Grant PUD: Wanapum Dam will not fail Managers, commissioners speak of cooperation

BEVERLY - The Grant County PUD reported this week failure is no longer likely on the Wanapum Dam.

As part of its emergency action plan, the PUD cut in half its power generation at the facility as the result of lowering water on the upstream side of the dam to reduce pressure on a spillway crack.

PUD spokesman Tom Stredwick said the district will use its current power supply portfolio to meet customer's electricity demands.

PUD commissioners and managers spoke well of the level of participation, communication and cooperation among staff and other PUDs.

"Right now we are concerned with getting everything stabilized and worked down to where we know we can operate at a safe level," Commissioner Dale Walker said. "I personally think that our staff has done a good job with that. I am kind of surprised, that they have done as well as they have."

General Manager Tony Webb said engineers are doing daily checks on the dam and commissioners will continue to get updates at regularly scheduled meetings.

"We have smart people on this. This is a serious situation and our fulltime task. We are looking to stabilize, restore and move on," Webb said. Commissioner Bob Bernd said he was grateful for the cooperation of the Chelan County PUD, which had to close its Rock Creek facility because of the lowered water level around Wanapum.

Commissioner Larry Schaapman asked Webb if the PUD could be held financially liable for lowered power generation at other facilities. He declined to answer.