Verification of an unsteady analytical hydraulic and thermal model of conowingo pond and its use in predicting ambient temperatures

An M.I.T. developed analytical model of hydraulic and water quality parameters has been applied to the Conowingo Reservoir on the Susquehanna River by Environmental Devices Corporation of Marion, Massachusetts. The purpose of the application is to predict the ambient temperature distribution of the reservoir, since this ambient is now masked by the recent start up of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. Verification of the model was carried out using six months of hydraulic and thermal data collected before the plant became operational. Model runs are now conducted on a monthly basis using current meteorological, hydraulic and thermal data. Comparison of the predicted ambient and the currently monitored thermal regime yields an estimation of the thermal impact of the atomic power station. This case study demonstrates an extremely valuable use of such models in environmental impact studies.