Effects of Reservoir Impoundment on Water Quality

The problem of correcting the adverse effects of thermal stratification and low dissolved oxygen content in large reservoirs and controlling physical, chemical, and biological parameters of released water from impoundments in the South-eastern United States is described. The results of water quality investigations at the Clark Hill and Hartwell Reservoirs are outlined along with predictions of quality expected at West Point Reservoir. Comparisons are made of various possible corrective solutions investigated such as: (1) multilevel penstock intakes; (2) submerged weirs; (3) tailrace and turbine aeration; and (4) destratification systems. Emphasis is placed on a diffused air pumping system prototype equipment test at Allatoona Reservoir in North Georgia. A description is given of the destratification equipment being tested, and details the types and methods of sampling and data processing are described.