Jordan Lake Resurvey LCFSWA Comments

Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority
Post Office Box 1673
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
[phone]

September 29, 1989

Mr. Max Grimes
U. S. Corps of Engineers
Engineering Division
P. O. Box 1890
Wilmington, N. C. 28402

Dear Max:

I talked with you a couple of weeks ago about the status of the
Corps efforts to resurvey the Jordan Lake. Since we talked, I have had
a further opportunity to more thoroughly review the Jordan Lake
Hydrology and Downstream Water Quality Considerations Final Report,
February, 1988 prepared by NRCD. This report references several times
that the Corps last survey was done in 1980, and that a resurvey was
necessary to determine if the Iake's capacity has changed since 1980.
The conclusions and recommendations of the above referenced report was
based on the 1980 storage values. The report also recommends to limit
the amount of water supply withdrawals not returned to the lake.

As you know, the Authority and its six member governments are
very much concerned about the stream flow conditions of the Cape Fear
River and the pending issue of interbasin transfers in regard to the
Jordan Lake. I want to respectfully request that you provide to me in
writing a response to the following:

1. When does the Corps anticipate the completion of the
resurvey of Jordan Lake, and explain the major reasons why the Corps
is making the survey?

2. Does the Corps have any engineering or hydrology studies
that were done that confirm the State's contention that 100 MGD of water
can safely be withdrawn from the lake for water supplies, and that up to
50 MGD can be diverted from the basin without effecting the minimum
stream flow at Lillington? Please provide me such information.

3. You indicated to me on the phone that you doubted
that the resurvey would significantly show any changes of storage
capacity of the lake or any major errors as was the case with the Falls
Lake .project. On what factors do you base this conclusion before the
resurvey has actually been completed?

4. The Corps prepared an Environmental Impact Statement
for the New Hope Lake in November, 1971. At that time a simulation was
done (August 1, 1930 - September 30, 1968) as related per attachment.

BLADEN COUNTY • BRUNSWICK COUNTY • COLUMBUS COUNTY • NEW HANOVER COUNTY • PENDER COUNTY • CITY OF WILMINGTON

Based upon more recent studies or model simulations that have been
done," what criterias or model considerations have changed?

5. Please provide me any other information and/or facts to assist the
Authority with a better understanding of the concerns regarding stream
flow conditions and water supply issues regarding the Jordan Lake
project.

On behalf of the Authority Board, I appreciate your assistance.

Sincerely,

Kurt G. Taube
Executive Director

KT/jjw