HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090734 Ver 1_Year 2 Monitoring Report_20111019Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
801 Jones Franklin Road Suite 300
Raleigh NC 27606 -3394
Tel: (919) 851 -6866
Fax: (919) 851 -7024
starKec
October 19, 2011
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Dear Eric Kulz:
09,m3W
Reference: Monitoring report (YR2) of Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal and Stream
Restoration
As per direction from Monte Matthews ( USACE) and Eric Kulz ( NCDWQ) on March 10, 2009,
"the project is to be visually monitored for 5 years to prove stability. Monitoring consists of visual inspections
of channel and structure stability, photo points and a qualitative assessment of the survival of planted
vegetation. All monitoring activities will be completed for Buckhorn Creek and the two redesigned tributaries.
A brief report will be prepared and submitted to USACE and NCDWQ annually for 5 years following
completion of the project. "
Please find enclosed with this letter the following item:
1) Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal and Stream Restoration Monitoring (YR2) Report
Should you have any questions about the report, please call Amber Coleman.
Thank you,
STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC.
Amber Coleman
Scientist, Environmental
Tel: (919) 865 -7399
Fax: (919) 851 -7024
amber.coleman @stantec.com
Attachment: Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal and Stream Restoration Monitoring (YR2) Report
c. Monte Matthews, USACE
Jeremy Thigpen, Progress Energy
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal
and Stream Restoration
Monitoring (YR2)
Chatham County, North Carolina
September 27, 2011
FINAL
Submitted By:
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
801 Jones Franklin Rd, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27606
StantK
Table of Contents
1 Introduction and Background ............................................................... ............................... 1
2 Visual Assessment ............................................................................... ............................... 1
2.1 Stream ............................................................................................ ..............................1
2.2 Vegetation ...................................................................................... ..............................1
3 References .......................................................................................... ............................... 3
AppendixA. Photos .................................................................................... ............................... 5
AppendixB. Figures ..................................................................................... .............................17
Figure1. Vicinity .......................................................................................... .............................21
Figure 2. Monitoring Plan View & Current Condition .................................... .............................23
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Page i
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Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Page ii
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC) hired Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. (Stantec) to provide
engineering work related to the demolition of the Buckhorn Generating Facility and subsequent
stream restoration of Buckhorn Creek.
As per direction from Monte Matthews ( USACE) and Eric Kulz (NCDWQ) on March 10, 2009,
the project is to be visually monitored for 5 years to prove stability. Monitoring consists of visual
inspections of channel and structure stability, photo points and a qualitative assessment of the
survival of planted vegetation. All monitoring activities will be completed for Buckhorn Creek and
the two redesigned tributaries. A brief report will be prepared and submitted to USACE and
NCDWQ annually for 5 years following completion of the project.
2 VISUAL ASSESSMENT
Stantec staff visited the site on September 22, 2011 to perform a visual assessment of post -
construction conditions at the end of the first growing season.
2.1 Stream
Approximately 1575 linear feet (LF) along Buckhorn Creek (Reach 1) and two unnamed
tributaries (Reach 2 and Reach 3) were restored in conjunction with the of the removal of the
Buckhorn Power Generating Facility. Restoration techniques included channel relocation,
placement of in- stream structures, and floodplain grading.
The approximately 900 LF of restoration along Buckhorn Creek is generally stable. Riffles have
become increasingly coarse, but are maintaining their constructed bankfull dimension. The inter
berm features constructed in the riffle sections are showing signs of minor erosion in some
areas and minor deposition in other areas. This is expected as the channel undergoes slight
adjustments post construction. Pools have maintained their dimension and depth. The three
brush layerings utilized in the outside meander bends are protecting the banks as intended. In
2010 the right bank from Sta. 4 +54 to Sta. 5 +20 was exhibiting excess erosion. An additional
rock vane was constructed in the Spring of 2011 to turn water away from the bank (Appendix A2
Photos 1 and 2). The erosion has subsided, and the bank has stabilized (Appendix A2 Photos).
As vegetation becomes more established along the bank, the bank will become more stable
over time.
The approximately 200 LF of restoration along Reach 2 is stable. The banks exhibit no signs of
erosion and the bed shows no downcutting. All drop structures are holding grade as intended.
The approximately 475 LF of restoration along Reach 3 is stable. The banks exhibit no signs of
erosion and the bed shows no downcutting. All drop structures are holding grade as intended.
2.2 Vegetation
After final grading was complete in December 2009, the riparian zone was planted with native
woody species along the entire project. Bareroot trees were planted on the floodplain and
adjacent slopes while livestake shrubs were planted along the streambanks. Overall, the
planted vegetation onsite is doing well with no major issues. Desirable volunteers including
sycamore and eastern cottonwood are prevalent throughout the site.
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Page 1
Minor issues include one bare area located along the right bank of Reach 2. This area can be
seen at Photo Station 2 in Appendix Al is due to a bedrock outcrop. This bedrock area is
natural and will not be planted. The riparian buffer is greater than 100 feet in this area and this
bare area will not affect water quality.
A few invasive plant species are also present onsite. The most prevalent includes Japanese
stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum). The stiltgrass was present onsite before restoration, is
currently present in the forest outside the disturbed areas and is also present in the watershed
upstream. Currently it is located on the western half of the site. Japanese stiltgrass is difficult to
eradicate since the seeds are transported-by water and it is already prolific in the surrounding
area. Due to the low- growing herbaceous nature of the plant it is not likely to negatively affect
the woody plant community.
The invasive Asiatic dayflower (Murdannia keisak) is present along the banks of Reach 2, the
downstream end of Reach 3 and the upstream end of Reach 1 (Buckhorn Creek). The native,
yet invasive, cattail (Typha latifolia) is also present in the lower half of Reach 3. These plants
can form dense stands within the stream potentially affecting function. These species will not
affect the woody plant community but will be monitored to ensure that stream stability and
function are not compromised.
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Page 2
3 REFERENCES
USACE 2003. US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District; NC Division of Water Quality;
US Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV; Natural Resource Conservation Service; and
NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Stream Mitigation Guidelines. Raleigh, NC.
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Page 3
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Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, INC Page 4
APPENDIX A. PHOTOS
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
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Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Al. PHOTO STATIONS
Photo Point 1 - Downstream
Photo Point 1 - Upstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 2 - Upstream
Photo Point 2 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 3 - Upstream
Photo Point 3 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 4 - Upstream
Photo Point 4 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
.4.
Photo Point 5 - Upstream
Photo Point 5 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 6 - Upstream
Photo Point 6 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 7 - Upstream
Photo Point 7 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 8 - Upstream
Photo Point 8 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo Point 9 - Upstream
Photo Point 9 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
A2. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Photo 1 - Bank Erosion Area Right Bank (Approximately STN 5 +00) and New Rock Vane
Photo 2 — Bank Erosion Area Right Bank (Approximately STN 5 +00) and New Rock Vane
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
Photo 3 - Eastern Cottonwood Volunteers Along Lower End of Reach 1
Photo 4 — Pocket Wetland and Japanese Stilt Grass Extending Into Forest
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
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Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
APPENDIX B. FIGURES
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
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Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011
Chatham County, NC Appendix
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