20090734 Ver 1_Year 3 Monitoring Report_20121213

0—
Stantec
December 13, 2012
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
801 Jones Franklin Road Suite 300
Raleigh NC 27606 -3394
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Dear Eric Kulz:
ov— 0�3
Reference: Monitoring Report (YR3) 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 (YR3) Report
Should you have any questions about the report, please call Alex Baldwin.
Thank you,
STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC.
Alex aldwin
Scientist, Environmental
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Alex. baldwin @stantec.com
Attachment: Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal and Stream Restoration Monitoring (YR3) Report
c. Monte Matthews, USACE
Jeremy Thigpen, Progress Energy

Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal
and Stream Restoration
Monitoring (YR3)
A:, pw
Chatham County, North Carolina
November 2012
FINAL
Submitted By:
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
801 Jones Franklin Rd, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27606
no @[EUWffl
Do
DEC 1 4 2012
DENR - WATER QUALITY
_ & %p -w4t—W &arch
StantK

Table of Contents
1 Introduction and Background
2 Visual Assessment
21 Stream
22 Vegetation
3 References
Appendix A Photos
Appendix B Figures
Figure 1 Vicinity
Figure 2 Monitoring Plan View & Current Condition
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
1
1
1
2
3
5
17
24
26
November 2012
Page i

t
This page intentionally left blank I
1
1
1
1
1
t
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Page u
I

1
1
' 1 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 October 11, 2012 to perform a visual assessment of post -
construction conditions at the end of the third 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 are
maintaining constructed dimensions and continue to exhibit desired substrate characteristics
The inner berm features continue to adjust to the proper dimension, but show no significant
signs of degradation Pools have maintained their dimension and depth The three brush
layenngs utilized in the outside meander bends are maintaining protection to the banks as
intended The additional rock vane constructed in the Spring of 2011 has continued to stabilize
a section (Sta 4 +54 to Sta 5 +20) of the right bank where excessive erosion was observed in
2010 (Appendix A2 Photos 1 and 2) Two small beaver dams were observed during the site
assessment along Reach 1 The first dam (BD 1) near Sta 6 +30 just upstream of the
confluence with Reach 2, and the second dam (BD 2) near Sta 3 +90 just upstream of Photo
Point 7 (Appendix A2 Photos 6 through 8) These beaver dams can severely compromise the
stability of the stream, and lead to major problem areas Often the problems are a result of the
backwater behind the dam, which flood the riffles and eliminate fish and macroinvertebrate
habitat while creating conditions that allow fine sediments to deposit in the riffles which also
compromises habitat At the time of the assessment only one small area of bank erosion was
observed as a result of the beaver activity, the area was located along the left bank downstream
'
of BD2 near Sta 4 +25 (Appendix A2 Photo 9)
Stantec personnel dismantled both beaver dams during the visual assessment Action needs to
be considered moving forward to monitor and remove the beavers if they continue activity in the
project area Stantec recommends monitoring beaver activity on site and potentially taking
'
action to remove the beavers
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
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Page 1

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 mayor issues Desirable volunteers including
sycamore and eastern cottonwood are prevalent throughout the site (Appendix A2 Photo 3)
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 (Microsteg►um v►m►neum) 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 (Appendix A2 Photos 4 and 5) Currently it is located on the northwestern 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 negatively affect the woody plant community
The invasive Asiatic dayflower (Murdann►a ke►sak) is present along the banks of Reach 2, the
downstream end of Reach 3 and along the banks of upstream Reach 1 (Buckhorn Creek) to
approximately Sta 6 +50 It should be noted that Murdann►a ke►sak has encroached on the two
areas of Reach 1 where the beaver dams are located The native, yet invasive, cattail (Typha
latifol►a) is also present in the lower half of Reach 2 and 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
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
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
N
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
1
November 2012
Page 3

This page intentionally left blank
i
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Page 4

IAPPENDIX A. PHOTOS
1
1
LJ
1
1
1
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix
1

This page Intentionally left blank
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

1
1
1
Al. i I
L,
PHOTO STATIONS
Photo Point 1 - Downstream
Photo Point 1 - Upstream
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

Photo Point 2 - Upstream
Photo Point 2 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix
G

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
EFIC1.4 U
4'
{ t
..
Photo Point 3 Upstream
Photo Point 3 - Downstream
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
November 2012
Appendix

Photo Point 4 - Upstream
s a�� •
Photo Point 4 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
November 2012
Appendix

F�
1
1
1
L
1
1
Photo Point 5 - Upstream
Photo Point 5 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

Photo Point 6 - Upstream
Photo Point 6 - Downstream
u
t
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012 ,
Chatham County, NC Appendix

j
1
1
Photo Point 7 - Upstream
Photo Point 7 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix
it

1 -
Photo Point 8 - Upstream
Photo Point 8 - Downstream
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

t
t
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Photo Point 9 - Upstream
Photo Point 9 - Downstream
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
November 2012
Appendix

A2. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
sq+L�r1
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 YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

w
1
1
1
1
1
1
Photo 3 - Eastern Cottonwood Volunteers Along Left Bank at Lower End of Reach 1
Photo 4 — Pocket Wetland and Japanese Stilt Grass Extending Into Forest
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

Photo 5 — Japanese Stilt Grass Extending Into Forest
Photo 6 — Beaver Dam 1 and Impoundment Behind Dam
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix

Photo 9 —Bank Scour on Left Bank Immediately Below Beaver Dam 2
Photo 10 —Wrack Line Upper Reach 1 Left Bank Near Sta. 1 +00
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix
1

Photo 7 — Beaver Dam 2 Being Dismantled and Impoundment Behind Dam
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
1
November 2012
Appendix
I �A,
,
W
•, � �_
Photo 8 — Beaver Dam 2 After Being Removed, Note Murdania keisak Encroaching in Channel
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
1
November 2012
Appendix

1
IAPPENDIX B. FIGURES
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
I
I i
1
1
1
1
Buckhorn Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix
1

This page intentionally left blank
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3 November 2012
Chatham County, NC Appendix
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Op-
�ncure
t r
Figure 1. Vicinity Map
Buckhom Generating
Facility Removal
Railroad
® County boundaries
US Highways
NC Highways
Roads
Streams
Lake /pond
City Limits
i�
'Aa
kIJ
i,
Project Area
2
Holly
Springs

This page Intentionally left blank
Buckhom Generating Facility Removal & Stream Restoration — Monitoring YR3
Chatham County, NC
0
November 2012
Appendix
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

SITE LOCATION
US 1
PEA RIDGE
SR 1972
CORINTH RD
SR 1916
StanWc
NC 42
801 JONES FRANKLIN RD
SUITE 300
RALEIGH, NC 27606 PROJECT
LOCATION
(P) 919- 851 -6866
(F) 919 - 851 -7024
CAPE SITE
ENTRANCE
&4
3 Progress Energy
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc Raleigh, NC
BUCKHORN STREAM RESTORATION
AND POWER HOUSE REMOVAL
MONITORING YEAR 3
CURRENT CONDITION MAP
CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
NOV 2012
Project Number: 171300318
C,

"I
rI
1
l�
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
nI I
LJ
1
1
1
I�
I
1
PHOTO
START OF POINT #6
REACH 3 01,
\ _
55_
` \`\ TOP OF BANK
POCKET WETLAND r `
\ 150
PHOTO
POINT #9
0 +00 -' - - 40
\_ - -- \
\
START OF - - - -- - -- 140 PHQTO`145
2 0 - POINT #8`- " \\ ` II
BUCKHORN CREEK __- _ - - -_ -- %0�\ �� \
(REACH 1) �� - - -- -_ _ ;`\\\ \ " \\ ���' \\ �„__'� "_ \\� `\ li \ \ ` \•
1 +00
\`X\ \\ ` \ \\ - TOP OF
P O
POINT #7
BANK EROSION \ \) \\ \
STA 4 +54 TO
STA 5 +20 2010 \ \
INVASIVES � j,
JAPANESE STILT GRASS (MICROSTEGIUM VIMENEUM) COVERS THE AREA BETWEEN REACH 1 76�ss�l�l % 7 +00
AND REACH 3, AND EXTENDS INTO THE FOREST NORTH OF THE POCKET WETLAND
I /
ASIATIC DAYFLOWER (MURDANNIA KE /SAK) IS PRESENT ALONG THE BANKS OF REACH 2, THE I /
LOWER END OF REACH 3 AND UPSTREAM END OF REACH 1 TO APPROXIMATELY STATION 6 +50 I
I
CATTAIL (TYPHA LATIFOLIA) IS PRESENT IN POOLS ALONG REACH 3 FROM APPROXIMATELY
STATION 3 +00 TO THE CONFLUENCE WITH REACH 1, AND ALONG REACH 2 FROM STATION 0 +53
TO STATION 1 +53
0 20 40
1/2 -40
BEDROCK OUTCROP
(NO VEGETATION)
PHOTO
POINT #5 START OF
REACH 2
\ END OF o�',�
\\ \ REACH 3/�/ ilk
165
y /
a \\ \ HOT
`r 4OINT #4
-rOPOFBAN
if I I I \ 160
HOTO ` \\
-eOIN 1
155 \�\
_\ 7
\ \\
END OF
REACH 1
S
801 Jones Franklin Rd state %30C
Ra.:lei a,gh gh
NC
27601
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
s
ccayww� n. Gan oom
.�,LR
Copyright Reserved
The Contractor atoll v fy and b msp —ble for all dieter— 00
NOT saala the dmnng — any anon ar omisswns shall Ee reported I
Siantec eiLho,t delay
The Copyrpnb to all devgna and dm.inga are the poperty of
Slanlec ReprodueI- or use tar any purpose other than that
authonmd by Slantea is roraWaen
Owner
Progress Energy
Progress Energy Corolnas Inc Raleigh NC
Legend
LOG STEP
ROCK CROSS VA
WOODY TOE
Permit-Seal
Revision By rocs YY In
MCWTORM YEM 3 f SET AFB Tr 1121
Issued By Apps YY MI
nle Name Mon,t-ng 3 ymrdeg A® Tr 11 2l
Den C M 0sgn YY MI
CllenhProject
PROGRESS ENERGY
BUCKHORN STREAM MONITORING YEAR
BUCKHORN STREAM RESTORATION
AND POWER HOUSE REMOVAL
CHATHAM COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
Title
CURRENT CONDITION MAP
Project No Scale
171300318 112' = 40'
Drawing No Sheet Revision
2 of 2 0

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1