Jacob
Douma
Susitna Dam, Alaska
Before and after you retired, you consulted on Susitna Dam in Alaska?
Right
Were you involved in working on that before you retired? That project goes back a long
way, doesn't it?
A:
Well, let's see here. Susitna. I got it on a piece of paper. No, I don't think that
Here it is. I got involved after I retired, 1980 to 1983 I was on the board, and we had
meetings in Alaska. I'm sure that the project had been thought of by Alaska Power
Authority before that. They desired most of their power by burning oil which was
plentiful and cheap in Alaska. However, in the early
the price of oil increased
significantly, and it was being sold in large amounts to Japan. Then, when more power
was needed, they decided to take another look at developing hydroelectric power at
Susitna. Preliminary designs and cost estimates were prepared, with the board's
assistance, for two dams and power plants.
They were just studied then?
A:
They were just studied, and they got plans ready to go now, if they decide to. I got word
after the last board meeting that their decision was not to go forward with those dams yet.
In hydraulics, what are the differences in considerations in designing a dam in an
environment like Alaska or Saskatchewan, and one in, say, southern California?
A:
One difference is in determination of the maximum probable flood. The largest flows
occur during snow melt time in May and June. A heavy rainstorm on top of melting snow
produces larger floods in Alaska. Other than that the greater temperature difference has
little effect on the hydraulic design. No concrete construction is done during freezing
weather. The construction period is limited to about six months each year.
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