20080915 Ver 1_Bridgewater Ring Jet Test Notification_20160212

Governor
Secrettuy
8� ]AY ZIlWMERMAN
Direcior
February 12,20I6
Burke County
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
Water Strategy, Hydro Licensing and Lake Services
Attn: Mr. Mark Oakley
E[l2Y
P0Box IOOG
Charlotte, NC 28201-1006
Subject: Notification of Modification of Minimum Flow Release Comments
Catavvba-VVatereeHydroelectric Project (Bridgevv8terPOvverhouse)
FERC Project #3Z32
U28r Mr. Oakley:
On February 5, 3016, the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (Division) received your
notification of modification of minimum flow release to confirm the Bridgewater Powerhouse
Ring Jet flow settings and travel time tOthe USGSgaging site downstream Ofthe plant. The
notification is in accordance with Condition 9 of the NC water quality certification issued on
November 14, 2008 and Maintenance and Emergency Protocol Abnormal Condition A.2—
Unscheduled Hydro Unit Maintenance. The Division does not have any issues with the test given
that the rating of the ring jet valve will be conducted in addition to the rnininnurn flow release.
Thank you for the opportunity tucomment Onthe proposed plan. Please contact nne8t
k Or9]9-8O7-636Oifyou have any questions Orconcerns.
~�
en Higgins, Supervis
4OI&Buffer Permitting it
cc: Fred Tarver, DWR — Basin Planning Branch (via fred.tarv,e..r-.� pcde_��.r. o
Filename: 080915[atawbaVVateeeHydroPnojertBr|dgevvaterRing]etTest(Burke)_401_1[_[omment.docx
State vovm«Carolina I Fnriroomoma/Quality IWater Resources
1617 Mail service Center IRaleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
"/*ummoo

Burdette, Jennifer a
From: Burdette, Jennifer a
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2016 11:58 AM
To: '[e-mail]'
Cc: Tarver, Fred; Goudreau, Chris J.; '[e-mail]'
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Minimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
Attachments: SKM_C224e16021212531.pdf
Attached is the Division's comment letter for the subject project.
Jennifer Burdette
401/Buffer Coordinator
Division of Water Resources - 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Department of Environmental Quality
919 807 6364 office
ieuiuiifeir.buirdettenicdeuiir.aov
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
(Physical Address: 512 N. Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27604 - 9t11 Fir Archdale Bldg ® Room 9420
xr
Email correspomYence to amY from this a�Y�Yress is subiect to the
lVoill? Carolina Public ReconYs Law amY n7ay be �Yisclose�Y to thinY padies,
From: Tarver, Fred
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2016 12:40 PM
To: Burdette, Jennifer a <Jennifer.Burdettegncdenr.gov>
Subject: FW: Notification of Modification of Minimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
Jennifer,
I don't see any issues with the test at the Bridgewater plant given that Duke will be doing the rating of the ring jet valve
on top of the min flow release.
Fred
Fred R Tarver III
Division of Water Resources
NC Department of Environmental Quality
1611 Mail Service Center
Raleigh. NC 27699-1611
Email: fred.tarver(a�ncdenngov
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
(E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and disclosed to third parties.)

From: Galleher, George A [mailto: George. GalleherCa�duke-energy com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 4:42 PM
To: Tarver, Fred <fred.tarverCa�ncdenngov>; Goudreau, Chris J. <chris.goudreauCa�ncwildlia gM>; Oakley, Mark
<Mark. OakleyCa�duke- energy.com>; Higgins, Karen <karen.hi ins ,ncdenngov>; bryan_tompkinsCa�fws.gov
Cc: Bruce, Ed <Ed.BruceCa�duke- energy. com>; Fragapane, Phil <Phil.Fra apane ,duke -energy com>
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Minimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
Fred, sorry for the confusion. 47.5 is a referece to the gate % open. I want to confirm that it is correct.
From: Tarver, Fred [mai Ito: fred.tarver(a)ncdenr.aov]
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 3:17 PM
To: Galleher, George A; Goudreau, Chris J.; Oakley, Mark; Higgins, Karen; bryan tompkins(a)fws.Qov
Cc: Bruce, Ed; Fragapane, Phil
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Minimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
George,
Just for clarification, what is the significance of Step 4 ('4. Once USGS reading is confirmed, open ring jet valve to a gate
position of 47.5 [cfs?].") ? It's half of 95 cfs, but Is that just an incremental change to get up to 320 cfs w/o overshooting
in Step 5 due to leakage, etc.?
Fred
Fred R Tarver III
Division of Water Resources
NC Department of Environmental (duality
1611 Mail Service Center
Raleigh. NC 27699-1611
Email: fred.tarverCa�ncdenngov
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
(E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and disclosed to third parties.)
From: Galleher, George A [mailto: George. GalleherCa�duke-energy com]
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 3:16 PM
To: Goudreau, Chris J. <chris.goudreauCa�ncwildlia gM>; Oakley, Mark <Mark. OakleyCa�duke- energy.com>; Tarver,
Fred <fred.tarverCa�ncdenngov>; Higgins, Karen <karen.hi ins ,ncdenngov>; bryan_tompkinsCa�fws.gov
Cc: Bruce, Ed <Ed.BruceCa�duke- energy. com>; Fragapane, Phil <Phil.Fra apane ,duke -energy com>
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Minimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
Chris, it is actually very difficult to fine tune the exact number and thus a small margin for maintaining
compliance. The minimum flow unit (unit 3) for this time of year over complies a little above the 145 cfs that is
required. Once we see what the base flow is (generalizing here that with Unit 3 plus a small amount of dam
leakage and unit leak from units 1 and 2) we will work from that point so that there is no non-compliance
issue. The other day we responded to a need to shut the station down and the staff opened the ring jet to provide
the required minimum flow. The ring jet did not calibrate as expected as I didn't expect to go below the 145 cfs
compliance point.
So with minimum flow established we will then open the ring jet and using the USGS gage measure the
incremental change (shooting to hit at least 145 cfs but this may take a several sets of trials and as you have
seen a little margin). Once the base flow is known and it looks like 164 cfs for example then the ring jet needs
to be a little more than 309 cfs (which would confirm the valve setting on the ring jet and that we are at least
slightly above the min flow limit.

We would repeat this for the minimum flow situations where 95 and 75 cfs are called for. Finally, the larger
units do not run very well at the 12 MW setting which would have us hitting the 1200 cfs required by the
license for some Bridgewater recreation releases. I wanted to confirm that running at this level would adversely
add wear to the units and not be acceptable as a minimum recreation flow.
Let me know if this gets closer. - George
Procedure:
1. Run only Unit 3 (the continuous minimum flow generating unit) at 0800.
2. Arrive on site 0830. Review station safety procedures.
3. 0915: Run minimum flow Unit 3 only and confirm USGS reading (expected to be approximately 160
4. Once USGS reading is confirmed, open ring jet valve to a gate position of 47.5.
5. 1015: Confirm USGS reading. If flow is too low, further open the valve so the USGS flow reading is
Unit 3 flow plus 160 cfs (expected to be approximately 320 cfs) V ;'j °
6. 1115: Confirm USGS reading. Continue to adjust ring jet valve setting to achieve approximately 320
cfs. When the USGS flow reading reaches Unit 3 flow plus 160 cfs then record ring jet valve position
and lower ring jet setting to release 95 cfs (total Unit 3 flow plus ring jet valve release is now expected
to be approximately 255 cfs). 4% OEM VAiFf�r ;
7. 1215: Confirm USGS reading. Continue to adjust ring jet valve setting to achieve approximately 255
cfs. When USGS flow reading reaches Unit 3 flow plus 95 cfs, record ring jet gate position and lower
ring jet setting to release 75 cfs (total Unit 3 flow plus ring jet valve flow is now expected to be
approximately 235 cfs).
8. 1315 confirm USGS reading. Continue to adjust ring jet valve setting to achieve approximately 235 cfs.
When USGS flow reading reaches Unit 3 flow plus 75 cfs, record ring jet gate position.
9. 1415 confirm USGS reading. Start Unit 1 or 2 at 12 MW's. At 1420 close the ring jet and shutdown
Unit 3.
10. 1515 confirm USGS reading and conclude test.
Risk: There should be minimal risk of FERC license compliance issue.
From: Goudreau, Chris J.[mailto:chris.QoudreauCa)ncwildlife.org]
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 1:36 PM
To: Galleher, George A; Oakley, Mark; Tarver, Fred; Higgins, Karen; bryan tompkinsCa)fws.Qov
Cc: Bruce, Ed; Fragapane, Phil
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Munimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
****** Exercise caution. This is an EXTERNAL email. DO NOT open attachments or click links from
unknown senders or unexpected email. ******
Overall, I like the plan and appreciate the approach to stay above the minimum flow requirement throughout the test. We
also appreciate doing the test before we stock this location in late March.
I do have a few questions about the details of the procedures. I've embedded my comments/questions in the list below.
Chris

Illhirliis Goudiireau
lyu:lurolso cur & Spedalll III')urojccts Coordinator
Wall lid.ad. ConseirvMion IDVslion
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chris.goudreaua-ncwiIdlife. org
ncwildlife.org
From: Galleher, George A[mailto:George. GalleherCa�duke- energy. com]
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 2:11 PM
To: Oakley, Mark <Mark.OakleyCa�duke- energy. com>; Tarver, Fred <fred.tarverCa�ncdenngov>; Higgins, Karen
<karen.hi ins ,ncdenr.gov>; Goudreau, Chris J.<chris.goudreauCa�ncwildlife.org>; bryan_tompkinsCa�fws.gov
Cc: Bruce, Ed <Ed.BruceCa�duke- energy. com>; Fragapane, Phil <Phil.Fragapane,duke- energy. com>
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Munimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
Please note also that our plan is to not be out of compliance on our minimum flow FERC requirements during the
testing. The minimum flow will be the base level and we will build on that.
George
From: Oakley, Mark
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 2:06 PM
To: '[e-mail]'; '[e-mail]';'[e-mail]'; bryan tompkinsCa)fws.Qov
Cc: Galleher, George A; Bruce, Ed; Fragapane, Phil
Subject: RE: Notification of Modification of Munimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
As part of our follow-through to address this flow release incident, Duke Energy is planning to re -check the calibration of
the flow release valve (ring jet valve) at Bridgewater Hydro. Our plan is for a one -day test as described below. Please
advise if you have any comments on this test plan or if additional consultation is necessary.
Traditionally agencies are allowed a minimum of 30 days to review and respond to consultation inquiries such as this, but
I am asking for a favor in this case. We are working to get this test done early so we are finished prior to NCWRC
stocking just downstream of the Bridgewater powerhouse in March. The plan is pretty simple and I hope this facilitates a
quick review. Your feedback by February 15 would be greatly appreciated.
Date: Monday, February 22, 2016
Study Objective: To confirm Bridgewater Powerhouse Ring Jet flow settings and travel time to the USGS
gaging site downstream of the plant.
Background: Continuous minimum flow levels at the Bridgewater powerhouse are 75 cfs, 95 cfs, and 145 cfs
seasonally. The ring jet valve is supposed to accurately deliver these flow releases if/when the continuous
minimum flow unit is not available. This calibration is intended to re -verify the settings for opening the ring jet
valve that will deliver the required flows.
Procedure:
1. Run only Unit 3 (the continuous minimum flow generating unit) at 0800.

2. Arrive on site 0830. Review station safety procedures.
3. 0915: Run minimum flow Unit 3 only and confirm USGS reading (expected to be approximately 160
�/�ii✓ �F /F%F / ;�/F ,✓r%�„�lF%F /�F�F „/'� �Fr / / � �,✓� �, �F �, �%F/F ,,,,,�iF F,iF ��F F/F'
4. Once USGS reading is confirmed, open ring jet valve to a gate position of 47.5.
5. 1015: Confirm USGS reading. If flow is too low, further open the valve so the USGS flow reading is
Unit 3 flow plus 160 cfs (expected to be approximately 320 cfs).
6. 1115: Confirm USGS reading. Continue to adjust ring jet valve setting to achieve approximately 320
cfs. When the USGS flow reading reaches Unit 3 flow plus 160 cfs then record ring jet valve position
and lower ring jet setting to release 95 cfs (total Unit 3 flow plus ring jet valve release is now expected
to be approximately 255 cfs). iFHAI
r ;
7. 1215: Confirm USGS reading. Continue to adjust ring jet valve setting to achieve approximately 255
cfs. When USGS flow reading reaches Unit 3 flow plus 95 cfs, record ring jet gate position and lower
ring jet setting to release 75 cfs (total Unit 3 flow plus ring jet valve flow is now expected to be
approximately 235 cfs).
8. 1315 confirm USGS reading. Continue to adjust ring jet valve setting to achieve approximately 235 cfs.
When USGS flow reading reaches Unit 3 flow plus 75 cfs, record ring jet gate position.
9. 1415 confirm USGS reading. Start Unit 1 or 2 at 12 MW's. At 1420 close the ring jet and shutdown
Unit 3.
10. 1515 confirm USGS reading and conclude test.
Risk: There should be minimal risk of FERC license compliance issue.
From: Oakley, Mark
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 3:19 PM
To: '[e-mail]'; '[e-mail]';'[e-mail]'; '[e-mail]'
Subject: Notification of Modification of Munimum Flow Release - Bridgewater Hydro
The attached notification filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today describes a brief (approximately 30
minute) period during which the continuous minimum flow release at Bridgewater Hydro dropped slightly below the
required 145 cfs.
This event is addressed under the Incidental Maintenance provision of the MEP and by copy of this e-mail Duke Energy is
providing notifications to the appropriate resource agencies as identified in Maintenance and Emergency Protocol
Abnormal Condition A.2 — Unscheduled Hydro Unit Maintenance. This notification is also in accordance with Condition
9 of the NC water quality certification (license Appendix A).
Consultation is not required for Incidental Maintenance situations, however, I'll be glad to answer further questions, if
any.
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