Author(s): Marc Drouin; Rene Hausser
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Abstract: Since the beginning of reservoir filling in 1978 and commissioning of the LG 2 powerhouse (5 328 MW), the winter flows in the downstream reach of the La Grande River have increased from a few cubic metres per second to 3 850 m /s. This increase is the result of the nearly completed Phase 1 of the James Bay Hydroelectric Complex, which includes three (3) powerhouse installations totalling 10 269 MW and two (2) permanent nordic river diversions. As future development may increase the winter discharge even further to 5 950 m /s, ice surveys and studies are being continued. The aim of this research is to quantify the ice regime along the river, downstream of a future powerhouse which will be located 37 km from the sea and 75 km downstream of LG 2. The economical implications associated with the winter water levels along this 37 km reach of the La Grande River are of such magnitude that a precise understanding of the ice behaviour is mandatory. Extensive field measurements and interpretations obtained over a period of years are necessary to provide sufficient confidence in the analytical procedures.
Year: 1984