Model Studies of A Cooling Water Discharge Structure Modification - Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant

The Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant is located on the Mississippi River near Monticello, Minnesota. The genera'l location is shown in Fig. 1- Cooling water is presently discharged through a wide canal directly into the Mississippi River. Northern states Power Company (NSP) has need for preventing fish from entering the canal where they would be subject to cold shock mortality in case of sudden winter shutdown. Modification of the canal outlet to the river has therefore been proposed. The outlet of the canal would be closed with a wall that incorporates an overflow weir. The elevation of the river crest was selected by NSP to minimize the possibility of fish jumping over the weir and entering the canal during winter.