Officials approve funding for revival of Chelan River
November 29, 2006
WENATCHEE - Chelan County PUD commissioners Monday approved initial funding to design a pumping and water-flow system that will revive the long-dry Chelan River and create new habitat for fish spawning.
Commissioners approved spending $1.6 million to hire three engineering firms to design and write bids for three components of the $15 million to $20 million river restoration project.
The three components are:
- A waterway around Lake Chelan Dam that will direct some water from Lake Chelan into the riverbed.
- Habitat for salmon and steelhead spawning beds some two miles from the lake, where Chelan River would empty into the Columbia River.
- A pumping station near the spawning area that would ensure river flows are faster during spawning seasons -- fish like to spawn in fast-moving current.
The project is one of the conditions of the district's new 50-year license to operate Lake Chelan Dam and its powerhouse.
Continue reading this article from the Wenatchee World:
PUD approves funding for revival of Chelan River
