20030147 Ver 2_WRC Comments_20110104

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon S. Myers, Executive Director
January 4, 2011
Mr. Ken Kennedy
Manager, Hydro Operations
Progress Energy
179 Tillery Dam Road
Mount Gilead, NC 27306
Subject: Review of Installation of an Oxygen Diffuser System in Lake Tillery
Yadkin - Pee Dee Hydropower Project, FERC Project No. 2206
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
Submitted are comments in response to your December 21, 2010 letter requesting comments of
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) on the subject project.
Progress Energy proposes to use the oxygen diffuser system, in conjunction with draft tube vents
on several turbine units, to meet conditions of the 401 Water Quality Certificate for waters
discharged from the Tillery development. The system is designed to provide dissolved oxygen
levels of 5 mg/l in the reservoir at the intake area during periods of reservoir water stratification.
The land-based facilities will be located on approximately 0.21 acres of property owned by
Progress Energy. The oxygen distribution lines will be placed in the deeper portions of the
reservoir and anchored such that they remain about 10 feet above the reservoir bottom. The
diffuser area will be marked with buoys to warn boaters not to anchor in the area, but will not
otherwise restrict boater and angler use of this portion of the reservoir. Progress Energy will
apply for the necessary 404/401 permits before installing the diffuser system.
Per the Water Quality Certificate, Progress Energy will continuously monitor temperature and
dissolved oxygen downstream of the Tillery Dam. The December 21, 2010 letter states that
Progress Energy will also periodically monitor dissolved oxygen concentrations in the reservoir.
In addition to improving water quality in the Pee Dee River downstream of the dam, Progress
Energy believes the proposed system will enhance water quality conditions in Tillery Reservoir
that will benefit multiple fish species.
Mailing Address: 645 Fish Hatchery Road • Marion, NC 27652
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Tillery Oxygen Diffuser Page 2 January 4, 2011
The NCWRC supports the use of the proposed oxygen diffuser system as described. We
recommend that the periodic monitoring of dissolved oxygen concentrations in the reservoir be
conducted at least monthly from May through October. After several years of experience it may
be appropriate to adjust the frequency and duration of the reservoir monitoring requirement. We
expect to provide more detailed comments on the 404/401 application regarding land disturbing
activities and erosion controls. Finally, we request that you work with our Division of
Engineering Services regarding the process for placing navigation buoys in the reservoir.
If you have any questions concerning these comments, please call me at 828-652-4360 ext. 223.
Sincerely,
Christopher Goudreau
Hydropower Licensing Coordinator