Abstract
Baseline and post-deployment flow conditions were measured at the ORPC RivGen turbine site on the Kvichak river in the vicinity of Igiugig village, Alaska. Mean surface flow and turbulence measurements were collected from a drifting platform equipped with a Nortek Signature 1000Hz five beam AD2CP. Baseline measurements indicate a maximum flow of 2.5 m/s and a 10% turbulent intensity in the turbine vicinity. Measurements after turbine deployment and grid connection show a significant decrease in surface velocity up to 200 m downstream from the turbine and an increase in turbulence intensity up to 20% that extends about 75 m downstream of the turbine. The turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate is also increased immediately downstream of the turbine.