ter understand how vast the region month during the 2011 spring flood- if we run into issues with one of our is and how many different dams and ing. dams or facilities, like in the case of facilities we operate. “The Internet has opened up many Red Willow Dam, outside McCook, “It helps put our work into per- possibilities for Reclamation to in- Neb.” spective for people,” said Joe Ro- teract with the public by sharing re- Discovery of cracking in the Red hde, Regional Security Officer. al-time data and updates on our rou- Willow Dam embankment in Oct. During the year, employees cap- tine operations,” said Roger Michel, 2009, initiated a Safety of Dams tured photos of the spring flood, an Hydraulic Engineer in the regional oil spill on the Yellowstone River, office. and many other events from around Real-time data systems such as the region. As the amount of images the hydrologic and meteorological and other media increased, a place monitoring stations (HydroMet), ag- to display that media was needed. A ricultural weather information (Ag- multimedia section went live on the riMet), and boat launching informa- site with photo galleries, publica- tion generate more than 85 percent tions, videos and podcasts. of visits to the region’s Internet site The “always on” nature of the In- each year. ternet makes information available These real-time data systems pro- to the public even when employ- vide a diverse range of information. ees are out of the office. Questions For instance, users accessing GP’s can be answered and information HydroMet system can easily locate viewed when needed. The ability to current reservoir storage content at The Public Information Portal dis- get information is not limited to nor- plays information related to Red Twin Buttes Reservoir, Texas, or Willow Dam/Hugh Butler Lake. mal business hours. the accumulated precipitation for Helena Valley, Mont., or if reservoir Corrective Action study in late Feb. conditions are favorable to launch a 2010. To keep the public informed boat from the Medicine Bow boat on all the events the region created ramp at Seminoe Reservoir, Wyo. the Red Willow Dam/Hugh Butler Lake Information Portal. Updates on events taking place at Red Willow have steadily increased the amount of information the portal provides, such as the initial announcement of the Corrective Action study, press releases, and current construction updates. GP’s website also provides visitor a chance to view many iconic scenes from around the region, both current Putting the Great Plains Region on display helps the public and and historic photos from Reclama- The Snowpack & Reservoir Level employees better understand how page provides real-time reservoir tion’s pioneering days. Photo galler- vast the region is and how many and snowpack levels displayed on ies show the construction progress different dams and facilities we an interactive map. on Yellowtail Dam in Montana from operate.

page 5 Hall Recognized for Advancing Rural Water time and cost savings.” As a lead engineer, Hall holds responsibility for managing the Dakotas Area Office Rural Water program using his applied engineering experi- ence and knowledge to assure quality and reli- able construction. “We felt that with Ted’s commitment to carry- ing out both the V-E studies and rural water con- struction for the Lewis & Clark and Mid-Dakota projects, he was very deserving of this award,” said Freitag. Most recently, Hall assembled and led a diverse team of people to conduct the Snake Creek Pumping Plant Brick Repair V-E study and the Ketterling’s Point Riprap project. Under his lead- Regional Director Mike Ryan presents Ted Hall (left) with ership, the team provided options, solutions, and the Department of the Interior’s Superior Service Award. cost savings of approximately $200,000 that oth- By Patience Hurley, erwise could not have been realized. Public Involvement Specialist, DKAO “It has been extremely gratifying to work with rural water systems, their board members, consultants, attor- Ted Hall was presented with the Department of the neys and individual users, to be a small part in the Interior’s Superior Service Award on Feb. 16, for his delivery of high quality water to rural areas,” said contributions to Reclamation’s Rural Water program. Hall. “The pleasure of being a small part of helping a Great Plains Regional Director Mike Ryan presented rural Highmore, SD, couple hookup to the Mid-Dakota the Superior Service Award while Ted was in Billings Rural Water Project after hauling water for 50 years is conducting a Value Engineering (V-E) study. quite satisfying.” Since 1989, Hall has made Reclamation’s Rural Water With 31-years of federal service under his belt, Hall program his life. This award signifies the second time continues to learn and share his knowledge and exper- in his career he has been recognized by the Department tise with coworkers, customers and partners. of the Interior for his significant contributions to both the Rural Water program and Reclamation. In 2009, Hall, along with several other engineers and contrac- tors, received the Partners in Conservation Award from the Department for innovative work on the Lewis and Clark Project. “Ted’s experience in all aspects of rural water proj- ects has definitely been an asset to Reclamation,” said Arden Freitag, Dakotas Area Office Chief, Rural Water Construction and Operation and Maintenance. “His Ted Hall beside a 54-inch water pipeline for the Lewis recommendations to project sponsors during Value and Clark Regional Water Project between Vermillion Engineering studies and construction resulted in both and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. page 6 Plant Operators Get “SCADA-fied!” By Tom Thompson, Civil Engineer, DKAO SCADA Certified Using funds provided by Reclamation through regular appropriations and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe awarded a contract for construc- tion of a water treatment plant and Indian Memorial Intake Pump Station in April 2010. A ground breaking cere- mony for the Standing Rock Water Treatment Plant, which is designed to provide water for (Above) FEB 1, 2012 - Raw water pipeline being connected to the Standing the entire Standing Rock Indian Rock Water Treatment Plant, approximately 13 miles north of Mobridge, Reservation, was held June 2, South Dakota. (Lower right) Joe Castrop, Micro-Comm, Inc., explains the new SCADA system to water treatment plant operators. 2010, and work began that same month. had finished the site work, foundation, floors, walls and roof, as well as inte- The contract included con- rior work, including the installation of treatment equipment. struction of a three-million- On February 16, in preparation for operations at the newly constructed gallon-per-day (5 mgd ulti- water treatment plant, Joe Castrop from Micro-Comm, Inc., provided mate capacity) water treatment Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) training for plant oper- plant adjacent to Highway 1806, ators from the Standing Rock Rural Water Supply system. between the communities of Plant operators control operations through the SCADA system. SCADA Kennel and Wakpala, South systems monitor water treatment plant operations by gathering data from Dakota. sensors at the facility and then sending the information to a central com- By May 2012, the contractor puter system. The training was a four hour session held at the Standing (Below) The newly constructed Standing Rock Water Treatment Plant. Rock Water Treatment Plant, approximately 13-miles north of Mobridge, South Dakota, on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The Indian Memorial Intake and Pump Station, which is part of the project, draws water from Oahe Reservoir and pumps it approximately 13-miles north to the water treatment plant. Reclamation began pumping water to the communities of Kennel and Wakpala in May, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 12.

page 7 Anniversary Year Spectacular: Fry-Ark and C-BT Hit Milestones

By: Kara Lamb, Public Involvement Specialist, ECAO

(Above) Olympus Dam, which holds back Lake Estes, was constructed from 1947-1949. While Lake Estes is on the Big Thompson River, roughly 97 percent of its water is imported through the Colorado - Big Thompson project and the Estes Powerplant.

“It takes a while to build a ONE MISSION, With so much emphasis on project.” That is the opening line to TWO PROJECTS Colorado water history, old stories the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project’s For Colorado water projects, are coming back to life. commemorative anniversary film 2012 is a year of anniversaries and “Do you know who Alva B. due out later this year. The film cel- celebrations. Adams was?” asked Bob Rawlings, ebrates the decades spent lobby- owner and publisher of the Pueblo ing for the project, and the past Chieftain newspaper. Rawlings 50 years of its operating history. was responding to interview ques- Today, the Fry-Ark stands out tions from the crew documenting as one of the largest water diver- the Fry-Ark Project for the 50th sion and delivery projects in the anniversary commemorative film. state of Colorado. Adams was the Colorado It is not the only federal project Senator well known for his vig- with claim to that title. The orous lobbying on behalf of the Colorado-Big Thompson is also C-BT Project. In turn, he became being celebrated this year and has the namesake of that project’s its own commemorative film in most famous feature, the 13 mile- the works. long Alva B. Adams Tunnel that Both projects, under the over- Fry-Ark and C-BT mark major makes possible the largest trans- sight of the Eastern Colorado Area anniversaries, while around the mountain water diversion in the Office, hit important milestones in state, significant pieces of water- state. 2012. The Fry-Ark turns 50 and the related legislation are being “Did you know,” he asked, “that C-BT turns 75-years-old. commemorated. [Adams] he was from Pueblo? Did

page 8 you know he was one of the origi- the Fry-Ark for their water. scheduler for the C-BT. “Even the nal owners of the newspapers that Similarly, the C-BT provides sup- way the projects were authorized is became the Chieftain?” plemental water to about 800,000 different.” According to Rawlings, the people. It serves a large triangle “Well, for one thing,” said reason a senator from southeast- of northern Colorado from Estes Bob Rice, ECAO Water Rights/ ern Colorado lobbied so hard for a Park in the mountains, to Boulder, Repayment Contracts Specialist, project that would serve communi- then northeast to Sterling, near the “the authorizations for the projects ties to the north was, “because he Nebraska border. are separated by 25 years. FDR knew the C-BT was setting prec- The similarities end there. approved the first federal funding edent for what would become the “These two trans-basin diversion for the C-BT in 1937. John F. Fry-Ark ... and he knew how badly projects, which seem similar at the Kennedy signed the Fry-Ark into we needed that water.” outset, are actually very different,” law in 1962, but signed a public Fulfilling a need for supplemen- said Mike Collins, Area Manager of law. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed tal water is one thing both projects the Eastern Colorado Area Office. a Departmental Appropriation Act.” have in common. He was referring to a common Operations diverting and deliv- Today, the Fry-Ark provides assumption that because both proj- ering the water vary. For example, water down a huge section of the ects divert Colorado River water there is more substitution and Arkansas River corridor, from underneath the Continental Divide exchange of water on the Fry-Ark Salida, in the mountains, east to for delivery to the Front Range, that Project than the C-BT. Lamar, Colo., near the Kansas rules and regulations for the proj- Historically, 80 percent of the border. Fry-Ark water also travels ects are the same. water that flows through the Fry-Ark north to Colorado Springs. “That assumption is not accu- facilities is actually native, or non- More than 650,000 people rely on rate,” said Carlos Lora, a water project water.

page 9 Divide, is the primary collection and storage vessel. It is the second largest reservoir in the state, storing up to 539,000 acre-feet of water. In contrast, Turquoise and Twin Lakes reservoirs on the Fry-Ark sit on the East Slope of the Continental Divide. Although they serve a similar function to Granby, storing water diverted from the West Slope, both features were in existence prior to construction of the project. By the time Fry-Ark was autho- rized in 1962, the cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs were using Turquoise Reservoir for their Homestake Project. The City of Pueblo was using Turquoise for their Busk-Ivanhoe system. Twin Lakes Canal Company, which today is owned by Aurora, Colorado Springs and Pueblo, was using Twin Lakes for water diverted above Aspen. Reclamation enlarged both Turquoise and Twin to accommo- (Above) The Adams Tunnel was constructed from 1940-1947. Carts were date the Fry-Ark Project. railed in with supplies and goods, and concrete lining covered the rail- Another difference in project road tracks and the electrical lines were moved to the top of the 9-foot diameter tunnel. (Below) The Estes Penstocks , which were constructed facilities is the production of from 1948-1950. Without the penstocks bringing diverted Colorado River hydropower. water to the Estes Powerplant, there would be no Lake Estes in the middle of Estes Park, Colo. The C-BT hosts six powerplants: Green Mountain, Marys Lake, The Fry-Ark was built on top of NUTS AND BOLTS Estes, Pole Hill, Flatiron and Big previously existing projects that “I guess you can say operating the Thompson. still operate today. C-BT is pretty straight forward,” The Fry-Ark project hosts “We move [other project] water said Lora. “When we bring water one hydroelectric powerplant, through our facilities. It’s not all from the West Slope Collection Colorado’s largest, Mt. Elbert, on Fry-Ark water,” said Vaughan, “and System, we don’t have to work with Twin Lakes Reservoir. that makes for a lot of constant col- a host of other operators or cities.” Together, the C-BT’s power- laboration with other water opera- On the C-BT, Granby Reservoir, plants produce 759 million kilowatt tors in the state.” on the West Slope of the Continental hours of electricity a year, enough page 10 to power 58,300 American homes. On the Fry-Ark, just one pow- erplant produces half that much energy. In 2011, the Mt. Elbert plant produced 355 million kilo- watt hours of electricity, enough to power 35,000 American homes.

THE NEXT 50-100 YEARS Today, changes in water supply are becoming prevalent across the West. Across Colorado, in particular, state and federal agencies, water districts, and non-profit groups are looking forward to the next 100 years with a keen eye on the water supply. Reclamation is maximizing use of its existing facilities to help meet growing demands. New municipal projects are moving through their permitting process. Water conservation is being The hydropower side is also Granby Dam on the C-BT. highlighted by environmental changing. Once thought to have These changes, coupled with groups hoping to stave-off more utilized all the best dam sites for the services both projects already development. power generation available in the provide, carve a central niche for As Reclamation works through West, Reclamation is now looking water projects in Colorado, and the National Environmental Policy at maximizing existing features for West. Act compliance on proposed proj- small hydropower. “Myriad challenges - and oppor- ects like Windy Gap Firming for the The Lease of Power Privilege tunities - exist for both the Fry-Ark C-BT, and oversees the municipal program, or LOPP, is on the move. and C-BT,” said Collins. “It is our Southern Delivery System’s phys- Northern Water, along with its job to navigate the challenges and ical connection to Pueblo Dam on Municipal Subdistrict, provides usher in the opportunities so that the Fry-Ark, other changes are on water to Northeastern Colorado each project maintains its full func- the horizon. from the C-BT and Windy Gap tionality to meet the needs of the “We’re looking at how we issue projects, and has already begun generations that will follow us.” contracts,” said Rice. “From con- construction on an LOPP power- With time marching forward, sideration of market rate pricing, plant on the C-BT’s Carter Lake it will be interesting to watch the to how we apply revenue across Dam #1. histories and legacies of both the project features, the way we conduct Project bids have been awarded at Fry-Ark and C-BT continue to business is evolving.” Pueblo Dam on the Fry-Ark and at evolve.

page 11 What Do You Do? By Doug Epperly, Environmental Compliance Specialist, GPRO

As the Environmental Compliance issues associated with those actions, neighboring lands, affecting crops Group Lead stationed in the describe the impacts, and find ways and landscaping. Regional Office, my job is about to avoid or reduce impacts, or in If we allow invasive weeds to finding solutions. other words, find solutions to prob- expand, we’re not being good stew- Environmental compliance lems before they happen. ards to the vital land and water ensures Reclamation projects are For example, Reclamation autho- resources we develop, or to neigh- consistent with applicable natural rizes construction of several miles boring lands. and cultural resources laws. of pipeline each year. After a pipe- So, we look for solutions. One I help make sure our projects solution we might evaluate involves measure up to our agency mission “I help make the pipeline alignment be seeded to, “manage, develop, and protect sure our projects with desirable grasses. water and related resources in an measure up to our Helping desirable grasses and environmentally and economically shrubs flourish means invasive sound manner in the interest of the agency mission.” weeds and plants are unable to grow American public.” line is installed, the bare soil cov- and spread in the same area. My responsibility is to help deter- ering the pipe provides a potential The process seems fairly simple, mine when an environmental law home for weeds. but it isn’t always so straight may be triggered by Reclamation’s Weeds can force out native grasses forward. There can be any number actions, identify the environmental and shrubs, which can spread onto of wrinkles along the way. page 12 This is where I spend most of my time – ironing out Great Plains Fast Facts the wrinkles. Many of Reclamation’s projects, and the impacts College Degrees from those projects, are complicated. Finding suitable by Area of Study ways to resolve these issues can take a lot of time, and sometimes years. I get to work with a lot of people throughout this 7% interesting, and sometimes complicated, process, 13% 23% which is by far the best part of my job. Working with people from various disciplines who often have competing interests in Reclamation’s proj- ects can be challenging, but helping to mitigate project 36% 21% impacts is very gratifying. 385 Issues often become very sticky and stubborn, and Degrees then someone, rarely me, comes up with a brilliant in GP Region solution. Other (general studies, interdisciplinary or 26 unspecified college degrees) Competing demand for water is often at the center of the issues – for crops, power, drinking, recreation, Social Sciences (art, music, behavior, and wildlife. 49 language, history, anthropology, education, communication and related fields) Meeting all of these demands is the challenge. It can mean evaluating improvements on how we deliver 80 Earth Sciences (includes biological, agri- water for crops so there is sufficient water left over cultural, ecology, geology and other related degrees) for boating, or looking for ways to adjust the timing Business and Administrative (includes of water diversions to encourage fish reproduction so 89 accounting, business, computer, manage- there is a healthy fishery. ment and related fields) For me, that’s just one of the rewards of being an Engineering, Construction and Mainte- environmental compliance specialist. 141 nance Related Fields (all engineers regard- less of discipline, electrical, mechanical and technical support) Ready to Respond Reclamation Supports Emergency Response Through Incident Command System

By Tyler Johnson, Regional Public Affairs Officer

(Above) An air tanker draws water from Flatiron Reservoir to help put out a fire west of Loveland, Colo., in 2010. Reclamation’s role in national preparedness and strike at any time and that preparedness is critical,” emergency response goes beyond projects and said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano facilities. while addressing a group at the “Champion of Change” In March 2011, President Obama released award ceremony. Presidential Policy Directive 8, following the response “We commend the innovative practices and achieve- to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of ments that these individuals bring to the field of emer- Mexico in summer 2010. gency management in order to make our communities As directed by the President, our national prepared- safer, stronger, and better prepared.” ness is the shared responsibility of all levels of gov- Reclamation’s role in national preparedness falls ernment, private and nonprofit sectors, and individual into two categories systematically named Emergency citizens. Everyone can contribute to safeguarding the Support Functions. The two support roles specific to nation from harm. Reclamation are civil engineering and public affairs. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Reclamation may be called upon at any time to fill the directive is aimed at strengthening the security critical roles during any declared disaster. and resilience of the United States through system- Mike Ryan, Regional Director for the Great Plains atic preparation for the threats that pose the great- Region, said, “Serving communities and the nation est risk to the security of the nation, including acts of in this manner fits well with Reclamation’s tradition. terrorism, cyber attacks, pandemics and catastrophic For over a century, Reclamation has brought technical natural disasters. professions to the scene to work with others to solve The directive is intended to galvanize action by the natural resources challenges.” federal government, and aimed at facilitating an inte- President Obama called for the national prepared- grated, all-of-nation, capabilities-based approach to ness system to be an integrated set of guidance, pro- preparedness. grams, and processes that will enable the nation to “This past year we were reminded that disasters can meet the national preparedness goal. page 14 The national preparedness system is designed to help guide the domestic efforts of all levels of government, private and nonprofit sectors, and the public to build Ready to Respond and sustain the capabilities outlined in the national preparedness goal. The national preparedness system includes guidance for planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises to build and maintain domestic capabilities. The national preparedness system includes a series of integrated national planning frameworks, cover- ing prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. The various frameworks are built upon scal- (Above) Members of the Joint Information Command at the Deepwater Horizon Unified Command, St. able, flexible, and adaptable coordinating structures Petersburg, Fla., work to keep the public informed to align key roles and responsibilities to deliver the of the ongoing response efforts, May 27, 2010. SOURCE: U.S. COAST GUARD. necessary capabilities. The frameworks are coordinated under a unified planning framework. Each interagency operational system with a common terminology and approach, plan is expected to include a more detailed concept built around basic plans that support the all-hazards of operations; description of critical tasks and respon- approach to preparedness and functional or incident sibilities; detailed resource, personnel, and sourcing annexes to describe any unique requirements for par- requirements; and specific provisions for the rapid ticular threats or scenarios. integration of resources and personnel. Each framework describes how actions coordinated The Department of the Interior is developing depart- with relevant actions described in the other frame- ment-level operational plans to support the inter- works across the preparedness spectrum. agency operational plans. The national preparedness system includes an inter- Each national planning framework includes guid- agency operational plan to support each national ance to support corresponding planning for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. The national preparedness system includes resource guidance, such as arrangements enabling the ability to share personnel. It provides equipment guidance aimed at nationwide interoperability, and guidance for national training and exercise programs, to facilitate our ability to build and sustain the capabilities defined in the national pre- paredness goal and evaluate progress toward meeting the goal. It also uses consistent methodology to measure the operational readiness of national capabilities at the (Above) In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, time of assessment, with clear, objective and quantifi- Reclamation provided disaster relief with an Expeditionary Unit Water Purifier. The EUWP operated able performance measures, against the target capabil- 24-hours-a-day on the gulf coast, providing ultrafiltra- ity levels identified in the national preparedness goal. tion pretreatment and reverse osmosis desalination, before being transferred to the Biloxi Regional Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss.

page 15 “We Look to the Future, We Look to the Past”

Shifting Population, Climate Change and Other Challenges Face Reclamation in the 21st Century

Above: Waters from the W.C. Austin Project irrigate a cotton crop on the George Payne farm in Oklahoma. The first deliv- ery of water from Reclamation’s W.C. Austin Project began flowing on June 19, 1946, supplementing inadequate rainfall and stabilizing the local economy.

By Buck Feist, Deputy Public Affairs Officer When Kennedy delivered his speech in Pueblo, Colo., the state had about 1.75 million inhabitants. As we enter Water is Reclamation’s number one priority. 2012, the population of Colorado has grown to more than No single resource is more vital to a flourishing society 5.1 million, reflecting the overall trend of an American than water – and no single development illustrates population shifting toward the West. Reclamation’s success more than the explosion of thriv- During the past century, Reclamation supported new ing farms and cities that blossomed across the western centers of wealth and prosperity in the United States by United States during the 20th century. transforming arid landscapes into agricultural and indus- According to Reclamation historian Christopher J. trial hubs. McCune, “The Reclamation Act [of 1902] arguably proved But Reclamation’s future challenges remain as daunting to be the most important piece of legislation ever devised as ever in the 21st century. in the history of the development of the American West.” Escalating populations, volatile weather patterns and an In 1962, President John F. Kennedy dedicated the increasingly diverse populace vastly increase the complex- Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, saying that as the nation ities of water management. The agency seeks to balance determines what projects should be developed, “We look its traditional role of providing water for agriculture, while to the future and we look to the past.” meeting the demands of growing urban populations. page 16 In 2011, a number of records were set around the impacts of population growth,” said Ryan. “This means Great Plains Region. In the northern Great Plains, our ability to mitigate impacts during extreme weather record winter precipitation and spring runoff caused events becomes more limited.” historic flooding: decimating crops, homes and wildlife In 2011, Reclamation issued the SECURE Water Act throughout the Missouri Report, assessing climate River Basin. “The growth of cities during the change and the potential risks Area Office operations 20th century was essentially a growth for water operations, hydro- in Wyoming, Nebraska, power, flood control and fish North Dakota, South of the suburban population.” and wildlife in the Western Dakota and Montana United States. were all impacted by flooding and high river flows. According to Ryan, the Great Plains Region continues to To the south, Texas recorded the all-time worst fire implement actions to adapt to climate changes. But with a year in state history, with nearly 3.7 million acres growth boom in the West, the challenge of providing ade- burned. According to the National Weather Service, quate water supplies means that Reclamation must strike a 2011 clocked in as Texas’s driest year, and its second delicate balance. Any additional input to the system, such hottest, since record-keeping began in 1895. Oklahoma and Texas both experienced the warmest summers on record, eclipsing records set during the infamous “Dust Bowl” era of the 1930s. Near the center of the region, Colorado suffered through its hottest August on record. “It was a year of extremes,” said Mike Ryan, Great Plains Regional Director. “To the north, we had cities, farms and homes inundated with flood waters, while to the south we experienced extreme drought, scorch- ing temperatures and wildfires that were the worst in recorded history.” U.S. Census Bureau figures show the population of the West has grown faster than the rest of the country during every decade of the 20th century, with the South and West accounting for nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population increase. In 1910, 28 percent of Americans lived in metropoli- tan areas. By 2012, that number had increased to more than 82 percent, with the center of population moving ever westward. This shift in demographics is important for Reclamation’s mission. “Weather has always been a challenge in the West,” Ryan said, “but as cities and industries continue to grow, the impacts of climate are magnified. Our water and power systems are increasingly intertwined and (Above) The percentage of Americans living in urban the infrastructure is already straining to absorb the areas steadily increased throughout the 20th century. SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU.

page 17 as extreme weather events, strains the agency’s ability to adjust. “In some respects, Reclamation is a victim of its own success,” Ryan said. “We have a finite water supply in the West, faced with an array of competing demands. Our goal is to meet increased water needs without adversely impacting existing uses such as agriculture.” Agriculture was the domi- nant industry in the West at the time Reclamation was created. Settlement depended upon stable farm economies, and the public strongly supported large-scale development of water projects. “From our inception, agriculture has been at the core of Reclamation’s mission,” said Ryan. “Food secu- rity – the ability to produce enough crops to feed our nation – is a fun- damental aspect of national secu- rity. In that respect, Reclamation projects are key to both our nation’s security and the well-being of our population.” (Above) The nation’s center of population moved westward throughout A century ago, Congress was com- the 20th century, placing increasing demands on scarce water supplies. posed largely of farmers and others because their primary function was construction program began during aware of the needs of agriculture. to store water for irrigation. Other the Great Depression (1929–1939) From 1902 to 1907, Reclamation benefits such as flood control, fish and continued through the 1960s. began about 30 projects in Western and wildlife habitat, municipal A significant portion of the Great states, with many located in what is water and hydropower were sec- Plains Region’s multipurpose proj- now the Great Plains Region. ondary to irrigation, or were not ects in Colorado began with the These projects included the planned during the construction of Interior Department Appropriation Buffalo Bill Project on the Shoshone these projects. Act of 1937, which authorized River in Wyoming, the Belle “Over time, it became clear that construction of facilities on the Fourche Project in South Dakota, Reclamation dams and reservoirs Colorado-Big Thompson Project, Huntley Project in Montana, and the could meet other needs,” Ryan said. including Green Mountain Dam and North Platte Project in Wyoming “Multipurpose projects were devel- Powerplant, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Nebraska. oped to provide for flood control, and Big Thompson Powerplant. These early projects were known municipal water and hydropower.” The Pick-Sloan Missouri River as “single-purpose” projects, The heyday of Reclamation’s Basin Program, under the Flood page 18 Control Act of 1944, authorized the construction of many of the Great Plains Region’s other multipur- pose projects in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, including facilities such as the Yellowtail and Canyon Ferry Units in Montana, and the Glendo Unit in Wyoming, which includes Fremont Canyon Powerplant and Gray Reef Dam. The needs of the West have changed greatly since the early 1900s. Many of the rivers are strain- (Above) Many temporary towns sprang up as a part of early Reclamation ing to meet the demands that have projects, such as Newlon, Mont., near the Lower Yellowstone Project (Photo evolved over the past century. circa 1909). Irrigation remains the princi- acknowledged its pioneering days little indication of the complexity pal user of water in the West, but were over, writing, “The arid West and contentiousness that exists in rapidly growing cities, tribal needs, essentially has been reclaimed. The trying to achieve a delicate balance recreation interests, and environ- major rivers have been harnessed between all the competing needs for mental protection are all demand- and facilities are in place or are a limited supply of water. ing a share. being completed to meet the most As we enter into the second “Few new federally funded dams pressing current water demands and decade of the 21st century, more are likely to be built in the near those of the immediate future.” than 99 percent of the water on earth future, due to the high financial “Our mission continues to is unsuitable for people to use. Most costs and environmental and other evolve,” said Ryan. “Reclamation’s of the earth’s water supplies are too concerns,” said Ryan. “Without the challenge is to meet our tradi- salty, or located in physically inac- ability to develop new water sup- tional role of providing food secu- cessible places such as icecaps, gla- plies, our task is to secure water rity through our irrigation projects, ciers, or deep underground. through other means, in particular while also planning for through better water management.” the emerging water and Reclamation went through a power demands from major reorganization between an increasingly metro- 1988 and 1994, downsizing its politan population.” workforce and shifting empha- Reclamation’s sis from the construction of new mission statement, facilities, to the maintenance and “to manage, develop, operation of Reclamation’s irriga- and protect water and tion, water supply and hydropower related resources in infrastructure. an environmentally In a 1987 report to Secretary of the and economically (Above) Reclamation projects play a vital role in Interior Donald Hodel, the agency sound manner,” gives meeting the needs of a growing U.S. population. page 19 “Reclamation manages resources in a very different western water landscape than our predeces- sors,” said Ryan. “It is incumbent upon us to continue to pioneer innovative approaches to water management.” For more than a century, Reclamation engineers, hydrol- ogists and support staff have labored to bring civilization to the arid West by building more than 180 water projects, includ- ing dams, canals and reservoirs. During an average water year, Reclamation irrigates more than 10 million acres. Farmers on Reclamation proj- ects contribute significantly to the total production of food crops in the United States, including 60 percent of the vegetables and 25 percent of the fruit and nuts grown. Reclamation is the largest whole- saler of water in the nation, and the second largest provider of hydro- power in the West, providing agri- cultural, municipal, and industrial (Above) President John F. Kennedy dedicated Reclamation’s Fryingpan- water to 31 million people. Arkansas Project in 1962. The history of Reclamation is the history of the West. As Orville Project in Colorado, saying, “I Colorado, when he said, “I hope and Wilbur Wright made plans for don’t think there is any more valu- that those of us who hold positions their historic first flight in 1903, able lesson … than to fly as we have of public responsibility in 1962 Reclamation engineers were con- flown today over some of the bleak- are as far-seeing about the needs ducting surveys and developing est land in the United States and of this country in 1982 and 1992 plans for crucial infrastructure then come to a river and see what as those men and women were 30 such as the Milk River Project in grows next to it … and know how years ago … so that by the end of Montana and the Belle Fourche vitally important water is.” this century, when there are 300 Project in South Dakota. Water is Reclamation’s number million people in the United States, Likewise, in 1962, the year after one priority. there will be available to them land President Kennedy set the nation on In 2012, the agency contin- and water and light and power and course to place a man on the moon, he ues to fulfill the vision President resources, and places to live, and dedicated the Fryingpan-Arkansas Kennedy articulated that day in places to rest, and places to work.” page 20 Wyoming’s New Area Manager Focuses on Mission and People By Buck Feist, Deputy “Employees need Public Affairs Officer to feel empowered in order for them to take “My main focus is success ownership. Every con- of the mission,” said tribution is needed and Coleman Smith, Jr., incom- necessary,” Smith said. ing Area Manager for the “As Area Manager, my Wyoming Area Office. job is to make sure our “And everybody has a part folks have the tools and to play in that success,” he resources to do their said. jobs, give them the “A lot of times we put support they need, and facilities on the front line, then get out of the way and that’s good, because and let them do their the dams, canals and pow- jobs.” erplants are the public face Smith is an electrical of our agency. But there’s engineer, and first came Coleman Smith, Jr., Wyoming Area Manager also a tremendous amount to Reclamation in 2007. of work that goes on behind He said he looks forward to the scenes – in the cubicles, meeting rooms and offices the opportunities and challenges of the job, and feels - and I want folks in Wyoming to feel like these pro- fortunate to be working with his new colleagues. grams are theirs - that they have a personal interest in “I’ve been told they are very capable individuals,” what we do.” he said. “My job is to carry on the legacy left by John Smith was selected as Wyoming Area Manager in Lawson, to make sure we use what he started and did Feb., and officially took over leadership this April, in Wyoming as a benchmark to go forward with.” replacing John Lawson, who retired in Dec. 2011. Smith said his most important responsibility as Area “Smith brings a depth of expertise in operations, man- Manager is the safety of employees and the public. agement and technical advising,” said Great Plains “I am very committed to safety – safety is job one. I Regional Director Mike Ryan. “His skill set, along with want everyone to come into work everyday, and then go his track record of teamwork, coordination and commu- home just the way they came in. Safety is very impor- nication skills, will help the Wyoming Area continue to tant to the mission.” be a success in the future.” The Wyoming Area Office is headquartered in Smith comes from Boise, Idaho, where he served as the Mills, Wyo., and includes 12 hydroelectric power- Deputy Manager, Power Operations and Maintenance, plants, 20 reservoirs, and provides operational control for the Pacific Northwest Region. In that position, Smith for Colorado’s Big Thompson Project and Montana’s coordinated work of the regional power office with Yellowtail and Canyon Ferry hydropower facilities. other federal agencies, including the Bonneville Power “I’m anxious to get started,” Smith said. “I have a Administration and the US Army Corps of Engineers. feeling I have a great group of folks to work with.”

page 21 Shooting for the Best

Composing images as you take them improves quality and focuses attention on the subject.

Explore five key concepts used to create award winning photographs:

Depth of Field.

The panoramic view of the Beartooth Plateau near the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park serves as the background image. Taken with an infinite depth of field, it renders sharp detail throughout the image above, below and to the right. The ceramic cowpoke simulates a shallow depth of field where he is in focus but the background at left is not. The result (especially if done to all of the panorama) draws attention to the figure instead of the image as a whole.

Spider web in the wind. Natural frame over view of Billings, Photo: Jerry Leggate Mont. Photo: Jerry Leggate Composing Photographs Shooting for the Best By Jerry Leggate, Visual Information Specialist, GPRO

Light Makes a Difference. Looking Space Indicates Action. The cowpoke illustrates how light alters per- Give the subject of a photo emotion by provid- ception. The larger version in the background ing personal space. Even inanimate objects can used reflected light to eliminate shadows on the benefit such as an image of a speeding car with figure. The primary source of light came from space ahead of it in a race. behind causing distracting shadows under the hat as seen below.

Portraits require attention to light. Portraits without high- lights in the eyes appear lifeless. Another example is this In general, people are cap- image of Regional Director tured best in shade or on a Mike Ryan. Even without cloudy day rather than bright the added gesture in the sunlight and a plus is they will larger image, it is more not squint. effective than the smaller cropped copy.

Perspective for a Fresh Look. Rule of Thirds. Try altering the point of view or including ob- Images that are pleasing to the eye tend to fol- jects to add variety and create a bond between low basic spatial concepts. One of these is to di- viewer and the subject. The cowpoke was shot vide space horizontally and vertically as shown from waist level to emphasize his face and and arrange major elements within the resulting stance. boundaries (horizontally in this case).

The same prin- Pets and small ciple works objects also diagonally or benefit from a place subjects view using their at the blue dots perspective for maximum instead of the effect (see the way we usually cows below for see them. an example also incorporating looking space).

National Archives photo of Photo: Tyler Soft focus frame for attention. Backlit clouds and rainbow. Plains Talk Firefighting at ECAO. Hoover Dam by Ansel Adams. Johnson Photo: Jerry Leggate National Park Service image. cover photo. Photo: Joe Rohde. Access for Everyone By Tobias Taylor, Visual What steps can I take to create accessible Information Specialist, GPRO documents? “The power of Proper document structure helps ensure that informa- [electronic commu- tion is understood and works well with assistive tech- nication] is in its uni- nology. Use the built-in word processor software for- versality. Access by matting styles to indicate headings, emphasized text everyone regardless of and other document structure elements. These styles disability is an essen- create landmarks within the document that sighted tial aspect,” said Tim users and those who use assistive technology can easily Berners-Lee, Director follow. of the World Wide Web Consortium. Electronic mediums such as e-mail, word process- ing documents and PDF files provide a large part of the communication and information sharing in the Great Plains Region. By following federal guidelines to create documents that are easy for all to use, we ensure that everyone will be able to utilize all of our

electronic communications. A page of text laid out with headings differentiated only by visual formatting (bold, center, increased font size, etc.) is interpreted by a screen reader as a Why make documents accessible? single continuous block of text. Approximately 12 percent of Americans have a dis- ability and by making electronic documents accessi- Set the natural language for each document to ensure ble, everyone can access and utilize those documents, assistive technologies use proper pronunciation when regardless of ability. translating the text into speech. If a different natural People no longer view electronic documents solely language is used for a paragraph or section of the doc- on desktop computers, but now use cell phones, net ument, change the natural language for that section. books, Internet-capable televisions and many other Turn off any hyphenation features in your word pro- devices. Properly designed accessible documents cessing software. Assistive technology devices inter- display more easily on various devices. pret each part of hyphenated words individually instead By law, all electronic documents produced by federal of speaking them properly as single words. employees must meet the requirements of Section 508 All images (photos, clip art, charts, and other graphi- of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1998. cal elements) used within an electronic document need to include alternative (alt) text. Alt text describes an image and serves to convey the same essential infor- mation to those with visual impairments or those who choose not to view images. Microsoft© Word 2007 Styles Menu Ensure sufficient contrast exists between text and background colors. Low contrast can result in the text page 24 disappearing into the background, making a document Org. Code Name Phone Number illegible. For the best contrast between text and back- GP-1000 Jane Smith 406-247-1234 ground use single, solid colors and avoid using patterns. Use color to enhance information, not as the only GP-1240 Thomas Jones 406-247-9876 means to convey that information. For example, if a GP-2600 Charles Wit 970-962-1123

GP-4000 Susan Berry 406-247-7618

Simple data table created in Microsoft Word. GOOD GOOD Tables with spanned cells prove difficult for assis- CONTRAST CONTRAST tive technology to interpret correctly. Keep table struc- ture simple for the best accessibility for all users. If a complex tables must be used, include a description or explanation of the table’s contents in the text of the document. Remove text wrapping from around tables. When POOR POOR text wraps a data table the likelihood of reading errors CONTRAST CONTRAST increases as the assistive technology switches from Table Reading mode to Text Reading mode multiple times depending on the amount of text surrounding the table. form has required fields, making the text red might not “Accessibility is not only for people with disabilities be a big enough distinction for a color blind person. but for all of us who are thankful that there are no bar- Add another visual cue, such as an asterisk or other riers in using our abilities,” said Remberto Esposa Jr., element to indicate that the field is required. Guild of Accessible Web Designers.

I use hyperlinks in my document, how do I make them accessible? Use clear and concise language for all links. Linked text should inform the reader exactly where the link will take them when clicked (e.g., Great Plains Region Web site). If providing the URL, have it follow the linked text (e.g. Great Plains Region Web site, http:/ www.usbr.gov/gp/). Screen readers interpret links that span two lines of text as two separate links, so format all links to fit on one line.

What are the accessibility requirements for tables? Tables are meant to display tabular information, so avoid using tables to create visual layout. Construct A Refreshable Braille Display, an example of assis- tables that read logically from left to right, top to tive technology, connects to a computer by a serial or bottom and include concise column and row headers. USB cable and produces braille output for the user.

page 25 Reclamation Hydropower Generates $1 Billion for Taxpayers

(Above) U.S. lights at night from space. SOURCE: NASA.

By Jay Dallman, Natural Water at higher elevations flows tinually renewable, and it produces downward through large pipes or almost no pollution. Resource Specialist, WYAO tunnels, which Reclamation refers Hydroelectric power is clean Hydroelectric power production to as penstocks. The falling water energy. Its production does not and distribution has played an im- rotates the turbines, which drive contribute to air pollution, atmo- portant role in the history of Amer- the generators, which convert the spheric carbon-dioxide (CO2), or ica and in the economic viability of turbines’ mechanical energy into thermal pollution. Reclamation the Bureau of Reclamation. electricity. The advantages of hy- was among the early pioneers in The term “hydropower” does droelectric power over such other developing green energy in the not necessarily refer to hydroelec- sources as fossil fuels and nuclear form of hydroelectricity. tric power. The concept of using fission are that it is one of the most A 2006 report by the Interna- flowing or falling water to power efficient means of energy conver- tional Rivers Network claims that machinery has been embraced by sion. Hydroelectric power is con- water storage reservoirs release civilization for thousands of years. a significant amount of CO2 and Hydroelectric power is a more re- methane (CH4) into to the atmo- cent development. At the Bureau sphere as a result of decomposing of Reclamation, however, we use vegetation within the footprint of the term “hydropower” in refer- the reservoir. ence to hydroelectric power. According to a 2011 article by Hydroelectric power is electric- Nature Geoscience, the amount ity produced from generators driv- of greenhouse gases contributed en by water turbines that convert by reservoirs may not be so sig- the energy in falling or fast-flow- nificant. “The contribution from ing water to mechanical energy. Transmission lines. hydroelectric reservoirs …is mi- page 26 nor when considering the global position of plant material and the will ultimately be released to the warming potential of CO2 and associated release of greenhouse atmosphere again, and the cycle CH4. Carbon emissions by hydro- gases will be occurring, whether a continues. electric reservoirs are also small in reservoir is constructed or not. “It would take more than 23.5 comparison to the total emissions As vegetation grows, it seques- million barrels of crude oil or about reported for natural inland waters.” 6.8 million tons of coal to produce Even where CO2 emissions the energy equivalent of Reclama- from reservoirs can be identified, tion’s 58 hydropower plants,” said in most cases, this effect could Commissioner Mike Connor dur- not be attributed to hydropower ing his Fiscal Year 2013 Budget production. Most of Reclamation Justification. “As a result, Recla- reservoirs were built for irriga- mation’s facilities eliminate the tion, water storage or for multiple production of over 27 million tons uses, meaning the reservoirs and of carbon dioxide annually that their associated impacts would ex- would have been produced by fos- ist whether or not hydropower was ters CO2. Then, when plants die sil fuel power plants. Hydropower produced. The amount of CO2 and and decompose, CO2 gas is re- production not only conserves our methane released is much lower leased directly to the atmosphere precious natural resources, but it in arid climates where reservoir or diffused (sequestered) for a time also helps reduce the amount of at- floor vegetation is minimal. Many in oceans, lakes, reservoirs, or mospheric pollution.” of Reclamation’s reservoirs, such even in the soil. The plants may be Reclamation’s first hydroelectric as Lake Mead, Bighorn Lake and converted into fossil fuel, in which powerplant was built in associa- Flaming Gorge Reservoir, fall in case the greenhouse gas may re- tion with the Theodore Roosevelt this category. Wherever vegetation main sequestered for millions of Dam on the Salt River about 75 is present, some natural decom- years or longer. Sequestered CO2 miles northeast of Phoenix, Ariz.

Some Key Developments Related to Early Hydroelectric Power Production 1879 Cleveland Ohio – First commercial arc lighting system installed 1880 Grand Rapids, Michigan – brush arc lighting used in chair factory 1881 Niagara Falls – Brush dynamo connected to turbine powers street lights 1882 Appleton, Wisconsin – First commercial hydroelectric station began operation 1886 Frank Sprague built first American transformer and demonstrates step-up and step-down voltage 1886 40 to 50 hydroelectric plants reported on-line or under construction in the U.S. and Canada 1887 San Bernardino, California – First hydroelectric plant constructed in western U.S. 1888 Rotating field Alternating Current (AC) alternator invented 1889 Oregon City, Oregon – First AC hydroelectric plant built 1889 200 electric companies in U.S. reported using water power for some or all of their generation 1891 Frankfurt, Germany – First 3-Phase hydroelectric plant began operation 1891 60 cycle AC system was introduced in the U.S. 1893 Austin, Texas – Austin Dam was completed. It was the first dam constructed specifically for hydroelectric power production 1893 San Antonio Creek, California - First use of step-up and step-down transformers in a hydroelectric plant 1893 Mill Creek, California – First American 3-Phase hydroelectric plant 1902 Bureau of Reclamation created (U.S. Reclamation Service) 1911 Construction complete on Reclamation’s first hydroelectric plant – Roosevelt Dam, AZ 1922 First hydroelectric plant built specifically for peaking power 1940 Over 1500 hydroelectric facilities produce roughly one third of the total electric power requirement of the U.S.

page 27 Denver skyline around midnight from I-25 and Speer Blvd. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, MATT WRIGHT. In 1906, small temporary hydro- pumping irrigation water, and fur- the fourth largest component of electric generators, installed prior nishing electricity to the Phoenix available electric supply in the to construction, provided energy area. The plant was completed in U.S., and is the largest form of re- for construction related machinery 1911 and later updated to about 36 newable energy in the world. and equipment. Surplus electric- megawatts (MW). The U.S. is the world’s fourth ity from those generators was sold The demand for electrical power largest producer of hydroelectric to nearby communities. A power- in America has skyrocketed since power, after China, Canada, and house containing a permanent 900 1940, and even though the hydro- Brazil, and Reclamation is the sec- kilowatt (kW) unit was construct- power production has increased ond largest producer of hydroelec- ed at the base of the dam in 1907. significantly since then, the - over tricity in the U.S. Four more generating units later all percentage of total electrical Reclamation’s largest hydro came on line and by September 30, demand satisfied by hydro facili- plant is Grand Coulee powerplant 1909, five generators with a com- ties has fallen to somewhere in the in Washington State. It has a rated bined capacity of 4,500 kW were range of 7-10 percent. capacity of 6,400 MW. in operation, supplying power for Hydroelectric power provides Reclamation uses some of the power it produces to run its facili- ties, such as pumping plants. Ex- cess hydropower is sold first to preference customers, such as rural electric power co-ops, public util- ity districts, municipalities, tribes, and state and federal agencies. Re- maining power may be sold to pri- vate electric utilities. Power is sold at a cost-based rate which, in Rec- lamation’s case, means an average rate sufficient to cover the cost of production, repayment of the capi- tal investment in the infrastructure, distribution and related expenses, without producing a profit. Although Reclamation sells power to its irrigation and pref- erence customers at a cost-based rate, the value of the electricity Roosevelt Dam and Powerplant, Salt River Project, Ariz., print of a 4x5 inch original historic photo of Reclamation’s first hydroelectric plant. produced varies. Power produced page 28 at periods of peak demand has a chase power from Reclamation to-irrigation dollars which help higher value. Many of Reclama- pay a premium for the availability pay for irrigation infrastructure tion’s powerplants are operated to of reserve capacity, whether they that supports irrigated agriculture provide peaking power as at least a actually end up using it or not.” in the West. Hydropower revenues portion of their output. The reason Hydropower was not an origi- also help pay the cost of Reclama- peaking power has a higher value nally authorized purpose in many tion’s environmental mitigation is due to the nature of large base- early Reclamation projects, it has and commitments. load type powerplants. These are been added in many cases through The value of hydropower to Rec- typically powered by coal, gas or reauthorizations and now is the lamation and to the U.S. far ex- nuclear reactors which heat water primary revenue generator for ceeds the mere revenue generated to produce steam which drives tur- the agency. Reclamation has 58 by the sale of hydroelectric power. bines to produce electricity. Many hydropower plants, 53 of which From providing inexpensive elec- of these plants simply can’t react are operated and maintained by tricity, to reducing atmospheric quickly to fluctuations in demand. Reclamation. On an annual basis, pollution, to stimulating American According to Kerry McCalman, these plants produce an average agriculture and industry, and pro- Reclamation’s Senior Hydropower of 40 million MW-hours of elec- viding or helping to support tens advisor, “It’s a significant benefit tricity, enough power to meet the of thousands of jobs, hydropower to Reclamation’s power customers needs of 3.5 million households, has been a significant contributor to receive cost-based power during and power revenues exceed $900 to the success of Reclamation and peak demand times so they don’t million. These revenues cover the the prosperity of America. need to purchase higher cost peak full cost of power generation and power on the open market. An ad- transmission, and also provide aid- ditional benefit is gained when there is peak power from Reclama- tion’s plants that is excess to our customers’ needs, which can be sold by Reclamation at peak mar- ket prices.” Differences in peak and off-peak power value are also what make pumping plants viable. Reclama- tion’s pumping plants are net rev- enue generators because water is pumped to higher elevations dur- ing off-peak hours when the value of the electricity is lower, and then released back down through the turbines during times of high de- mand when power prices are high- er. Wyoming Area Office Operation and Maintenance Chief Bill Dykes explained, “In addition to being able to provide cost-based power to our preference customers, Rec- lamation also earns revenue under contracts for the value of having electricity available when needed. The agencies and utilities that pur- Grand Coulee Dam and Powerplant, Columbia Basin Project, Wash., Reclamation’s largest power facility with a 6,400 MW capacity. page 29 Exploring Ancient Floods Reclamation Boosts Dam Safety Program By Examining the Impacts of Ancient Floods

By Kim Parish, Administrative Officer, OTAO

(Left) The soil profile of the river bank at a paleoflood study site near Altus, Okla. (Right) The upper soil (A through B2 horizons) shows sediment deposited by a major flood event that occurred within the last 730 to 910 years. Altus Dam, which is a principle radioactive decay. The discharge staff coordinated with local land- feature of the W.C. Austin Project, associated with the flood deposit is owners to gain access to the sites. was constructed in the 1940s and is estimated using a hydraulic model- Charcoal samples were collected currently undergoing a Corrective ing program. The paleoflood data from the flood deposits and submit- Action Study as part of the Dam provide long-term data to comple- ted for radiocarbon analysis. Safety Program to mitigate overtop- ment the short-term stream gauge Together with additional topo- ping concerns during rare extreme graphic information which was floods. recently collected using LIDAR As part of this study, a team (Light Detection and Ranging) tech- of experts from Reclamation’s nology, a two-dimensional hydrau- Technical Services Center are con- lic model will simulate the stage ducting a paleoflood study to inves- and discharge required to inundate tigate the largest floods that have the stream terraces where the flood occurred prehistorically in the deposits are preserved. watershed. (Above) View from Altus Dam The model results will then be showing the north fork of Red River. Stream terraces along a river pre- used to update the flood frequen- serve a geologic record of floods data and typically reduce the uncer- cies for the reservoir.” that can be used to develop paleo- tainty in estimating the magnitude Reclamation will use the updated flood information. and frequency of rare extreme flood frequencies to guide in devel- The age of the flood deposit in floods. opment and selection of risk reduc- the stream terrace is estimated At Altus Dam, sites both down- tion alternatives for Altus Dam. A using radiocarbon dating, in which stream of the dam and upstream of few alternatives that are currently charcoal is collected from the flood the reservoir were investigated for being considered include construc- deposits, identified and dated using use in estimating the frequency and tion of an auxiliary spillway or Accelerator Mass Spectrometry magnitude of extreme floods along expansion of the existing spillway. (AMS) and the principles of the North Fork Red River. OTAO page 30 Hydropower in History A page from the history books showing the critical role hydropower has played in the development of the American West.

Henry Ford is known for mass produc- ing automobiles bearing his name, but he also took a keen interest in hydro- power development. In the 1920s, just as Reclamation was building hydro- power for the American West, Ford was already using it to transform his industries.

Main photo: Old Mill in Dundee, Mich., that began as a grist mill in 1849. In 1910, it was converted to provide hydropower to the village and later renovated by Henry Ford in the 1930s to manufacture welding supplies as part of his Village Industries. Today the facil- ity serves as a museum. Camera 101: Get the Best THINK Consider how images might be used. Taking sev- eral from different angles and fields of view pro- vides options when placing them in documents.

It is easier to delete unneeded images than to get The image above shows a GP drill crew at Huntley, Mont., ear- new ones later. Note the image of new houses on lier this year. The middle image the front range in Colorado (behind THINK at shows a similar view suitable for a report cover. The image at right the bottom of this page) would not work without tells more of the story by showing the structure to be replaced (the the expansive grassy view in the foreground. reason for the crew to be there).

PLAN Most cameras have several choices of mode for creating better images. The water images behind PLAN and & below are good examples. In the water and rocks image, the action is frozen by a high shutter speed and individual droplets can be seen. The waterfall motion is blurred by increas- ing the exposure time to 1/30 of a second.

Some of the most common modes are:

A Automatic - a safe setting for most Reclamation images. Sports - forces high shutter speed and exposure sensitivity to stop action with limited blurring.

Backlit - overrides auto-exposure so subject is rendered well and may fire flash for fill light.

Closeup - adjusts camera to macro mode. In portraits, plan to avoid background conflicts such as the antelope antlers appearing on our cowpoke model. Doors or windows, artwork and corners Landscape - for wide scenic views and low light. are some indoor conflicts. Trees, buildings, signs and other people are com- mon outdoors.

STEADY Camera Sensitivities The most common error when taking zoomed in on a subject such as the When in doubt use a higher images is camera shake. Involuntary telephoto image of the squirrel behind sensitivity in camera settings. Typically 400, 800 or 1600 tilting of the camera blurs the entire STEADY below. Brace against a solid offers more flexibility in scene. This is most apparent when object or use a tripod! capturing scenes.

page 32 Photo Why do photos look fuzzy or blurred when in documents? Q & A:

Pixels Have It

Successive enlargement of an image reveals individual pixels and their relationship to the quality of the printed photo. The original photo at left is 850 pixels wide and the one at right is nine.

The Right Resolution The Other Villain: Lossey Compression for the Job Not all pixel information is preserved consistently as images If the original image was in fo- are manipulated. To save storage space and speed transfer, im- cus, then most likely there is not ages are often compressed. JPG compression is called lossey enough information to render it because after repeated use (or too severe a setting) the image is well. Cropping or gross enlarge- degraded as shown in enlargement number 2 below. Compare ment of the image is the likely to enlargement 1 from a JPG properly compressed. cause. Enlargement 2 still has the same number of pixels but blocky Digital images are like a wall of clusters of similar colors were created eliminating data used colored building blocks forming a to describe pixels individually. This makes JPG files much mosaic. Each block behaves like a smaller than other file types for use in email, on the Internet or specific element within an image. where storage space is limited. These picture elements are called pixels. JPG compression used cor- rectly has distinct advantages. 1 2 Images vary in both the number of Reclamation digital images are pixels they contain as well as the typically modestly compressed magnification at which the avail- JPGs and the camera original able pixels are displayed. Crop or files are preserved without enlarge the image too much and additional editing or compres- fewer pixels are available for good sion. Only copies should be results. used in documents. Conversely, pixels exceeding the display (or printer) resolution con- tain more information than can be used and waste resources. See the 1 2 images of the killdeer at right.

Typical pixel resolutions per inch for acceptable results

Internet images 72 Monitor displays 92 Laserjet and plain paper 120 Photo inkjet and paper 150 and up A B C Printing (four color press) 300 This is the equivalent of an This copy of the killdeer was The same number of pixels as 11 megapixel camera image reduced to 390,075 pixels (300 B have been severely com- PowerPoint (total image width) 1800 and uses 33,314,520 bytes per inch) and matches the pressed in a JPG. The image of computer space. It has a printing quality of Plains Talk. file is only 50,000 bytes, but total of 11,096,400 pixels (the It uses less than one tenth the detail and color have been lost equivalent of 1600 per inch). resources of image A. (see insets). page 33 Photo Why don’t colors print the same as I see them on a monitor?

Gamut is a term commonly used to Q & A: describe a range of color and the capabili- ties of color devices. The full gamut of color is often simplified as a horseshoe shaped graph of all the frequencies of color that the human eye can see. Within It’s the Gamut that are smaller areas of color that are able to be displayed or reproduced by devices. Monitors, printers and Computer monitors cannot render all the cameras also need to be calibrated to match colors colors the human eye can see. This issue accurately between them. becomes important when images are ma- nipulated, changed, displayed or printed. X For example, the blue shown at the X on the graph at right is visible on a moni- A device included tor, but will shift to a different tone and Graphic representation of color gamuts. in an image to facilitate color gamut when printed. (a) is the entire visible palette calibration. (b) is the RGB gamut of a typical computer monitor Note that about half the visible spectrum (c) is the CMYK gamut of a typical inkjet printer is composed of shades of green. Because of this, human eyes and digital camera sensors sample twice as much green as red or blue.

Photo RGB and CMYK - What is the Difference? Q & A:

A spotlight for each color creates new Cyan, magenta and Add or Subtractoverlapping hues and yellow inks are mixed white for all three. on the printed page. Photography is often technically defined asrecording Subtractive color is used by color printing presses to light and artistically as painting with light. To do so in make newspapers, magazines and books. Cyan, magenta the digital age relies upon the primary colors of red, and yellow inks are mixed over a white background green and blue (RGB) and the additive properties of (paper). No ink is white (it reflects all light colors) and color. 100% of all three inks subtracts all colors and is per- ceived as black. The full color spectrum is possible by The visible spectrum of light is a range of wavelengths mixing the three inks to absorb all but the desired color. associated with specific colors. Refraction of light (such as in a rainbow) reveals all the possible colors Black (K) was originally added to create CMYK as a (wavelengths) it contains. White is perceived when all way of printing pages containing only text. Mixing all colors of light are present. In contrast, true black is the four inks also simplified rendering a wider range of col- absence of all color (light). Mixing varying amounts ors. Computer printers and artists use subtractive color. of the three RGB primaries creates all other colors. Cameras, monitors and televisions create images using Both color principles are used in digital imaging. Ad- this principle. ditive (RGB) in capturing or viewing and subtractive (CMYK) in printing. page 34 Canyon Ferry Gets Face Lift By Paula Holwegner, Administrative Officer, MTAO

(Above) Coir logs (coconut fiber rolls) are used to stabilize shore- line sites. The rolls accumulate sediment and then biodegrade as plants become established. (Right) An example of a gabion wall on Canyon Ferry Reservoir with flanking erosion due to deflect- ing wave energy.

The picturesque views of Canyon Management Plan. The Plan pro- and techniques in sensitive cultural Ferry Reservoir, surrounded by vides balanced, practical, and rel- and natural resource areas. These mountains, forest, and grassland, evant guidance for addressing methods are visually, environmen- make Canyon Ferry a popular rec- public use, adjacent landowner tally and ecologically compatible reation destination for activities concerns, and resource protection with other resources. This project ranging from fishing and boating, on the shoreline of Canyon Ferry includes state of the art bioengi- to hunting and wildlife viewing. Reservoir. neered stabilization methods and On the north end of the reservoir, Some of the erosion control mea- artificial structures that emulate the Canyon Ferry Act allowed 265 sures addressed in the Plan include naturally-occurring shoreline struc- former cabin site lessees to pur- (1) Relocation of Threatened tures in order to protect infrastruc- chase the land, transferring leases Structures or Roadways, (2) ture and prevent further erosion. to private ownership, while main- Non-Structural Stabilization, (3) “This project will utilize several taining public ownership of the Dynamic Revetment, (4) Bio- of the stabilization methods rec- adjacent shoreline. Engineering Stone, (5) Rip-Rap ommended in the Draft Shoreline The Act required public access Revetment, and (6) No action. Management Plan,” said Shawn to and along the shoreline remain The Bureau of Reclamation has Bryant, Assistant Facility Manager. unobstructed and maintained. identified six sites along the shore- “Design for this project is complete, Administration of public shore- line of Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Reclamation hopes to award a line near private cabin sites and with moderate to severe erosion construction contract in the near increased visitation presented some issues. Reclamation intends to future to stabilize these high-prior- unique situations, and loss of shore- adopt sustainable shoreline protec- ity sites,” he said. line due to erosion was a concern. tion practices to stabilize these six The Draft Shoreline Management In response, from 2003 to sites. Reclamation has developed a Plan can be accessed at: www.usbr. 2008, Canyon Ferry in partner- design, construction plans and spec- gov/gp/mtao/canyonferry/smp_ ship with interested parties, devel- ifications for effective shoreline sta- rev_06_2010.pdf. oped the Canyon Ferry Shoreline bilization and restoration solutions

page 35 GP Region “Best in Federal Government”

Melissa Chastain, Regional Records Manager, developed a control system to flag and record incoming/out- going environmental correspondence and documents.

By Tobias Taylor, Visual EMS in accordance with Department EMS is a systematic approach for Information Specialist, GPRO and Bureau requirements, and to managing environmental issues, identify areas that need improvement. providing a continual cycle of plan- “It was a long four-year process When the results were in, GP ended ning, implementing, reviewing, and resulting in many hours and a up with the best EMS audit in all of improving the processes and actions lot of collaboration by the Core government – and one of the best in that the Great Plains Region under- Team. I couldn’t be more proud private industry! takes to meet its business and envi- of all the work we did. It just goes “Congratulations on being one of ronmental goals. to show what we can accomplish the two USBR Region Environmental The results of the audit show that when we all work together for a Management Systems immediately GP takes a proactive approach to common purpose,” said Regional ready to declare that EMS is in con- environmental stewardship with an Environmental Management System formance with the requirements, and emphasis on continual improve- (EMS) Coordinator Stefanie Jordan. the only region to complete the audit ment that facilitates the integration The Great Plains Region under- with zero nonconformities,” said of environmental accountability went its third-party EMS confor- Tony Westbrook, Osage Virginia, into the day-to-day operations and mance audit the week of October 24, Inc. Lead Auditor, in a letter to Great long term business decisions of the to ensure the region is implementing Plains Regional Director Mike Ryan. region. page 36 The auditors were very on desks, bulletin boards, and break impressed with GP’s imple- room tables. mentation of EMS and high- Amanda Somerville designed a lighted strategies that set Green Purchasing Database that the region apart from other tracks credit card purchases for green government and private products. Somerville will share her organizations. database with other regions. The region was com- Gene Schwartz, Regional Property mended for incorporat- Manager, created a process to gather ing environmental consid- information on erations seamlessly into Fleet activity that day-to-day activities. EMS he will share with Coordinator Stefanie Jordan other regions. provides frequent updates Melissa on environmental and EMS Chastain, activities to employees Regional Records and management through Manager, devel- weekly conference calls, The EMS team dis- oped a Central tributed desk cards quarterly EMS reviews, to ensure personnel Records Control and Regional Leadership were fully briefed system to flag and on Reclamation’s Board meetings. Environmental Man- record incoming/ Jordan also implemented agement Policy. outgoing envi- a “go green” e-mail ronmental cor- address to provide sug- respondence and gestions and generate communication related to documents effec- environmental issues. Desk cards were distrib- tively. A tested uted, summarizing Reclamation’s environmental and verified con- stewardship policy and significant aspects of the region. trols system to identify missing documents and main- The desk cards were so successful auditors found them tain records that are easily accessible impressed the audit team. The Wyoming Area Office created an internal method to track required EMS awareness training by having new employees take the training immediately upon being hired rather than wait until the training can be assigned in the DOI Learn system. Laura Schweiger, Hazmat and EMS Coordinator for WYAO, developed a best business practice of holding back 50 percent of the funds for hazardous waste dis- posal contracts until documentation is received verify- ing the proper disposal of the hazardous waste. Regional Director Mike Ryan declared EMS confor- mance to the Office of Policy on December 15, 2011. Amanda Somerville, Regional Purchasing Agent, with her Green Purchasing Database. The next EMS external audit is scheduled for 2015.

page 37 Reclamation Takes the Fight to Mussels

By Kim Parish, Administrative through a private contractor for Officer, OTAO young people that are currently enrolled or have recently graduated As the spread of quagga and zebra from college in an effort to inte- mussels continues in the Western grate them into the workforce. United States, the early detection of The Oklahoma-Texas Area Office the organisms has become increas- (OTAO) has partnered with TSC to ingly important to minimize their sample four reservoirs in Oklahoma. impact on Reclamation’s water and Reclamation began sampling these hydropower infrastructure. four reservoirs in 2009, and then The freshwater quagga and zebra turned the sampling over to TSC’s mussels are natives of Eurasia and contractor for the 2010 and 2011 A clump of invasive zebra mussels. were first transported to North SOURCE: USFWS. sampling seasons. To date, samples America in the late 1980s. Since pulled from the four reservoirs have their introduction, they have spread tested negative for the presence of quickly throughout the eastern presence disrupts the native diver- zebra mussels. Although there are United States, most notably in the sity of infested water bodies. multiple other reservoirs through- Great Lakes, and finally moved to Under the American Recovery and out Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas the lower Colorado River in 2007. Reinvestment Act, Reclamation’s that are currently infested with The mussels have the potential to Technical Service Center (TSC) zebra mussels, OTAO only has one impact Reclamation infrastruc- launched a program to sample and reservoir that has a confirmed pop- ture and the operation of its water analyze western waters for the pres- ulation. Cheney Reservoir in south- delivery and hydroelectric power ence of these invasive mussels. The ern Kansas has had a confirmed systems; additionally, the mussels’ program provides employment population of zebra mussels since

(Left) Kevin Bloom, TSC contractor, takes samples using a plankton net at McGee Creek Reservoir. (Right) An invasive species warning sign. Warning signs like this are often posted around lakes and reservoirs that have infested waters warning the public of potential risks posed by invasive mussels. page 38 Inspect and Clean Boats and Equipment Thoroughly 2007, and has since been imple- Once the presence of mussels systems from disruption by mussels. menting control measures to help is confirmed in a reservoir, Early detection of any infestation protect the dam and associated Reclamation has a three to five year will provide time to plan for and infrastructure. window in which they can imple- deploy these protective measures The samples taken from the res- ment the necessary protection for before an infestation becomes crit- ervoirs are analyzed by the con- their facilities before mussel pop- ical. In this way, delivery of water tractor through cross-polarized ulations reach levels that impact and power to the West will be better light microscopy in order to iden- infrastructure and operations. protected from the adverse effects tify the larvae of the mussels. These The TSC is developing and of these invasive mussels. larvae vary from about 70-200 testing several new technologies for microns in size, slightly smaller protecting water and hydropower than a grain of sand to the naked eye. Water samples which reveal suspect organisms are further ana- lyzed by the polymerase chain reac- tion testing of DNA and also pho- tographed with a scanning elec- tron microscope to confirm or deny the presence of a mussel larva. In 2010, TSC analyzed samples from 361 water bodies throughout the western states. Additional tests of the water quality and phytoplank- ton levels of every reservoir are also made to help understand the con- ditions that seem to be conducive to mussel establishment and doc- ument aquatic ecosystem changes when mussels invade. (Above) Kevin Bloom measures water quality data at McGee Creek Reservoir.

page 39 Balancing Budget Realities

By Tyler Johnson, Regional Public Affairs Officer

What does Nostradamus say appropriations continue to reflect Commissioner Michael L. Connor. about Reclamation’s Budget for support for clean water, afford- “The President’s proposal contin- 2012!? able power and renewable energy,” ues to ensure the reliable and effi- How does the Mayan Calendar, said Great Plains Regional Director cient delivery of water and produc- which ends December 21, 2012, Mike Ryan. tion of renewable, clean hydropower, reflect the realities of the 2013 President Barack Obama’s 2012 but also reflects the tough choices we Budget!? budget request included a total of must make in order to address the In truth, the budget for this year $1.0184 billion for Reclamation. critical budget deficit.” and those to follow isn’t all doom “The President’s budget proposal The budget’s emphasis reflects and gloom. promotes fiscal responsibility while Reclamation’s balance of core mis- Historically the Reclamation maximizing the community, eco- sions and solving mounting pressure Budget has hovered in the range of nomic, and environmental ben- on available water resources. $1 billion for the last 10 years and efits of Reclamation’s projects In total, the funding addresses that hasn’t changed. and programs by promoting cer- administration, departmental and While doing more with less is tainty, sustainability, and resiliency Reclamation’s collective priorities. the by-product of an austere budget with respect to the use of water In Feb., Reclamation announced environment, Reclamation will resources,” said Reclamation plans to allocate $50 million in 2012 likely continue with funding similar funding for water projects and initia- to previous years. tives in the West. In relation to the Department, The spending plan supports a Reclamation accounts for roughly variety of efforts; providing finan- nine percent of DOI’s total budget. cial assistance and construction The emphasis for 2012 consists support for rural water projects, of supporting ecosystem restora- addressing aging infrastructure tion, renewable energy, coopera- to maintain system reliability tive landscape conservation, sus- and safety, restoring aquatic tainable water supply, infrastruc- habitat and meeting increas- ture, and strengthening Tribal ing water demands. Nations. “This funding will allow “Although GP has work on these seen a budget- projects to be ary decline accelerated in recent and com- years, our pleted sooner, saving the American tax- projects, and identifying opportuni- generation by requesting $423.1 payers money,” said Connor. “The ties to improve energy efficiency, million to fund operation, mainte- funding will also stimulate regional promote renewable energy and nance and rehabilitation activities and local economies, support the reduce environmental conflicts. at Reclamation facilities, including creation of much-needed jobs and Reclamation will also partner with dam safety. provide a stable and reliable water states, Tribes and local entities There are $69.6 million for rural supply to communities throughout under the WaterSMART Program water projects, of which $51.6 the West.” to develop the WaterSMART million is for ongoing construc- Reclamation leadership devel- Clearinghouse website as a resource tion on seven rural water projects oped this year’s spending plan to provide leadership and assis- in Montana, New Mexico, North based on a review of projects to tance in coordinating and integrat- Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and ensure a balanced approach that ing water conservation and sustain- Minnesota, and $18 million for includes mission priorities, rele- able water strategies. operation and maintenance on com- vance to strategic goals, program The budget continues support of pleted tribal features for two of the objectives and the directions con- tribal nations, most notably through projects. tained in the Conference Report. the establishment of a new Indian Reclamation, throughout the 17 Reclamation continues to focus Water Rights Settlements account in western states, is committed to on the protection and restoration of response to the Claims Resolution helping meet the many water chal- the aquatic and riparian environ- Act of 2010, which authorizes and lenges of the West. ments affected by operations. establishes requirements for four A driving force behind Bureau ini- Some highlights of Reclamation’s water rights settlements benefiting tiatives is resolution of water issues Ecosystem Restoration activ- the Crow Tribe in Montana. that will benefit future generations. ities, many of which support For 2013, “The President’s budget The current budget, although the President’s America’s Great supports Reclamation’s contin- slightly reduced, still provides Outdoors initiative, and are also ued progress on the key priorities enough funding for Reclamation needed to fulfill Endangered Species of our water agenda as we work to to deliver for the American people Act programs. help address water resource chal- and successfully manage water in In GP, $11 million was allo- lenges in the American West,” said the West. cated to implement the Platte River Connor. Endangered Species Recovery The proposal for Reclamation’s Implementation Program. Water and Related Resources Another effort of Reclamation’s account of $818.6 million includes 2012 budget is a proposed $58.9 $395.6 million for resource manage- million for the WaterSMART ment and development activities. Program. The program is intended to This funding provides for plan- help sustain and manage America’s ning, construction, water conser- resources for tomorrow and assist vation activities, management of local communities. Reclamation lands, including rec- WaterSMART will help improve reation and actions to address the water management by encouraging impacts of Reclamation projects on voluntary water banks, reducing fish and wildlife. demand, implementing water con- The request also emphasizes servation and Title XVI water reuse reliable water delivery and power

page 41 Highlighting Value: Reclamation’s Administrative Professionals By Bobbie Mee, Secretary, GPRO Assistant at the GPRO. In Control; Managing Time and The first day of the conference Multiple Tasks; and Stress-Busters This year’s Great Plains included Administrative Assistant for Pressured People. Administrative Support Council training provided by Fred Pryor The feedback received so far has (GPASC) conference was well Seminars. been very positive. attended. Jim Mitchell, the trainer, did an “Excellent, good speaker with At total of 29 employees attended excellent job covering the amount wonderful ideas,” and “I really the two-day conference. of information in one day. The enjoyed the ice breaker – great “We all enjoyed networking topics he touched on included, idea!” Another comment, “Jim was with those who attended from Effectively Working with Others; very effective…I liked the change the Regional office and our Area Dealing with Difficult People; in focus.” “I really appreciated Offices from across the region” Managing Multiple Priorities; Jim’s words of wisdom on how to said Marcia Buchholz, Executive Staying Organized, Focused and deal with stress and difficult people, page 42 and how we sometimes need to step presentation on correspondence and The 2011 Administrative back and ask if we can be the diffi- highlighting the new Reclamation Professional of the Year nomi- cult person.” Correspondence Guide guidelines. nees: Sabina Birdwell, GPRO; Once the training portion of Donna Hirning gave us a glimpse Bobbie Mee, GPRO; Belinda Scott, the conference concluded, the of the Freedom of Information Act GPRO; Tobias Taylor, GPRO; GPASC board conducted their busi- process and timelines. June Thomsen, GPRO; and Micki ness meeting. Marcia Buchholz, Mike Ryan, Great Plains Regional Weimerskirch, DKAO. Executive Lead, thanked the out- Director, rounded out the morning’s The nominees for Administrative going board members Karen Jensen, presentations with a very interesting Services Professional of the Year Chairperson; Kerri Scharnowske, topic: “How to Manage Your Boss.” were: Elvin Anderson, WYAO; Vice-Chairperson; Sean Jones, Mike emphasized two-way com- Melissa Chastain, GPRO; Maria Parliamentarian; and Bobbie Mee, munication and the value of really Jensen, DKAO; Sean Jones, GPRO; Secretary, with a certificate and knowing each other’s preferences and Kevin Wilkerson, MTAO. small gift. She then went on to as key for a successful relation- The 2011 Great Plains announce the new board members, ship. He also opened up the floor for Administrative Professional of the Sabina Birdwell, Chairperson; questions and answers and relayed Year: Bobbie Mee, Secretary for Cathie Schoer, Vice-Chairperson; his thoughts on workforce planning, Regional Acquisition Services, Ann Warren, Parliamentarian; and travel restrictions, award funds, and Regional Office. Bobbie Mee, Recording Secretary. time-off awards. The 2011 Great Plains The board then voted on and The conference concluded with the Administrative Services approved the meeting minutes from annual Administrative Professional Professional of the Year: Melissa 2011 Fall GPASC meeting held in and Service Professional Award pre- Chastain, Records Information Loveland/Denver. sentation. Mike Ryan did the honors Management Officers, Regional The second day of the conference of highlighting each nominee by Office included a very informational pre- describing in a brief statement their The two Great Plains Region 2011 sentation on 508 Compliance, pre- outstanding accomplishments for winners received a 24-hour time-off sented by Tobias Taylor. Sabina this past year. They were presented award, and a desk-top award. Birdwell did an excellent job on her with a certificate and a small gift.

(Below) Jim Mitchell of Fred Pryor Seminars works with GPASC members on a variety of topics, ranging from dealing with difficult people and managing multiple priorities, to staying organized and dealing with stress.

page 43 High Winds Strike Yellowtail Afterbay

By Paula Holwegner, Administrative Officer, MTAO

(Above) Strong winds punish Yellowtail Afterbay dam causing the contractor barge floating next to the dam to partially sink. (Right) The partially sunken barge.

Early morning, on January 25, high winds, boasting Manager. “Although the winds alone would have given gusts near 70 mph, raised havoc at Yellowtail Dam us cause to worry, the real issue on everyone’s mind Afterbay near Fort Smith. The winds partially sunk was the 50 gallons of gas. It was a relief when the a 20-by-40-foot barge and a pontoon boat being used Contractor secured the boat in bay three, but it was by contractors working on the Afterbay rehabilitation even a bigger relief when we heard the gas had been project. The barge was taking on water but was not in removed from the craft altogether,” Tauscher added. danger of sinking accord- By late afternoon, the ing to the manufacturer. contractor was able to Additionally, a small access and operate the 16-foot pontoon boat 10’x 20’ pontoon boat flipped over by the high and remove it from winds, and one of two pon- the Afterbay reser- toons on a 10-by-20-foot voir. No leakage of fuel work boat tied to the barge was reported, and no was damaged. The craft damage to the tank was had an inboard/outboard identified. motor with a full 50-gallon After several failed gas tank. attempts, the damaged The contractor barge being hoisted from the reservoir The Contractor was after the wind storm. (Above left) The small pontoon barge and smaller directed to implement boat thrashed by the high winds. pontoon were removed spill prevention measures from the Afterbay by spreading an oil absorptive boom across the down- Reservoir on Saturday, Feb. 4. The contractor cleaned stream area of the Afterbay Dam. It was discovered up the site and transitioned back to working on the that the Contractor did not have enough to string all contract.“With project work or maintenance taking the way across. place at Yellowtail on an on-going basis, we remind In the meantime, the Yellowtail spill response team ourselves to stay alert and be ready to react to any situ- had been put on notice and the response trailer was ation at any time of the day,” said Tauscher. “We have prepped. plans in place for just about any incident, and we par- “The winds were about the strongest I’ve seen at ticipate in situational exercises, but my preference is the Afterbay,” said Tom Tauscher, Yellowtail Facility to plan, be proactive, and be safe.” page 44 Coutant’s Quick Action Saves Life Choking Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the throat or windpipe, blocking the flow of air. Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, administer first aid as quickly as possible.

The universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat. If the person doesn’t give the signal, look for these indications:

Regional Director Mike Ryan presents Brad Coutant • Inability to talk (left) with the Department of the Interior’s Exemplary • Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing Act Award on January 23 in recognition for his efforts • Inability to cough forcefully to assist a fellow co-worker in distress. • Skin, lips and nails turning blue or dusky By Tobias Taylor, Visual • Loss of consciousness Information Specialist, GPRO On Tuesday August 2, 2011, Regional Archeologist To perform the Heimlich maneuver on someone Brad Coutant saved a life. While at his workstation, else: Coutant heard labored breathing. Upon further inves- 1. Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms tigation he discovered Rae Olsen, a co-worker in the around the waist. Tip the person forward Great Plains Resource Services Group, in a state of dis- slightly. tress. He asked if she was choking and she confirmed by using the universal sign for choking, both hands clutch- 2. Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly ing the throat. Coutant rendered assistance employing above the person’s navel. the Heimlich maneuver. He was able to successfully dis- 3. Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard lodge the obstruction and open her airway. After several into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust moments Olsen was able to regain her abilities. — as if trying to lift the person up. “After I helped Rae I discovered that I had performed 4. Perform a total of 5 abdominal thrusts, if the Heimlich incorrectly,” said Coutant. “I had placed needed. If the blockage still isn’t dislodged, my fist in her sternum rather than in her diaphragm as repeat the five-and-five cycle. you’re supposed to. Fortunately, it still worked. I encour- age people to learn how to perform the Heimlich cor- If you’re the only rescuer, rectly, but if you find yourself in a situation like that you perform abdominal thrusts need to do something, even if you’re not exactly sure before calling 911 or your local how to do it.” emergency number for help. For his quick action, Coutant earned the Department If another person is available, of the Interior’s Exemplary Act Award. An award estab- have that person call for help lished to recognize employees whose prompt decisions while you perform first aid. or actions significantly contributed to the saving of a life or helped another person in need of physical assistance. Source: Mayo Clinic

page 45 Doug Davis Regional Native American Affairs Specialist

Doug Davis, center, along with other members of the Native American Affairs staff in the Great Plains Regional Offi ce, participates in one of the fi nal conference calls about the Crow Tribal Municipal, Rural & Industrial (MR&I) 638 contract. Davis was appointed as the Federal Implementation Team Chair by the Regional Director, the Commissioner and the Secretary’s Indian Water Rights Offi ce.

(At right) Davis receives the Engineer of the Year Award from Great Plains Regional Director Mike Ryan.

Reclamation’s Mission Statement:

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

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Background: Mt. Elbert Powerplant, managed by Reclamation’s Eastern-Colorado Area Office.