Providing comprehensive fish passage expertise

The Mactaquac Generating Station is a run-of-the-river hydro facility with an installed generation capacity of 660 MW on the St. John River. Concrete portions of the hydro station have been affected by a chemical reaction (alkali aggregate reaction) that causes the concrete to swell and crack, and has required substantial annual maintenance and repairs. New Brunswick Power (NB Power) has proposed the Life Achievement Project to ensure the station can operate to its intended 100-year lifespan with a modified approach to maintenance, adjusting, and replacing equipment over time. This 2017 recommendation followed three years of expert research, including input from science, engineers, the public, and First Nations. A key need for the success of this project is effective fish passage.

Kleinschmidt was selected by NB Power to be their fish passage consultant for the Mactaquac Life Achievement Project. To date, Kleinschmidt has provided high-level assessments of potential upstream and downstream fish passage options that could be included in the facility’s planned rehabilitation. Work has included assisting in identifying species management goals, developing design criteria for upstream and downstream passage alternatives, and developing concept-level designs of potential new and modified fish passage facilities. As the rehabilitation continues, Kleinschmidt will provide engineering and biological analysis and recommendations to improve upstream and downstream fish passage.

Kleinschmidt’s experience in all stages of fish passage work, from watershed level planning of species restoration efforts and initial conceptual design of fish passage through construction and effectiveness testing, is being applied at Mactaquac to deliver efficient and effective services that are consistent with the goals of the Life Achievement Project. Kleinschmidt’s multidisciplinary team of biologists, engineers, and regulatory specialists provides NB Power with comprehensive and responsive expertise, helping to maintain the aggressive project schedule.

Client:

New Brunswick Power (NBPower)

Project Location:

Kingsclear Parish, NB

Project Size:

660MW

Services Provided:

  • Fish Passage Feasibility Studies
  • Fish Passage Conceptual Design
  • Agency & Stakeholder Consultations
  • Biological Assessment
  • Upstream Fish Passage Design
  • Downstream Fish Passage Design

Project Timeframe:

2018 – Present

A Trusted Partner

Since 2012

Regional Vice President

Kevin Cooley, P.E.

Kevin Cooley specializes in the evaluation, planning, design, and rehabilitation of hydroelectric projects.  He has been with Kleinschmidt for over 24 years and is currently Regional Vice President of the Northeast US and Canada, formerly serving as Director of Kleinschmidt’s Engineering Division.  As Regional Vice President, Kevin is responsible for Kleinschmidt’s project execution in the...

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