No. IV-11-030

Contact: Victor Dricks (817) 860-8128

 Lara Uselding (817) 276-6519

 

 June 22, 2011 

 E-Mail: OPA4.Resource@nrc.gov

NRC TRACKING FLOODING AT TWO NEBRASKA NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is closely watching conditions along the 

Missouri River where floodwaters are rising at Cooper Nuclear Station and the Fort Calhoun 

nuclear power plant in Nebraska.

Unusual Event declarations remain in effect at both plants, the lowest of four levels of 

emergency notification. NRC officials are maintaining close contact with the National Weather 

Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and both plants.

“We are closely following events at both plants,” NRC Region IV Administrator Elmo 

Collins said. “Both plants have activated their flood response plans and taken appropriate steps 

to protect vital structures, systems and components from rising floodwaters and maintain their 

plants in a safe condition.”

Cooper is operating at full power. Fort Calhoun shut down for a refueling outage on 

April 7 and operators have decided not to restart the plant until flood waters recede.

Both plants have made extensive preparations to protect the sites against rising 

floodwaters.

Cooper, located in Brownville, Neb., sits two and a half feet above current river levels. It 

remains under the Unusual Event declared on June 19. 

Nebraska Public Power District officials have installed barriers to protect buildings and 

structures from flooding. A berm has been placed around the plant’s electrical switchyard for 

additional protection. The licensee does not expect floodwaters to impact vital plant equipment.

The NRC has augmented its inspection staff at Fort Calhoun where there is now two feet 

of water in many areas onsite. In addition to the two resident inspectors, three more inspectors 

and a branch chief are there to provide around the clock coverage of licensee activities. 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Region IV

 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400

 Arlington, TX 76011-4125

Telephone: (817) 860-8128

Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov
Fort Calhoun, which is about 19 miles north of Omaha, remains under the Unusual Event 

declared on June 6. 

The licensee has erected a water-filled berm around the powerblock – vital areas 

including the containment and auxiliary buildings. The berm is eight feet tall and 16 feet wide at 

the base, and provides protection for up to six feet of water. The dam also protects several pieces 

of equipment which have been brought onsite, including an additional emergency diesel 

generator for supplying AC electrical power, water pumps, firefighting equipment and 

sandbagging supplies.

An earthern berm protects the electrical switchyard and a concrete barrier has been built 

around electrical transformers to protect them. Satellite phones have been distributed to key 

workers and extra food and water has been stockpiled. 

Existing diesel fuel tanks have been topped off and two additional fuel tanks have been 

brought onsite. If there is a complete loss of power on site temporary pumps that run on gas can 

circulate cooling water through the spent fuel pool and reactor core. Plant capabilities remain 

undiminished, despite the rising water.

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