2014: Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) Intake Cove Sediment Study
The Center for Habitat Studies was tasked with performing a sediment study within the Intake Cove of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant to estimate the size, type and volume of the sediment retained therein. The results of this study are to be used to assess mobilization and transport during a tsunami event and to evaluate possible impacts to the power plant facilities.
The objective of this project was to provide Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) with an evaluation of the potential presence, extent, thickness and material characteristics of sediment present in the nearshore environment of DCPP, especially within the cooling water intake cove (‘Intake Cove’) at the DCPP. This report will be used as design input to calculations being performed in response to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 50.54f letter, dated March 12, 2012 50.54f, Recommendation 2.1 Flooding to reevaluate flooding hazards at operating reactor sites. The 50.54f letter is in response to the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant caused by the March 11, 2011, Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami.