EPHRATA - Grant County PUD engineer Dana Jeske recently accepted

the Outstanding Stewards of Americans Waters award from the

National Hydropower Association (NHA) in Washington, D.C.

EPHRATA - Grant County PUD engineer Dana Jeske recently accepted the Outstanding Stewards of Americans Waters award from the National Hydropower Association (NHA) in Washington, D.C.

Grant PUD earned the award for its Wanapum fish bypass built at Wanapum Dam three years ago, which was done to help comply with federal licensing requirements. Grant PUD last received the award in 2005.

The bypass resulted in a 98 percent survival rate for sockeye salmon and 99 percent survival rate for steelhead, according to recent studies.

There was also a generation increase at the dam.

The award represents the work of employees in the district's following divisions: natural resources, power management, engineering and hydro, said Thomas Stredwick, a utility spokesperson.

Award criteria included: resourcefulness in confronting obstacles, pioneering the use of new technology, demonstration of goals that led to quantifiable results and the project's ability to set precedent for other members of the energy industry, Stredwick stated.

"We are proud of the national recognition received for the work on our fish bypass," stated Randy Allred, Grant PUD commission president. "Grant PUD has a long-standing track record of doing the right thing for fish while balancing increased electric demands from our customers. Our achievements with the Wanapum fish bypass demonstrate that commitment."