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Home My WebLink About19910183 - 2013_Walters_Appendix_A_Report - 2/25/2016wn��V Mr. Eric Fleek North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1621 Ms. Cyndi Karoly North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1621 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1621 Mr. Bryn Tracy Quality ik*%6z Al -1 mn, RemA mewalrow Mr. Fred Tarver North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Ms. Karen Higgins North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 SUBJECT: Submittal of the 2013 Walters Hydroelectric Project Water Quality and Biotic Indices Report Please find enclosed a copy of the report entitled "Walters Hydroelectric Plant, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432, 2013 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies of the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Plant, Appendix A Requirements". This report details the 2013 triennial monitoring of the water quality and benthic invertebrate and fish communities of the Pigeon River and Waterville Lake. This triennial monitoring was conducted per Appendix A biological monitoring requirements of the Walters Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 432) operating license. The 2013 monitoring results indicated the Appendix A benthic invertebrate and fish biotic indices criteria were not met for consideration of instrearn flow releases from the Walters Project. Given that these criteria were not met, the triennial sampling event of water quality and the benthic invertebrate and fish communities will be repeated in 2016. This report was sent to the NCDEQ staff for review in December 2014. Apparently the report was not forwarded to the appropriate staff members within NCDEQ; therefore Duke Energy is forwarding the document to you for your review. If you have any questions concerning the report, please contact Mr. Rick Smith (984-229-6090) 1r Steve Johnson (704-382-4240). Sincerely, 'V Jeffrey G. Line erger, PE Director, Water Strategy & Hydro Licensing Duke Energy I= cc without enclosure: Ms. L. D. Hickok, Duke Energy Mr. S.R. Johnson, Duke Energy Mr. R. W. Smith, Duke Energy Walters Hydroelectric Plant Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432 2013 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix A Requirements Duke Energy Progress Environmental Services December 2014 Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Preface This copy of the report is not a controlled document as detailed in the Environmental Services Section Biology Program Quality Assurance Manual. Any changes made to the original of this report subsequent to the date of issuance can be obtained from: Director Environmental Sciences Duke Energy Progress 410 South Wilmington Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. i Environmental Services and Strategy Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Table of Contents Page Preface..................................................................................................................................... i Listof Appendices.................................................................................................................. iii Metric -English Conversion and Units of Measure................................................................. vii Water Chemistry Abbreviations............................................................................................. vii ExecutiveSummary................................................................................................................ viii Walters Hydroelectric Plant 2013 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Report Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1 Description of Walters Lake and the Pigeon River................................................................ 5 Objectives............................................................................................................................... 6 Methods................................................................................................................................... 6 WaterQuality................................................................................................................... 6 Benthic Invertebrate and Fish Biotic Indices.................................................................... 7 Habitat Description of Sampling Stations................................................................... 7 Benthic Invertebrate Community................................................................................ 9 FishCommunity.......................................................................................................... 10 Field Sampling of Fish Community..................................................................... 10 IBI Scoring of Fish Community........................................................................... 11 Resultsand Discussion........................................................................................................... 14 ClimatologicalConditions................................................................................................ 14 WaterQuality.................................................................................................................... 14 Temperature................................................................................................................ 14 DissolvedOxygen....................................................................................................... 14 WaterClarity............................................................................................................... 15 AlgalBiomass............................................................................................................. 16 Nutrients...................................................................................................................... 16 OrganicMatter............................................................................................................ 16 Ions, Total Alkalinity, Hardness, Specific Conductance, and pH .............................. 17 Benthic Invertebrate Community..................................................................................... 18 FishCommunity................................................................................................................ 20 Conclusions............................................................................................................................. 23 References............................................................................................................................... 25 Duke Energy Progress ii Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies List of Appendices Appendix Page 1 Walters Lake and Pigeon River sampling locations during 2013 .......................... A-1 2 Field sampling and laboratory methods followed in the 2013 Walters Lake and Pigeon River water quality monitoring program ...................... A-2 3 Monthly precipitation during 2013 recorded at Waterville, North Carolina.......... A-3 4 Monthly mean discharge flows of the Pigeon River, North Carolina, near Hepco and at Cataloochee Creek during 2013 ....................................................... A-4 5 Lake level elevations, discharge flows, and power plant net generation at the Walters Project during 2013......................................................................... A-5 6 Daily mean stream flow and the annual mean stream flow of the Pigeon River, North Carolina, at Canton, near the New Hepco Bridge, and in the middle and lower segments of the bypassed reach during the biotic indices sampling, 2013........................................................................... A-6 7 Taxonomic listing of benthic invertebrates collected from Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River during August 2013 and the taxon's associated Biotic Index tolerance value ............................... A-7 8 Scores from tabulating the Mountain Ecoregion Biotic Index and the Mountain EPT taxa richness values....................................................................... A-12 9 Metrics ranking system for application of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity to the fish community of the Pigeon River, NorthCarolina........................................................................................................ A-13 10 Index of Biotic Integrity adult trophic status and tolerance designation of fish species known to occur in the Pigeon River in North Carolina andTennessee......................................................................................................... A-14 11 Number of fish species vs. drainage area for the French Broad River and Pigeon River Basins for scoring Metric No. 1 of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity.......................................................................... A-16 12 Number of fish versus drainage area for the French Broad River and Pigeon River Basins for scoring Metric No. 10 of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity ..................................... A-17 13 Size ranges used to differentiate between young -of -year and juveniles/adults of fish species for scoring individual metrics of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity from the Pigeon River during July 2013......... A-18 Duke Energy Progress iii Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies List of Appendices (continued) Appendix Page 14 Index of Biotic Integrity classes and range of scores used in the assessment of fish communities along with general descriptions of their attributes ................ A-19 15 Water temperature profiles at Station B2 in Walters Lake during 2013 ................ A-20 16 Monthly temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and dissolved oxygen percent saturation in the surface waters at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3 in the Pigeon River during 2013 ..................................................... A-21 17 Dissolved oxygen profiles at Station B2 in Walters Lake during 2013 ................. A-22 18 Means, ranges, and spatial trends of selected water quality variables from the surface waters of Walters Lake and the Pigeon River during 2013 ........ A-23 19 Concentrations of chemical variables in the surface waters of Walters Lake and the Pigeon River during 2013 ................................................... A-25 20 Means of selected limnological variables from the surface waters of Walters Lake during the 1995 - 2013 period.......................................................... A-30 21 Means of selected limnological variables from the surface waters of the Pigeon River during the 1995 - 2013 period ................................................ A-31 22 Percent transmission of photosynthetically active radiation in Walters Lake during the 1995 - 2013 period.......................................................... A-35 23 Percent transmission of photosynthetically active radiation in the Pigeon River during the 1995 - 2013 period.......................................................... A-37 24 Monthly concentrations or values of selected water quality variables from the surface waters of the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River during 2013 ................. A-39 25 Monthly mean chlorophyll a concentrations at Station B2 in Walters Lake during the 1995 - 2013 period.......................................................... A-40 26 Benthic invertebrate taxa richness, EPT and BI scores, and BI health bioclassification rankings at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River, August 2013.................................................................................... A-43 27 Benthic invertebrate data collected by the NCDWR and Duke Energy Progress from Stations PRO and PRI in the Pigeon River, 1983-2013 ................................ A-44 Duke Energy Progress iv Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies List of Appendices (continued) Appendix Page 28 Average bioclassification scores for the benthic communities at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River, North Carolina, 1993-2013 ........... A-46 29 Fish collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling from Stations PRO and PRI in the Pigeon River during July 2013 ................................ A-47 30 Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy modified IBI sampling at Station PRO of the Pigeon River during July2013................................................................................................................ A-48 31 Number and length classes by station observed for fish species that did not have multiple size classes collected from the Pigeon River during July 2013 ............... A-52 32 Description of deformities and anomalies observed in fish species collected from the Pigeon River by station during July 2013 ................................ A-53 33 Individual metric scores, numerical values, total scores, and bioclassifications of the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI at Stations PRO,PR1, PR2, Mand PR4 in the Pigeon River during July 2013..................................................................... A-54 34 Length -frequency distributions fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PRI of the Pigeon River during July 2013 ....... A-55 35 Fish collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling from Stations PR2 and PR3 in the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River during July2013................................................................................................................ A-59 36 Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PR2 of the Pigeon River during July 2013 ....... A-60 37 Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PR3 of the Pigeon River duringJuly 2013..................................................................................................... A-62 38 Total scores of the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling in the Pigeon River at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4, 1993-2013 ........................................... A-65 39 Number of young -of -year smallmouth bass collected at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 during the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling, 1993-2013 ... A-66 Duke Energy Progress v Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies 40 NCDHSS press release, January 9, 2007............................................................... A-67 41 Fish collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling from Stations PR2 and PR3 in the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River during July2013................................................................................................................ A-68 42 Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PR2 of the Pigeon River during July 2013 ....... A-69 Duke Energy Progress vi Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Metric -English Conversion and Units of Measure Length 1 micron (gm) = 4.0 x 10-5 inch 1 millimeter (mm) = 1000 gm = 0.04 inch 1 centimeter (cm) = 10 mm = 0.4 inch 1 meter (m) = 100 cm = 3.28 feet 1 kilometer (km) = 1000 m = 0.62 mile Area 1 square meter (m) = 10.76 square feet 1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m2 = 2.47 acres Volume 1 milliliter (ml) = 0.034 fluid ounce 1 liter = 1000 ml = 0.26 gallon 1 cubic meter = 35.3 cubic feet Color CPU = Chloroplatinate Unit Cl- - Chloride S02- - Sulfate Ca 2+ - Total calcium Mg 2+ Na+ Weight 1 microgram (gg) = 10-3 mg or 10-6 g = 3.5 x 10-8 ounce 1 milligram (mg) = 3.5 x 10-5 ounce 1 gram (g) = 1000 mg = 0.035 ounce 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 g = 2.2 pounds 1 metric ton = 1000 kg = 1.1 tons 1 kg/hectare = 0.89 pound/acre Temperature Degrees Celsius (°C) = 5/9 (°F-32) Conductivity gS/cm = Microsiemens/centimeter Turbidity NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Unit Water Chemistry Abbreviations - Total magnesium - Total sodium NH3-N - Ammonia nitrogen NO3- + NO2 -N - Nitrate + nitrite nitrogen Duke Energy Progress vii TN - Total nitrogen TP - Total phosphorus TOC - Total organic carbon COD - Chemical oxygen demand TS - Total solids TDS - Total dissolved solids TSS - Total suspended solids Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Executive Summary During 2013, Duke Energy Progress conducted water quality and biotic studies of benthic invertebrates and fish in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake (water quality only in the lake) near the Walters Hydroelectric Plant (also known as the Walters Project). It should be noted that Progress Energy merged with Duke Energy in 2012. All former references to Progress Energy were renamed to Duke Energy Progress in this document. These studies were conducted to fulfill monitoring requirements outlined in Article 414(e), Appendix A, Criteria for Instream Flow Releases into the Bypassed Reach of the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Project of the operating license for the power plant. This monitoring is conducted on a three-year basis, beginning in 1995, the year after license issuance (i.e., November 1994). Water quality and biological community criteria outlined in Appendix A will be used to determine when the State of North Carolina can petition the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for instream flow releases from the Walters Project. The Appendix A criteria and consideration of instream flow releases from the Project became effective after expiration of the 10 -year moratorium on instream flow releases from the Project, as specified in the license. This moratorium expired in 2004. Duke Energy Progress conducted assessments of water quality and biotic indices during 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. The 2013 studies represented the seventh 3 -year assessment of these environmental variables at the Walters Project. During 2013, the Appendix A criterion of an annual mean concentration of greater than or equal to 5 mg/liter for dissolved oxygen at the New Hepco Bridge monitoring location (Station PRI) was met. The benthic community at Station PRI was rated as "Good" in 2013. This is the second consecutive sampling period this classification has been achieved. The Station has been ranked either "Fair" or "Good -Fair" since 1993. The fish community was rated using a Duke Energy Progress modification of the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), as negotiated with the State of North Carolina during relicensing proceedings in 1994. The fish community bioclassification rating received a "Fair" classification in 2013. This marks the first time that the fish community at Station PRI has received this rating. The modified IBI scores have either been "Poor" or "Poor -Fair" since monitoring began at Station PRI during 1993. The criterion of "Good" bioclassification ratings for both the benthic invertebrate and the fish communities at Station PR was not met. In February 2012, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources made a request that Duke Energy Progress evaluate the Pigeon River reach between the outfall of the Evergreen Packaging Facility and Station PRI. The request was based on observations by the two agencies of improvements in the benthic and fisheries communities and water quality in that reach. The question was raised by the agencies as to whether Station PRI was representative of that reach of river based on the continual poor scores in the fisheries IBI sampling at Station PRI. Duke Energy Progress agreed to add Station PR4 (Pigeon River Mile 48.5) in 2013 for benthic and fisheries community evaluations for comparison to address the agencies' concerns. There was no associated water quality or chemistry sampling for Station PR4. The sampling provided the data requested by the agencies, was voluntary on Duke Energy Progress's part and is not part of the Appendix A criteria. Results for Station PR 4 will be reported in this document. Another Appendix A criterion that was required to trigger consideration of instream flow releases from the Walters Project is the absence of a fish consumption advisory for dioxin in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake in North Carolina. This criterion was met when the North Carolina Department of Human and Health Services (NCDHHS) lifted the consumption advisory Duke Energy Progress viii Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies on January 9, 2007. The rescission of the advisory was based on continued declining trends in dioxin and furan in common carp. A weighted arithmetic average of less than 4 pg/g concentration in tissues of carp collected by Duke Energy Progress and Evergreen Paper Products, Inc. has been observed since 2005. In summary, the monitoring results for 2013 indicated the Appendix A biotic indices criteria were not fully met for consideration of instream flow releases from the Walters Project. The next scheduled triennial sampling event of water quality and the benthic invertebrate and fish communities will occur in 2016. Duke Energy Progress ix Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Waiters Hydroelectric Plant 2013 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Report Introduction Duke Energy Progress (formerly Progress Energy, formerly known as Carolina Power & Light Company or CP&L) received an operating license for the Walters Hydroelectric Plant (Walters Project) from the U. S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) during November 1994. As part of relicensing, Duke Energy Progress was required to file an environmental report (CP&L 1990), which detailed the environmental characteristics at the Walters Project (FERC Project No. 432). The report also identified any environmental issues of possible concern (e.g., instream flow needs, fish entrainment and impingement, identification of any endangered, threatened, or special concern plant and wildlife species, etc.). Two environmental issues identified during relicensing consultation with the state resource agencies and the FERC were: (1) the existing poor water quality in Walters Lake and in the Pigeon River upstream and downstream of the Walters Project, and (2) the need for instream flow releases from the Project. The FERC, the North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) (i.e., North Carolina Division of Water Resources [NCDWR] and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission [NCWRC]) requested that Duke Energy Progress release water from the Walters Plant to provide additional aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife in the 19.4 km bypassed reach of the Pigeon River between Walters Dam and the powerhouse (Appendix 1). Prior to 1990, the water in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake was of such poor quality (i.e., elevated measurements of color, total solids, oxygen demand, and odor producing substances) due to upstream industrial and municipal uses, that the water was not suitable for release into the bypassed reach. The poor water quality significantly impacted the aquatic community, particularly fish populations and stream -dwelling insects, and resulted in the dominance of pollution -tolerant species in the Pigeon River below Canton, NC. During the early 1990s, Champion International Corporation, a major industrial discharger into the river, modernized its paper mill. That paper mill is now owned and operated by Evergreen Paper Products, Inc. This modernization significantly reduced the paper mill's volume of wastewater discharged into the Pigeon River and, subsequently, improved the overall water quality in the river downstream of the mill, including Walters Lake (CP&L 1996a; EA 1996). During relicensing negotiations, the FERC, North Carolina resource agencies, and Duke Energy Progress agreed upon a two-tiered seasonal flow regime for the bypassed reach. An instream flow release from Walters Lake of 30 cubic feet per second (cfs) will be required during the peak fish spawning months of May and June with a 20 cfs release during the remainder of the year. Furthermore, the involved parties agreed that the timing and source for any instream flow releases from Walters Lake would be dependent upon "improved water quality" in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake during future years. Improved water quality is essential for an instream flow release from Walters Lake to prevent degradation of the existing aquatic community in the bypassed reach, most notably the redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass fishery. As relicensing negotiations progressed, state resource agencies emphasized that even if there were improvements in the chemical and physical water quality of the Pigeon River and Walters Lake, these improvements should not be the sole criteria for requiring instream flow releases. Rather, there should also be biologically -based methods, such as biotic indices, that Duke Energy 1 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies could measure a concomitant improvement and recovery of the aquatic community in the Pigeon River both upstream and downstream of the Walters Hydroelectric Project. Duke Energy Progress's recommendations during the negotiations were that the timing and source of water for any future instream flow releases from Walters Lake should depend upon improved water quality in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake. Biotic indices, using benthic invertebrates and fish, provide an additional and useful tool in assessing the improvements in the environmental quality of the Pigeon River. These indices provide a holistic approach to community health assessment by integrating various ecological principles associated with organism and community response to environmental degradation (e.g., reduced species diversity, dominance by tolerant species, and reduced population size) (Gray 1989; Karr 1981, 1991). The broad-based approach of evaluating several key components of both benthic invertebrate and fish communities is a major strength of utilizing biotic indices in evaluating aquatic ecosystem recovery. During November 1994, Duke Energy Progress negotiated the terms of a new 40 -year license, including instream flow issues, with the FERC and the NCDENR (FERC 1994). In the license, the NCDENR can petition the FERC for instream flow releases after a 10 -year post - licensing moratorium on instream flow releases at the Project contingent upon certain water quality and biological indices (fish and benthic invertebrates) criteria being met as outlined in Article 414(e) -Appendix A Criteria for Instream Flow Releases into the Bypassed Reach of the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Project (CP&L 1993). As part of these criteria, water quality variables (physical and chemical) are monitored every three years at four locations along the Pigeon River and in the lower portion of Walters Lake. The benthic invertebrate and fish communities are evaluated on the same three-year schedule at the four locations in the Pigeon River. The annual mean dissolved oxygen concentration must remain greater than or equal to 5 mg/liter at the New Hepco Bridge sampling station (i.e., Station PRI at Pigeon River Mile 42.5) on the Pigeon River just above the Walters Lake before the minimum water quality criterion is met for consideration of future instream flow releases from the Project. The benthic invertebrate and fish biotic index criteria would be considered met for an instream flow release into the bypassed reach when scores of "Good" or higher are attained at Station PRI for three consecutive sampling periods, effective in 2004. Additionally, other environmental attributes --other narrative aspects of water quality, dioxin contamination, and fishery usage—will be evaluated prior to instream flow releases into the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River. This comprehensive approach should provide a technically -sound basis for providing any future instream flow releases from the Walters Project into the bypassed reach. Biotic indices studies of the benthic invertebrate and fish communities have been conducted in the Pigeon River from 1993 to 2013 on a triennial sampling schedule (CP&L 1995, 1996b, 2000, 2002; Progress Energy 2005, 2009, 2012). These studies showed that biotic indices scores of the benthic invertebrate and fish communities in the Pigeon River above Canton, NC (Station PRO) ranged from "Good -Fair" to excellent. The New Hepco Bridge (Station PRI) ranged from "Fair" to "Good" for benthic invertebrates and from "Poor" to "Fair" for fish. In the bypassed reach (Stations PR2 and PR3), the benthic invertebrate community rated either "Good - Fair" or "Good" during the 1995 to 2013 period. During this same period, the fish community scores in the bypassed reach ranged from "Poor" to "Fair" at Station PR2 located near Harmon Den and from "Fair" to "Good" at Station PR3, located just above the Walters Powerhouse. The Duke Energy 2 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies bypassed reach has continued to support a fishery for redbreast sunfish and smallmouth bass as evidenced by catches and length -frequency distributions of these two species. During 1995, Duke Energy Progress began monitoring dissolved oxygen in the Pigeon River below Canton at the New Hepco Bridge (Station PRI) to fulfill the license requirement (CP&L 1996a). Supplemental water quality data (i.e., chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate + nitrite -nitrogen, color, specific conductance, Secchi disk transparency, transmission of light, turbidity, chlorides, total dissolved solids, and chemical oxygen demand) were also collected and evaluated by Duke Energy Progress as part of the water quality attributes specified in Appendix A of the power plant operating license. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were above 5 mg/liter in surface waters throughout the year at all sampling stations, including the New Hepco Bridge station. Concentrations of most water quality variables have improved since 1995 compared to mean concentrations measured in relicensing studies conducted from 1987 to 1989. Monitoring conducted during 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007, and 2013 indicated the dissolved oxygen concentrations at the New Hepco Bridge met the Appendix A criterion of _> 5 mg/liter (CP&L 2000, 2002). However, the criteria of "Good" bioclassifications for both the benthic invertebrate and fish communities at the New Hepco Bridge monitoring location have not been met since sampling began in 1993. The benthic community was rated "Good" in 2010 and 2013, "Good -Fair" in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1998 and "Fair" in 2001, 2004 and 2007. It should be noted that the area sampled at Station PRI in 2010 and 2013 was approximately 50 meters upstream from the historically sampled area. The decision to move the sampling area upstream was based on conversations with NCDWR benthic biologists who had consistently seen slightly higher biotic indices scores from their sampling efforts at the same general location. Based on the score of "Good" from Station PRI in 2010 and 2013, it appears that Duke Energy Progress may have been sampling in an area that was affected by fluctuating lake levels, leading to lower scores in previous sampling efforts. The fish community bioclassification, using the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI was "Fair" in 2013. Prior to 2013, Station PRO has received a "Poor" classification every sampling year with the exception of "Poor -Fair" classifications in 1998 and 2004. The dioxin fish consumption advisory, another part of Appendix A criteria used to evaluate the need for future instream flow releases, was modified on August 28, 2001, by the State of North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Human and Health Services (NCDHHS) revised the complete (no.) consumption advisory for common carp and catfish species (bullhead species, white catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish) in effect for the Pigeon River between Canton, NC, and the North Carolina -Tennessee state line, including Walters Lake. The NCDHHS revised this advisory to a limited (adult consumption of one meal per month) consumption advisory for common carp in Walters Lake. All catfish species were removed from the advisory from the Pigeon River and Walters Lake and common carp were removed from the advisory for the river. The consumption advisory was lifted due to continued declining trends in dioxin and furan Toxicity Equivalent (TEQ) values. A weighted TEQ arithmetic average of less than 4 picograms per gram (pg/g) concentrations in tissues of carp has been observed since 2005. In 2007, the consumption advisory for common carp was lifted from Walters Lake. In 2009, Duke Energy Progress completed the second and final year of post advisory removal monitoring for common carp in accordance with protocol agreed upon with NCDHSS. Mean TEQ values remained below the 4 picograms per gram (pg/g) threshold. Duke Energy 3 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies In January of 2003, the State of Tennessee completely lifted the dioxin fish consumption advisory that was in effect for common carp, catfish species, and redbreast sunfish in the Pigeon River within Tennessee from the North Carolina -Tennessee state line downstream to the confluence with the French Broad River. This report presents the Appendix A criteria for the 2013 water quality and biotic indices data to determine whether instream flow releases are warranted from the Walters Project. This report also summarizes previous water quality and biotic indices studies conducted from 1993 through 2013. Duke Energy 4 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Description of Waiters Lake and the Pigeon River Walters Lake (also known as Waterville Lake) is the power plant's storage reservoir and has a surface area of approximately 340 surface acres (138 hectares) at a normal pool elevation of 2,258 ft (688 m) NGVD (National Geodetic Vertical Datum formerly called mean sea level by the U.S. Geological Survey). This lake was created in 1929 by impounding the Pigeon River with a dam approximately 12 river miles (19.4 km) upstream of the powerhouse that is located near the North Carolina -Tennessee state line. A water conduit tunnel approximately 6.2 miles (10 km) long delivers water from Walters Lake to the powerhouse, bypassing approximately 12 miles (19.4 km) of the Pigeon River (Appendix 1). The Walters Project, located in Haywood County, NC, is mostly surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina and the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. Walters Lake, with a steep mountainous shoreline, is long and narrow extending 5.2 miles (8.4 km) upstream of the dam. The dam is located just downstream of the confluence of the Pigeon River and Cataloochee Creek. It is 185 ft (56 m) high, approximately 390 ft (119 m) long in the riverbed, and approximately 900 ft (274 m) long at the crest. There are at least 11 named tributaries to Walters Lake including the major tributary, Cataloochee Creek. Big Creek, another major tributary located at the Project, flows from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and enters the Pigeon River just below the Walters Powerhouse. The Pigeon River, Walters Lake, and all tributaries in the Walters Hydroelectric Project area in North Carolina are classified as Class C waters which has been in effect since 1974 (NCDWQ 2010). Class C waters are suitable for secondary recreation, fishing, wildlife, fish and aquatic life propagation and survival, agriculture and other uses. Secondary recreation includes wading, boating, and other uses involving human body contact with water where such activities take place in an infrequent, unorganized, or incidental manner. There are no restrictions on watershed development activities. Cataloochee Creek is a United States Geological Survey Benchmark Stream and is classified as Class C, trout waters, with a supplemental classification as Outstanding Resource Waters from its source in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Walters Lake (NCDENR 2010). Outstanding Resource Waters are identified to protect unique and special waters having excellent water quality and being of exceptional state or national ecological or recreational significance. The Pigeon River from the North Carolina -Tennessee border to its confluence with Douglas Reservoir in Tennessee is classified as suitable for industrial water supply, fish and aquatic life, recreation, irrigation, livestock watering, and wildlife (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, 2013). Because all waters of Tennessee are classified for more than one use, the most stringent criterion (fish and aquatic life) is applicable to the Pigeon River. Duke Energy 5 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Objectives The objectives of the studies conducted during 2013 were to: (1) assess the water quality in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake and (2) evaluate the health of the benthic invertebrate and fish communities with biotic indices per Appendix A requirements in the FERC license. Results from the 2013 studies were compared to historical data collected by Duke Energy Progress and other investigators at these locations to determine the relative degree of improvement in water quality of the Pigeon River and Walters Lake. These studies fulfilled environmental monitoring requirements outlined in Article 414(e), Appendix A, of the Walters Plant operating license. Results from the 2013 water quality and biotic indices studies will also be useful in evaluating the extent and magnitude of future water quality improvements of the Pigeon River and Walters Lake. Methods Water Quality The 2013 water quality monitoring program included monthly sampling of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, turbidity, chemical variables, chlorophyll a concentrations, and transmission of light. Monitoring was conducted at five stations: (1) upstream of Canton (Station PRO at Pigeon River Mile [PRM] 64.9), (2) upstream of the New Hepco Bridge (Station PRI at PRM 42.5), (3) in Walters Lake near the dam (Station B2), (4) at Harmon Den (Station PR2 at PRM 33.0), and (5) above the Walters Powerhouse (Station PR3 at PRM 26.0) (Appendix 1). Secchi disk transparency measurements were collected only at Station B2 in Walters Lake. The sampling frequency differed between the 1987-1989 and 1995-2013 periods; therefore, no statistical tests of temporal trends were made among years between these two periods. The mean concentrations and values for 1987-1989 are presented in this report as a relative comparative reference only. The methods used to collect and analyze the samples during 2013 (Appendix 2) were the same as were used during previous studies (CP&L 1996a, 2000, 2002; Progress Energy 2005, 2009, 2011) and were similar to the methods used during the 1987-1989 period (CP&L 1990). A new LI -COR® light meter (Model LI -250A) was used to measure transmission of light beginning in 2004. Supporting data summaries and statistical analyses are presented in appendices that describe and interpret the environmental quality of Walters Lake and the Pigeon River. Monthly precipitation data during 2013 for Waterville, NC, are presented as a reference for precipitation events during these periods (Appendix 3). Also presented as reference information are the river discharge flow data from two U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations (Pigeon River near Hepco, NC, and Cataloochee Creek, NC), the lake water level elevation, discharge flows into the bypassed reach and from the Walters Powerhouse, and the amount of electrical generation by the Walters Plant (Appendices 4 and 5). Laboratories certified by the State of North Carolina to perform water and wastewater testing conducted all water chemistry analytical analyses (except for the analysis of total phosphorus) completed in support of this monitoring program. Total phosphorus analysis was conducted by the University of Missouri, Columbiaa vendor approved by Duke Energy Progress for this testing. Analytical standards, sample replicates, and reference materials determined the accuracy and precision of laboratory analyses for water chemistry and trace Duke Energy 6 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies element data. Quality assurance information including the accuracy and percent recovery of water chemistry variables and associated standards are available upon request. For calculation of means in this report, concentrations less than the reporting limit were assumed to be at one-half the reporting limit. Where statistically significant results are reported, the Type I error rate of 5% (% = 0.05) was used to judge significance of the test. Fisher's protected least significant difference test was used to determine where differences in means occurred, if there was a significant F test with the three-way analysis -of -variance. Means followed by different superscripts were statistically different (P < 0.05). Benthic Invertebrate and Fish Biotic Indices Habitat Description of Sampling Stations Benthic invertebrate samples were collected from the same four stations on the Pigeon River utilized for water quality sampling in prior sampling years (i.e., Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3). For the fishery evaluation, sampling was conducted a short distance from the water quality/benthic invertebrate monitoring stations. This offset in location allowed for easier accessibility to the river with heavy sampling equipment and ensured that the fishery sampling would not disturb or alter the benthic community in any way (and vice -versa for the fishery community) that might bias biotic scores. In 2013, Station PR 4 was added to address concerns from the NCWRC and NCDWR about whether Station PRI was representative of the river reach between Canton and Walters Lake. The agencies concerns were based on their sampling efforts indicating that improved water quality had improved the benthic and fisheries communities in that reach of river. Station PRO (water quality and benthic invertebrates) is located at PRM 64.9 at the N.C. Highway 215 Bridge (Twin Bridges) above Evergreen Paper Products' bleached Kraft pulp and paper mill (formerly owned by Champion International Corporation/Blue Ridge Paper Products) at Canton (Appendix 1). The fishery Station PRO (PRM 65.5) is located off N.C. Highway 110 on State Road 1903. Station PRI (PRM 42.5 and 42.6) is located immediately above the New Hepco Bridge on State Road 1338. Station PR2 is located at the Harmon Den exit of U.S. Interstate Highway 40 for water quality and benthic invertebrate sampling (PRM 33.0) and at the North Carolina Department of Transportation staging area off U.S. Interstate Highway 40 (locally known as the "Cotton Patch") for fishery sampling (Pigeon River Mile 32.0). Station PR3 (PRM 26.0) utilized for water quality, benthic invertebrates, and fisheries is located immediately upstream of the Walters Powerhouse and the confluence of the Pigeon River with Big Creek. The Pigeon River above Canton (Station PRO) is a fourth order stream, of moderate gradient (1.9 m/river km) with a drainage area of 336.7 km2 (130 mi2). The river originates from the confluence of the East Fork and the West Fork of the Pigeon River, which flow from the Pisgah National Forest, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains above Canton at an elevation of 914 in National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). Land use in the proximal watershed above Canton is primarily forested with some agricultural and residential development. The river is tree and shrub -lined with a moderate channel width ranging from 25 to 38 in (mean width = 33 m). The river channel consists of a series of pools and runs with depths ranging from 2 to 4 in, which are punctuated, by shallow riffle areas (< 1 in deep) of moderate gradient. Substrate at Station PRO is dominated by cobble, gravel, and sand with some boulders and bedrock. Riverweed, Podostemum ceratophyllum, is very abundant in clear waters of shallow run and Duke Energy 7 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies riffle areas of the river. During heavy precipitation events, there are noticeable decreases in water clarity due to inputs of sediment (nonpoint source runoff) from the immediate watershed. The Pigeon River at the New Hepco Bridge (Station PRI) is quite different in habitat characteristics in contrast to the river immediately above Canton. The river channel is of similar width ranging from 29 to 37 m (mean width = 32 m); but has a steeper gradient (4.9 m/river km) than the river immediately above Canton. From Canton to the New Hepco Bridge, the river drains an additional 569.8 km2 of land that consists mainly of agricultural, livestock pasture, residential, and forestry uses. This portion of the river also receives industrial and urban wastewater discharges that are located within the middle and lower reaches of the watershed. U.S. Interstate Highway 40 also borders portions of the river with the river receiving runoff from the highway. The tree -lined river channel consists of deep pool and boulder runs with depths ranging from 1 to 4 m and moderate to steep gradient (< 1 m) shallow riffles. Substrate is mainly flat bedrock, ledged or stepped bedrock, and large boulders. Limited amounts of sand, gravel, organic material, and cobble exist in low velocity areas of the channel. The river becomes extremely turbid following heavy precipitation events in the watershed and the subsequent inputs of sediment from erosion. Stations PR2 and PR3 are located in the 19.4 -km bypassed reach of the Pigeon River between Walters Dam and Walters Powerhouse (Appendix 1). The drainage of the bypassed reach encompasses approximately 114.0 kms with most of the surrounding forested lands located in the Pisgah National Forest. U.S. Interstate Highway 40 also borders the entire bypassed reach. The river elevation rapidly decreases in the bypassed reach dropping 10.4 m/river km from the dam to the powerhouse. The river channel is relatively narrow because of the reduced flow from the Project and backfill encroachment of U.S. Interstate Highway 40. The river channel width ranges from 12 to 16 m (mean width = 14 m) at Station PR2 and from 8 to 29 m (mean width = 21 m) at Station PR3. The river at both sampling stations consists of shallow to deep pools ranging from 1 to 3 m in depth with low to moderate gradient riffle and run complexes. Substrate at Station PR2 consists of sand, gravel, cobble, boulders, and bedrock while cobble, boulders, and bedrock predominate at Station PR3 (RMC 1992). Patches of the submersed aquatic plant, Elodea canadensis, occur in the low velocity, backwater areas at Station PR2. Riverweed is commonly found at both stations. Station PR4 is somewhat similar to Station PRI. The station is located 0.4 miles upstream of Fergusons Bridge at PR Mile 48.5. The site is accessed from State Road 1355 near the Fines Creek community. The river channel ranges from 38 to 52 meters in width through the sampling transect reach. The land bordering the river is used primarily for agricultural, livestock pasture, residential, and forestry from Canton to Station PR4. This portion of the river also receives industrial and urban wastewater discharges that are located within the middle and lower reaches of the watershed. U.S. Interstate Highway 40 also borders portions of the river with the river receiving runoff from the highway. The channel consists of pool and boulder runs and moderate to steep gradient (< 1 m) shallow riffles. Substrate is mainly boulder, cobble and gravel with some bedrock, ledged or stepped bedrock, and large boulders. Some amounts of sand, gravel, organic material, and cobble exist in low velocity areas of the channel, particularly in the small channel between an island and the shoreline at the upper end of the sampling transect. The river channel is thinly buffered by tree canopy on the right descending bank throughout the transect sampling reach. The left descending bank is bordered by agricultural fields, cow pasture and an extensive rock face at the lower end of the reach. The river becomes extremely turbid following heavy precipitation events in the watershed and the subsequent inputs of sediment from erosion. Duke Energy 8 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Due to high flow conditions in July, backpack electrofishing and seining could not be safely conducted at Stations PRO, PRI and PR 4. These sampling techniques were completed for those three stations on August 27-29. D -shaped hoop nets were fished by boat at Stations PRO and PRI in July. D -shaped hoop nets were fished at PR4 in August. Stream flows were not similar during the fisheries and benthos biotic indices sampling in July, August and September of 2013 (Appendices 3, 4, and 6). Benthic Invertebrate Community Benthic invertebrate sampling was conducted Aug 2-3, 2013. It should be noted when looking at annual comparisons that in September of 2004, there were large scale flood events in the entire basin. Conversely, in 2007 the entire Pigeon River Basin was in a severe drought. Those flooding events in 2004 scoured the river bottom and affected the benthic community structure in the Pigeon River for the next 6 years. From an ecological perspective, sampling the benthic community after large-scale flooding events permits an evaluation of the impact of natural flood events on the benthic community and gives an evaluation of recovery from the flooding when compared with succeeding years' biotic indices scores. Ten samples were collected at each station according to NCDWR standard qualitative methods (NCDWR 2013): Habitat Microhabitat Sampler No. Samples Type Coarse -mesh (500-1000 µm) High current with Riffles Kick net 2 Single, disturbance structure Low current with structure Banks Dip net 3 Composite, disturbance Leaves Leaf packs Wash bucket 1 Composite, wash Fine -mesh (300 µm) Aufivuchs Rock and logs U.S. Standard Sieve Size No. 50 2 Composite, wash Sand Sand U.S. Standard Sieve Size No. 50 1 Composite (3), disturbance Visual Collections Large rock and logs (10-15 minutes) 1 Composite The use of a U.S. Standard Sieve Size No. 50, a white pan, and a winnowing technique were substituted for the NCDWR method prescribing the use of a plastic basin, PVC cylinders, and Nitexo bag. All organisms were preserved in 95% denatured -ethanol, transferred to 70% denatured - ethanol after sampling was completed, and returned to the laboratory for identification to the lowest practical level using standard taxonomic references and enumeration. A voucher and reference collection was established for each sample location. The numerical abundance of each taxon was tabulated as Rare = 1 (1-2 specimens), Common = 3 (3-9 specimens), or Abundant = 10 (>10 specimens) (Appendix 7). Pollution tolerance values for each taxon were adopted from NCDWR (2013) (Appendix 7). Specific instances for assigning Tolerance Values (TV) are given below: • If there was no new score available for the taxon, the old score was used. If there was no new score for a specific species or for the genus level, then the old genus level score was used. Duke Energy 9 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies If there was no TV for the genus level, then the taxon was not used in calculation of the overall index value. The Biotic Index for each sample was calculated as: BI = Is ni . ai/N i=1 where N is the total number of individuals in the sample, ni is the number of individuals in the ith species (taxon), ai is the pollution tolerance value for the ith species, and S is the number of species (NCDWR 2013). The Biotic Index Value and the EPT Value (the number of Ephemeroptera [mayflies], Plecoptera [stoneflies], and Trichoptera [caddisflies] taxa) were then assigned a score based on the expected scores from the Mountain Ecoregion as developed by the NCDWR (2013) (Appendix 8). The two indices (matrices) for each sample were averaged to produce the final numerical ranking. Bio classifications for each sample (location) were based on the final ranking: Excellent = 5, Good = 4, Good -Fair = 3, Fair = 2, and Poor = 1. Those scores that were between two ranking classifications (e.g., 3.5) were rounded either up or down based on the criteria outlined in the NCDWR (2013) methodology. Fish Community Field Sampling of Fish Community The health of the fish community in the Pigeon River was assessed using a Duke Energy Progress modified version of the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) originally developed by Karr (198 1) (Appendix 9). The Duke Energy Progress modified IBI, as well as most other versions of the IBI, utilize 12 attributes (i.e., metrics), which evaluate fish species composition and richness, trophic structure, abundance, and general condition of the fish community within a stream. Duke Energy Progress negotiated the use of a modified IBI with the State of North Carolina during relicensing proceedings in 1994. The rationale for using a modified version of the IBI was based on several factors: (1) the sole monitoring station (i.e., Station PRI) chosen by state resource agencies for triggering instream flow releases was in a transitional area just above Walters Lake where a mixture of stream- and lake -dwelling species would be expected to occur and could potentially bias IBI scores, (2) the IBI criteria would be used to judge whether the water quality in the Pigeon River was suitable for release into the bypassed reach and therefore, modified criteria scoring were conservative in nature so decisions regarding instream flow releases from the Project would be prudent and not degrade the good water quality and the existing fish community in this reach, and (3) the difficult sampling conditions necessitated the use of some alternative sampling methods (e.g., pram electrofisher and D -shaped hoop nets) than those conventionally used in IBI stream methodology. Given these modifications, comparisons of the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI to other IBI methods should not be made without considering the differences in metrics scoring. Comparisons of IBI ratings in this report were made only with historical data collected by Duke Energy Progress using its modified IBI. Duke Energy 10 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Sampling sites were 200 m in length and included pool, riffle, and run habitats representative of each stream reach. A Smith -Root Model 15 backpack electrofisher with a hand-held anode and rattail cathode was used to sample fish in shallow areas (-1 m deep) of all habitat types. Pulsed DC current at 2-3 amperes was used at each site with the voltage depending upon conductivity of the water. Three sampling passes were made at each site (i.e., both shorelines and midchannel) with the backpack electrofisher to reasonably ensure all habitats were adequately sampled at the site. The backpack electrofisher was also used in tandem with a 0.32 cm mesh kick seine (3.1 m in length and 1.8 m in depth) to adequately sample riffle - dwelling species (e.g., darters and sculpins) that inhabited rock crevices. Two individuals vigorously kicked the substrate to disturb fish while two individuals held the kick seine downstream of the sample area to collect stunned fish. Sampling time was approximately one minute per sample, and four to six samples were collected from riffle areas depending upon the site. Shallow shoreline areas of each site were sampled with a 6.1 m by 1.8 m flat seine with 0.32 cm mesh. The seine was pulled in an upstream to downstream manner to minimize scaring fish in the sampled area. More seine hauls were made at Stations PRO and PR3 (n = 10) than at Stations PRI (n = 4), and PR2 (n = 4) because of the numerous shallow, low velocity areas present at the former stations, which are ideal for using this sampling gear type. Four D -shaped hoop nets were set at each site to effectively sample pool -dwelling species. The net body was 0.76-m in diameter and consisted of 9.1 m center lead constructed of 2.5 cm stretched mesh. The net body consisted of 3.8 cm stretched mesh to the second hoop and 2.5 cm stretched mesh to the cod end of the net. Nets were set for two consecutive days and fished at approximately 24-hour intervals. A 1.8 m electrofishing pram lashed to an outboard -powered raft was utilized to more effectively sample large adults in deep pool habitat. The pram electrofisher consisted of two hand-held anodes powered by a Smith -Root 2.5 GPP electrofisher box and a 2500 W generator. The cathode plate was attached to the pram bottom. Pulsed DC current at 2-3 amps was used and three passes (both shorelines and midchannel) were made to effectively sample all pool habitat. Fish were identified to the species level, where possible, measured for total length to the nearest mm, and weighed to the nearest gram. Fish that could not be accurately identified in the field or samples containing large numbers of small individuals were preserved with 10% buffered formalin solution and transported to the laboratory for identification and body measurements. Each specimen was examined for hybridization, anomalies, disease, parasites, and poor condition. Photographs were also taken of fish with any deformity or anomaly. All collected fish that were alive and healthy were fin -clipped and released at the sampling site. Some specimens were retained in 70% ethanol for identification in the laboratory and for voucher purposes. IBI Scoring of Fish Community The species composition, trophic status, and tolerance designations used for scoring Metrics Nos. 2-9 (Appendices 9 and 10), were originally developed and agreed upon by Duke Energy Progress, NCDWR, and NCWRC biologists using a variety of field and literature sources (CP&L 1993). The trophic status and tolerance designations that are listed in Appendix A were based upon knowledge of the fish fauna at the time of license issuance in 1994. Duke Energy 11 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies The NCDWR revised its trophic and tolerance classifications for fish species in North Carolina in 2013, (NCDWR 2013). Duke Energy Progress has adopted these modifications for its modified IBL The modifications differ slightly for several species from those originally agreed upon and listed in Appendix A for two reasons. First, several new species have been collected from the Pigeon River sampling sites since 1994, and the trophic and tolerance classifications were not originally listed in Appendix A, which necessitated use of the NCDWR classifications. Second, this modification provided a consistent approach to handle new species that may be collected in future years and to use the best available data base for these classifications. Young -of -year cutoff lengths specified in NCDWR (2013) were also adopted by Duke Energy Progress. The young -of -year cutoff lengths were not specified in the Appendix A methods but Duke Energy Progress had used slightly different cutoff lengths from the NCDWR criteria in previous report analyses (CP&L 1995, 1996b, 2000, 2002; Progress Energy 2005, 2009, 2011). The adoption of the NCDWR trophic and tolerance classifications and young -of -year cutoff lengths were verbally discussed with NCDWR and NCWRC personnel prior to revision (personal communication with Mr. Bryn Tracy, NCDWR, and Mr. Chris Goudreau, NCWRC). There were no modifications to the negotiated IBI scoring criteria for all 12 metrics given in Appendix A or the score rating (numerical score of 50 and health rating of "Good") used to evaluate the need for instream flow releases from the Project. Scoring for Metrics Nos. 1 and 10 were based on the data provided by the NCDWR for the number of fish species and the number of fish plotted against drainage area (mit) in the French Broad River and Pigeon River Basins (Appendices 11 and 12). Length -frequency histograms of each collected species were utilized to score Metric No. 11 of the IBL Scoring of Metric No. 12 was based on a visual examination of all collected fish for external disease (e.g., fungus, lymphocystis, red sores from bacterial infection, etc.), tumors, fin damage, skeletal and fin deformities, and emaciation. The presence of parasites (e.g., leeches, anchor worms Lernea sp., black spot Neascus sp.) was not used to score Metric No. 12 because the degree of parasitic loading does not necessarily indicate polluted conditions. Young -of -year individuals were used in scoring species richness and composition (Appendix 9, Metrics Nos. 1-5) and species length -frequency distributions (Metric No. 11). However, young -of -year were excluded from scoring the proportion of individuals as tolerant species (Metric No. 6), the community trophic composition (Metrics 7-9), the number of individuals in the sample (Metric No. 10), and the proportion of individuals with disease, tumors, fin damage, skeletal deformities, or other anomalies (Metric No. 12). Young -of -year would tend to inflate the latter scores and, therefore result in biased scores at a particular location. Additionally, young -of -year fish undergo significant mortality during their first year of life so abundance within the first few months of life would not accurately reflect the relative year class strength observed at one year of age (Angermeier and Karr 1986; Karr et al. 1986). Length ranges used to differentiate young -of -year and juvenile and adult fish (Appendix 13) were determined by using the NCDWR young -of -year cutoff lengths (NCDWR 2013). At each location, the 12 individual metrics were assigned a score of 1, 3, or 5 based on the specified criteria and then summed to yield a total IBI score. Summed scores were then compared against criteria developed by Karr (1991) to determine the relative health of the fish community (Appendix 14). Depending upon the score, the health of the fish community could Duke Energy 12 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies be rated as: (1) No Fish, (2) Very Poor, (3) Poor, (4) Poor -Fair, (5) Fair, (6) Fair -Good (7) Good, (8) Good -Excellent, or (9) Excellent. Duke Energy 13 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Results and Discussion Climatological conditions • Rainfall totals in 2013 recorded at the meteorological station at Waterville were high in comparison to the 30 year average from 1971 to 2000. A total of 174.17 cm (68.57) inches of rain were recorded in 2013 in comparison to the 30 year normal average (1971-2000) of 125.98 cm (49.6 inches). The year of 2013 deviated from the trend of below average rainfall seen in the Pigeon River Basin since 2004. Most water quality values at all stations reflected the nearly 20 inches difference from an average year in the basin (Appendix 3). Flows into Waterville lake from the Pigeon River and Cataloochee Creek were at or slightly above their historical monthly averages (Appendix 4). Water Quality Temperature • Inflows from the Pigeon River and Cataloochee Creek, intake tunnel configuration, and power plant operations influenced seasonal temperature stratification patterns in Walters Lake (Appendices 4, 5, and 15). The power plant draws water from the cooler bottom waters of the lake, below the depth of the intake tunnel (approximately 30 meters). Removing bottom waters creates an artificial stratification of temperatures deeper in the water column than would occur under natural conditions. The typical result is warmer than normal temperatures in the deeper areas of the lake, particularly during the summer months. • Surface water temperatures ranged from 6.4°C in February to 25.4°C in June at Station B2 near the dam in Walters Lake. The temperatures in the bottom waters at this station ranged from 4.5°C in February to 13.9°C in October (Appendix 15). Monthly temperature profiles indicated that the typical thermocline established from June through September was not as prevalent as in prior years in Walters Lake. The thermocline was restricted to depths in excess of 29 in from June through August. This could be attributed to increased flows and cooler waters from the Pigeon river upstream and Cataloochee Creek during those months. • The surface water temperatures at the river stations above and below Walters Lake were lower than the surface water temperatures in the lake at Station B2 for all of 2013 (Appendices 15 and 16). The surface water releases from Walters Lake did not substantially alter the temperature regime in the bypassed reach during 2013 (Appendices 15 and 16). Dissolved Oxy2en • Dissolved oxygen concentrations were above 5 mg/liter at all Pigeon River stations during 2013, including the Hepco Bridge station (Station PRI) (Appendix 16 and 18). At this station, monthly sampled surface water dissolved oxygen concentrations ranged from 8.4 mg/liter (95.3% oxygen saturation) in June to 12.9 mg/liter (98.7% saturation) in February. These dissolved oxygen concentrations were comparable to the monthly results reported for the concentrations at Station PRI for 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010 (CP&L 1996a, 2000, 2002; Progress Energy 2005, 2007, and 2010). Duke Energy 14 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies • During 2013, the dissolved oxygen concentrations in Walters Lake (Station B2) were greater than 5 mg/liter in the majority of the water column each month from January through May and for the month of December (Appendix 17). From June through November, dissolved oxygen concentrations in the lake less than 5 mg/liter were prevalent in the water column. Annual mean dissolved oxygen concentrations were similar among all stations for 2013 (Appendix 18). Water Clarity • Water clarity of Walters Lake and the Pigeon River was determined by measuring turbidity, Secchi disk transparency depth (lake waters only), color, and percent transmission of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) light (Appendices 18-23). Photosynthetically Active Radiation is the light from that part of the visible spectrum, 400-700 nanometers, that is available for photosynthesis. Limited or reduced water clarity may influence the degree of algal photosynthesis. • During 2013, color was significantly less at the upstream reference station (Station PRO) and the stations in the bypassed reach (PR2 and PR3) than the mean values at the New Hepco Bridge site (Station PRI) and Station B2, the Walters Lake site (Appendix 18). Lower values of color indicate relatively higher water clarity while greater values indicate reduced water clarity. Mean turbidity values were significantly greater at Station PRI than at the other stations during 2013. • All three solids parameters, (total, total dissolved and total suspended), had inconsistent lower reporting limits reported that prevented statistical data comparisons. • With the exception of Station PRI, turbidity mean values for water clarity variables measured in 2013 were not statistically significant from mean values measured from 1995 through 2010 at all stations (Appendices 20 and 21). • Mean color values at all stations for 2013 were statistically significant from mean values measured for all years with the exception of Station PRO (Appendices 20 and 21). • Secchi disk transparency depth (Walters Lake -Station B2 only) ranged from 0.9 to 3.0 m during 2013 with an annual mean of 1.6 m (Appendix 18). Mean Secchi disk transparency depths were similar among years for the sampling period 1995-2013 (Appendix 20). • PAR was measured in Walters Lake and the Pigeon River during 2013 (Appendices 22 and 23). The depths at which the percent transmission of PAR dropped below 1% in Walters Lake during 2013 were similar to the depths for the corresponding months measured for all previous years 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010. • Monthly percent transmission of PAR in the surface waters of the Pigeon River was variable among stations over years and dependent upon river flow, runoff, and subsequent turbidity conditions present during each sampling event (Appendix 23). Duke Energy 15 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Aral Biomass • The annual mean chlorophyll a concentration in Walters Lake (Station B2) for 2013 was 6.6 µg/liter (Appendices 18 and 25). The chlorophyll a concentrations were lower in 2013 than values seen in 2010. M nthly chlorophyll a concentrations ( /liter) at Station 132 in Walters Lake, 2013 Month I Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul AugSep Oct Nov Dec Chlorophyll a 1 0.0 0.3 0.0 2.4 1.0 5.4 6.9 16.2 26.6 12.3 6.6 2.1 • All chlorophyll a values were lower than the North Carolina water quality standard of 40 µg/liter. No statistically significant temporal differences were evident for chlorophyll a concentrations over the period 1995-2013 in the lake (Appendix 20). • Algal biomass, as estimated by annual mean chlorophyll a concentrations, in surface samples of the river stations (Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3) ranged from 0.0 to 4.2 µg/liter during 2013 (Appendix 18). There were either no significant differences or the statistical differences were not of biological significance in annual mean chlorophyll a concentrations among the river stations for 2013 or among years (Appendices 18 and 21). Nutrients • The annual mean nitrate + nitrite -N concentrations for Station PRI in the Pigeon River were significantly greater than the concentrations measured at all other stations (Appendix 18). Total phosphorus mean concentrations were significantly greater at Stations PRI and B2. • There were no significant temporal differences in annual mean nutrient concentrations for ammonia -N, nitrate+nitrite-N and total nitrogen in Walters Lake (Station B2) for the evaluated period from 1995-2013 (Appendix 20). Annual mean values for total phosphorus were not statistically significant for 1995 through 2013. • Mean nutrient concentrations at Station PRI for 2013 were within the range of concentrations measured from 1995 to 2001 with the exception of nitrate+nitrite-N (Appendix 21). Nitrate+nitrite-N annual mean concentrations were statistically significant between years. Annual mean nutrient concentrations for all parameters were not statistically significant between years with the exception of total nitrogen concentrations at Stations PR2 and PR3 and Nitrate+nitrite-N in the bypassed reach below Walters Lake (Appendix 21). • Nutrient concentrations in 2013 were generally lower at all stations throughout the year and were likely associated with high flow events (Appendices 19 and 24). Organic Matter • Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) assess the potential amount of organic loading and the subsequent amount of oxygen required to oxidize organic matter, respectively. Annual mean COD concentrations were similar at all stations during the evaluated periods (Appendices 18, 20, and 21). Duke Energy 16 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies • Monthly TOC concentrations during 2013 ranged from the lower laboratory reporting limit of <1.0 mg/liter to 7.2 mg/liter (Appendices 18, 19, 20 and 21). TOC annual means were statistically significant between stations in 2013. Among years, TOC was statistically significant at Stations PRI and PR3. The following gradient was observed in TOC concentrations among the stations during 2013: Station B2 > PRI > PR2 > PRO > PR3. Ions, Total Alkalinity, Hardness, Specific Conductance, and pH • Mean concentrations of ions, total alkalinity, hardness, and specific conductance measurements for 2013 at Stations PRI and B2 (Walters Lake) were statistically similar. Mean concentrations at both of these stations were significantly greater than mean concentrations or measurements at the other three river stations with Station PRO having the lowest concentrations of those stations (Appendix 18). • Annual mean ion concentrations measured in 2013 at all stations with the exception of Station PRO were generally lower in comparison to 2010 (Appendices 20 and 21). The decrease in ion concentrations during 2013 likely reflected increased flows compared to 2010. Annual mean ion concentrations at all stations in 2013 were significantly different for most parameters but were similar to values seen in sampling years previous to 2013. • With the exception of Station PRI during 2013, the annual mean pH values in Walters Lake (Station B2) and the Pigeon River monitoring stations were near neutral ranging from 7.4 to 7.9 (Appendix 18), a typical range for freshwater. The pH values at Station PRO in 2013 ranged from 5.5 to 7.4. Duke Energy 17 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Benthic Invertebrate Community • The benthic invertebrate communities at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3 were sampled on September 16-19. The water quality data collected during sampling in 2013 for each station are presented below: Station (Pigeon River Mile) Sample Date Temperature (C) Dissolved Oxygen (m /liter) Specific Conductance (S/cm) pH PRO (PRM 64.9) 9/18/2013 17.8 9.5 32 7.3 PRI (PRM 42.5) 9/19/2013 18.4 9.1 397 8.1 PR2 (PRM 33.0) 9/16/2013 16.6 8.9 75 7.6 PR3 (PRM 26.0) 9/17/2013 18.4 9.3 45 7.5 PR4 (PRM 48.5) 9/18/2013 19.3 8.2 473 8.0 • Ninety-five invertebrate taxa were collected at Station PRO during 2013 with approximately 36% (34 taxa) of these taxa representing the Orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies), or EPT (Appendices 7 and 26). The number of total taxa and EPT taxa was lower in 2013 as compared to 2010 (Appendix 27). • At Station PRI, 97 benthic invertebrate taxa were collected, and the EPT taxa comprised approximately 36% (35 taxa) of the collected sample (Appendices 7 and 26). These taxa numbers represent an increase of 15 total taxa and 2 EPT taxa from 2010. • In 2013, the benthic communities at Station PRO and PRI received a bioclassification ranking of "Good" (Appendix 26). This marks the second consecutive "Good" bioclassification score for Station PRI. • Historical benthic invertebrate data collected by Duke Energy Progress and the NCDWR from 1983 to 2013 (22 samples) have bioclassification rankings from Station PRO as being "Good" (14 samples), "Good -Fair" (7 samples), or Excellent (1 sample) (Appendix 27). • The benthic invertebrate community at Station PRI was ranked "Good -Fair" for the sampling events that occurred during the period of August 1993 until August 1998 (Appendices 27 and 28). The benthic community has received either "Good -Fair" or "Fair" (3 "Fair", 2 "Good -Fair") bioclassification rankings from Progress Energy and NCDWR for the five sampling events between 2001 and 2007. The criteria of a "Good" bioclassification ranking for the benthic invertebrate community at Station PRI as outlined Article 414(e), Appendix A of the Walters Plant's operating license, was met again during 2013. A "Good" bioclassification must be met for 3 consecutive sampling events for the benthic as well as the fisheries Notices to meet the Article 414(e), Appendix A criteria for water quality. • The decision to move the sampling area upstream from the historically sampled area appeared to be a factor in why the "Good" score was repeated in 2013. The benthic community in the area sampled does not appear to be affected by lake level backwater effects, concomitantly producing a higher score similar to those obtained by NCDWR biologists in their sampling at that location. Duke Energy 18 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies • In 2013, 85 benthic invertebrate taxa were collected at Station PR2, and the EPT taxa comprised approximately 35% (28 taxa) of the collected sample (Appendices 7 and 26). While the number of EPT taxa was down by four in 2013, the number of EPT taxa contributed to giving the station a "Good" score. • There were 71 benthic invertebrate taxa collected at Station PR3. EPT taxa comprised approximately 49% (35 taxa) of the taxa collected. Both the EPT score and the BI score were "Good" giving an overall bioclassification of "Good" for the station. • The bioclassification rankings of the benthic community in the bypassed reach at Station PR2 and Station PR3 were both "Good" during 2013 (Appendix 26). In 2004, the bioclassification rankings at these two stations were the lowest rankings observed since monitoring began in 1995 (Appendix 28). Bioclassification rankings at these two stations have been in the "Good -Fair" to "Good" range during sampling events conducted in 1995, 1998, and 2001 and the scores in 2007 and 2013 were similar to those years. The flood events from the passing tropical storms in 2004 likely displaced benthic invertebrates due to scouring of the river bottom. The higher scores in 2007, 2010 and 2013 likely reflect a recovery of the benthic community in the bypassed reach from the flooding effects in the Pigeon River Basin in 2004. • Station PR4 was added to the sampling program for 2013 in response to the state agencies concerns of whether Station PRI was representative of that reach of river between Canton, NC and the headwaters of Walters Lake. The bioclassification for PR4 in 2013 was "Good - Fair" (Appendix 26). In comparison, Station PRI received a "Good" bioclassification. The stations are geographically close together, with Station PR4 six miles upstream of Station PRI. The scores differ due to the higher diversity at Station PRI (number of total taxa) and EPT taxa respectively. Station PRI had 97 total taxa, of which 32 were EPT, and Station PR4 had 76 total taxa of which 27 were EPT. The resulting BI value and EPT score at Station PR4 lowered the overall metric bioclassification down to "Good -Fair". The higher agricultural use bordering both sides of the river along the sampling transect at Station PR4 may have contributed to the relatively lower score. Duke Energy 19 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Fish Community • The fish communities at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2 and PR3 were sampled on July 13-18 and August 27-29. Water quality data (i.e., mean values) collected during the sampling in 2013 at each station are presented below. Due to high flow conditions in July, backpack electrofishing and seining could not be safely conducted at Stations PRO, PRI and PR 4. These sampling techniques were completed for those three stations on August 27-29. D hoop nets were fished by boat at Stations PRO and PRI in July. D Hoops were fished at PR4 in August. Station (Pigeon River Mile) Jul 13-18,2013 Temperature (C) Dissolved Oxygen (m /liter) Specific Conductance (µS/cm) PRO (PRM 65.5) 16.9 9.5 24 PRI (PRM 42.5) 19.5 9.0 132 PR2 (PRM 33.0) 23.1 9.8 56 PR3 (PRM 26.0) 22.1 9.4 47 Station (Pigeon River Mile) August 27-29, 2013 Temperature (C) Dissolved Oxygen Specific Conductance (µS/cm) (m /liter) PRO (PRM 65.5) 17.4 9.1 28 PRI (PRM 42.5) 20.8 8.4 295 PR4 (PRM 48.5) 21.6 7.8 370 • The fish community at Station PRO was again relatively diverse in 2013 (Appendix 29). Eighteen species were collected at this site representing the families Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Ictaluridae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, and Cottidae. The dominant species, defined by those species comprising > 5% of the total fish in the collected sample, were whitetail shiner, warpaint shiner, rock bass, redbreast sunfish, tuckaseegee darter, and central stoneroller. It should be noted that the tuckaseegee darters were formerly described as greenfin darters. It has been recently determined that the correct name should be tuckaseegee darter for Pigeon River populations (personal communication with Mr. Bryn Tracy, NCDWR). • Station PRO had a high percentage of species (89%) with multiple size classes present indicating stable reproducing populations (Appendices 30-34). Approximately 15.6% of the collected fish were young -of -year individuals. This is a lower percentage than in 2010, and can likely be attributed to sampling later in the year and higher flows. • The fish community at Station PRO received a Duke Energy Progress modified IBI score of 50, which gave a bioclassification ranking of "Good" during 2013 (Appendix 33). This station has received similar Duke Energy Progress modified IBI bioclassification rankings during all years of sampling (Appendix 38). • Eighteen species of fish were collected from Station PRI during 2013 (Appendices 29, 33 and 34). The families Cyprinidae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, Catastomidae and Ictaluridae were dominant at Station PRI. The dominant species were river chub, whitetail shiner, northern hogsucker, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, largemouth bass and greenside darter. Duke Energy 20 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies • Fish collected from Station PRI in 2013 had multiple size classes present for 72% of the species collected. Young -of -year comprised 43% of the total number of fish collected in 2013 (Appendix 29). • There were no individuals observed at Stations PRO and PRI with deformities, disease or tumors. • The fish community at Station PRI received a Duke Energy Progress modified IBI score of 42, which gave a bioclassification ranking of "Fair" for 2013. This sampling represents the first time Station PRI has received this higher bioclassification. Station PRI has received a "Poor" bioclassification in every sampling year with the exception of 1998 and 2004 when it received a "Poor -Fair" ranking (Appendices 14, 36, and 38). Two factors contributing to the "Fair" score at Station PRI were increased taxa richness, and the collection of two darter species. Greenside darter was one of the numerically dominant species and had a good year class in 2013 (31 young -of -year individuals). The increased numbers of intolerant species, both rainbow trout and tangerine darters, also contributed to the higher score. The low number (142) of individuals and the high percentage of omnivores (61%) drove the overall score down (Appendices 14, 29 and 33). • Seven and twelve fish species were collected at Stations PR2 and PR3, respectively, in July 2013 (Appendix 35). Redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, whitetail shiner, smallmouth bass, greenside darter, and central stoneroller were the dominant species at Station PR2. At Station PR3, the dominant species were rock bass, central stoneroller, redbreast sunfish, and whitetail shiner. Species richness and taxa dominance patterns in 2013 at Station PR2 and PR3 were lower than previous years (CP&L 2000, 2002). • The total number of species (7 taxa) and total number of individuals collected at Station PR2 (390 individuals) in 2013 represents a gradual but consistent decline at this station since sampling began in 1995 (CP&L 1996b, 2000, 2002; Progress Energy 2005). The decline appears to have increased since the catastrophic flooding events of 2004. • Young -of -year individuals of all species comprised approximately 25% and 91% of the total number of fish collected at Stations PR2 and PR3, respectively, during 2013 (Appendix 35). Multiple size classes were observed for 100% of the species collected at Station PR2 and 83% of the species at Station PR3 in 2013 (Appendices 31, 36 and 37). • The incidence rate of deformities and other anomalies continued to be low (none in 2013) at Stations PR2 and PR3 in 2013 (Appendix 32). • The fish community at Stations PR2 and PR3 received Duke Energy Progress modified IBI scores of 33 and 42, respectively, during 2013. These scores gave bioclassification rankings of "Poor" for Station PR2 and "Fair" for Station PR3 during 2013 (Appendices 14 and 33). • Smallmouth bass year classes at Stations PR2 and PR3 during 2013 were lower than those seen in 2004, 2007 and 2010 in terms of length frequency distributions and young -of -year abundance (Appendices 36, 37 and 39). Duke Energy 21 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies • The lingering effects of the 2004 flooding events on the Pigeon River fish community appeared to be most evident at Station PR2. All species present had multiple size classes indicating recruitment, but the bioclassification ranking remained "Poor" due to the lack of darter, sucker and intolerant species, the percentage of tolerant species and the decreased total number of fish. While Station PR3 appears to have received some benefit from recolonization from the downstream fisheries community, the same benefit has not been realized at Station PR2. Recolonization from downstream fisheries communities is likely limited due to the steep gradient present between Stations PR2 and PR3. Biotic indices sampling in 2013 at Station PR2 provided evidence to ongoing long-term effects from the 2004 flood events on the fish community in this particular section of the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River. • All sculpin collected at Station PR3 before (and including) 2007 were identified as mottled sculpin. It should be noted that all prior identifications of mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) at Station PR3 were determined to be banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). The specimens were re-examined by Dr. Wayne Starnes at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Mr. Bryn Tracy at the NCDWR, and Duke Energy Progress biologists. Original identifications of mottled sculpin found at the other three stations were determined to be correct upon re-examination. This change in species identification at Station PR3 did not affect IBI scoring for 2013 or previous years. • Station PR4 was added to the sampling program for 2013 in response to the state agencies concerns in regards to the question of whether Station PRI was representative of that reach of river between Canton, NC and the headwaters of Walters Lake. The stations are geographically close together, with Station PR4 six miles upstream of Station PRI. The overall bioclassification for PR4 was "Fair", the same score as Station PRI. The scores were similar for many of the twelve metrics. The primary differences between the two stations were the percentage of tolerant species (15 % at Station PRI vs. 40% at Station PR4) and percentage of omnivorous individuals (61 % at Station PRI vs 15% at Station PR4). • Banded darters were collected at Station PR4 in 2013. Banded darters had been extirpated from the Pigeon River due to years of poor water quality from paper mill effluent. The Pigeon River Restoration Committee has reintroduced the species into the Pigeon upstream of Station PR4 as part of their overall reintroduction efforts in the Pigeon River Basin. Eight total individuals were collected, two of which were young -of -year. This indicates that the recovery efforts for banded darters has had some success downstream of the reintroduction point. • The criterion of a "Good" ranking (i.e., modified Duke Energy Progress IBI score of 50) for the fish community at Station PRI, as outlined in Article 414(e), Appendix A of the Walters Plant's operating license, was not met during 2013 (Appendix 33). Duke Energy 22 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Conclusions During 2013, Duke Energy Progress conducted its triennial studies of water quality and the benthic invertebrate and fish communities in the Pigeon River and Walters Lake (water quality only in the lake) near the Walters Hydroelectric Plant (i.e., Walters Project). These studies were conducted to fulfill monitoring requirements outlined in Article 414(e), Appendix A Criteria for Instream Flow Releases into the Bypassed Reach of the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Project in the operating license for the power plant. The studies conducted in 2013 represented the seventh triennial assessment of these environmental criteria at the Walters Project. The monitoring data in this report provides the initial basis for determining whether the water quality and biological community criteria are met for consideration of instream flow releases from the Project into the bypassed reach. Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the surface waters were above 5 mg/liter (the North Carolina water quality standard for nontrout, warmwaters) throughout 2013 at all river monitoring stations, including Station PRI at the New Hepco Bridge. Maintaining this minimum dissolved oxygen concentration at Station PRI is one of several environmental criteria outlined in Appendix A. Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the surface waters of Walters Lake (Station B2) near the dam also remained above 5 mg/liter during 2013. Water quality dynamics in Walters Lake were influenced by high river inflow and the amount of power generation of the Walters Plant in 2013. Power plant operation and the subsequent withdrawal of water through the diversion tunnel and tributary inflows influenced de - stratification and mixed the cooler lake bottom waters with surface and mid -depth waters, thus making the temperatures warmer than would be expected at these depths. This observation is consistent with patterns from previous years dating back to the late 1980's. Concentrations or values of most water quality parameters sampled in 2013 were variable when compared to respective concentrations or values measured in previous sampling years. Similar to the spatial trends observed in previous years, concentrations or values of most water quality parameters for 2013 were generally greater at the New Hepco Bridge river station (Station PRI) and Walters Lake (Station B2). Concentrations of turbidity and color at the reference station located above Canton (Station PRO) and in the lower portion of the bypassed reach (Stations PR2 and PR3) were lower compared to concentrations of these parameters at the New Hepco Bridge and Walters Lake sampling locations. Algal biomass, as estimated by chlorophyll a concentration, was generally low at the river stations during 2013. The annual mean chlorophyll a concentration at Station B2 on Walters Lake was below the North Carolina water quality standard of 40 µg/liter. All monthly values were below the 40 µg/liter water quality standard. During 2013, the benthic communities in the Pigeon River at stations located above Canton (Station PRO) and just above Walters Lake (Station PRI) received "Good" rankings. The "Good" bioclassification ranking for Station PRI in 2013 marked the second consecutive sampling period (2010 and 2013) the station has received this bioclassification. The NCDWR ranked the station "Good -Fair" the last time they sampled there in August of 2006. Stations PR2 and PR3, located in the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River, received "Good " bioclassification rankings for benthic macroinvertebrates during 2013. Bioclassification Duke Energy 23 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies rankings at these two stations have been in the "Good -Fair" to "Good" range during sampling events conducted in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2007, 2010 and 2013. The fish communities at the four monitored locations, Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3, had similar to lower bioclassification ratings in 2013 when compared to ratings observed in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2010. During 2013, the upstream reference Station PRO was ranked "Good" which was consistent with previous bioclassification rankings. Ratings at the other river stations, Stations PRI, PR2, and PR3, were "Fair", "Poor", and "Fair", respectively. Station PR2 appears to be still impacted by the flooding events in 2004 and exceptional drought conditions present in 2007. The criterion of a "Good" ranking (modified Duke Energy Progress IBI score of 50) for the fish community at Station PRI, as outlined in Article 414(e), Appendix A of the Walters Plant's operating license, was not met during 2013. In January 2007, the NCDHHS removed the dioxin fish consumption advisory for common carp from Walters Lake (Appendix 40). Total removal of this advisory also constitutes a part of the Appendix A criteria that must be met for instream flow releases from the Project. In February 2012 the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources made a request that Duke Energy Progress evaluate the Pigeon River reach between the outfall of the Evergreen Packaging Facility and Station PRI. The request was based on observations by the two agencies of improvements in water quality and the benthic and fisheries communities in that reach. The question was raised by the agencies as to whether Station PRI was representative of that reach of river based on the continual poor scores in the fisheries IBI sampling at Station PRI. Duke Energy Progress agreed to add Station PR4 (Pigeon River Mile 48.5) in 2013 for benthic and fisheries community evaluations for comparison data to address the agencies concerns. The sampling provided the data requested by the agencies, was voluntary on Duke Energy Progress's part and is not part of the Appendix A criteria. The scores for the benthos and fisheries communities were similar. The benthic community at Station PR4 was ranked "Good -Fair" while the benthic community at Station PRI was ranked "Good. The fisheries community was ranked "Fair" at both stations. In summary, Duke Energy Progress evaluated the Article 414(e), Appendix A criteria for water quality and the benthic invertebrate and fish communities at the Walters Project in 2013. Meeting these criteria will be the basis for determining whether water quality of the Pigeon River and Walters Lake is suitable for future instream flow releases into the bypassed reach from Walters Lake. The criteria of an annual mean concentration of > 5 mg/l for dissolved oxygen at Station PRI was met in 2013. However, the criteria of "Good" bioclassification rankings for both the benthic invertebrate and the fish communities at Station PRI were not met during 2010 (see table below) The next triennial sampling assessment will be conducted during 2016. Article 414(e), Appendix A criteria Criteria Annual Mean DO > 5 Fisheries IBI Score IBI Score "Good" or m /L "Good" or Higher Higher Score DO> 5 mg/L "Fair" "Good" Criteria met Yes No Yes Duke Energy 24 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies References Angermeier, P.L., and J. R. Karr. 1986. Applying an index of biotic integrity based on stream - fish communities: considerations in sampling and interpretation. N. Amer. J. Fish. Mgmt. 6: 418-429. APHA. 1998. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 201h ed. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC. CP&L. 1990. Walters Hydroelectric Project. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432, Exhibit E, Final Environmental Report, Volume 1 of 2. Carolina Power & Light Company, Raleigh, NC. . 1993. Walters Hydroelectric Project. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432, Appendix A, Criteria for instream flow releases into the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River at the Waters Hydroelectric Project. Carolina Power & Light Company, Raleigh, NC. 1995. Walters Hydroelectric Plant. 1993-1994 research and development project. Development and application of biotic indices to evaluate water quality in the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Plant. Carolina Power & Light Company, Raleigh, NC. . 1996a. Walters Hydroelectric Plant 1995 Water Quality Monitoring Report. Carolina Power & Light Company, New Hill, NC. . 1996b. Walters Hydroelectric Plant. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. Biotic indices studies of the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Plant. Carolina Power & Light Company, New Hill, NC. . 2000. Walters Hydroelectric Plant. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. 1998 water quality and biotic indices studies of the Pigeon River at the Walters Hydroelectric Plant. Carolina Power & Light Company, New Hill, NC. . 2002. Walters Hydroelectric Plant. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. 2001 water quality and biotic indices studies. Appendix A requirements. CP&LA Progress Energy Company, New Hill, NC. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. 2005. Walters Hydroelectric Plan. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. 2004 water quality and biotic indices studies. Appendix A requirements. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., Raleigh, NC. . 2009. Walters Hydroelectric Plan. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. 2007 water quality and biotic indices studies. Appendix A requirements. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., Raleigh, NC. . 2011. Walters Hydroelectric Plan. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. 2010 water quality and biotic indices studies. Appendix A requirements. Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., Raleigh, NC. Duke Energy 25 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. 1996. A study of the aquatic resources and water quality of the Pigeon River. Prepared for Champion International Corporation. Canton, NC. Prepared by EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., Deerfield, IL. FERC. 1994. United States of America 69 FERC &61,168. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Carolina Power & Light Company, Project Nos. 432-004 and -008, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, Project No. 2748-000. Order issuing new license. November 4, 1994. Gray, J. S. 1989. Effects of environmental stress on species of rich assemblages. Biol. J. Linnean Soc. 37: 19-32. Karr, J. R. 1981. Assessment of biotic integrity using fish communities. Fisheries. 6: 21-27. . 1991. Biological integrity: a long -neglected aspect of water resources management. Ecol. Appl. 1:66-84. Karr, J. R., K. D. Fausch, P. L. Angermeier, P. R. Yant, and L J. Schlosser. 1986. Assessing biological integrity in running waters: a method and its rationale. Ill. Nat. Hist. Surv. Spec. Publ. 5. Champaign, IL. Menhinick, E. F. 1991. The freshwater fishes of North Carolina. The Delmar Company, Charlotte, NC. NCDWQ. 2010. NCDENR stream classifications -hydrologic order. Internet web page of the N.C. Division of Water Resources, Internet address: http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document — library/get _file?uuid=fe983 54c-ca21-4ed 1 -ab 8 a- 102037a4980d&groupld=38364accessed 01/30/2010. 2006b. Standard operating procedure biological monitoring. Stream fish community assessment program. Biological Assessment Unit. August 1, 2001. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC. . 2010. Tolerance Values for Aquatic Macroinvertebrates. Biological Assessment Unit. April 2010. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC. RMC. 1992. Walters Hydroelectric Project. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 432. Results of an instream flow study in the bypasses reach at the Walters Hydroelectric Project, Pigeon River, North Carolina. Volume I of 11. Prepared for Carolina Power & Light Company. Prepared by RMC Environmental Services, Inc. RMC Environmental Services, Inc., Drumore, PA. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. 2013. Internet web page of the Tennessee. Department of Environment and Conservation. Internet address: accessed http://www.tn.gov/sos/rules/0400/0400-40/0400-40-04.20131216.pdf .Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Nashville, TN. Accessed 12/8/2014. Duke Energy 26 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies USEPA. 1983. Methods for the chemical analysis of water and wastes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA -600/4-79-020, Cincinnati, OH NCDWR. 2013a. Standard operating procedures for benthic invertebrates. Biological Assessment Unit. December, 2013. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources, Raleigh, NC. Duke Energy 27 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Browns Bridge i Big Creek C�) Powerhouse — ' _ TN — NC . r ` Station PR3 -water quality, benthic invertebrates, and fish \\ (Pigeon River Mile 26.0) \ e ®® \ XX et6 e` ♦57O oe \ — ®e ee ee Mt. Sterling Creek ee \e d ee ee Diversion Tunnel III, \X\\e ee ee ee Dicks Branch ee ee ee ee ee_ Walters Hydroelectric Plant NORTH CAROLINA Groundhog Creek Ie r Cold Springs Creek Station PR2 - fish (Pigeon River Mile 32.0) IStation PR2 - water quality Harmon Den f and benthic invertebrates i (Pigeon River Mile 33.0) Dam 1 Hurricane Creek Pigeon River (bypassed reach) Station B21 r e Cataloochee Creek Station PR water quality Walters Lake _ — and benthic invertebrates — _ (Pigeon River Mile 42.5) New Hepco Bridge (SR 1338) Station PR1-fish (Pigeon River Mile 42.6) r � r I e Station PRA \ To Canton,/NC / Appendix 1. Walters Lake and Pigeon River sampling locations during 2013. Duke Energy Progress A_1 Environmental Services Not to scale Evergreen Paper (formerly Champio International) _ US 19/2_3 - ` Canton 0 1 2 Station PRO -water quality Kilometers and benthic invertebrates (Pigeon River Mile 64.9) r �♦ 0 0.5 1 1 Miles — Station PRO -fish NG'Ab q4' — (Pigeon River Mile 65.5) and benthic invertebrates — _ (Pigeon River Mile 42.5) New Hepco Bridge (SR 1338) Station PR1-fish (Pigeon River Mile 42.6) r � r I e Station PRA \ To Canton,/NC / Appendix 1. Walters Lake and Pigeon River sampling locations during 2013. Duke Energy Progress A_1 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 2. Field sampling and laboratory methods followed in the 2013 Walters Lake and Pigeon River water quality monitoring program. Program Method Temperature, pH, Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen, turbidity were measured with a calibrated YSI° multiparameter specific conductance, instrument. Measurements were taken from the surface to bottom at turbidity, and Secchi 1-m intervals at the Walters Lake station and from the surface only at disk transparency the stations in the Pigeon River. Water clarity was measured with a Secchi disk. Chemical variables Surface samples were collected at the lake station and at the river stations with a nonmetallic sampler, transferred to appropriate containers, transported to the laboratory on ice, and analyzed according to USEPA (1983) and APHA (1998). Transmission of light Transmission of light was calculated from the photosynthetically active radiation (i.e., light from that part of the visible spectrum ranging from 400-700 nanometers that is available for photosynthesis) measured monthly at all stations with a LI -COR° Model LI -250A at 0.2 m (surface), every 0.5 m from 0.5 to 3.0 m, and then every 1.0 m or until no light could be detected or the sensor was at the bottom. Surface to bottom measurements were collected at the Pigeon River stations. Phytoplankton Equal amounts of water from the surface, the Secchi disk transparency depth, and twice the Secchi disk transparency depth at Station B2 were obtained with a Van Dorn sampler and mixed in a plastic container. A 250-m1 subsample was taken and preserved with 5 ml of "M3" fixative. Chlorophyll a For the lake samples, equal amounts of water from the surface, the Secchi disk transparency depth, and twice the Secchi depth were collected with a Van Dorn sampler. The water was mixed in a plastic container and a subsample was taken, placed in a dark bottle, put on ice, and transported to the laboratory. For the river stations, a single sample was taken from the surface only, placed in dark bottles, and transported to the laboratory on ice. In the laboratory, one 250-m1 subsample from each station was analyzed according to APHA (1998). Duke Energy Progress A-2 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 3. Monthly precipitation during 2013 recorded at Waterville, North Carolina (Station 319123). Note: The historic station average line includes data from 1971 to 2000. [Information was obtained from the State Climate Office of North Carolina.] 16.0 14.0 12.0 F 10.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Monthly total precipitation, 2013 Normal Monthly Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 40.0 35.0 30.0 25.0 v C 0 20.0 Q .v d 15.0 a 10.0 5.0 0.0 Duke Energy Progress A_3 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 4. Monthly mean discharge flows of the Pigeon River, North Carolina, near Hepco and at Cataloochee Creek during 2013. Note: The scale range on the y-axis differs between the two station locations. The 30 -year monthly average line includes data from 1971 to 2000. [Information was provided by the U. S. Geological Survey.] 3600 3000 —2400 w V 3 1800 0 U. 1200 600 0 500 450 400 350 w 300 v 3 250 0 ,i 200 150 100 50 0 Pigeon River near Hepco, NC USGS Station 03459500 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Monthly mean flow — 30 -year average Cataloochee Creek near Cataloochee, NC USGS Station 03460000 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Monthly mean flow —30 -year average Appendix 5. Lake level elevations, discharge flows, and power plant net generation at the Walters Project during 2013. Duke Energy Progress A_4 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies 2265.0 2260.0 2255.0 Z _ 2250.0 c r 2245.0 aa) 2240.0 d Y 2235.0 cc J 2230.0 2225.0 90000 80000 70000 60000 N 50000 c=a 40000 m E 30000 r 20000 c 0 10000 0 Lake Level Elevations of Walters Lake 2265.0 Full pool 2260.0 0 2255.0 Z 2250.0 $ 2245.0 0 r 2240.0 > d 2235.0 Y 0 2230.0 J 2225.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Discharge (flow) and Power Plant Generation Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Discharge flow to bypassed reach Discharge flow from powerhouse w��„ Power plant generation 70000 2 60000 50000 0 L 40000 d 30000 a� C 0 d 20000 E 10000 r C 0 0 a Duke Energy Progress A_5 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 6. Daily mean streamflow (cfs f standard deviation) and the annual mean streamflow of the Pigeon River, North Carolina, at Canton (USGS 3456991), near the New Hepco Bridge (USGS 03459500), and in the middle and lower segments of the bypassed reach during the biotic indices sampling, 2013+. New Hepco Bypassed Reach- Bypassed Reach - Sample Date Canton Bridge Middle Segment¶ Lower Segment¶ Septemberl6-19, 2013 125 ± 2 296 ± 5 14 45 July 16-19, 2013 721.5 ± 88 1197 ± 21 45 143 August 27-29, 2013 2013 Annual mean 194.7±4 426.0± 12 NA' 547 1118 52 NA' 164 +Data obtained from U.S. Geological Survey. Some of the flow estimation data used was provisional and unapproved by the USGS. ¶Flows were estimated for the middle (Pigeon River Mile 32.0) and lower (Pigeon River Mile 26.0) segments of the bypassed reach by multiplying the monthly average flows per square mile of drainage area for the USGS gaging station on Cataloochee Creek (USGS 03460000) near Cataloochee, North Carolina, by the drainage areas of each segment (CP&L 1990). £No sampling was conducted in the bypassed reach during this time period. Duke Energy Progress A-6 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 7. Taxonomic listing of benthic invertebrates collected from Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River during August 2013 and the taxon's associated Biotic Index tolerance value.+ Station Tolerance Order -Suborder Family Genus/Species Value€ PRO PRl PR2 PR3 PR4 Tubificida Enchytracidae <<< R Naididae Nais behningi 8.7 R Tubificidae <<< C C C Tubificidae Limnodrilus hoffineisteri 9.4 R Lumbriculida Lumbriculidae <<< C R C Gastropoda Ancylidae Ferrissia spp. 6.6 R R R Lymnacidae Fossaria sp. 7.7 R R Physidae Physa spp. 8.7 C A A C A Planorbidae Helisoma anceps 6.6 A C A Pleuroceridae Elimia spp. 2.7 C A R Bivalvia Corbiculidae Corbicula fluminea 6.6 R R C Sphaeridae Pisidium sp. 6.6 C Amphipoda Gammaridae Crangonyx spp. 7.2 C C Ephemeroptera Bactidae Acentrella spp. 2.5 R Acentrella turbida 2.0 C A A C A Baetis flavistriga 6.8 A A A A A B. intercalaris 5.0 C A A A A B. pluto 3.4 C A A A B. tricaudatus 1.5 R R Baetis sp. <<< A Heterocloeon sp. 3.7 A A C C A Iswaeon sp. 4.4 A A Labiobaetis propinquus 5.8 A Labiobaetis sp. <<< A Bactiscidae Batisca carolina 4.2 R Procloeon sp. 1.9 A A Caenidae Caenis spp. 6.8 C A Ephemerellidae Eurylophella spp. 4.0 R R Serratella serratoides 1.7 C C Telagonopsis deficiens 2.6 C R Serratella sp. <<< C Heptageniidae Epeorus vitreus 1.2 R C Leucrocuta spp. 2.0 R A A R Stenacron interpunctatum 6.4 R S. pallidum 2.8 R Maccaffertium ithica 3.0 A A C A M. mediopunctatum 4.2 A M. pudicum 2.1 C M. sp. <<< A A A A A Isonychiidae Isonychia spp. 3.6 C A A A A Neoephemeridae Neoephemera purpurea 1.5 C R Duke Energy Progress A_7 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Tolerance Order -Suborder Family Genus/Species Value PRO PRI PR2 PR3 PR4 Odonata-Anisoptera Aeshnidae Basiaeschna janata 7.1 R Boyeria vinosa 5.8 A A C Corduaidae Neurocordulia sp. <<< C Gomphidae Dromogomphus spinosus 5.6 R Gomphus spp. 5.9 R R Hagenius brevistylus 4.4 R Lanthus sp. 1.6 R R R Ophiogomphus spp. 5.9 R R R Stylogomphus albistylus 5.0 R Libellulidae <<< R C Macromiidae Macromia spp. 6.2 R R C R Odonata-Zygoptera Calopterygidae Calopteryx spp. 7.5 A A A C Hetaerina americana 4.9 A A Hetaerina spp. 4.9 Coenagrionidae Argia spp. 8.3 C A A Enallagma spp. 8.5 C R Plecoptera Chloroperlidae Haploperla brevis 1.4 R C Leuctridae Leuctra spp. 1.5 R Peltoperidae Tallaperla spp 1.3 Perlidae Acroneuria abnormis 2.1 A A C C Acroneuria sp. <<< R R Agnetina sp. 1.1 C Eccoptura xanthenes 4.7 R Paragentina immarginata 1.1 A Pteronarcyidae Pteronarcys (allonarcys)sp. 1.8 R C Pteronarcys biloba 0.0 C Megaloptera Corydalidae Corydalus cornutus 5.2 C A A A A Nigronia serricornis 4.6 A C C R Neohermes concolor <<< R Sialidae Sialis spp. 7.0 R Trichoptera Brachycentridae Brachycentrus appalachia 1.0 C Micrasema wataga 2.2 A A Micrasema sp. 2.2 C Glossosomatidae Glossosoma nigrior 1.4 R R Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche spp. 6.6 A A A A A Diplectrona modesta 2.3 R Hydropsyche sp. <<< R C A A A Hydropsyche sp. (demora) 2.6 A H deprevata group 7.9 R R H phalerata 3.7 A Ceratopsyche bronta 2.3 R C. morosa 2.3 C A C C A C. sparna 2.5 C A A A A Hydroptilidae Hydroptila spp. 6.5 R C Appendix 7. (continued) Duke Energy Progress A_g Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Station Tolerance Order -Suborder Family Genus/Species Value PRO PRI PR2 PR3 PR4 Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Leucotrichia pictipes 4.6 Lepidostomatidae Lepidostoma spp. 1.0 C A C Leptoceridae Mystacides sepulchralis 2.6 C Nectopsyche sp. <<< R Oecetis sp. 5.1 A A C A C Triaenodes spp. 4.1 C Limnephilidae Hydatophylax argus 2.4 R Philopotamidae Chimarra spp. 3.3 A C Dolophiodes distinctus 1.0 R Dolophiodes sp. 1.0 A Polycentropodidae Neureclipsis spp. 4.0 A R A Oligostomis pardalis 6.2 R Polycentropus spp. 3.1 C Psychomiidae Psychomyia flavida 3.0 C Uenoidae Neophylax spp. 1.6 R Coleoptera Dryopidae Helichus basalis 0.5 Helichus lithopholus 3.0 C R Helichus fastigiatus 4.1 R Helichus spp. 4.1 A Dytiscidae Neoporus sp. 5.0 R Elmidae Ancyronyx variegatus 6.8 C C Macronychus glabratus 4.7 A A C A Optioservus sp. 2.1 R Oulimnius latiusculus 1.9 R Promoresia elegans 2.1 R A Stenelmis sp. 5.6 C A R Gyrinidae Gyrinus spp. 5.8 R Psephenidae Psephenus herricki 2.3 R C C A R Staphylinidae R Diptera Athericidae Atherix lantha 1.8 R R Blephariceridae Blepharicera spp. 0.0 R R Chironomidae R Chironomini Chironomus spp. 9.3 A Cryptochironomus spp. 6.4 A C R Demicryptochironomus spp. 2.2 R Dicrotendipes neomodestus 7.9 R A Microtendipes pedellus grp. 3.9 C Microtendipes rydalensis grp. R Paracladopelma undine 4.5 R Paralauterborniella nigrohalteris 4.9 R Phaeonopsectra obediens grp. 6.6 A R R R Polypedilum aviceps 3.6 C P. fallax 6.5 R Appendix 7. (continued) Duke Energy Progress A_g Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Station Tolerance Order -Suborder Family Genus/Species Value PRO PRI PR2 PR3 PR4 Diptera Chironomini P. illinoense grp. 8.7 A R R R R P. scalaenum grp. 8.5 C Rheotanytarsus pellicidus 6.5 C C C R R Rheotanytarsus exiguus grp. 6.5 C R A C R Robackia demejeiri 4.3 R C Stenochironomus spp. 6.3 C C C Sublettea coffmani 1.4 R Tanytarsus sp. 6.6 R C C Tribelos jucundum 5.7 C Orthocladiini Brillia flavifrons 3.9 R C Cardiocladius obscurus 6.2 R A C A A Corynoneura spp. 5.7 R R Cricotopus bicinctus 8.7 R C Eukieferiella claripennis grp. 6.2 R R R Nanocladius alternantherae 7.4 C C R C N. spp. 7.4 R R R Orthocladius lignicola 5.4 R R C R Parametriocnemus spp. 3.9 R Psectrocladius spp. <<< A R Rheocricotopus robacki 7.9 C Synorthocladius semivirens 4.2 R Thienimanniella lobapodema 6.4 C R R Thienimanniella spp. 8.0 C C R R Tvetenia paucunca 3.6 C R Tvetenia tshernovskii 3.5 C R R R Xylotopus par 6.1 R Prodiamesinae Odontomesa fulva 4.9 C Prodiamesa olivacea 8.8 R Tanypodinae Ablabesmyia mallochi 7.4 C A C Conchapelopia spp. 8.4 C R C C Pentaneura inconspicua 5.0 R C R C Procladius spp. 8.8 R C Diptera Culicidae Anopheles spp. 8.6 C Diptera Empididae Hemerodromia spp. <<< Diptera Simuliidae Simulium tuberosum 4.9 A A A A A Diptera Tanyderidae Protoplasa fitchii 4.0 R Tipulidae Antocha spp. 4.4 C C R R A Tipula spp. 7.5 A Hemiptera Gerridae Metrobates spp. 9.5 R Nematoda <<< R Nemertea <<< R Appendix 7. (continued) Duke Energy Progress A-10 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 7. (continued) Order -Suborder Family Genus/Species Rhynchobdellida Erpobdellidae Glossiphoniidae Hydracarina +Tolerance values were adopted from NCDWR (2013) where R = Rare (1-2 individuals collected), C = Common (3-9 individuals collected), and A = Abundant (10 or more individuals collected). Station Tolerance Value PRO PRI PR2 PR3 PR4 <<< C <<< R <<< C C C C €Specimens that did not have a tolerance value listed in the April 2013 DWQ Biological Assessment Unit List of Tolerance Values for Genera and Species of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (denoted with <<< for the tolerance value) were not included in the calculation of NCBI values. Duke Energy Progress A-11 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 8. Scores from tabulating the Mountain Ecoregion Biotic Index and the Mountain EPT+ taxa richness values (from NCDWR 2013). Score Biotic Index Value EPT Value 5.0 < 4.00 > 43 4.6 4.00-4.04 42-43 4.4 4.05-4.09 40-41 4.0 4.10-4.83 34-39 3.6 4.84-4.88 32-33 3.4 4.89-4.93 30-31 3.0 4.94-5.69 24-29 2.6 5.70-5.74 22-23 2.4 5.75-5.79 20-21 2.0 5.80-6.95 14-19 1.6 6.96-7.00 12-13 1.4 7.01-7.05 10-11 1.0 > 7.05 0-9 +The number of different taxa of Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies). Duke Energy Progress A-12 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 9. Metrics ranking system for application of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to the fish community of the Pigeon River, North Carolina. Metric 1. Total number of species 2. Number of darter species 3. Number of sunfish species (Lepomis spp. only) 4. Number of sucker species 5. Number of intolerant species 6. Proportion of individuals as tolerant species 7. Proportion of individuals as omnivores 8. Proportion of insectivorous cyprinids 9. Proportion of individuals as piscivores 10. Number of individuals 11. Length distribution 12. Proportion of individuals with disease, tumors, fin damage, skeletal deformities, or other anomalies Scoring Criteria 1 3 5 NCDWR data+ 0-1 2 > 3 0-1 2-3 >4 0-1 2 > 3 0-1 2 > 3 > 30% 15%-30% < 15% > 45% 20%-45% < 20% < 20% 20%-45% > 45% < 1% 1%-5% >5% NCDWR data+ < 20% of 20% to 40% of > 40% of species have species have species have multiple age multiple age multiple age (size) classes (size) classes (size) classes >5% 2%-5% >2% +Metrics Nos. 1 and 10 are rated using NCDWR (formerly referred to as NCDWQ in previous biotic indices reports and in Appendix A criteria of the license) data on number of species and number of fish plotted against drainage area for the French Broad River and Pigeon River Basins. These metrics account for the size of the drainage area of each location (see Appendices 29, 36, and 42 for the metric scoring). Duke Energy Progress A-13 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 10. Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) adult trophic status and tolerance designation of fish species known to occur in the Pigeon River in North Carolina and Tennessee. Scientific Name Common Name Trophic Status Tolerance Clupeidae Shad and herring Herbivore Intermediate Dorosoma cepedianum+ gizzard shad Omnivore Intermediate Salmonidae Trout and charr Insectivore Intermediate Oncorhynchus mykiss+ rainbow trout Insectivore Intolerant Salmo trutta+ brown trout Piscivore Intermediate Cyprinidae Carps and minnows Campostoma anomalum central stoneroller Herbivore Intermediate Carassius auratus goldfish Omnivore Tolerant Cyprinella galactura whitetail shiner Insectivore Intermediate Cyprinus carpio common carp Omnivore Tolerant Luxilus coccogenis warpaint shiner Insectivore Intermediate Nocomis micropogon river chub Omnivore Intermediate Notemigonus crysoleucas+ golden shiner Omnivore Tolerant Notropis rubellus rosyface shiner Insectivore Intolerant N. photogenis silver shiner Insectivore Intolerant N. rubricroceus saffron shiner Insectivore Intermediate N. spectrunculus mirror shiner Insectivore Intermediate N. telescopus telescope shiner Insectivore Intolerant Rhinichthys atratulus blacknose dace Insectivore Intermediate R. cataractae longnose dace Insectivore Intermediate Catostomidae Suckers Carpoides carpio river carpsucker Omnivore Intermediate Catostomus commersoni+ white sucker Omnivore Tolerant Hypentilium nigricans northern hogsucker Insectivore Intermediate Moxostoma macrolepidotum shorthead redhorse Insectivore Intermediate M. duquesnei black redhorse Insectivore Intermediate Ictaluridae North American catfishes Ameiurus catus white catfish Omnivore Tolerant A. melas black bullhead Insectivore Tolerant A. nebulosus brown bullhead Omnivore Tolerant ktalurus punctatus+ channel catfish Omnivore Intermediate Pylodictus olivaris flathead catfish Piscivore Intermediate Duke Energy Progress A-14 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 10. (continued) Scientific Name Common Name Trophic Status Tolerance Centrarchidae Sunfishes Insectivore Intermediate Ambloplites rupestris+ rock bass Piscivore Intolerant Lepomis auritus+ redbreast sunfish Insectivore Tolerant L. cyanellus green sunfish Insectivore Tolerant L. gibbosus pumpkinseed Insectivore Intermediate L. gulosus warmouth Insectivore Intermediate L. macrochirus bluegill Insectivore Intermediate L. microlophus redear sunfish Insectivore Intermediate Lepomis sp. hybrid sunfish Insectivore Tolerant Micropterus dolomieui+ smallmouth bass Piscivore Intolerant M. salmoides largemouth bass Piscivore Intermediate Pomoxis annularis white crappie Piscivore Intermediate Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie Piscivore Intermediate Percidae Perches Etheostoma blennioides Greenside darter Insectivore Intermediate E. chlorobranchium Greenfin darter Insectivore Intolerant E. rufilineatum Redline darter Insectivore Intermediate E. simoterum Tennessee snubnose Insectivore Intermediate E. swannanoa Swannanoa darter Insectivore Intermediate E. zonale Banded darter Insectivore Intermediate Percina aurantiaca Tangerine darter Insectivore Intolerant P. caprodes Logperch Insectivore Intermediate P. squamata Olive darter Insectivore Intolerant Perca flavescens Yellow perch Piscivore Intermediate Sander canadense Sauger Piscivore Intermediate Cottidae Sculpins Cottus bairdi Mottled sculpin Insectivore Intermediate C. carolinae Banded sculpin Insectivore Intermediate +Trophic status and tolerance values for these fish species have been revised from values given in Appendix A of the Walters license and the assigned classifications are consistent with information given in NCDWR (2013). Duke Energy Progress A-15 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 11. Number of fish species vs. drainage area (mit) for the French Broad River and Pigeon River Basins for scoring Metric No. 1 of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity (from CP&L 1995 and Article 414(e), Appendix A criteria of the Walters Hydroelectric Project). Scoring criteria for each sampling location are listed below the figure. 40 35 30 25 Cn 6 20 15 E z 10 5 0 1 10 100 1000 Drainage area (square miles) 5 Scoring Criteria Location 1 3 5 Pigeon River above Canton, NC (337 km2/130 mit) < 8 9-15 > 16 Pigeon River at New Hepco Bridge < 9 10-17 > 18 (906 km2 /350 mit) Pigeon River Bypassed Reach below < 6 7-12 ' Cold Springs Creek (52 km2 /20 mit) Pigeon River Bypassed Reach below <7 8-13 >14 Mt. Sterling Creek (above powerhouse) (114 km2/44 mit) 3 Duke Energy Progress A-16 Environmental Services ' 1 1 10 100 1000 Drainage area (square miles) Scoring Criteria Location 1 3 5 Pigeon River above Canton, NC (337 km2/130 mit) < 8 9-15 > 16 Pigeon River at New Hepco Bridge < 9 10-17 > 18 (906 km2 /350 mit) Pigeon River Bypassed Reach below < 6 7-12 > 13 Cold Springs Creek (52 km2 /20 mit) Pigeon River Bypassed Reach below <7 8-13 >14 Mt. Sterling Creek (above powerhouse) (114 km2/44 mit) Duke Energy Progress A-16 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 12. Number of fish vs. drainage area (mit) for the French Broad River and Pigeon River Basins for scoring Metric No. 10 of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity (from CP&L 1995 and Article 414(e), Appendix A criteria of the Walters Hydroelectric Project). Scoring criteria for each sampling location are listed below the figure. 1000 .11111 600 0 L as E 400 z 200 raw 1 10 100 1000 Drainage area (square miles) Scoring Criteria Location 1 3 5 Pigeon River above Canton, NC (130 mit) <211 212-428 > 429 Pigeon River at New Hepco Bridge (350 mit) < 260 261-524 > 525 Pigeon River Bypassed Reach below <182 183-364 >365 Cold Springs Creek (20 mit) Pigeon River Bypassed Reach below <194 195-394 > 395 Mt. Sterling Creek (above powerhouse) (44 mit) Duke Energy Progress A-17 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 13. Size ranges (mm, total length) used to differentiate between young -of -year and juveniles/adults of fish species for scoring individual metrics of the Duke Energy Progress modified Index of Biotic Integrity from the Pigeon River during July 2013.+ Species Young -of -year Juvenile/Adult Rainbow trout < 100 >_ 100 Brown trout < 100 >_ 100 Common carp < 150 >_ 150 Central stoneroller < 60 >_ 60 Golden shiner < 75 >_ 75 River chub < 50 >_ 50 Warpaint shiner < 50 >_ 50 Whitetail shiner < 50 >_ 50 Telescope shiner < 40 >_ 40 Saffron shiner < 40 >_ 40 Mirror shiner < 40 >_ 40 Longnose dace < 50 >_ 50 Northern hogsucker < 100 >_ 100 White sucker < 100 >_ 100 Black redhorse < 100 >_ 100 Flat bullhead < 75 >_ 75 Channel catfish < 100 >_ 100 Flathead catfish < 150 >_ 150 Rock bass < 50 >_ 50 Redbreast sunfish < 50 >_ 50 Green sunfish < 50 >_ 50 Bluegill < 50 >_ 50 Hybrid sunfish < 50 >_ 50 Smallmouth bass < 100 >_ 100 Largemouth bass < 100 >_ 100 Black crappie < 75 >_ 75 Greenside darter < 40 >_ 40 Greenfin darter < 50 >_ 50 Redline darter < 40 >_ 40 Olive darter < 50 >_ 50 Tangerine darter < 40 >_ 40 Mottled sculpin < 50 >_ 50 +Size ranges for young -of -year and juvenile/adult fish were revised in 2007 and 2013 from those listed in previous Progress Energy reports (CP&L 1995, 1996b, 2000, 2002) to conform to cutoff lengths used by the NCDWR (2013). Only those fish species collected in 2013 are included in this table. Refer to NCDWR (2013) for a complete species list with all specified cutoff lengths. Duke Energy Progress A_18 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 14. Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) classes and range of scores used in the assessment of fish communities along with general descriptions of their attributes (adopted from Karr et al. 1986; Karr 1991). Class Attributes IBI Score Range+ Excellent Comparable to the best situations without influence of 58-60 man; all regionally expected species for the habitat and stream size, including the most intolerant forms, are present with full array of age and size classes; balanced trophic structure. Good Species richness somewhat below expectation, especially 48-52 due to loss of most intolerant forms; some species are present with less than optimal abundances or size distribution; trophic structure shows some signs of stress. Fair Signs of additional deterioration include loss of intolerant 40-44 forms, fewer species, highly skewed trophic structure (e.g., increasing frequency of omnivores, green sunfish, or other tolerant species); older age classes of top predators may be rare. Poor Dominated by omnivores, pollution -tolerant forms, and 28-34 habitat generalists; few top carnivores; growth rates and condition factors commonly depressed; hybrids and diseased fish often present. Very Poor Few fish present, mostly introduced or very tolerant 12-22 forms; hybrids common; disease, parasites, fin damage, and other anomalies regular. No fish Repetitive sampling fails to turn up any fish. ----- + IBI scores that are outside of score ranges would be classified as intermediate between the classes (e.g., an IBI score of 55 would be assigned a "Good -Excellent" IBI classification). Duke Energy Progress A-19 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 15. Water temperature (°C) profiles (in meters) at Station B2 in Walters Lake during 2013. Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0.2 6.9 6.4 6.1 17.0 13.4 25.4 24.8 22.8 24.1 19.7 10.9 10.4 1.0 6.7 6.4 6.1 14.9 12.9 24.6 24.4 22.8 24.1 19.4 10.9 10.4 2.0 6.6 6.3 6.1 14.4 12.8 24.2 24.0 22.5 24.1 19.3 10.9 10.4 3.0 6.6 6.3 6.1 14.2 12.8 23.6 23.0 22.1 24.1 19.2 10.9 10.4 4.0 6.6 6.3 6.1 14.0 12.7 22.2 22.7 22.0 23.9 19.2 10.9 10.4 5.0 6.6 6.3 6.0 13.9 12.6 21.8 22.3 21.9 23.6 19.2 10.9 10.4 6.0 6.6 6.3 6.0 13.2 12.5 21.6 22.1 21.7 23.5 18.9 10.9 10.5 7.0 6.6 6.3 6.0 12.5 12.5 21.6 21.7 21.6 23.4 18.8 10.9 10.6 8.0 6.6 6.2 6.0 12.2 12.4 21.4 21.7 21.5 23.2 18.7 10.9 10.5 9.0 6.6 5.9 6.0 11.4 12.3 21.2 21.5 21.4 23.0 18.6 10.9 10.4 10.0 6.6 5.8 6.0 11.3 12.2 21.1 21.4 21.2 22.7 18.4 10.9 10.4 11.0 6.4 5.7 6.0 11.3 12.1 21.1 21.2 21.2 22.5 18.3 10.9 10.4 12.0 6.4 5.7 5.3 11.0 12.0 20.9 21.2 21.0 22.4 18.2 10.9 10.3 13.0 6.4 5.7 5.2 11.0 11.9 20.9 21.1 20.9 22.2 18.2 10.9 10.3 14.0 6.3 5.7 5.1 10.8 11.8 20.8 21.0 20.8 22.2 18.1 10.9 10.3 15.0 6.3 5.6 5.1 10.6 11.6 20.7 20.8 20.7 22.1 18.1 10.5 10.3 16.0 6.3 5.5 4.9 10.4 11.5 20.6 20.7 20.6 22.0 17.9 10.2 10.2 17.0 6.2 5.5 4.9 10.2 11.4 20.5 20.6 20.5 21.8 17.9 10.0 10.2 18.0 6.1 5.4 4.8 10.0 11.2 20.3 20.6 20.5 21.8 17.8 9.9 10.2 19.0 6.1 5.3 4.8 9.6 11.1 20.3 20.5 20.4 21.7 17.7 9.7 10.1 20.0 6.1 5.2 4.8 9.5 11.1 20.2 20.5 20.4 21.7 17.7 9.6 10.1 21.0 6.1 5.1 4.8 9.4 11.0 20.2 20.5 20.2 21.6 17.5 9.5 10.1 22.0 6.0 5.0 4.8 9.3 10.9 20.1 20.4 20.1 21.4 17.5 9.3 10.1 23.0 6.0 5.0 4.7 9.2 10.8 19.9 20.4 20.0 21.3 17.4 9.0 9.9 24.0 6.0 4.9 4.7 9.2 10.6 19.8 20.4 20.0 21.0 17.4 8.6 9.8 25.0 5.9 4.7 4.6 9.1 10.6 19.7 20.3 19.9 20.2 17.4 8.2 9.7 26.0 5.9 4.7 4.6 8.9 10.6 19.5 20.2 19.8 19.8 17.3 8.0 9.4 27.0 5.9 4.7 4.6 8.8 10.5 19.4 19.8 19.7 19.1 17.2 7.9 9.1 28.0 5.9 4.7 4.6 8.5 10.5 19.3 19.7 19.5 17.6 17.1 7.9 7.6 29.0 5.9 4.6 4.6 8.4 10.4 18.1 18.9 19.3 16.6 17.0 7.9 6.4 30.0 5.8 4.6 4.6 8.3 10.4 15.5 18.0 17.7 15.3 16.8 7.9 6.0 31.0 5.8 4.6 4.5 7.9 10.4 12.3 15.6 15.9 14.0 16.1 7.9 5.9 32.0 5.8 4.6 4.5 7.6 10.4 11.2 15.3 15.3 13.4 14.9 7.9 5.5 33.0 5.8 7.6 10.4 10.6 15.1 14.2 12.6 14.2 7.9 5.5 34.0 5.8 7.0 10.3 10.1 14.1 12.4 13.9 6.7 35.0 5.7 6.8 10.0 9.7 11.3 11.8 6.8 36.0 5.7 10.3 9.4 10.3 6.8 37.0 5.7 10.0 6.8 Duke Energy Progress A_20 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 16. Monthly temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and dissolved oxygen percent saturation in the surface waters at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3 in the Pigeon River during 2013. Temperature (°C) Station Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec PRO 4.6 4.2 4.6 14.6 11.2 19.3 18.6 17.7 20.4 16.2 7.6 9.5 PRI 4.4 4.4 5.3 13.6 11.8 21.9 20.5 19.9 21.4 16.9 8.0 9.6 PR2 3.7 4.4 4.0 13.6 13.1 20.8 20.4 18.6 18.2 17.2 6.3 8.5 PR3 2.9 3.0 3.7 13.2 12.8 20.6 20.3 18.5 18.7 16.2 6.1 9.1 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/liter) Station Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec PRO 12.3 12.5 12.4 10.9 10.4 8.8 9.4 9.1 8.9 10.1 11.6 10.8 PRI 12.9 12.7 12.4 10.8 10.6 8.4 8.8 8.7 8.7 9.5 11.6 10.9 PR2 13.0 13.1 13.3 11.3 10.3 9.2 9.3 9.2 9.0 10.2 11.6 11.1 PR3 13.4 13.2 13.3 10.9 10.7 9.3 9.1 9.3 9.2 9.8 11.9 11.1 Dissolved Oxygen Percent Saturation (%) Station Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec PRO 94.6 95.2 95.4 106.6 94.1 94.9 99.9 95.0 98.1 102.2 96.3 94.0 PRI 98.7 97.2 97.2 103.3 97.3 95.3 97.2 95.0 97.7 97.5 97.3 95.0 PR2 97.7 100.3 100.7 108.0 97.4 122.2 102.5 97.8 94.9 105.4 93.2 94.3 PR3 98.6 97.4 99.9 103.3 100.5 102.9 100.1 98.6 98.0 99.1 95.2 95.7 Duke Energy Progress A_21 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 17. Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) profiles (in meters) at Station B2 in Walters Lake during 2013. Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0.2 11.7 10.9 11.6 10.5 10.2 11.7 9.7 8.2 9.6 9.9 8.6 10.0 1.0 11.6 10.9 11.5 10.6 10.2 11.8 10.1 8.2 9.5 9.6 8.5 9.9 2.0 11.6 10.9 11.5 10.6 10.2 11.7 10.0 4.3 9.5 9.1 8.5 9.9 3.0 11.6 10.9 11.5 10.5 10.2 11.2 8.2 3.0 9.5 9.1 8.5 9.8 4.0 11.6 10.9 11.5 10.6 10.2 8.3 7.7 3.0 7.7 9.1 8.4 9.8 5.0 11.6 10.9 11.5 10.7 10.2 7.0 7.3 2.9 5.8 8.2 8.4 9.8 6.0 11.6 10.9 11.4 10.9 10.2 6.6 7.2 2.7 5.6 5.5 8.4 9.7 7.0 11.5 10.9 11.4 10.8 10.2 6.6 7.3 2.7 5.4 5.3 8.4 9.7 8.0 11.5 10.9 11.4 10.8 10.2 6.4 7.2 2.7 5.5 4.9 8.4 9.6 9.0 11.5 10.9 11.4 10.8 10.2 6.2 7.1 2.6 4.8 5.8 8.4 9.6 10.0 11.5 11.0 11.4 10.8 10.2 6.1 7.1 2.6 4.5 6.0 8.4 9.7 11.0 11.5 11.0 11.4 10.8 10.2 6.1 7.0 3.4 4.2 6.1 8.4 9.7 12.0 11.5 11.0 11.5 10.8 10.2 6.0 7.0 3.2 3.8 6.1 8.4 9.7 13.0 11.5 11.0 11.5 10.6 10.3 6.0 6.9 4.0 3.5 6.0 8.3 9.7 14.0 11.5 11.0 11.6 10.6 10.3 6.0 6.9 4.0 3.4 5.8 8.3 9.7 15.0 11.5 11.1 11.6 10.6 10.3 6.0 6.8 5.4 3.3 5.8 7.9 9.7 16.0 11.5 11.1 11.7 10.5 10.3 5.9 6.7 4.9 3.1 5.7 7.7 9.7 17.0 11.5 11.1 11.7 10.5 10.3 5.7 6.6 4.9 3.1 6.1 7.6 9.8 18.0 11.5 11.2 11.8 10.6 10.3 5.6 6.5 5.9 3.1 6.0 7.6 9.7 19.0 11.5 11.2 11.8 10.5 10.3 5.6 6.5 5.5 3.0 6.0 7.6 9.7 20.0 11.5 11.3 11.8 10.4 10.3 5.6 6.5 5.6 2.8 5.8 7.7 9.7 21.0 11.5 11.5 11.8 10.4 10.3 5.7 6.5 5.0 2.6 5.4 7.7 9.7 22.0 11.5 11.5 11.8 10.4 10.3 5.6 6.5 5.2 2.4 5.6 7.8 9.7 23.0 11.5 11.5 11.8 10.3 10.3 5.8 6.5 5.4 2.2 5.5 7.8 9.7 24.0 11.5 11.5 11.8 10.3 10.3 6.2 6.5 5.4 1.7 5.3 8.0 9.7 25.0 11.5 11.6 11.8 10.3 10.3 6.2 6.5 5.3 0.4 5.2 8.0 9.7 26.0 11.5 11.6 11.8 10.2 10.3 5.7 6.5 4.9 0.3 5.0 8.0 9.7 27.0 11.5 11.6 11.9 10.1 10.3 5.7 6.6 4.6 0.3 4.7 7.9 9.7 28.0 11.5 11.6 11.9 10.1 10.3 5.9 6.0 3.8 0.2 4.2 7.8 9.7 29.0 11.5 11.6 11.9 10.1 10.3 4.4 5.5 2.3 0.2 3.0 7.8 9.4 30.0 11.5 11.6 11.9 10.1 10.2 2.4 3.2 0.4 0.2 1.0 7.8 9.4 31.0 11.5 11.6 11.9 9.8 10.1 1.4 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.3 7.8 9.5 32.0 11.5 11.2 11.9 9.6 10.1 0.7 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.3 7.8 9.9 33.0 11.5 11.9 9.4 10.0 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 7.8 9.7 34.0 11.5 8.6 10.0 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.5 7.4 35.0 11.5 8.3 9.9 0.3 0.2 0.2 6.8 36.0 11.5 9.8 0.2 0.2 6.5 37.0 10.9 6.4 6.3 Duke Energy Progress A_22 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 18. Means, ranges, and spatial trends of selected water quality variables from the surface waters of Walters Lake (Station 132) and the Pigeon River (Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3) during 2013.+§ 0.03 0.04 0.03 Station 0.03 Variable PRO PRI B2 PR2 PR3 Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) 10.6 10.5 b 10.2 b 10.9a 10.9a (0.12-1.6) (8.8-12.5) (8.4-12.9) (8.2-11.7) (9.0-13.3) (9.1-13.4) Solids (mg/liter)" --- --- --- --- Turbidity (NTU) 2.6b 12.5a 4.7b 3.0b 2.3b 0.01 lb (0.6-7.2) (2.2-56.0) (2.0-10.0) (0.5-9.2) (0.5-9.9) Secchi disk transparency (m)ff --- --- 1.6 --- --- 16 15 15 (0.9-3.0) 14 Color (CPU) 14b 24a 2 l 14b l lb 1.6b (<5-40) (10-50) (10-35) (< 5-30) (5-30) Chlorophyll a (gg/liter)£ 0.5 1.7 6.6 0.6 0.6 (0.0-2.1) (0.6-4.2) (0.0-26.6) (0.0-1.8) (0.0-2.4) Nutrients (mg/liter) Ammonia -N 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 (<0.01-0.14) (<0.01-0.09) (<0.01-0.06) (<0.01-0.08) (<0.01-0.06) Nitrate + nitrite -N 0.32ab 0.44a 0.3Oab° 0.16b° 0.14° (0.12-1.6) (<0.30-0.64) (< 0.02-0.57) (< 0.06-0.30) (0.04-0.26) Total nitrogen (TN) 0.5b 0.8a 0.6a 0.3b 0.3b (0.2-2.2) (0.4-1.1) (0.4-0.8) (< 0.1-0.7) (< 0.1-0.8) Total phosphorus (TP) 0.01 lb 0.091a 0.087a 0.022b 0.017b (0.006-0.026) (0.030-0.234) (0.034-0.053) (0.010-0.050) (0.007-0.036) Chemical oxygen demand 16 15 15 15 14 (< 25-52) (< 25-48) (< 25-29) (< 25-41) (< 25-27) Total organic carbon (mg/liter) 1.6b 3.8a 4.3a 1.8b 1.6b (< 1.0-6.5) (2.0-7.0) (1.7-7.2) (1.2-3.3) (1.1-3.1) Ions (mg/liter) Calcium 1.5d 4.9a 4.8a 3.0b 2.4` (1.1-2.1) (2.9-7.9) (2.7-8.7) (2.4-4.5) (1.7-3.0) Chloride 1.0° 15a 13a 7.0b 4.5bc (< 1.0-1.3) (4.0-30) (2.8-30) (3.1-12) (2.1-9.6) Magnesium 0.6° 1.8a 1.7a 0.9b 0.7b (0.5-0.8) (1.1-2.4) (1.0-2.8) (0.8-1.1) (0.5-0.8) Sodium 2.5b 30a 24a 6.2b 3.2b (< 5.0-<5.0) (5.5-74) (< 5.0-60) (< 5.0-10) (< 5.0-8.0) Sulfate 2.3° 33a 22b 6.0° 4.7c (< 2.0-2.7) (7.4-72) (6.2-58) (4.5-8.5) (3.7-8.9) Duke Energy Progress A_23 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 18. (continued) Variable PRO PRI Station B2 PR2 PR3 Total alkalinity (mg/liter as 4. ob 33a 29a l l 9 CaCO3) (< 5-7.4) (12-71) (10-63) (7-17) (5-10) Hardness (mg equivalent 6.2° 19a 19a l lb 7.7 bc CaCO3/liter) (5.0-8.6) (11-27) (10-29) (9.2-14) (7.2-11) Specific conductance (µS/cm) 25b 20 la 177a 66b 53b (19-32) (62-420) (51-389) (52-80) (37-75) pHA 6.2 7.4 7.6 7.0 6.9 (5.5-7.4) (7.0-8.2) (7.2-9.5) (6.6-7.9) (6.2-8.6) +Fisher's protected least significant difference test was applied only if the overall analysis -of - variance F test for the station treatment effect was significant. Means followed by different superscripts were significantly different (P < 0.05) between stations. The variables TN:TP and pH were not subjected to statistical analyses. §Less than values (<) indicate the Lower Reporting Limit (LRL) for the variable. The LRL is a statistically determined limit beyond which chemical concentrations cannot be reliably reported. For a given variable, if one or more of the means were below the LRL, no statistical analyses were applied. ¥The collection of solids data was limited by incorrect instrumentation settings. 'ffSecchi disk transparency was measured only at the lake station (Station B2). £Statistical comparisons for chlorophyll a were made only among the river stations. €Medians were calculated for pH values. Duke Energy Progress A-24 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 19. Concentrations of chemical variables in the surface waters of Walters Lake (Station 132) and the Pigeon River (Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, and PR3) during 2013.+ Station PRO Month TDS Turbidity Chlorophyll a NH3-N NO3-+ NO2--N TN TP TN:TP TOC Jan < 25 2.8 2.1 < 0.01 0.32 0.32 0.008 40 < 1.0 Feb < 25 1.7 0.3 < 0.01 0.29 0.33 0.006 55 < 1.0 Mar 14 1.6 0.0 0.01 0.25 0.25 0.006 42 < 1.0 Apr 19 1.9 0.9 < 0.01 0.18 0.23 0.008 29 < 1.0 May 20 3.7 0.3 0.02 0.19 0.47 0.011 43 < 1.0 Jun 16 2.9 0.9 0.14 0.15 0.21 0.014 15 1.3 Jul 28 4.2 0.0 0.07 0.17 0.26 0.009 29 < 1.0 Aug 36 2.2 0.3 0.01 0.19 0.30 0.013 23 1.6 Sep 27 1.1 0.6 0.03 0.25 0.48 0.011 44 1.2 Oct 28 0.9 0.0 0.03 0.12 0.41 0.007 59 4.1 Nov 33 0.6 0.0 0.02 1.60 2.20 0.008 275 1.2 Dec < 25 7.2 0.9 0.02 0.15 0.15 0.026 5.8 6.5 Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Na so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color COD Jan 1 1 0.3 <5.0 2 <5.0 5 <5.0 <25 Feb 1 1 0.3 < 5.0 2 < 5.0 6 < 5.0 <25 Mar 1 < 1.0 0.2 < 5.0 3 < 5.0 6 5 <25 Apr 2 1 0.2 < 5.0 3 5.2 6 < 5.0 <25 May 1 1 0.5 < 5.0 2 < 5.0 5 40 43 Jun 1 < 1.0 0.2 < 5.0 2 < 5.0 5 10 <25 Jul 1 1 0.3 <5.0 2 <5.0 6 <5.0 <25 Aug 1 < 1.0 0.6 < 5.0 < 2 6 7 10 <25 Sep 2 1 0.7 < 5.0 2 7 7 20 <25 Oct 2 1 0.8 < 5.0 2 7 9 15 <25 Nov 2 1 0.6 < 5.0 2 6 7 30 <25 Dec 1 1 0.5 < 5.0 3 < 5.0 5 25 <25 Duke Energy Progress A_25 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 19. (continued) Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Station PRI so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color Month TDS Turbidity Chlorophyll a NH3-N NO3-+ NO2--N TN TP TN:TP TOC Jan 63 5.1 0.6 < 0.01 0.59 0.59 0.030 20 2.0 Feb 112 3.6 0.6 0.04 0.53 0.53 0.044 12 3.1 Mar 98 3.8 0.9 0.02 0.45 0.45 0.045 10 3.2 Apr 104 4.6 4.2 < 1.0 0.35 0.35 0.088 6.5 3.2 May 47 10 0.9 0.06 0.30 0.30 0.031 23 3.4 Jun 167 20 2.1 0.09 0.64 0.64 0.120 9.2 4.3 Jul 106 6.6 0.9 0.06 0.32 0.32 0.074 8.4 2.8 Aug 127 31 2.4 0.02 0.40 0.40 0.127 7.2 3.9 Sep 158 5 1.2 0.05 0.56 0.56 0.117 8.5 3.9 Oct 252 2.2 0.9 0.04 0.33 0.33 0.111 6.5 7.0 Nov 188 2.2 2.1 0.02 0.35 0.35 0.073 10.5 4.8 Dec 61 56 3.5 0.03 0.44 0.44 0.234 4.1 3.8 Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Na so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color COD Jan 44 9 1.3 12 16 15 15 10 <25 Feb 4 16 1.4 32 30 33 16 10 <25 Mar 4 14 1.3 25 27 27 15 10 <25 Apr 3 12 1.5 26 27 34 16 20 <25 May 5 4 1.1 5.5 7 12 11 15 <25 Jun 5 21 2.4 41 45 47 24 25 <25 Jul 5 11 2.1 23 24 30 18 20 <25 Aug 4 13 1.7 25 27 31 21 50 <25 Sep 6 18 2.2 39 44 40.9 25 20 <25 Oct 7 30 2.2 74 72 71 26 45 <25 Nov 8 26 2.3 45 65 45 27 30 <25 Dec 4 7 1.8 8.6 10 14 18 30 48 Duke Energy Progress A_26 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 19. (continued) Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Station B2 so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color Month TDS Turbidity Chlorophyll a NH3-N NO3 + NOZ -N TN TP TN:TP TOC Jan 47 9.3 0.0 <0.01 0.57 0.57 0.034 17 3.9 Feb 59 3.8 0.3 0.03 0.51 0.72 0.037 19 6.5 Mar 62 5.0 0.0 0.02 0.40 0.40 0.046 8.7 3.0 Apr 85 3.4 2.4 <0.01 0.30 0.40 0.041 9.8 2.5 May 37 10.0 1.0 0.02 0.29 0.82 0.035 23 1.7 Jun 99 4.0 5.4 0.06 <0.02 0.38 0.036 11 3.6 Jul 81 4.3 6.9 0.03 0.05 0.44 0.046 9.6 2.4 Aug 118 2.8 16.2 0.04 0.23 0.57 0.530 1.1 4.4 Sep 147 3.1 26.6 0.03 0.09 0.77 0.047 16 4.6 Oct 185 2.0 12.3 0.04 0.19 0.68 0.045 15 5.9 Nov 240 2.9 6.6 0.06 0.44 0.85 0.092 9.2 5.8 Dec 82 5.8 2.1 0.04 0.48 0.48 0.051 9.4 7.2 Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Na so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color COD Jan 3.5 6 1.2 7.0 9 11.9 12.6 10 <25 Feb 4.0 10 1.3 17.7 19 22.0 14.8 10 <25 Mar 3.5 10 1.4 18.1 20 22.8 14.5 10 <25 Apr 3.8 10 1.3 18.0 19 22.9 15.6 15 <25 May 2.7 3 1.0 <5.0 6 10.3 10.4 15 <25 Jun 4.6 13 1.8 23.5 25 31.1 19.8 20 <25 Jul 4.0 8 1.5 15.5 16 21.5 15.2 15 <25 Aug 5.1 14 1.9 22.8 25 30.0 23.7 30 29 Sep 6.2 20 2.3 37.7 40 41.0 24.8 25 <25 Oct 7.4 24 2.8 51.1 58 54.9 29.0 35 <25 Nov 8.7 30 2.6 60.5 14 62.6 29.3 35 <25 Dec 3.8 10 1.4 19.5 20 20.0 14.4 35 27 Duke Energy Progress A_27 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 19. (continued) Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Station PR2 so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color Month TDS Turbidity Chlorophyll a NH3-N NO3 + NO2--N TN TP TN:TP TOC Jan 33 2.8 0.9 < 0.01 0.30 0.30 0.018 17 1.3 Feb 36 0.8 0.3 0.04 0.23 0.34 0.011 31 1.5 Mar 38 1.0 1.2 0.01 0.13 0.13 0.010 13 1.2 Apr 51 2.1 0.3 < 0.01 0.15 0.20 0.025 8.0 1.7 May 39 9.2 1.8 0.03 0.29 0.70 0.030 23 1.6 Jun 50 1.8 0.0 0.08 0.13 0.39 0.026 15 1.8 Jul 49 4.5 0.0 0.03 0.08 0.22 0.021 10 1.9 Aug 56 2.2 0.6 < 0.01 0.14 0.33 0.029 11 2.1 Sep 45 2.2 0.9 0.03 0.10 0.38 0.021 18 2.0 Oct 55 0.8 0.0 0.04 0.06 0.37 0.018 21 2.0 Nov 73 0.5 0.0 0.02 0.07 <0.12 0.010 11 1.6 Dec 55 7.5 1.2 0.20 0.23 0.2 0.050 4.6 3.3 Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Na so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color COD Jan 3 5 0.8 < 5.0 6 7 9 5 <25 Feb 3 10 0.8 6.9 6 8 10 -5 <25 Mar 3 12 0.8 6.8 5 7 10 5 <25 Apr 3 8 0.8 7.7 8 11 10 5 <25 May 3 3 1.0 < 5.0 6 10 11 25 <25 Jun 3 8 0.8 7.8 6 14 13 15 <25 Jul 3 4 0.8 5.4 5 12 10 10 <25 Aug 2 4 0.8 < 5.0 5 11 11 10 <25 Sep 2 4 0.8 5.0 4 10 10 20 <25 Oct 4 7 1.0 8.7 6 17 14 20 <25 Nov 5 8 0.1 10 8 16 13 15 <25 Dec 3 12 0.9 8.6 6 8 11 30 41 Duke Energy Progress A_28 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 19. (continued) Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Station PR3 so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color Month TDS Turbidity Chlorophyll a NH3-N NO3-+ NO2--N TN TP TN:TP TOC Jan 26 4.6 0.0 < 0.01 0.24 0.24 0.016 15 1.2 Feb 37 1.2 0.3 < 0.01 0.16 0.33 0.013 25 1.1 Mar 11 1.1 1.5 0.06 0.07 0.14 0.007 20 1.1 Apr 44 1.1 2.4 < 0.01 0.14 0.14 0.011 12 1.6 May 35 9.9 0.6 0.02 0.26 0.75 0.035 21 1.7 Jun 31 1.2 0.6 0.06 0.14 0.33 0.014 24 1.5 Jul 41 1.2 0.6 0.06 0.08 <0.12 0.016 7 1.8 Aug 27 1.1 0.3 < 0.01 0.09 0.19 0.015 13 1.9 Sep 36 2.3 0.3 0.02 0.10 0.32 0.018 18 1.9 Oct 36 0.6 0.0 0.01 0.04 0.20 0.011 18 1.5 Nov 49 0.5 0.0 0.02 0.24 0.24 0.009 27 1.3 Dec 39 7.2 1.2 0.04 0.18 0.18 0.036 5.0 3.1 Month Ca 2+ Cl- Mg 2+ Na so, 2- Alkalinity Hardness Color COD Jan 2 2 0.6 < 5.0 2 6 7 5 <25 Feb 2 7 0.6 < 5.0 7 6 8 5 <25 Mar 2 10 0.7 < 5.0 10 6 9 5 <25 Apr 3 8 0.8 8.0 8 10 11 10 <25 May 2 2 0.8 < 5.0 2 10 10 20 <25 Jun 2 4 0.6 < 5.0 4 9 9 5 <25 Jul 2 3 0.6 < 5.0 3 8 7 10 <25 Aug 2 2 0.5 < 5.0 4 7 7 -5.0 <25 Sep 2 2 0.6 < 5.0 4 6 7 20 <25 Oct 3 4 0.8 < 5.0 4 10 10 10 <25 Nov 3 4 0.7 < 5.0 4 10 9 15 <25 Dec 2 7 0.6 5.2 4 5 9 30 27 +Units are in mg/liter except for (1) turbidity [NTU], (2) color [CPU], (3) total alkalinity [mg/liter as CaC031, and (4) hardness [calculated as mg equivalents CaCO3/liter]. Duke Energy Progress A_29 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 20. Means of selected water quality variables from the surface waters of Walters Lake (Station 132) during the 1995-2013 period. Variable Sampling Year(s)+§ 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) 10.6 8.8 10.1 9.8 9.9 8.4 10.2 Solids (mg/liter)¥ Total 128° 184 ab 170 b 123° 231a -- -- Total dissolved 112b 176a 170a 108b 212a -- -- Total suspended < 6 7 < 5 3.6 9.2 -- -- Turbidity (NTU) 2.6 7.4 5.9 3.2 13 6.3 4.7 Secchi disk transparency (m) 1.9 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 1.6 Color (CPU) 33a 34a 34a 15c 35a 29a 21b Chlorophyll a (µg/liter)£ 16 12 11 6.5 41 9.1 6.6 Nutrients (mg/liter) Ammonia -N < 0.1 < 0.05 0.09 0.04 < 0.02 0.04 0.03 Nitrate + nitrite -N 0.26 0.38 0.29 0.31 0.33 0.23 0.30 Total nitrogen 0.7 0.8 0.7 1.0 2.3 0.2 0.6 Total phosphorus 0.065 0.078 0.084 0.056 0.122 0.056 0.087 Chemical oxygen demand (mg/liter)€ < 25 < 25 < 20 < 10 34 24 15 Total organic carbon (mg/liter) 3.6 9.0 4.8 2.6 5.0 6.7 4.3 Ions (mg/liter) Calcium 5.4bc 8.4a 7.8 a 5 1bc 7.3 a 6 Bab 4.8c Chloride 14d 24b 23b 15 cd 35a 21bc 13d Magnesium 1.7bc 2.1 b 2 7a 1.6c 2.0 bc 2 Obc 1.7 bc Sodium 23 cd 42b 38b 20d 56a 35 b 24 cd Sulfate 30d 34 cd 52 ab 27d 58a 43b` 22 Total alkalinity (mg/liter as CaCO3) 32cdc 42abc 38bcd 23c 52a 47ab 29 de Hardness (mg equivalent CaCO3/liter)o 20 30 ab 30a 20cd 27 ab 25 b 1ld Specific conductance (µ&cm) 175 cd 281 b 257bcd 157d 437a 302b 177 cd +Fisher's protected least significant difference test was applied only if the overall analysis -of -variance F test for the treatment effect was significant. Means followed by different superscripts were significantly different (P < 0.05) between years. Variables that were not significantly different between years are highlighted in grey. §Less than values (<) indicate the Lower Reporting Limit (LRL) for the variable. The LRL is a statistically determined limit beyond which chemical concentrations cannot be reliably reported. For a given variable, if one or more of the means were below the LRL, no statistical analyses were applied. "Values for all 2013 solids parameters were not statistically analyzed due to vendor laboratory error. "Statistical comparisons for chlorophyll a were made only among the river stations. 'Mean chemical oxygen demand and sulfate concentrations for previous years (1995 and 1998) were changed to reflect the laboratory lower reporting limits for those years. OThe statistical test between years for the hardness variable did not include the data from 1995. Duke Energy Progress A-30 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 21. Means of selected water quality variables from the surface waters of the Pigeon River during the 1995-2013 period. Variable Above Canton+ Station PRO 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) 10.1 ab 9.7 bc 10.2ab 10.2 ab 9.9bc 9.4c 10.6a Solids (mg/liter)* Total 30 26 20 33 38 -- -- Total dissolved 17 34 31 29 37 -- -- Total suspended 6 3 3 2.6 2.3 -- -- Turbidity (NTU) 1.8 1.9 2.2 4.0 3.2 5.1 2.6 Color (CPU) 12 12 12 < 5 12 13 14 Chlorophyll a (µg/liter)£ 2.0a 1.7 ab 1.0c 0.9c 1.2bc 1.3bc 0.5 Nutrients (mg/liter) Ammonia -N < 0.1 < 0.05 0.07 < 0.02 < 0.02 0.02 0.03 Nitrate + nitrite -N 0.26 0.23 0.14 0.22 0.19 0.16 0.32 Total nitrogen 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.5 Total phosphorus < 0.05C 0.019 0.014 0.011 0.012 0.014 0.011 Chemical oxygen demand (mg/liter)€ < 25 < 25 < 20 < 10 < 10 15 16 Total organic carbon (mg/liter) 0.9 1.3 1.5 0.9 1.2 2.8 1.6 Ions (mg/liter) Calcium 1.5b 2.2a 1.5b 1.5b 2.4a 1.8 ab 1.5b Chloride 1.0b 3.1b 1.8b 3.0b 6.4a 1.5b 1.0b Magnesium <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 <1.0 0.6 Sodium 1.4 2.0 1.0 1.2 5.2 2.5 2.5 Sulfate < 2.0 < 2.0 < 2.0 3.1 6.6 1.9 2.3 Total alkalinity (mg/liter as CaCO3) 6.4 8.1 6.1 8.2 9.4 7.9 4.0 Hardness (mg equiv. CaCO3/liter) 4.3 8.2b 7.5b 4.7c 10a 7.5b 6.2bc Specific conductance (µS/cm) 20b 24b 18b 21b 46 ab 58a 25b Duke Energy Progress A-31 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 21. (continued) Variable New Hepco Bridge+ Station PRI) 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) 9.6bc 10.1 ab 10.5a 10.0abc 10.0abc 9.3c 10.5a Solids (mg/liter)* Total 188 b 228 ab 256a 133c 289a -- -- Total dissolved 162 b 218 ab 252a I l lc 276a -- -- Total suspended 17 12 10 13 7 -- -- Turbidity (NTU) 2.8c 7.0 abc 10ab 9.8 ab 5.3bc 12a 12.5a Color (CPU) 43a 41 ab 41 ab 12d 45a 33 b 24c Chlorophyll a (µg/liter)£ 6.4 3.4 3.4 2.4 1.0 1.7 1.7 Nutrients (mg/liter) Ammonia -N < 0.1 < 0.05 0.08 0.06 < 0.02 0.03 0.04 Nitrate + nitrite -N 0.43bc 0.56a 0.44bc 0.39c 0.52ab 0.36c 0.44bc Total nitrogen 0.8 ab 0.9 ab OBab 1.Oa l.la 0.2c 0.8 bc Total phosphorus 0.128 0.166 0.137 0.104 0.140 0.115 0.091 Chemical oxygen demand (mg/liter)€ < 25 < 25 22 < 10 16 22 15 Total organic carbon (mg/liter) 5.1 ab 4.6 ab 5.9a 2.7c 5.5 ab 6. la 3.8 bc Ions (mg/liter) Calcium 7.6bc 9.1 ab 10a 5.5cd 9.2 ab 7.5bc 4.9d Chloride 19cd 26 b 35b 17cd 49a 26 b 15 Magnesium 2.6b 2.4bc 3.7 a 1 9bc 2.3 bc 2 3bc 1.8c Sodium 40cd 55 b 59 ab 2 O 74a 47bcd 30 de Sulfate 43rd 43rd 80 ab 28d 90a 62 b 33d Total alkalinity (mg/liter as CaCO3) 44 b 52 ab 52 ab 24d 66a 56 ab 33rd Hardness (mg equiv. CaCO3/liter) 29 33b 40a 21cd 32 ab 28 b 19d Specific conductance (µS/cm) 249 b 321b 342b 164c 463a 338b 201c Duke Energy Progress A_32 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 21. (continued) Variable Bypassed Reach -Harmon Den+ Station PR2 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) 10.3 10.6 10.5 10.2 10.7 10.1 10.9 Solids (mg/liter)* Total 62c 99 ab 112a 77 b 103 ab Total dissolved 53c 94 ab 112a 65 b 98 ab -- -- Total suspended < 6 7 5 3.4 1.8 -- -- Turbidity (NTU) < 1.0 4.4 5.8 2.4 2.7 6.4 3.0 Color (CPU) 14b 16 ab 2 1 a 8c 18 ab 2 1 a 14 b Chlorophyll a (µg/liter)£ 1.3 1.8 2.8 3.2 1.1 1.2 0.6 Nutrients (mg/liter) Ammonia -N < 0.1 < 0.05 0.05 < 0.02 < 0.02 0.02 0.03 Nitrate + nitrite -N 0.12c 0.15bc 0.24a 0.20 ab 0.20 ab 0.15bc 0.16bc Total nitrogen 0.3bc 0.4bc 0.5 ab 0.7a 0.6a O.lc 0.3c Total phosphorus < 0.05 0.028 0.046 0.026 0.022 0.031 0.022 Chemical oxygen demand (mg/liter)€ < 25 < 25 < 20 < 10 < 10 13 15 Total organic carbon (mg/liter) 1.6 4.5 3.5 1.9 2.6 3.6 1.8 Ions (mg/liter) Calcium 4.0bcd 5.4 ab 5.5a 3.6cd 4.6 abc 4 1bcd 3.0 d Chloride 6.9c 14b 14b 10 b 20a 8.9c 7.Oc Magnesium 1.0 1.3 1.8 < 1.0 1.2 1.1 0.9 Sodium 9.0c 20 ab 22a 9.6c 2 1 a llbc 6.2c Sulfate 9.0c 15 b 3 O llbc 19b 14 b 6.Oc Total alkalinity (mg/liter as CaCO3) 17bcd 24 ab 25 ab 15cd 2 8 a 21abc I Id Hardness (mg equiv. CaCO3/liter) 14 17 ab 21a IOcd 17abc 14bcd I Id Specific conductance (µS/cm) 78cd 126 b 142b 81cd 199a 112bcd 66d Duke Energy Progress A-33 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 21. (continued) Variable Bypassed Reach -Above Powerhouse+ (Station PR3) 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Dissolved oxygen (mg/liter) 10.4 10.5 10.6 13.3 11.1 10.3 10.9 Solids (mg/liter)" Total 44 64 76 51 57 -- -- Total dissolved 37c 63b 83a 45 b 53 b -- -- Total suspended < 6 6 < 5 2.3 1.8 -- -- Turbidity (NTU) < 1.0 4.2 4.6 1.3 1.9 5.4 2.3 Color (CPU) I Ibc IOC 16ab 5d IOC 16a I Iab Chlorophyll a (gg/liter)£ 1.3 1.5 2.0 1.0 1.2 1.1 0.6 Nutrients (mg/liter) Ammonia -N < 0.1 < 0.05 0.08 < 0.02 < 0.02 0.02 0.03 Nitrate + nitrite -N 0.10 0.10 0.20 0.15 0.17 0.19 0.14 Total nitrogen 0.2c 0.2 bc 0 4bc 0.7 a 0 5ab 0.1 bc 0 3bc Total phosphorus < 0.050 0.024 0.040 0.017 0.017 0.025 0.017 Chemical oxygen demand (mg/liter)€ < 25 < 25 < 20 < 10 < 10 13 14 Total organic carbon (mg/liter) 1.2b 1.5b 2.4a 1.4b 1.5b 2.4a 1.6b Ions (mg/liter) Calcium 2.6b 3.9a 4.1a 2.6b 3.5 ab 3.1 ab 2 4b Chloride 3.4c 8 6ab 9 lab 6 Obc l0a 5.7 bc 4.5c Magnesium < 1.0 < 1.0 1.3 < 1.0 < 1.0 0.8 0.7 Sodium 4.7 cd I lab 15a 5.4bcd IOabc 7.6 bcd 32d Sulfate€ 5.4b 8.2b 20a 7. Ob 9b Ilb 4.7b Total alkalinity (mg/liter as CaCO3) 12 b 17 ab 19a 10 b 15 ab 16 ab 9c Hardness (mg equiv. CaCO3/liter)o 7.6 12 ab 14b 6.7c 13 ab I Ibc 7.7c Specific conductance (gS/cm) 51° 1 76b° 103' 50c I 140a IOIab 53c +Fisher's protected least significant difference test was applied only if the overall analysis -of -variance F test for the treatment was significant. Means followed by different superscripts were significantly different (P < 0.05). Variables that were not significantly different between years are highlighted in grey. §Less than values (<) indicate the Lower Reporting Limit (LRL) for the variable. The LRL is a statistically determined limit beyond which chemical concentrations cannot be reliably reported. For a given variable, if one or more of the means were below the LRL, no statistical analyses were applied. ¥ Values for all 2010 and 2013 solids parameters were not statistically analyzed due to vendor laboratory error. "Statistical comparisons for chlorophyll a were made only among the river stations. 'Mean chemical oxygen demand and sulfate concentrations for previous years (1995 and 1998) were changed to reflect the laboratory lower reporting limits for those years. OThe statistical test between years for the hardness variable did not include the data from 1995. Duke Energy Progress A-34 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Jan Feb Mar Apr Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2001 0.2 Appendix 22. Percent transmission of photosynthetically active radiation+ 55.1 in Walters 62.1 NS Lake (Station 132) during the 1995-2013 period. 0.5 42.0 29.4 38.0 47.7 31.9 36.9 37.9 34.1 Station B2 27.2 1.0 18.2 6.7 24.2 26.6 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 0.2 70.1 57.0 55.6 52.6 65.3 54.3 77.1 71.4 54.2 47.2 41.7 NST 0.5 35.6 41.4 30.6 23.2 42.2 19.8 28.1 30.7 27.3 27.5 22.0 2.4 1.0 22.8 30.0 24.7 13.4 21.3 7.9 20.0 16.2 9.7 11.3 12.0 0.6 1.5 12.1 21.5 12.8 7.0 8.7 4.5 10.9 8.0 4.4 5.1 6.6 2.8 2.0 6.0 15.6 7.5 3.9 4.7 2.5 5.1 4.1 1.9 2.9 3.9 0.1 2.5 3.3 10.8 4.8 2.0 3.0 1.3 2.6 2.0 1.0 1.5 2.1 0.0 3.0 1.9 6.8 3.4 1.0 1.2 0.7 1.4 1.2 0.4 0.8 1.1 0.0 4.0 0.5 2.8 1.4 0.4 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.4 9.0 5.0 0.2 1.4 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 6.0 0.1 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 7.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 0.2 0.0 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1998 0.2 43.4 73.6 79.7 82.2 72.9 78.6 84.2 37.0 42.0 54.1 50.0 44.3 0.5 24.0 12.8 60.8 58.9 54.3 47.6 43.9 24.1 32.9 27.0 34.7 19.5 1.0 15.1 0.7 39.2 39.3 36.7 21.4 26.3 9.3 17.4 17.6 18.5 12.4 1.5 6.9 0.1 23.4 21.5 22.9 9.8 15.8 4.1 8.6 8.1 10.4 7.1 2.0 2.4 0.0 18.0 11.4 15.2 4.7 7.5 1.8 4.1 5.0 6.3 3.8 2.5 0.9 10.9 6.7 11.0 2.3 3.9 0.8 2.2 2.3 3.5 1.9 3.0 0.4 6.8 3.6 6.7 1.1 2.3 0.4 1.3 1.5 2.1 1.0 3.5 0.2 4.4 1.8 4.7 0.5 1.2 0.2 0.7 0.8 1.3 0.5 4.0 0.1 3.0 1.1 3.4 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.3 5.0 0.0 1.2 0.4 1.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 6.0 0.5 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 7.0 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2001 0.2 65.3 56.8 58.3 64.8 55.1 55.6 62.1 NS 56.9 NS 48.8 38.0 0.5 42.0 29.4 38.0 47.7 31.9 36.9 37.9 34.1 28.6 27.2 1.0 18.2 6.7 24.2 26.6 15.4 16.3 17.7 12.4 13.0 12.2 1.5 10.0 2.8 16.7 10.5 7.6 6.7 8.3 8.3 7.0 7.6 2.0 5.6 1.1 10.6 7.2 4.0 3.3 3.8 5.0 3.6 4.4 2.5 3.4 16.0 7.5 3.6 2.0 1.7 1.9 2.9 2.0 2.4 3.0 1.7 4.8 5.1 2.6 1.1 0.9 0.9 1.6 1.2 1.4 3.5 0.6 7.7 3.4 1.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.8 4.0 0.6 0.2 2.8 1.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 5.0 0.0 2.0 1.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 6.0 1.6 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 7.0 2.4 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0.4 7.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2004 0.2 36.1 34.3 40.3 32.3 69.6 27.7 35.1 36.0 47.0 24.0 32.0 45.2 0.5 26.8 23.8 32.4 27.5 24.9 18.4 22.4 24.3 39.0 9.6 27.0 37.6 1.0 14.1 8.9 72.6 11.5 21.6 8.5 12.0 13.8 25.6 2.0 16.4 23.9 1.5 9.6 4.5 23.6 5.0 6.0 4.4 8.1 7.5 9.5 1.0 10.2 16.6 2.0 6.9 2.0 16.0 2.7 2.1 2.1 5.2 5.2 6.0 0.5 5.7 10.7 2.5 4.8 0.5 11.0 1.2 1.4 1.2 3.8 3.6 4.6 0.3 3.9 7.7 3.0 3.4 0.1 7.5 0.6 1.0 0.7 2.8 2.5 2.7 0.2 2.9 4.6 3.5 2.4 0.0 5.0 0.3 2.1 0.4 1.9 2.0 1.8 0.1 1.8 3.1 4.0 1.7 0.0 3.4 0.1 1.6 0.3 1.4 1.7 1.1 0.1 1.2 2.2 5.0 0.8 2.4 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.7 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.5 0.9 6.0 0.4 1.2 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.3 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 7.0 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 8.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 9.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 Duke Energy Progress A-35 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 22. (continued) Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2007 0.2 48.2 36.0 97.5 44.2 36.1 37.8 10.5 30.9 30.0 17.6 20.4 18.8 0.5 31.9 21.8 86.6 37.9 82.3 22.5 0.5 14.6 17.7 9.2 11.2 11.5 1.0 19.4 14.5 54.2 66.8 81.5 9.9 0.0 2.8 6.8 5.5 4.8 5.4 1.5 8.4 10.7 22.1 45.2 46.7 3.3 0.0 0.9 3.0 2.7 2.2 2.4 2.0 4.2 7.8 11.8 30.9 29.8 1.4 0.0 0.2 1.2 1.5 1.1 1.2 2.5 2.2 5.4 7.1 16.2 4.0 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.9 0.7 0.4 0.4 3.0 1.2 3.7 4.0 11.3 2.8 0.2 2.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 3.5 0.7 2.8 2.3 6.9 0.9 0.2 2.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 4.0 0.5 1.3 1.3 4.4 0.5 0.2 1.5 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 5.0 0.1 0.6 0.5 1.9 0.2 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2010 0.2 39.4 65.9 73.1 69.6 56.6 56.8 53.9 59.9 36.9 46.1 53.8 31.7 0.5 23.5 49.1 57.2 52.6 49.1 45.1 43.8 32.8 26.0 37.7 28.3 5.4 1.0 11.6 29.1 38.6 32.1 31.8 24.5 23.5 9.6 10.6 24.1 15.3 5.0 1.5 4.6 15.7 25.1 20.3 22.8 13.7 14.9 4.5 5.3 15.2 7.6 2.2 2.0 4.4 8.1 16.5 12.6 16.5 8.6 5.6 5.4 3.0 9.7 3.6 0.8 2.5 0.5 3.8 9.8 6.3 10.8 4.9 3.5 2.6 1.7 6.2 1.9 0.3 3.0 0.2 2.2 6.8 4.3 6.7 3.1 2.6 1.3 0.9 4.5 1.4 0.1 3.5 0.2 1.2 4.9 2.5 4.7 2.0 2.2 0.7 0.4 1.9 0.8 0.0 4.0 0.1 0.6 3.1 1.9 4.3 1.4 1.5 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.0 5.0 0.0 0.2 1.3 0.8 1.3 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.0 6.0 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 7.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 8.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 1.9 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2013 0.2 59.9 54.1 83.5 72.7 53.9 53.7 68.1 49.0 17.6 60.2 48.3 64.6 0.5 41.9 42.3 54.4 76.5 36.1 38.2 38.6 43.4 8.8 47.2 36.3 38.7 1.0 21.8 26.6 29.9 38.9 21.8 24.1 15.7 24.9 7.4 5.6 9.9 18.7 1.5 10.3 16.8 18.8 20.8 12.6 15.0 12.3 13.3 8.5 12.4 5.5 6.8 2.0 5.2 10.0 12.6 12.9 7.3 9.2 6.4 7.9 7.9 6.3 2.9 4.3 2.5 2.8 6.6 8.2 8.7 4.1 6.7 3.9 4.9 3.0 4.5 1.5 2.6 3.0 1.7 4.5 5.5 3.4 2.5 5.1 2.5 3.1 1.3 2.6 0.9 1.3 3.5 0.8 2.9 3.6 4.5 1.4 3.5 1.6 1.9 0.8 0.9 0.4 0.9 4.0 0.5 1.8 2.4 3.2 0.8 2.2 1.0 1.2 0.6 0.7 0.2 0.4 5.0 0.1 0.8 1.2 1.4 0.4 1.0 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 6.0 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 7.0 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 8.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 +Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is solar radiation in the 400-700 nanometer waveband. Percent transmission of PAR is calculated as h/L x 100 where h = amount of light present at depth i and Io = amount of measured incident light at the surface. TNS=no sample. Duke Energy Progress A-36 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 23. Percent transmission of phytosynthetically active radiation in the Pigeon River during the 1995 - 2013 period. Station PRO Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul AugSep Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 0.2 90.9 72.5 67.9 80.6 81.4 79.1 84.5 83.1 61.7 67.7 66.2 NS 11 0.5 19.4 23.7 21.6 47.1 1998 0.2 58.1 60.2 67.1 82.1 78.7 83.1 76.9 82.1 31.7 70.5 32.7 34.9 0.5 46.6 57.9 41.0 29.3 14.3 29.9 2001 0.2 50.0 72.6 80.0 77.6 72.9 66.3 84.5 NS 82.4 56.5 51.7 64.5 0.5 36.8 74.0 32.5 7.0 74.1 69.1 52.2 43.3 2.9 2004 0.2 42.1 54.4 44.9 25.8 57.1 50.7 46.9 44.4 81.2 62.9 42.7 45.8 0.5 38.3 28.0 46.3 39.4 37.9 63.6 18.9 30.1 2007 0.2 45.5 45.3 70.7 48.9 59.5 44.2 38.7 41.7 51.7 40.4 50.9 37.5 2007 0.5 32.0 43.8 41.8 39.5 39.6 39.6 28.5 35.5 36.9 15.9 46.7 76.4 2010 0.2 91.3 85.7 65.2 65.5 62.2 33.2 96.3 56.7 41.4 61.6 73.5 45.9 2010 0.5 54.2 58.9 63.9 79.7 49.6 26.6 66.0 48.6 17.1 158.4 54.4 28.0 2013 0.2 3.5 74.2 51.0 82.5 69.2 71.3 83.6 77.4 70.3 65.9 59.5 22.1 2013 0.5 58.1 40.6 57.8 39.5 53.4 41.0 39.3 51.5 68.4 54.2 34.2 25.2 Station PR1 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 0.2 72.4 41.4 81.4 61.1 66.2 61.7 66.7 21.7 32.4 64.0 46.2 NS 0.5 19.4 23.7 21.6 24.2 1998 0.2 77.1 68.5 78.3 54.8 86.2 67.2 55.5 60.5 61.8 63.1 19.8 45.1 0.5 29.6 74.7 29.3 14.3 29.9 2001 0.2 62.9 72.6 66.7 76.3 57.5 12.0 69.0 NS 50.0 NS 33.3 18.8 0.5 36.8 60.0 32.5 7.0 36.8 27.1 17.1 2.9 2004 0.2 43.4 39.6 39.8 55.7 43.4 32.3 27.5 32.2 48.9 23.7 37.3 34.2 0.5 33.9 28.0 11.6 17.0 28.5 18.9 30.1 1.0 15.4 2007 0.2 32.0 43.8 41.8 39.5 39.6 38.6 28.5 35.5 36.9 15.9 19.7 76.4 0.5 14.8 29.8 42.6 25.7 11.9 26.2 2010 0.2 54.2 58.9 63.9 79.7 50.7 26.6 66.0 48.6 17.1 158.4 54.4 28.0 50.1 26.8 6.0 65.8 11.2 95.0 2013 0.2 58.1 40.6 57.8 39.5 53.4 41.0 39.3 51.5 68.4 44.1 34.2 25.2 0.5 37.4 0.0 39.4 21.2 37.9 10.8 25.4 3.7 42.2 22.8 27.8 4.2 Duke Energy Progress A_37 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 23. (continued) Station PR2 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 0.2 66.2 85.7 63.4 75.5 68.3 67.5 86.6 79.2 68.8 85.7 42.3 NS 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 69.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 53.4 66.2 1998 0.2 78.0 51.4 78.6 74.6 86.4 87.7 56.9 67.5 75.4 26.2 NS 52.2 1998 0.5 62.9 39.0 72.2 66.2 89.6 91.2 100.0 68.1 47.9 76.0 NS 48.0 2001 0.2 78.9 78.0 72.0 68.7 33.7 71.0 69.4 NS 72.1 NS 65.6 53.0 0.5 52.0 56.2 50.6 20.0 2004 0.2 48.9 48.5 45.3 60.1 52.5 42.7 91.2 47.0 42.4 33.0 45.9 45.7 0.5 64.0 40.6 47.0 60.4 44.1 29.8 26.8 NS 47.4 33.0 50.9 2007 0.2 40.3 43.1 39.0 42.1 43.2 44.2 49.9 52.1 40.0 35.8 53.0 36.3 2010 0.2 51.6 57.8 51.4 29.5 54.7 78.2 71.4 84.5 74.7 94.9 61.0 45.2 2013 0.2 26.5 58.9 79.7 74.3 67.0 84.9 71.8 70.7 67.7 74.9 54.3 62.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 69.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 53.4 Station PR3 Year Depth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1995 0.2 76.7 70.5 50.8 70.9 77.6 75.9 66.4 83.1 79.4 73.5 75.5 NS 0.5 57.5 55.2 32.5 63.6 65.7 53.7 47.3 64.4 68.3 66.2 1.0 22.5 53.7 54.0 1998 0.2 62.9 51.1 72.2 73.5 89.6 91.2 100.0 68.1 47.9 76.0 NS 48.0 0.5 57.1 10.5 63.0 67.6 61.5 76.5 30.5 1.0 56.2 51.5 56.3 2001 0.2 74.2 72.3 64.1 71.7 63.1 NS 86.8 70.9 55.3 NS 69.7 60.7 0.5 64.0 40.6 47.0 60.4 44.1 60.0 26.8 NS 47.4 57.6 50.9 1.0 18.5 39.0 40.7 2004 0.2 45.9 48.4 43.6 65.0 51.0 18.2 40.1 27.3 43.2 39.6 45.5 42.4 0.5 39.8 47.1 40.6 51.5 16.2 38.1 25.4 38.3 40.3 1.0 38.8 25.2 22.5 2007 0.2 43.6 50.4 39.3 42.3 3.9 48.7 56.1 59.6 31.8 115.5 58.0 44.8 0.5 36.6 49.5 37.1 39.1 3.4 35.3 15.8 65.9 1.0 30.1 29.0 22.3 2010 0.2 49.6 79.0 61.2 92.1 88.0 69.7 98.7 98.0 78.0 72.1 74.1 45.3 0.5 76.3 53.4 85.5 40.1 69.5 54.2 1.0 59.0 29.2 33.7 2013 0.2 68.2 21.6 74.4 69.3 78.1 69.3 39.3 79.5 29.9 71.3 61.9 53.8 0.5 67.5 65.0 58.8 68.4 60.0 41.9 66.8 29.2 66.2 53.4 31.9 1.0 19.6 +Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is solar radiation in the 400-700 nanometer waveband. Percent transmission of PAR is calculated as h/Io x 100 where Ii = amount of light present at depth i and Io = amount of measured incident light at the surface. NS = Not Sampled. Sample collection not scheduled or there was an instrument malfunction. Duke Energy Progress A_38 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 24. Monthly concentrations or values of selected water quality variables from the surface waters of the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River (Stations PR2 and PR3) during 2013. 40 30 20 10 0 0.4 Color C— 110 !Z +' > U Li QN O O Q Z Month Nitrate + Nitrite -N Turbidity 12 10 8 y z 6 4Lrr""___,_,.._,_J_,,_.._,__ 2 ...... ...... r 0 > U to O O � Q Z 0 Month W. 0.3 LRL = 0. 2 mg/liter 0.6 0.2 0.4 tw 4 4A 0.1 0.2 0 --. , ., 0 C i >• C — CSO !Z �' > U N ro SZ co 7 0) U O W LL Q Q O z Month Total Nitrogen C-0 i _ T C— t]o Q +-' >U M N co SZ M D 7 N U O N t•+- Q Q to O z 0 Month Total Phosphorus Specific Conductance 0.06 9080 0.05 70 0.04�E60y. ! • v 50 0.03 LA 40 E 0.02 E • 30 y, • ;.......... �••• 20 0.01 ....i ...... 10 0 ------ r_tr_.n _ to!Z — > U 0 h C'" ., .,m .,...R .. ... ......... ..m .,...m... ... ........, .,m.,...m.�.,...,..�.,�.,m .,...m.�.,mt r6 N O- i4 Z3 0) U O N L Q 2 Q O z M Wca U o v L Q 2 Q O z Month Month -Harmon Den (Station PR2) ............• Powerhouse (Station PR3) Duke Energy Progress A_39 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 25. Monthly mean chlorophyll a concentrations at Station B2 in Walters Lake during the 1995-2013 period. AM as �= 40 a� 30 20 CL 0 0 10 U 0 61 1995 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month A A A A U 50 as 40 =. M 30 t 20 CL 0 L. 0 10 U 0 VaiI rcu mal npi lnay .JulI 'Jul nub{ oup v4L 114vv vc%. Month 2001 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 50 40 30 20 10 0 50 40 30 20 10 0 Duke Energy Progress A-40 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 25. (continued) i 50 d 40 t0 30 O0 20 L- 0 O = 10 U 0 350 300 250 200 CL O 150 O 100 U 50 0 WE i d 40 M 30 Q 20 O L- 0 O = 10 U 0 2004 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 2007 Ian Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 2010 Ian Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 50 40 30 20 10 0 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 50 40 30 20 10 0 Duke Energy Progress A-41 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 25. (continued) L 50 (D 40 30 20 O 8 10 t U 0 20'13 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 60 40 30 20 10 0 Note: The North Carolina water quality standard is 40 µg/liter and is denoted by the horizontal dotted line on each graph. Note change in y-axis scale for 2007 data. Duke Energy Progress A_42 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 26. Benthic invertebrate taxa richness, EPT+ and BI scores, and BI health bioclassification rankings at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River, September 2013.+ Station (Pigeon River Number Number of EPT BI BI Metric Mile) of Taxa EPT Taxa Score Value& Score Average Bioclassification PRO (PRM 64.9) 95 34 4.0 5.03 3.0 3.5 Good PRI (PRM 42.5) 97 32 4.0 4.65 4.0 4.0 Good PR2 (PRM 33.0) 80 28 4.0 4.75 3.0 3.5 Good PR3 (PRM 26.0) 71 35 4.0 4.52 4.0 4.0 Good PR4 (PRM 48.5) 76 27 3.0 5.12 3.0 3.0 Good -Fair +The acronym EPT indicates the Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) taxa. The acronym BI means Biotic Index. ¶The bioclassification was rounded up to 4 using the rounding criteria defined in the Division of Water Quality Standard Operating Procedure. The number of EPT was greater than 125, so the bioclassification was rounded up to 4 giving the final bioclassification of "Good" (NCDWR 2013). Duke Energy Progress A-43 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 27. Benthic invertebrate data collected by the NCDWR and Duke Energy Progress from Stations PRO and PRI in the Pigeon River, 1983-2013. Duke Energy Progress A-44 Environmental Services Station PRO (Pigeon River Mile 64.9) Collection Number of Number of BI" Date Collector Taxa EPTff Taxa Value Bioclassilication§ August 1983 NCDWR 86 29 5.13 Good -Fair July 1984 NCDWR 82 32 4.30 Good July 1986 NCDWR 80 38 4.77 Good February 1988 NCDWR 87 35 4.56 Good August 1988 NCDWR 85 33 5.15 Good -Fair August 1992 NCDWR 84 37 4.52 Good January 1993 NCDWR 86 34 4.41 Good August 1993 NCDWR 70 22 4.87 Good -Fair August 1994 NCDWR 70 30 4.47 Good August 1994 PE 66 18 4.46 Good -Fair September 1995 NCDWR 74 29 4.59 Good -Fair September 1995 PE 83 34 4.40 Good July 1997 NCDWR 94 44 3.82 Excellent August 1998 PE 119 42 5.10 Good December 1999 NCDWR 69 36 4.33 Good September 2001 PE 73 24 4.79 Good July 2002 NCDWR 59 30 4.93 Good -Fair October 2004 PE 78 27 4.87 Good -Fair July 2006 NCDWR 86 34 4.61 Good July 2007 PE 63 28 4.47 Good August 2010 PE 96 39 3.94 Good Sebtember 2013 DE 95 34 5.03 Good Duke Energy Progress A-44 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 27. (continued) Station PRI (Pigeon River Mile 42.5 Collection Date Collector Number of Taxa Number of EPTff Taxa BIS Value Bioclassilication§ February 1988 NCDWR 46 24 4.95 Good -Fair August 1988 NCDWR 49 14 6.11 Fair August 1993 PE 59 16 4.85 Good -Fair August 1994 NCDWR 57 22 5.40 Good -Fair August 1994 PE 42 16 5.32 Good -Fair September 1995 PE 49 17 4.89 Good -Fair July 1997 NCDWR 78 27 5.44 Good -Fair August 1998 PE 82 25 5.06 Good -Fair September 2001 PE 53 16 5.81 Fair September 2002 NCDWR 56 19 5.60 Good -Fair November 2004 PE 39 13 5.96 Fair July 2006 NCDWR 94 30 4.61 Good -Fair July 2007 PE 62 20 5.87 Fair August 2010 PE 82 32 4.56 Good September 2013 DEP 97 32 4.65 Good +The North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWR) data shown in this appendix were obtained from the French Broad River Basin summaries located at the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (NCDENR) website(http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ess/reports). 'The acronym EPT indicates the Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) taxa. The acronym BI means Biotic Index. §Please note that NCDWR has adjusted Tolerance Values (TV) for several taxa since 1983, which may influence the Biotic Index values and bioclassiflcation ratings over time. Duke Energy Progress A-45 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 28. Average bioclassification scores for the benthic communities at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River, North Carolina, 1993-2013. 5.0 4.5 4.0 p 3.5 �.i 3.0 c� v 2.5 2.0 v O Fn 1.5 1.0 4 4 3.8 3.8 3 " 3.5 3.3 3.1 3 3 3( 3 3 3 1993 1994 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Year ❑ Station PRO ■ Station PR1 o Station PR2 ❑ Station PR3 ❑ Station PR4 Bioclassification scores: Excellent -5.0 Good -4.0 Good -Fair -3.0 Fair -2.0 Poor -1.0 Duke Energy Progress A-46 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 29. Fish collected+ in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling from Stations PRO and PRI in the Pigeon River during August 2013. Taxa Station PRO Total YOY+ Station PRI Total YOY Tolerance Trophic status Taxa group Rainbow trout 0 0 1 0 Intolerant Piscivore Trouts/Salmons Brown trout 0 0 1 0 Intolerant Piscivore Trouts/Salmons Central stoneroller 30 23 1 0 Intermediate Herbivore Minnow/carp River chub 11 3 22 3 Intermediate Omnivore Minnow/carp Warpaint shiner 30 12 1 0 Intermediate Insectivore Minnow/carp Whitetail shiner 58 16 39 37 Intermediate Insectivore Minnow/carp Mirror shiner 7 0 0 0 Intermediate Insectivore Minnow/carp Telescope shiner 6 0 0 0 Intolerant Insectivore Minnow/carp White sucker 4 0 0 0 Tolerant Omnivore Sucker Northern hogsucker 7 2 17 16 Intermediate Insectivore Sucker Black redhorse 5 0 0 0 Intermediate Insectivore Sucker Flat bullhead 8 0 0 0 Tolerant Insectivore Catfish Channel catfish 0 0 68 0 Intermediate Omnivore Catfish Flathead catfish 0 0 5 0 Intermediate Piscivore Catfish Rock bass 80 0 2 0 Intolerant Piscivore Sunfish Redbreast sunfish 24 0 19 0 Tolerant Insectivore Sunfish Bluegill 0 0 8 0 Intermediate Insectivore Sunfish Green sunfish 0 0 2 0 Tolerant Insectivore Sunfish Smallmouth bass 13 2 15 14 Intolerant Piscivore Sunfish Largemouth bass 1 0 6 4 Intermediate Piscivore Sunfish Black crappie 0 0 1 0 Intermediate Piscivore Sunfish Greenside darter' 10 0 35 31 Intermediate Insectivore Perch/darter Tuckaseegee darter 123 5 0 0 Intolerant Insectivore Perch/darter Tangerine darter 3 0 5 0 Intolerant Insectivore Perch/darter Mottled sculpin 15 5 0 0 Intermediate Insectivore Sculpin Total fish 435 68 248 106 +The number of young -of -year (YOY) collected out of the total for a particular species. A zero (0) indicates no young -of -year were collected for that species. 'The Tuckaseegee darter is now what the Greenfin darter was previously called in prior reports. Duke Energy Progress A-47 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 30. Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PRO of the Pigeon River during August 2013. 40 30 U y 20 c� n n. 10 0 40 30 t i 20 U 10 0 40 30 L 20 U 10 0 40 30 u L 20 10 0 Central stoneroller Multiple size classes present n=30 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) River chub Multiple size classes present n=11 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Warpaint shiner Multiple size classes present n=30 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Whitetail shiner Multiple size classes present n=58 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A_48 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 30. (continued) 40 30 v 20 C, 10 0 40 30 c L 20 ., 10 0 40 30 20 v C, 10 0 40 30 i 20 J n 10 0 Mirror shiner <— 57% Multiple size classes present n=7 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Telescope shiner Multiple size classes present n=6 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Mottled sculpin Multiple size classes present n=15 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Rock bass Multiple size classes present n=80 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A_49 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 30. (continued) HE 30 c i 20 10 0 40 30 c 20 n 10 0 40 30 20 C. 10 0 Redbreast sunfish Multiple size classes present n=24 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Greenside darter — 40% Multiple size classes present n=10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Tuckasegee darter Multiple size classes present n=123 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) White sucker YV 30 Multiple size classes present ?0 n=4 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-50 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 30. (continued) Northern hogsucker 40 y 30 Multiple size classes present L 20 n=7 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Length (mm) Black redhorse 4U 30 20 v 101 I 1 II 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Length (mm) Flat bullhead 4V 30 Multiple size classes present L 20 n=8 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Length (mm) Smallmouth bass 40 30 Multiple size classes present L 20 n=13 ., 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400'420'440 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-51 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 31. Number and length classes by station observed for fish species that did not have multiple size classes collected from the Pigeon River during July and August 2013. Species Number of fish and length class Station PRO (Pigeon River Mile 65.5) Largemouth bass 1-212 mm Station PR2 (Pigeon River Mile 32.0) Multiple size classes observed for all species collected. Station PRl (Pigeon River Mile 42.6) Rainbow trout 1-337 mm Brown trout 1-240 mm Central stoneroller 1-47 mm Warpaint shiner 1-138 Black crappie 1-226 mm Station PR2 (Pigeon River Mile 32.0) Multiple size classes observed for all species collected. Duke Energy Progress A-52 Environmental Services Station PR3 (Pigeon River Mile 26.0) Northern hogsucker 1-126 mm Flathead catfish 1-468 mm Station PR4 (Pigeon River Mile 48.5) Common carp 1-776 mm Central stoneroller 1-41 mm Whitetail shiner 1-78 mm White sucker 1-401 mm Bluegill 1-70 mm Black crappie 1-217 mm Greenside darter 1-90 mm Duke Energy Progress A-52 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 32. Description of deformities and anomalies observed in fish species collected from the Pigeon River by station during July and August 2013.+ Species Length (mm) Weight (g) Deformity/Anomaly Description +Young -of -year individual were not used in scoring Duke Energy Progress modified IBI Metric No. 12, proportion of individuals with disease, tumors, fin damage, skeletal deformities, or other anomalies. Duke Energy Progress A-53 Environmental Services Station PR2 (Pigeon River Mile 32.0) Redbreast sunfish 115 32 Left pectoral fin missing Station PR4 (Pigeon River Mile 48.5) Channel catfish 462 825 Tumor on lower lip Rock bass 203 164 Vestigial left pelvic fin Rock bass 185 128 Wavy caudal fin Common carp 776 7075 Wavy left pectoral and anal fin White sucker 401 730 Wavy dorsal fin +Young -of -year individual were not used in scoring Duke Energy Progress modified IBI Metric No. 12, proportion of individuals with disease, tumors, fin damage, skeletal deformities, or other anomalies. Duke Energy Progress A-53 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 33. Individual metric scores, numerical values (in parentheses), total scores, and bioclassilications of the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI+ at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 in the Pigeon River during July and August 2013. IBI Metric¶ PRO PRI Station PR2 PR3 PR4 LTotal number of species 5 (18) 5 (18) 3 (7) 3 (12) 5 (18) 2.Number of darter species 5 (3) 3 (2) 1 (1) 3 (2) 3 (2) 3.Number of (Lepomis) sunfish species 1 (1) 3 (3) 3 (2) 3 (2) 3 (2) 4.Number of sucker species 5 (3) 3 (2) 1 (1) 1 (1) 5 (3) 5.Number of intolerant species 5 (4) 5 (4) 1 (1) 5 (3) 3 (2) 6.Proportion of individuals as tolerant species 5 (9.8) 5 (15) 1 (52) 5(6.3) 1 (40) 7.Proportion of individuals as omnivores 5 (3.3) 1 (61) 5 (0) 5 (0) 5 (15) 8.Proportion of insectivorous cyprinids 1 (20) 1 (2.1) 3 (31) 1 (8.1) 1 (12) 9.Proportion of individuals as piscivores 5 (25) 5(9.1) 3(l.0) 5 (30) 5 (19) 10. Number of individuals 3 (367) 1 (142) 3 (292) 1 (111) 1 (226) 11. Length -frequency distributions 5 (89) 5 (72) 5 (100) 5 (83) 5 (39) 12. Proportion of individuals with disease, tumors, fin damage, skeletal deformities, or 5 (0) 5 (0) 5 (0) 5 (0) 3 (3.1) other anomalies IBI Score 50 42 33 42 40 IBI Health Bioclassilication Good Fair Poor Fair Fair +Duke Energy Progress uses a modified Index of Biotic Integrity based on negotiations and agreement with the State of North Carolina during relicensing of the Walters Project in 1994. 'ffYoung-of-year individuals were used in scoring species richness and composition (Metrics 1-5), and species length -frequency distributions (Metric 11). However, young -of -year were excluded from scoring the proportion of individuals as tolerant species (Metric No. 6), the community trophic composition (Metrics 7-9), the number of individuals in the sample (Metric No. 10), and the proportion of individuals with disease, tumors, fin damage, skeletal deformities, or other anomalies (Metric No. 12). Duke Energy Progress A-54 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 34. Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PRI of the Pigeon River during July 2013. 40 30 m 20 40a 10 0 40 30 L 20 10 0 40 30 c L 20 U M1 10 0 40 30 20 C. 10 0 River chub Multiple size classes present n=22 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Whitetail shiner <— 51% Multiple size classes present n=39 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Northern hogsucker Multiple size classes present n=17 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Redbreast sunfish Multiple size classes present n=19 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-55 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 34. (continued) 40 30 20 10 0 40 30 v 20 G» 10 0 40 .s 30 20 C. 10 0 40 30 U 20 V 10 0 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Rock bass 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Green sunfish Multiple size classes present 50% 50% n=2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Bluegill Multiple size classes present n=8 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Smalltnouth bass Multiple size classes present n=15 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 7,0 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-56 Environmental Services 50% — 50% Multiple size classes present n=2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Green sunfish Multiple size classes present 50% 50% n=2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Bluegill Multiple size classes present n=8 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Smalltnouth bass Multiple size classes present n=15 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 7,0 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-56 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 34. (continued) 40 30 U 20 ., 10 0 40 30 1-1 U 20 c, 10 0 54% Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Greenside darter Multiple size classes present n=35 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Tangerine darter <— 80% Multiple size classes present n=5 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Largemouth bass 40 30 Multiple size classes present G L 20 n=6 10 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Length (mm) Channel catfish -tv 30 s 20 10 1 . . . . . . 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 520 560 600 640 680 720 760 800 840 880 920 960 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-57 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 34. (continued) 40 30 20 v C. 10 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Flathead catfish Multiple size classes present n=5 , 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400 440 480 520 560 600 640 680 720 760 800 840 880 920 960 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-58 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 35. Fish collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling from Stations PR2 and PR3 in the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River during July 2013. Station Station PR2 PR3 Trophic Taxa Total YOY+ Total YOY Tolerance status Taxa group Central stoneroller 128 95 84 39 Intermediate Herbivore Minnow/carp Whitetail shiner 92 2 1050 1046 Intermediate Insectivore Minnow/carp Telescope shiner 0 0 29 24 Intolerant Insectivore Minnow/carp Northern hogsucker 3 1 2 1 Intermediate Insectivore Sucker Rock bass 0 0 23 0 Intolerant Piscivore Sunfish Redbreast sunfish 107 0 3 0 Tolerant Insectivore Sunfish Green sunfish 45 0 4 0 Tolerant Insectivore Sunfish Smallmouth bass 3 0 3 11 Intolerant Piscivore Sunfish Greenside darter 12 0 12 2 Intermediate Insectivore Perch/darter Redline darter 0 0 6 0 Intermediate Insectivore Perch/darter Banded sculpin 0 0 16 8 Intermediate Insectivore Sculpin Flathead catfish 0 0 1 0 Intermediate Piscivore Catfish Total fish 390 98 1230 1119 +The number of young -of -year (YOY) collected out of the total for a particular species. A zero (0) indicates no young -of -year were collected for that species. Duke Energy Progress A-59 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 36. Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PR2 of the Pigeon River during July 2013. 40 30 20 10 0 40 30 U U 20 L G 10 0 Central stoneroller Multiple size classes present n=128 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Whitetail shiner Multiple size classes present n=92 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Northern hogsucker 40 30 C L 20 10 0 40 30 10 0 Multiple size classes present n=3 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Redbreast sunfish Multiple size classes present n=107 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-60 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 36. (continued) 40 30 20 10 0 40 30 sJ 20 10 0 40 30 u 20 s, .. 10 0 Green sunfish Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Multiple size classes present n=45 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Smallmouth bass 66% Multiple size classes present n=3 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Greenside darter Multiple size classes present n=12 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-61 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 37. Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PR3 of the Pigeon River during July 2013. 40 30 c i 20 ., 10 0 40 30 v L 20 n 10 0 40 30 i; 20 U 10 0 40 30 U s, 20 ., 10 0 Central stoneroller Multiple size classes present n=84 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Whitetail shiner <— 80% Multiple size classes present n=1,050 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Telescope shiner 69% Multiple size classes present n=29 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Banded sculpin Multiple size classes present n=16 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-62 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 37. (continued) 40 30 G sv 20 ., 10 0 40 30 i 20 10 0 40 30 U L 20 10 0 40 30 d L 20 ., 10 0 Rock bass Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Multiple size classes present n=23 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Redbreast sunfish Multiple size classes present n=3 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Green sunfish Multiple size classes present n=4 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 210 Length (mm) Smallmouth bass Multiple size classes present n=11 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-63 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 37. (continued) 40 30 20 G. 10 0 40 30 v u 20 10 0 Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Greenside darter socio — 50% Multiple size classes present n=2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Redline darter 50%— Water 0%— Multiple size classes present n=6 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-64 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 38. Total scores of the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling in the Pigeon River at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4, 1993- 2013. 60 55 50 45 v 40 U) c 35 O v 30 .N 25 v 20 O_ m 15 10 5 0 1993 1994 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Year ❑ Station PRO ■ Station PR1 o Station PR2 ❑ Station PR3 Station PR4 Bioclassification scores: Excellent 58-60 Good 48-52 Fair 40-44 Poor 28-34 Very Poor -12-22 Duke Energy Progress A-65 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 39. Number of young -of -year smallmouth bass collected at Stations PRO, PRI, PR2, PR3 and PR4 during the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling, 1993-2013. 300 260 = 200 M C 160 L E Z 100 60 0 1993 1994 1996 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 Year ❑Station PRO ■Station PR1 oStation PR2 ❑Station PR3 Station PR4 Duke Energy Progress A-66 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 40. NCDHSS press release, January 9, 2007. NC DHIIS release: State Removes Last Fish Consumption Advisory Below Canton Paper... Page 1 of 2 Michael F. Easley M �, Carmen looker Odom Governor 8N Secretary North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Debbie Crane Date: January 9. 2007 State Removes Last Fish Consumption Advisory Below Canton Paper Mill RALEIGH -- State Health Director Leah Devlin today announced the removal of the last remaining fish consumption advisory below the Blue Ridge paper mill in Haywood County. Today's announcement is the final chapter in a situation that first came to light in the late 1980s, when byproducts of the paper production process led to fish consumption advisories in the Pigeon River and the Walters Lake Reservoir. "This is both a public health and an environmental success story," said Devlin. "It is a good example of an industry addressing a potential public health problem by changing its processes. I'm pleased we can close the book on this one." The original advisory was issued by the State Ilealth director in 1988. It warned against consumption of any fish from below the then Champion International paper mill. In 1994, that advisory was reduced to cover only carp and catfish. In 2001, it was reduced still further to just a limited advisory on carp in Walters Lake, which is also known as the Waterville reservoir. The advisory was originally issued because of high levels of dioxin found in fish taken below the paper mill. Dioxin is a byproduct of chlorine bleaching. Studies have shown that exposure to dioxin increases the risk of several types of cancer in animals and humans. The most common health effect in people exposed to large amounts of dioxins is chloracne, which is a severe skin disease, characterized by large, deep acne -like lesions. Some other effects include liver damage and changes in hormonal levels. Improved pollution controls at the Canton paper mill were enacted during the late 1980s. The Canton mill, formerly owned by Champion International, was purchased by mill employees and renamed Blue Ridge Paper Products Inc. in 1999. More information on fish consumption advisories in North Carolina can be found at I711p:`�wGatia.cpi.stat�.nr..us'cEiE�fisl�u. http://www.ncdhhs.gov/pressrel/I -9-07a.htm 3/22/2007 Duke Energy Progress A-67 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 41. Fish collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling from Station PR4 in the bypassed reach of the Pigeon River during July 2013. Station PR4 +The number of young -of -year (YOY) collected out of the total for a particular species. A zero (0) indicates no young -of -year were collected for that species. Duke Energy Progress A-68 Environmental Services Trophic Taxa Total YOY Tolerance status Taxa group Common carp 1 0 Tolerant Omnivore Minnow/carp Central stoneroller 5 4 Intermediate Herbivore Minnow/carp River chub 19 4 Intermediate Omnivore Minnow/carp Whitetail shiner 78 51 Intermediate Insectivore Minnow/carp Longnose dace 1 0 Intermediate Insectivore Minnow/carp White sucker 1 0 Tolerant Omnivore Sucker Northern hogsucker 29 14 Intermediate Insectivore Sucker Black redhorse 6 0 Intermediate Insectivore Sucker Channel catfish 17 0 Intermediate Omnivore Catfish Flathead catfish 4 1 Intermediate Piscivore Catfish Rock bass 32 2 Intolerant Piscivore Sunfish Redbreast sunfish 89 0 Tolerant Insectivore Sunfish Smallmouth bass 14 6 Intolerant Piscivore Sunfish Bluegill 1 0 Intermediate Insectivore Sunfish Largemouth bass 2 0 Intermediate Piscivore Sunfish Black crappie 1 0 Intermediate Piscivore Sunfish Greenside darter 2 0 Intermediate Insectivore Perch/darter Banded darter 8 2 Intermediate Insectivore Perch/darter Total fish 310 84 +The number of young -of -year (YOY) collected out of the total for a particular species. A zero (0) indicates no young -of -year were collected for that species. Duke Energy Progress A-68 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Appendix 42. Length -frequency distributions of fish species collected in the Duke Energy Progress modified IBI sampling at Station PR4 of the Pigeon River during August 2013. 40 30 10 0 40 30 10 0 40 30 c L 20 a 10 0 40 30 10 0 Central stoneroller — 60% Multiple size classes present n=_5 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) River chub Multiple size classes present H=19 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Whitetail shiner Multiple size classes present n=78 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Greenside darter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-69 Environmental Services 50% 50 Multiple size classes present n=2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-69 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 42. (continued) 40 30 a " 20 w 10 0 40 30 " 20 a 10 0 40 30 " 20 a 10 0 40 30 " 20 a Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Banded darter — 50% Multiple size classes present n=8 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Rock bass Multiple size classes present n=32 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Redbreast sunfish Multiple size classes present n=89 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Length (mm) Channel catfish Multiple size classes present n=17 101 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-70 Environmental Services Walters Hydroelectric Plant Appendix 42. (continued) Water Quality and Biotic Indices Studies Flathead catfish 40 30 20 a 101 I I.. . . . . . . .I 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600 Length (mm) Smallmouth bass 4V 30 101 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600 Length (mm) Northern hogsucker 40 30 a " 20 a 10 1 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600 Length (mm) Black redhorse ,+V 30 a " 20 a 101 IIIII 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 390 420 450 480 510 540 570 600 Length (mm) Duke Energy Progress A-71 Environmental Services