PNNL

Abstract

A set of three-dimensional, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were developed and used for the Bonneville Project tailrace to study the impact of a proposed outfall structure on the tailrace hydraulics; these structures were designed to improve the survival of downstream migrant (juvenile) salmon. Flows were simulated by solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations together with a two-equation k-epsilon turbulences model in a commercial CFD code. The numerical model was validated using field-measured velocity data. The model results identified undesirable combinations of outfall location and operational scenarios and helped to identify the location in which the outfall structure was built. The numerical model provided a relatively low-cost tool to rapidly simulate and visualize the flow field for multiple proposed outfall locations for a large number of operational scenarios. The visualizations of the results from the CFD model provided insights to hydraulic engineers and fisheries biologists working on the design and placement of the outfall structure.