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    Nebraska Nuclear Plant Faces Missouri River Flood Fight

    By Charles Simmins | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Fri, Jun 17, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    Nineteen miles upstream from Omaha, Neb., is the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant. It is owned and operated by the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD).

    Ft. Calhoun sits on the west bank of the Missouri River. According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it was shut down for refueling in April, which should have taken about 40 days. Because of the impending flooding event, OPPD decided to keep the plant shut down; it remains so today. Utility personnel and contractors have built a series of permanent berms and temporary flood control structures in and around the plant to prevent flood waters from damaging any of the critical areas. Included in the temporary flood control measures are sandbagging, HESCO barriers and AquaDams.

    Mike Jones from OPPD spoke with me about the flooding and current plant operations today. He stressed that the plant is not completely surrounded by flooding. Walkways have been constructed to allow personnel to enter certain areas that may be surrounded by flooding or flood control barriers, according to the Associated Press. Neither the reactor building nor the building housing spent fuel rods is in any danger of flooding at this time.

    The site has measured higher river volumes and speeds. At this time there has been no interference with river water intake used for cooling in the plant and the spent fuel areas. The site personnel remain alert for any damage due to debris.

    Electrical power for the plant is still secure. Due to the reactor shutdown, power is being provided from outside sources. Jones sees no threat to those transmission lines.

    The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Notice to Airmen banning flight around the plant. The ban includes a 2 mi. radius around the plant and a minimum allowed altitude of 3,500 ft. Existing restrictions about flying around all nuclear plants were being ignored by many aircraft and helicopters attempting to photograph the flooding near the plant. OPPD authorities were very concerned that an accident might occur and the FAA assisted the utility by issuing the notice.

    The National Weather Service continues its flood warning for the area. Water levels are expected to continue to rise. Projections suggest that the flood crest may be near record levels.

     

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