Modifications of deep-release dam water intakes for improved downstream fish health

Abstract

Dams and methods for modifying deep-release dam water intakes are provided. In an example, a dam for holding back and releasing water comprises: a dam body having a first side and a second side, the dam body configured to hold the water on the first side of the dam body; at least one intake formed in the dam body, the at least one intake having a first opening defined on the first side and a second opening defined on the second side, for releasing the water from the first opening to the second opening; and a dam modification element on the first side of the dam body, and configured to supply to the first opening of the at least one intake the water from a position higher than the first opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dam for holding back and releasing water, comprising:
 a dam body having a first side and a second side, the dam body configured to hold the water on the first side of the dam body;   at least one intake formed in the dam body, the at least one intake having a first opening defined on the first side and a second opening defined on the second side, for releasing the water from the first opening to the second opening; and   a dam modification element on the first side of the dam body, and configured to supply to the first opening of the at least one intake the water from a position higher than the first opening.   
     
     
         2 . The dam of  claim 1 , wherein the dam modification element comprises at least one baffle placed in front of the first opening of the at least one intake, the at least one baffle defines a chamber, the chamber has a top surface higher than the first opening of the at least one intake, and the chamber is configured to prevent the water below the top surface of the chamber from flowing into the chamber for supplying to the first opening of the at least one intake. 
     
     
         3 . The dam of  claim 2 , wherein each of the at least one baffle covers one intake. 
     
     
         4 . The dam of  claim 2 , wherein each of the at least one baffle covers two or more intakes. 
     
     
         5 . The dam of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one baffle comprises an adjustable depth baffle. 
     
     
         6 . The dam of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the adjustable depth baffle comprises a plurality of baffle supports, a plurality of bottom fixed walls, and a plurality of upper walls for forming the chamber;   each bottom fixed wall is placed below an upper wall;   each bottom fixed wall and each upper wall are placed between two baffle supports;   at least one upper wall is a moveable wall; and   the at least one upper moveable wall is configured to moveably adjust a height of the top surface of the chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The dam of  claim 1 , wherein the dam modification element comprises at least one pipe having a first end and a second end for supplying the water to the first end;
 the first end of the pipe is connected to the first opening of the at least one intake; and the second end of the pipe is at a position higher than the first end.   
     
     
         8 . The dam of  claim 7 , wherein the position of the second end of the pipe is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The dam of  claim 1 , where the water supplied to the first opening from an epilimnion area or an upper layer of a water body stored by the dam. 
     
     
         10 . The dam of  claim 2 , further comprising an oxygenation system for oxygenizing the water away from the at least one baffle and suppling oxygenated water to the first opening in the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The dam of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygenation system is configured to oxygenize the water away from the at least one baffle from a hyponimnion area and injecting oxygenated water into the hyponimnion are. 
     
     
         12 . The dam of  claim 10 , further comprising an oxygenation system for oxygenizing the water away from the at least one baffle from a hyponimnion and injecting oxygenated water into the hyponimnion. 
     
     
         13 . The dam of  claim 1 , further comprising an oxygenation system for oxygenizing at a downstream on the second side of the dam.