HomeMy WebLinkAbout20030147 Ver 2_More Info Received_201101269?1 Progress Energy
January 25, 2011
Mr. John Dorney
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Dear Mr. Dorney:
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SUBJECT: Proposed Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Compliance Monitoring Locations
Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project No. 2206
401 Water Quality Certificate (No. 3730, Mod 1) Requirements
Per our on-site meeting at the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Developments on January
13, 2011, Progress Energy requests that the N.C. Division of Water Quality (NC DWQ) review
and approve the proposed dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature compliance monitoring
location in each power plant tailwaters. The proposed compliance monitoring locations are in
accordance with the Progress Energy's DO Enhancement Plan filed in its 401 Water Quality
Certificate application to the NCDWQ1 and, subsequently, NC DWQ 401 WQC issued on
September 30, 2008.2
As reviewed on-site, Progress Energy proposes the following compliance monitoring locations
for the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Developments:
Proposed DO and Temperature Compliance
Hydroelectric Development Monitoring Location
Tillery N.C. Highway 731 Bridge (mid-channel) (Figure 1)
Blewett Falls Tailrace, mid-channel approximately 800 feet downstream of
power plant (Figure 2)
The proposed compliance monitoring locations will provide long-term monitoring of DO
concentrations and temperature in the next FERC license term of the Project. The Tillery Plant
compliance location is approximately 2,000 feet downstream of the Tillery Plant while the
proposed Blewett Falls monitoring location is approximately 800 feet downstream of the power
1 Letter to Mr. Todd St. Johns, N.C. Division of Water Quality from Mr. Phil Lucas, Progress Energy, May 11, 2007.
Subject: Yadkin-pee Dee Project (FERC No. 2206-030), Section 401 Water Quality Certification Application.
2Letter to Mr. Charles Gates, Progress Energy from Cyndi Karoly, N.C. Division of Water Quality, September 30,
2008. Re: Yadkin-Pee Dee Project for Tillery and Blewett Falls Reservoirs, Rockingham, Stanly, Anson,
Richmond, and Montgomery Counties, DWQ #2003-0417, Version 2.0; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Project 2206, Approval of 401 Water Quality Certification-Modified.
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Tillery Hydro Plant
179 Tillery Dam Road
Mount Gilead, NC 27306
plant in the tailrace (Figures 1 and 2). Both proposed compliance monitoring locations are
consistent with location requirements specified in the NC DWQ issued 401 WQC2.
The proposed locations of these compliance monitoring stations are the result of extensive DO
enhancement testing and water quality investigations conducted by Progress Energy from 2006
to 20103. Results of those studies have been previously filed with NC DWQ for review and
discussed during annual review meetings between NC DWQ and Progress Energy staff. The
proposed locations will provide representative samples for the DO concentrations and
temperatures in waters from the power plant tailrace areas.
Progress Energy is working with the U.S. Geological Survey to acquire the most technologically
feasible monitoring equipment for each of the respective monitoring locations. We anticipate
that the USGS will install the equipment during this year, but may not have the equipment fully
functional until after May when our interim compliance monitoring season begins. As an interim
measure, Progress Energy will continue to operate its temporary monitoring sondes at the
proposed compliance monitoring locations in each tailrace until the USGS equipment is fully
installed and functional. After the USGS equipment is installed and functional, we will review
the monitoring data with the NC DWQ to determine if there are any adjustments necessary to the
chosen compliance locations.
Progress Energy requests that NC DWQ review and approve in writing the proposed DO and
temperature compliance monitoring locations. Progress Energy will provide the NC DWQ the
GIS coordinates for each of the monitoring locations once approved.
Please contact Mr. John Crutchfield (919-546-2019) if you have any questions regarding the
proposed compliance monitoring locations.
Sincerely,
tien e
Hydro Operations Manager
Enclosures
c: Stephen Bowler-FERC
John Crutchfield
Mark A. Pawlowski-FERC
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3Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project. FERC Project No. 2206. Investigations of Measures to Enhance
Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in the Tailwaters of the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments. PHASE I: Turbine Venting. Devine Tarbell & Associates. April 2007.
Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project. FERC Project No. 2206. Investigations of Measures to Enhance the
Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in the Tailwaters of the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments. PHASE II: Surface Mixing and Compressed Air. Devine Tarbell and Associates. June 2008.
Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project. FERC Project No. 2206. Investigation of Measures to Enhance
Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations in the Tailwaters of the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments. PHASE III: 2008 Air Diffuser with Surface Mixing. HDR/DTA. June 2009.
Progress Energy. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 2206. Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dissolved Oxygen Enhancement Field Verification Methods for the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments. Phase IV-2009: Baffle plates, aeration ring, partial trash rack blockage and air diffuser
deployment. January 2010.
Progress Energy. Yadkin-Pee Dee River Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 2206. Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dissolved Oxygen Enhancement Field Verification Methods for the Tillery and Blewett Falls Hydroelectric
Developments. Phase IV-2010: Draft Tube Venting, Minimum Flow Tests, and Engineering Evaluations.
December 2010.
Progress Energy. Continuous Water Quality Monitoring in the Pee Dee River below the Tillery and Blewett Falls
Hydroelectric Plants, May-October, 2006-2009. December 2010.
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Enclosure 1. Proposed dissolved oxygen and compliance monitoring location at the
Tillery Hydroelectric Development for 401 Water Quality Certificate
requirements in the next FERC license term.
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Enclosure 2. Proposed dissolved oxygen and compliance monitoring location at the
Blewett Falls Hydroelectric Development for 401 Water Quality Certificate
requirements in the next FERC license term.
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