Palo Nuclear Plant Owner Plans to Dredge

Shown is an aerial view, looking southeast, of the 500-acre Duane Arnold Energy Center, located north of Palo, Iowa and northwest of Cedar Rapids. (Sourcemedia Group)

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By Rachel Begle

Story Created: Aug 9, 2012 at 6:52 AM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 9, 2012 at 6:53 AM CDT

PALO, Iowa (AP) - Owners of Iowa's only nuclear power plant plan to dredge a section of the Cedar River to ensure access to its water.

The river flow and level have dropped during this year's drought, and Duane Arnold Energy Center in Palo needs 6,000 gallons a minute to cool steam that turns the electrical turbine generators.

Plant officials say they don't intend to tap the nearby Pleasant Creek Reservoir for its water. The 410-acre reservoir was built upstream of the plant so water could be discharged into the Cedar River to increase its flow in an emergency.

Plant spokeswoman Renee Nelson told The Gazette the plant has operated near capacity almost all summer.

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