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Thermal Plume Study: Ontario, New York

Constellation Energy

Ocean Surveys conducted a field investigation of the cooling water discharge plume from the Robert E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant. This work was undertaken to determine the location and extent of the thermal plume in Lake Ontario. The data collected during the field operation were to be used for numerical modeling calibration and mixing zone verification for a State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) modification related to the planned power uprate.

Instruments were deployed to document the varying water temperatures in Lake Ontario receiving water. While the instruments were deployed, OSI conducted three synoptic temperature mappings to document plume movement and dilution across a variety of site conditions.

The thermal plumes were mapped with vessel-mounted temperature sensors for three consecutive days. Vertical profiles of temperature and conductivity were also collected within the plume during each mapping.

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