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Home My WebLink About20090734 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 This page intentionally left blank. 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 This page intentionally left blank. 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 This page intentionally left blank. 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 This page intentionally left blank. 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 This page intentionally left blank. Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR2 October 2011 Chatham County, NC Appendix N B. 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