Jet Aeration of a Ship Channel

Authors: Steve Slinkard, George Nichol
Publication Date: May 20, 1999
Summary: The Sacramento District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (District) deepened the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel in California to accommodate deeper-draft ships. A mathematical model study indicated that the deepening could cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen concentrations in the channel that would require mitigation of up to 2,500 pounds of oxygen per day. Regulatory agencies required that this loss of oxygen be mitigated for during the fall season salmon run up through the ship channel. The District was concerned that any mitigative equipment placed in the channel could be damaged by shipping or dredging activities, or plugged by sediments. A literature search indicated that the jet aeration process used for mixing in industrial tanks and wastewater processes could work for rivers and channels. The jet aeration device could be placed near the shore, which would keep it away from shipping activities, and propel an aerated jet of water toward the center of the ship channel. The District installed such a device and it has now been operational for six years. This report describes the mitigation measures taken and the implementation of the jet aerator.
To Obtain: California Regional Water Quality Control Board Library, Central