NC0004405_staff comments_19970422

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Note for Jackie Nowell
From: Jackie Nowell
Date: Tue, Apr 22, 1997 2:16 PM
Subject: FW: Second Broad Gage & Dam
To: Carla Sanderson
Roger Edwards of ARO called and said that the silt depositions had come from the Cone
Mills impoundment behind the Dam. Cone Mills had problems with a rusting gate that had
to be repaired. They evidently drained the impoundment in accordance with recommendations
for repairing the gate. Cone Mills contacted Wildlife Resources prior to draining, who gave
their okay. ARO indicated that if Wildlife didn't have a problem, then they would not
disagree. However, Roger did have some reservations about it.
The draining evidently occurred over a couple of months, but repairs have been completed
now. Cone Mills has been advised by ARO that the silt will have to be removed from behind
the dam by whatever methods necessary.. He was not aware of the silt deposits down by the
gaging station. Said that he would try to check it out later this week on his trip to Rutherford
Co. Roger says that Jim can contact him if he has additional questions.
From: Jackie Nowell on Tue, Apr 22, 1997 12:36 PM
Subject: Second Broad Gage & Dam
To: Carla Sanderson
I have reviewed the WLA files for Cone Mills and I don't fmd any information on any silt
deposition problems. The only info in the files regarding the gage were copies of graphs
from Jim Mead showing the fluctuation of flows during the months of July - Sept, 1991. No
mention of silt deposition at the gage. I have placed a call to the ARO to see if anyone there
has any info or ideas and what could be the problem. Will let you know if they can provide
any answers.

Date: Mon, 21 Rpr 1997 15:17:10 -0400
From: [e-mail] (Jim Mead)
Subject: Siltation of USGS Gage on Second Broad R. @ Cliffside
To: [e-mail]
USGS contacted me last Friday regarding a problem at their gage on the
Second Broad River at Cliffside in Rutherford County. R crew from the
USGS office in Rsheuille had visited the site to download data and
check the rating and noticed a very large deposition of silt which has
affected the rating table. The stuff was so deep and soft that the
crew decided it was too hazardous to enter the riuer to measure the
discharge.
Jeanne Robbins, Surface Water Specialist with USGS, was interested in
any information that might shed light on this silt deposition, in
particular regarding the dam located just upstream of the gage.
The Cliffside dam is owned by Cone Mills (textiles) and they also
operate a small hydro facility at the site. The project does not have
a FERC license, but FERC is aware of its operation and indicated some
time ago that they would consider licensing this hydro if other
agencies expressed concern about its operation.
Several years ago Steve Reed and I passed by this dam when the pond
was drawn down and workers were using firehoses to wash out the
impoundment near the dam. It is possible that a recent "purging" of
this impoundment has led to the silt problem at the gage. DWQ also

had questions several years ago regarding flow fluctuations at the
gage downstream of this dam.
Please let me know if you or other field staff with your agency have
any info about this silt problem and the operation of the dam at
Cliffside. USGS will be monitoring the silt situation to decide
whether or not to continue operation of this gage. Depending on what
is going on, we may want to approach the FERC about licensing this
project with conditions regarding silt remoual and hydropeaking.