A.02_CPFFCD19_PWS_Attachment_8.pdf

Modification Record

Change No.

Section Approval

1 All Initial release post final peer review 10/26/09 Bengtson/Kline

Willamette Valley Project

Boat Restricted Zone Entry Procedure

1. Purpose:

1.1. The Boat Restricted Zone (BRZ) Entry Procedure has been established to ensure that persons whose work requires them to enter the restricted zones are fully aware of the hazards associated with the structures and operating conditions. And, that they are properly equipped to safely deal with the hazards associated with BRZ work.

2. Scope:

2.1. This BRZ procedure is applicable to all vessels entering a Boat Restricted Zone at the Willamette Valley Project(s). The BRZ zones are identified on Attachment A. Activities requiring BRZ access will be documented on the BRZ Entry Permit and submitted for approval, Attachment B.

3. Discussion:

3.1. The waters immediately around the structures and channels at the project(s) present fixed and dynamic hazards to vessels and their occupants while performing work.

3.2. Cables and wires may span the channels both up stream and down stream of the powerhouses and spillway structures. The cables and wires may be both above and below the water level. Changing pool elevations cause a varying clearance between the water and cables or wires. The wires and cables are difficult to see in daylight and impossible to see during the hours of darkness.

3.3. The structures have open, unprotected water inlets and outlets which are capable of ingesting, capsizing or swamping smaller vessels. These features have both remote and automatic operating capabilities.

3.4. Water velocities exceeding 8 Feet per Second (FPS) are present in continuously changing directions and considered dangerous.

3.5. Water velocities at the surface and below, are constantly altered by the normal operation of the turbines, regulating outlet and spillway gates.

(These alterations may be performed via automatic controls or remotely)

3.6. Protective relay actions can cause considerable sudden water elevation variations with resulting sudden increase in velocities. These sudden elevation changes are sufficient in magnitude and duration to capsize a vessel, or pitch them into structures or wires when in close proximity.

Personnel on board vessels are at great risk of being cast overboard during sudden elevation changes due to load rejection events.

3.7. Surface and submerged debris are a constant danger and are capable of damaging or breaking vessel propulsion or steering mechanisms.

4. Entrant and Vessel Requirements:

4.1. All personnel must wear personal flotation devices while in the BRZ.

4.2. All vessels entering the BRZ will meet Coast Guard safety standards for day and night operations. Included are fire extinguishing capabilities, running and anchor lights, an audible warning device capable of being heard anywhere within the BRZ. Each vessel entering the BRZ will have either a current Coast Guard Certification or State inspection tag on the boat demonstrating the equipment meets current safety standards.

4.3. Primary and Safety boats will be equipped with two engines, each capable of propelling the boat and anticipated load upstream against a current of 8 FPS.

4.3.1. While acting in the capacity of a safety boat, occupants of the boat will have no other duties other than observing the primary boat inside the BRZ and will be positioned at a safe distance for complete observational capabilities.

4.4. All vessel or boat operators shall have a current vessel or boating license and shall be current on their boater safety training.

4.4.1 All operators of USACE boats/vessels less than 26‘(feet) will be licensed IAW

ER-385-1-91.

4.5. A marine band radio capable of communication with the project control room on channel 14 [or other previously identified channel or method] must be available to the boat operator. Failure to maintain communication with the control room when operating within the BRZ is cause for removal from the BRZ and future access denial.

4.6. A rescue line shall be available in a throw bag or other approved device. The rescue line length shall be of sufficient length to reach personnel that have gone overboard. A minimum length of 50’ is required. The line should be constructed of a buoyant material.

4.7. A spotlight that can be easily operated by the boat operator must be available.

5. Procedure:

5.1. The applicant must submit a written job and activity hazard analysis to their project representative; the document must be available for review by anyone who has a need.

5.2. No vessel may enter the BRZ without proper coordination with the Operations Project Manager, or their representative.

5.2.1. Any work or activity requiring access to a BRZ area must be coordinated with the respective project representative with a written request for access submitted to the Operations Superintendent at least two weeks in advance of the anticipated work date(s).

5.2.1.1. The project representative coordinating the activity will draft a BRZ Entry Permit for review and approval using the requirements of this procedure.

5.2.1.1.1 All BRZ Entry Permits will be sequentially numbered

Starting with the current calendar year. i.e. 2009-XXX.

5.2.1.2. The request must include a schedule and written work plan. The work plan must include a description of the work to be performed, the locations of the work and any known project operating requirements or restrictions necessary.

5.2.2. Requests that require project support must be made as far in advance as possible, but a minimum of 30 days prior to the anticipated need.

5.3 A pre-work safety meeting will be held at the project prior to the anticipated work dates. The safety meeting must be attended by the Work Leader or supervision of the applying work crew and all affected project work groups.

A representative of the WVP Safety Office will attend if possible.

5.4 Once approved the BRZ Entry Permit will be provided to the appropriate Control Room by the Operations Superintendent or representative.

5.5 Entrants must obtain and have on their vessel a copy of the approved BRZ Entry Permit prior to seeking permission from the appropriate Willamette Valley Control Room to enter.

5.6 Immediately prior to entering the BRZ, the entrants will contact the control room operator using approved communications and request permission to enter the BRZ.

5.6.1. The entrant must identify themselves, the BRZ to be entered and the BRZ Entry Permit number. This will enable the control room operator the opportunity to relay any pertinent real time conditions about the BRZ prior to granting final approval.

5.6.2. The BRZ entrants will also contact the control room operator and notify them at the time they are leaving the BRZ.

6. Restricted Zones by Willamette Valley project: (see attached photos)

6.1. Dexter

6.1.1. Upstream – floating buoy line.

6.1.2 Downstream - 400 ‘

6.2 Lookout Point

6.2.1 Upstream – 200’

6.2.2 Downstream -end of island in the outlet channel.

6.3 Hills Creek

6.3.1 Upstream – floating buoy line.

6.3.2 Downstream - There are two outlet channels at Hills Creek Lake, one for the powerhouse and one for the regulating outlets/spillway. The point where these two channels converge is a natural restriction point.

6.4 Fall Creek

6.4.1 Upstream – 200’

6.4.2 Downstream – 400’

6.5 Dorena

6.5.1 Upstream – log boom

6.5.2 Downstream – 400’

6.6 Cottage Grove

6.6.1 Upstream – 200’

6.6.2 Downstream – 400’

6.7 Fern Ridge

6.7.1 Upstream – buoy markers

6.7.2 Downstream – There is a natural restriction point at the Clear Lake Road Bridge over the Long Tom River.

6.8 Foster

6.8.1 Upstream – log boom

6.8.2 Downstream – 400’

6.9 Green Peter

6.9.1 Upstream – Floating buoy line.

6.9.2 Downstream – 400’

6.10 Blue River

6.10.1 Upstream – 200’

6.10.2 Downstream – 400’

6.11 Cougar

6.11.1 Upstream – log boom

6.11.2 Downstream – There are two downstream outlet channels at Cougar Lake, the spillway channel and the regulating outlet/powerhouse channel. There is a natural restriction point where these channels converge.

6.12 Detroit

6.12.1 Upstream – log boom

6.12.2 Downstream - The current downstream restriction point is at a bridge over the outlet channel.

6.13 Big Cliff

6.13.1 Upstream – log boom

6.13.2 Downstream – 400’

7. Methodologies & References:

7.1 Chapter 10 of ER 1130-2-520 establishes the policy on restricted areas upstream and downstream of flood control dams, multi-purpose dams, and re-regulation structures.

The upstream restricted areas (including buffer zones) must allow a boater to reach the shore before being carried into the dam or intakes by the current. The downstream restricted areas (including buffer zones) must prevent a boat without power or a swimmer from being drawn into the dam or discharge areas. The minimum size of a restricted area is fixed by the hydraulic line and a buffer zone beyond this line.

7.2 Appendix AA of EP 1130-2-520 provides the procedure for determining the hydraulic line. For flood control and storage dams the hydraulic line should be determined when the discharge equals the annually-released bankfull flow. However, the customary flow of the project will be used to determine the hydraulic line, if it is less than bankfull.

7.3 Upstream of a structure, the hydraulic line is determined where the drawdown commences upstream of the dam or structure. This location will delineate the beginning of the accelerating velocity of approach and the change in water surface slope due to the presence of the dam or structure.

7.4 Downstream of the structure, the hydraulic line is determined at a location beyond which all the flow filaments move in a downstream direction. This location is below any hydraulic jumps, swirling currents, or eddies where all flow is moving uniformly downstream.

7.5 ER 385-1-31 The Control of Hazardous Energy covers the issuances of Safe Clearances.

7.6 EM 385-1-91 Training, Testing , and Licensing of Small Boat Operators.

7.7 Material partially retrieved from NWP “Upstream and Downstream Restricted Area

Boundary Determination” (February 15, 2007)

Figure 3. Dexter Dam Downstream Restriction.

Figure 4. Lookout Point Dam Downstream Restriction.

Restriction at 400 ft.

Current

Figure 5. Hills Creek Dam Downstream Restriction.

Figure 6. Fall Creek Dam Downstream Restriction.

Suggested

400 ft

Figure 7. Dorena Dam Downstream Restriction.

Figure 8. Cottage Grove Dam Downstream Restriction.

400 ft

Restriction

400 ft

Figure 9. Fern Ridge Dam Downstream Restriction.

Figure 10. Foster Dam Downstream Restriction.

Suggested Restriction

Suggested Restricted Point

Figure 11. Green Peter Dam Downstream Restriction.

Figure 12. Blue River Dam Downstream Restriction.

Suggested Restriction

400 ft

Figure 13. Cougar Dam Downstream Restriction.

Figure 14. Detroit Dam Downstream Restriction.

Restriction Point

Current

Figure 15. Big Cliff Dam Downstream Restriction.

Suggestion

BRZ ENTRY PERMIT

NUMBER: DATE REQUESTED:

TITLE:

BRZ TO BE ENTERED:

DIVE ASSOCIATED WITH WORK: Y/N

PROJECT POINT OF CONTACT:

REQUESTED BY (COMPANY AND NAME):

REQUESTER CONTACT INFORMATION (TELEPHONE, MOBILE NUMBER):

SCOPE OF WORK:

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

SCHEDULE:

MAP: Y/N BOAT OPERATORS:

COPY FURNISHED OF JOB/ACTIVITY HAZARD ANALYSIS: Y/N

LIST PRIMARY COMMUNICATIONS METHOD:

LIST SECONDARY COMMUNICATIONS METHOD:

ALL COMMS WILL BE TESTED PRIOR TO EVOLUTION

PERMIT APPROVED BY:_______________