20080915 Ver 3_10-27-16 AI Response_20161027

& DUKE
ENERGY
October 27, 2016
Ms. Karen Higgins
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch Supervisor
Division of Water Resources
Department of Environmental Quality
512 N. Salisbury Street, Suite 942-E
Raleigh, NC 27604
Re: Amendment of Water Quality Certification No. 3767
Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project 2232
Request for Additional Information
Dear Ms. Higgins:
Water Strategy, Hydro Licensing,
and Lake Services
Duke Energy
526 S. Church Street/ EC12Y
Charlotte, NC 28202
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC ("Duke Energy"), licensee for the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric
Project ("Project"), has received the NC Division of Water Resources' ("NCDWR") Request for
Additional Information ("RAI") dated October 24, 2016 regarding the subject Water Quality
Certification ("WQC") amendment application filed by Duke Energy on September 9, 2016.
Duke Energy responds to the six requested items as follows:
Duke Energy will incorporate the typographical corrections and other edits described in
RAI items 2., 4., 5., and 6. as well as any changes agreed to below into a revised
application and resend to NCDWR via electronic delivery.
RAI item 1. states on application page numbers 5 through 7 the present and proposed
pool elevations throughout the year are misleading in that most of October the elevation
is at a different level than is communicated by the tables and the tables should include
specific dates that the elevations are in effect.
Duke Energy Response
Duke Energy discussed this item with NCDWR staff on October 25, 2016. On application
page number 5 paragraph (A) Reservoir Elevations contains the necessary information
to interpret the reservoir elevation charts that follow. Specifically, the last sentence of
this paragraph states: "The elevations included in the tables are for the first day of the
given month; elevations for other days of the month are determined by linear
interpolation." NCDWR staff agreed this information is sufficient to interpret the reservoir

IIs. Karen Higyins
Page 2
October 27, 2016
elevation charts but requested the last sentence of parayraph (A) be highlighted by bold
font to make it more noticeable. Duke Energy ayrees to this change_
RAI item 3. requests an explanation of measures to minimize risk of vandalism to water
quality monitors and what procedures will be implemented it data is lost.
Dukefrrergy Response
These monitors will not be intentionally located in risk -prone areas, but vandalism is a
common risk regardless of locatiun_ Locating monitoring equipment on Duke Energy
property provides additional security due to restricted access and security camera
coverage. However, to assure representative data is collected, some monitors will be
located either on a highway or rail bridge, or from a shore location further downstream of
the hydro development, where public access cannot be controlled.
Duke Energy is taking advantage of the U5 Geological Survey's (USGS) expertise in
locating and designing munitur stations to reduce vandalism risks. USGS water quality
monitoring sites generally employ the following standard approaches in an attempt to
discourage vandalism: 1) control center cabinets are of heavy aluminum and kept
locked; 2) instrument cabling is routinely shielded within conduit; 3) solar panels and
transmitting antennae are mounted considerably higher than might be reached by
anyone at ground level; 4) deployments with equipment located on bridge decks on
heavily traveled bridyes will discourage vandalism due to the increased level of visibility
by other members of the public, law enforcement, etc.; 5) selected deployments at most
at -risk sites may be protected by an elevated mounting position, fences topped with
concertina wire, and/or or use of lockable shields or doors at key access points.
Duke Energy's contractual arranyement with the USGS for maintaininy the water quality
monitoring sites will cover the replacement of instrument losses. I he USGS generally
maintains a supply of instrument spares and other key components that would facilitate
a relatively rapid replacement of damaged or lost equipment. Because the USGS staff
generally performs a daily (remote) check of each site, lost data from aii equipment
outage should be minimized. Data recovery and/or filling data gaps will be perffarmed by
USGS to the extent possible.
It there are questions or if further intormation is required, please contact me (704-382-5776;
IVIark.Oakley@ duke-eneryy.com).
Sincerely,
E_ Mark Oakley, E.
Catawba-Wateree Relicensing Project Manayer
Water Strategy, Rydro Licensing, and Lake Services
Duke Energy
cc: Secretary Kimberly D. Bose, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fred Tarver, NC Division of water Resources
Cory Larsen, NC Division of Water Resources
Corey Basinyer, IAC Division of Water Resources
Landon Davidson, NC Division of Water Resources
Chris Gaudreau, NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Ms. Karen Higgins
Page 3
October 27, 2016
Jeff Lineberger, Duke Energy
Garry Rice, Duke Energy
Randy Herrin, Duke Energy
George Galleher, Duke Energy
Lynne Dunn, Duke Energy
Keith Finley, Duke Energy
Phil Fragapane, Duke Energy

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Introduction

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (Duke Energy) submits this Application for Amendment of
the Water Quality Certification (WQC) issued for the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric
Project.
For consistency and simplicity, this application is being filed with both the North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to amend North Carolina Certification
No. 3767 issued November 14, 2008 and the South Carolina Department of
Environmental Control (SCDHEC) to amend South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001
issued February 12, 2015. Most revisions apply to both states and one applies to
South Carolina only. The applicability of each revision to each state is clearly identified
within the descriptions of the individual revisions. Duke Energy acknowledges each
state will process this application independently and are under no constraint to
synchronize their processing of this application with the other state.

Background

This amendment is necessary due to the changes to the changes listed below. These
changes affect certain sections and appendices of the Catawba-Wateree
Comprehensive Relicensing Agreement (CRA) dated December 22, 2006 which are also
incorporated by reference as conditions of the original WQCs.
CRA Parties have found it to be beneficial to improve regional drought resiliency
1.

by raising reservoir summer target elevations on Lakes James, Norman, and
Wylie by an additional 6” from May 1 – October 1 and to make a public safety
improvement by modifying the 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) recreation flow
release from the Wylie Development to 3,000 cfs.
Duke Energy voluntarily initiated revisions to update the Low Inflow Protocol
2.

(LIP) and the Maintenance and Emergency Protocol (MEP) in accordance with
1

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

the CRA based on experience gained during voluntary implementation of these
protocols since 2006.
3.The license issued for the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project on November

25, 2015 requires Duke Energy to file both a Water Quality Monitoring Plan
(WQMP) and a Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (FWQIP). These
plans are presented in CRA Appendices F and L respectively. During the time since
these CRA provisions were developed in 2006, some of these provisions, their
status and implementation schedule have changed.

Affected WQC Conditions

The affected WQC conditions are:
Condition 1; CRA - Appendices
Appendix A

A-1.0 Reservoir Elevation Articles; Reservoir Elevations (applies to NC
and SC) A-2.0 Flow Articles; Recreation Flows (applies to SC only)
Appendix C: Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) Article (applies to NC and SC)

Appendix D: Maintenance and Emergence Protocol (MEP) Article (applies to NC
and SC)
Appendix F: Water Quality Monitoring Plan (WQMP) (applies to NC and SC)
Appendix L: Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (FWQIP) (applies to
NC and SC)

Detailed Description of Revisions

Revisions to each of the affected WQC Conditions previously listed are described in
detail in the following sections of this application and include:

Statement of revision;


Background information explaining the need for the revision;


2

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Actual text of the revision - for ease of identification, text modified from


the December 22, 2006, Signature Copy of the CRA, Revision 1 is shown in
bold italics (with only the exception of the revised Water Quality Monitoring
Plan);
Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of


the revision compared to the original WQC; and
Consultation Summary.


Consultation

On July 15, 2016 Duke Energy submitted this Application for Amendment in draft form to
state and federal resource agencies and the Catawba Indian Nation for consultation. All
consultation comments received for each revision are summarized, including Duke
Energy’s responses, which have been incorporated into this application. All consultation
documentation for all revisions is included in Attachment A.
3

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix A, A-1.0 Reservoir Elevation Articles; Reservoir Elevations (applies to NC
and SC)

Statement of Revision

Add six inches to James, Norman, and Wylie summer Normal Target Elevations.

Background information explaining the need for the revision

This revision was evaluated as part of the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group’s
(CWWMG) Water Supply Master Plan (WSMP) development

(http://www.catawbawatereewmg.org/water-supply-master-plan/read-the-report/).

The Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group (CWWMG) is a 501C-3 non-profit
organization established “to identify, fund, and manage projects that will help preserve,
extend, and enhance the capabilities of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin to provide
water resources for human needs while maintaining the ecological integrity of the
waterway.” The CWWMG has 19 members, one member representing each of the
eligible 18 public water utilities in North and South Carolina that operate water intakes
on either a reservoir or regulated river reach of the main stem, and one member
representing Duke Energy. The organization was born out of the Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project relicensing process completed by Duke Energy.

The purpose of this WSMP is to protect, preserve, and extend the available water supply
in the Catawba-Wateree River and its 11 reservoirs. The work effort, results, and
recommendations presented were developed by the CWWMG, regulatory officials from
North and South Carolina, and a Stakeholder Advisory Team (SAT).

This specific revision involves raising the summer target operating levels six inches in
three of the larger Catawba-Wateree reservoirs (Lake James, Lake Norman and Lake
Wylie).
This modification has been approved by all CRA Parties. Pending successful amendment of
the WQC, this modification will be filed with the FERC as a license amendment.

Actual text of the revision (For ease of identification, text modified from the December
22, 2006, Signature Copy of the CRA, Revision 1 is shown in bold italics)
4

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix A, pages A-1 and A-2:

ARTICLE – Reservoir Elevations

(A) Reservoir Elevations – Within 60 days following the issuance of this license,
to protect and enhance the Project’s values that may be affected by reservoir
level fluctuations, the Licensee shall maintain the elevations of the Project
reservoirs between the Normal Minimum and Normal Maximum Elevations
indicated in the tables below and shall endeavor in good faith to achieve the
Normal Target Elevations in the tables. All elevations in the tables below are
relative to the top of the dam (including floodgates and flashboards where
The elevations included in the
applicable) with 100.0 ft. = Full Pond Elevation.
tables are for the first day of the given month; elevations for other days of
the month are determined by linear interpolation
.

Lake James (Full Pond is 1200.0 ft. above Mean Sea Level (MSL))
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January 93 96 100
February 92 94 100
March 92 95 100
April 92 96 100
98 (98.5 after

Wateree Dam is

modified to

improve flood
May - October 95 100
management or
12/31/2025
whichever is
later)
November - December 93 96 100
5

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Lake Rhodhiss (Full Pond is 995.1 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - December 94 97 100

Lake Hickory (Full Pond is 935.0 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - February 94 96 100
March – December 94 97 100

Lookout Shoals Lake (Full Pond is 838.1 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - December 94 97 100

Lake Norman (Full Pond is 760.0 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January 93 96 100
February 91 94 100
March 92.26 95.26 100
April 93.65 96.65 100
98 (98.5 after

Wateree Dam is

modified to

improve flood
May - October 95 100
management or
12/31/2025
whichever is
later)
6

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

November 93.98 97 100
December 93 96 100

Mountain Island Lake (Full Pond is 647.5 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - December 94.3 96 100

Lake Wylie (Full Pond is 569.4 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - April 94 97 100
97 (97.5 after

Wateree Dam is

modified to

improve flood
May - October 94 100
management or
12/31/2025
whichever is
later)
November - December 94 97 100

Fishing Creek Reservoir (Full Pond is 417.2 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - December 95 98 100

Great Falls Reservoir (Full Pond is 355.8 ft. MSL)
Normal Minimum Normal Target Normal Maximum
Month

(ft.)(ft.)(ft.)

January - December 95 97.5 100
7

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of the
revision compared to the original WQC.

As recommended in the WSMP, an operating level increase in these reservoirs would
represent access to a greater volume of water during typically drier summer months
than is currently available under the existing target elevations. Modeling results
indicate that this strategy, alone, could extend the water yield of the Catawba-Wateree
lake system by one decade beyond the baseline conditions. When coupled with
other strategies recommended in the WSMP, this strategy will help extend the system
water yield by an additional 40 to 50 years beyond baseline conditions, for an adequate
water supply lasting into the next century. This will provide additional water volume
for water supply, recreational uses and environmental resources during periods of
extreme drought.

This operational modification was modeled for any significant risk of exacerbating
downstream high-water events. Both the number of spill events and the duration of spill
events (days over local elevation 100.2 ft and days over local elevation 103 ft) are
summarized below. Out of a base analysis period of record of 29,330 days (82 years),
the modeling predicts the change in the number of spill days at any location without spill
gates to not exceed 0.06% of the analysis period. This operational modification creates
no significant increase in the risk of high-water events.

CHEOPS Model Results (Notes 1, 2)
Period of Record 1929 to
Number of Spill Events Days Over Elevation 100.2 ft Days Over Elevation 103 ft
2010 (29,950 days)

6" Summer 6" Summer 6" Summer

Target Increase Target Increase Target Increase

at James, at James, at James,
Ungated Dam Locations Baseline Baseline Baseline
Norman, and Norman, and Norman, and
Wylie Wylie Wylie
Lake James 63 70 160 177 6 7
Lake Rhodhiss 255 260 604 605 26 29
Lookout Shoals Lake 817 810 1,075 1,086 42 43
Mountain Island Lake 140 134 183 190 41 36
Great Falls Reservoir 209 213 2,952 2,904 828 837
Lake Wateree 280 282 266 267 26 25

Note 1 - Baseline Scenario uses New License requirements, projected water withdrawals.

Note 2 - Six-inch Summer Target Increase applies May 1 to October 1.

8

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Consultation Summary

No comments received for this revision.
9

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix A, A-2.0 Flow Articles; Recreation Flows (applies to SC only)

Statement of Revision

Change 6,000 cfs recreation flow release at Wylie Hydro Station to 3,000 cfs

Background information explaining the need for the revision

Appendix A-2.0 in the CRA lists a series of recreational flows for five sections of the
Catawba- Wateree River.

These flow rates are based on actual flow studies, which were carried out in 2004. Duke
Energy made a series of different flow releases and groups of canoeists and kayakers of
varying skill levels made an assessment of what was considered to be a suitable level.
The flow tables in the CRA reflect the outcome of these assessments.

Duke Energy made the decision to follow the CRA recreational flows voluntarily as
soon as the original CRA was signed, rather than wait for the license to be issued.
With the delay in FERC issuing the license, this has given us seven full seasons of
experience with recreational flows. With one exception these flows have worked out
as anticipated.

The area of concern is the recreation flow releases from Lake Wylie. At this location
the CRA calls for 3,000 cubic foot per second (cfs) recreation flow releases in the
spring and fall and 6,000 cfs recreation flow releases during the summer. The 6,000
cfs recreation flow was included because it was thought that the higher water level
gave the paddling trip an added experience value.

During the past seven years paddlers, including the Carolina Canoe Club, have been
able to assess the flows and also to get a feel for the type of boater using this section.
Paddlers have found 3,000 cfs provides a perfectly satisfactory experience, but the
6,000 cfs level has proved to be a challenge to the skill levels of the more typical
paddlers using this section. In fact, for safety reasons Catawba River Expeditions –
one of the few outfitters running commercial trips on this section of the river – has
chosen not to run river trips at the 6,000 cfs level. Tubing has increased in popularity
and this adds to the need to drop back to 3,000 cfs throughout the season.

10

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
This modification has been approved by all CRA Parties. Pending successful amendment
of the WQC, this modification will be filed with the FERC as a license amendment.

Actual text of the revision (for ease of identification, text modified from the December
22, 2006, Signature Copy of the CRA, Revision 1 is shown in bold italics)
11

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix A, page A-6:

(C) Wylie Development – Within 60 days following issuance of this license, the Licensee
shall provide recreational flow releases at the Wylie Development in accordance with the
following schedule in the table below. In addition, the Licensee shall, from May 1 to July
15 inclusive, release at least 1,300 cfs for six hours prior to the recreational flow release
scheduled start times shown in the table below to ensure suitable water levels at
Landsford Canal State Park.

Wylie Development Recreational Flow Schedule
Flow (at or

Dates
above)

Days / Description
Hour Start Hour End
(inclusive)

(cfs)

Last full weekend – Saturday
Apr 1-Apr 30 3,000 10:00 am 4:00 pm
and Sunday
Each Friday, Saturday and
May 1-Jun 15 3,000 10:00 am 4:00 pm
Sunday plus Memorial Day
Each Friday, Saturday and

Jun 16-Jul 15 3,000 10:00 am 4:00 pm
Sunday plus Independence
Day
Jul 16-Aug
Each Saturday and Sunday 3,000 10:00 am 4:00 pm
31
Sep 1-Sep Each Friday, Saturday and
3,000 10:00 am 4:00 pm
30 Sunday plus Labor Day
Oct 1-Oct 31 Each Saturday and Sunday 3,000 10:00 am 4:00 pm
12

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of the
revision compared to the original WQC

This change will improve paddling and tubing safety for a broader range of public skill
and experience levels while still providing scheduled recreational flow releases.

Consultation Summary

No comments received for this revision.
13

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix C: Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) Article (applies to NC and SC)

Statement of Revision

General revisions to the LIP to incorporate experience to-date, to be consistent
with the preceding two CRA revisions, and to implement improvements resulting
from the Water Supply Master Plan (WSMP).

Background information explaining the need for the revision

The LIP was evaluated as part of the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group’s
(CWWMG) Water Supply Master Plan (WSMP) development
(http://www.catawbawatereewmg.org/water- supply-master-plan/read-the-report/).
Through this revision, Duke Energy is implementing items identified in and determined
to be beneficial via the development of the WSMP.

Some LIP revisions are necessary to make the LIP consistent with previously discussed
revisions to reservoir target elevations and recreation flow releases.

In addition, the CRA requires that during the term of the New License, the Catawba-
Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) will review and update the
LIP periodically to ensure continuous improvement of the LIP and its implementation.
The LIP established the CW- DMAG to work with Duke Energy when the LIP is initiated
to foster a basin-wide response to a Low Inflow Condition.

These evaluations and modifications are to be considered at least once every five years
during the term of the license recently issued on November 25, 2015. Even though the
license has been issued for less than five years, experience gained from voluntarily
implementing the LIP since 2006 has yielded revisions for clarifications and
improvements. The CW-DMAG has concurred in these revisions.

Actual text of the revision (for ease of identification, text modified from the December
22, 2006, Signature Copy of the CRA, Revision 1 is shown in bold italics)

14

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
APPENDIX C: LOW INFLOW PROTOCOL (LIP) FOR THE
CATAWBA-WATEREE PROJECT
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) is to establish procedures for reductions in water use
during periods of low inflow to the Catawba-Wateree Project (the Project). The LIP was developed
on the basis that all parties with interests in water quantity will share the responsibility to establish
priorities and to conserve the limited water supply.
OVERVIEW
This LIP provides trigger points and procedures for how the Project will be operated by the
Licensee, as well as water withdrawal reduction measures and goals for other water users during
periods of low inflow (i.e., periods when there is not enough water flowing into the Project
reservoirs to meet the normal water demands while maintaining Remaining Usable Storage in the
reservoir system at or above a seasonal target level).
The Licensee will provide flow from hydro generation and other means to support electric
customer needs and the instream flow needs of the Project. During periods of normal inflow,
reservoir levels will be maintained within prescribed Normal Operating Ranges. During times that
inflow is not adequate to meet all of the normal demands for water and maintain reservoir levels
as normally targeted the Licensee will progressively reduce hydro generation. If hydrologic
conditions worsen until trigger points outlined herein are reached, the Licensee will declare a
Stage 0 - Low Inflow Watch and begin meeting with the applicable agencies and water users to
discuss this LIP. If hydrologic conditions continue to worsen, the Licensee will declare various
stages of a Low Inflow Condition (LIC) as defined in the Procedure section of this document. Each
progressive stage of the LIC will call for greater reductions in hydro station water releases and
water withdrawals, and allow additional use of the available water storage inventory.
The goal of this staged LIP is to take the actions needed in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin to
delay the point at which the Project’s usable water storage inventory is fully depleted. While there
are no human actions that can guarantee the Catawba-Wateree River Basin will never experience
operability limitations at water intake structures due to low reservoir levels or low streamflows,
this LIP is intended to provide additional time to allow precipitation to restore streamflow,
reservoir levels, and groundwater levels to normal ranges. The amount of additional time gained
during the LIP depends primarily on the diagnostic accuracy of the trigger points, the amount of
regulatory flexibility the Licensee has to operate the Project, and the effectiveness of the Licensee
and other water users in working together to implement their required actions and achieve
significant water use reductions in a timely manner.
To ensure continuous improvement regarding the LIP and its implementation throughout the term
of the New License, the LIP will be re-evaluated and modified periodically. These re-evaluations
and modifications will be as determined by the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory
Group (CW-DMAG).
15

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
KEY FACTS AND DEFINITIONS
1.Human Health and Safety and the Integrity of the Public Water Supply and Electric Systems are

of Utmost Importance – Nothing in this protocol will limit the Licensee’s ability to take any and
all lawful actions necessary at the Project to protect human health and safety, protect its
equipment from major damage, protect the equipment of the Large Water Intake Owners
from major damage, and ensure the stability of the regional electric grid and public water
supply systems. It is recognized that the Licensee may take the steps that are necessary to
protect these things without prior consultation or notification. Likewise, nothing in this LIP will
limit the states of North Carolina and South Carolina from taking any and all lawful actions
necessary within their jurisdictions to protect human health and safety. It is recognized that
North Carolina and South Carolina may also take the steps necessary to protect these things
without prior consultation or notification.
2.No Abrogation of Statutory Authority – It is understood the South Carolina Department of

Natural Resources (SCDNR) must operate under the statutory authority of its drought response
statutes, and nothing in this LIP will require the SCDNR to take any action that exceeds its
authority under their drought response statute.
3.Normal Full Pond Elevation – Also referred to simply as “full pond”, this is the level of a

reservoir that corresponds to the point at which water would first begin to spill from the
reservoir’s dam(s) if the Licensee took no action. This level corresponds to the lowest point
along the top of the spillway (including flashboards) for reservoirs without floodgates and to
the lowest point along the top of the floodgates for reservoirs that have floodgates. To avoid
confusion among the many reservoirs the Licensee operates, it has adopted the practice of
referring to the Full Pond Elevation for all of its reservoirs as equal to 100.0 ft. relative. The
Full Pond Elevations for the Project reservoirs are as follows:

Full Pond Elevation
Reservoir
(ft. above Mean Sea Level)
Lake James 1200.0
Lake Rhodhiss 995.1
Lake Hickory 935.0
Lookout Shoals Lake 838.1
Lake Norman 760.0
Mountain Island Lake 647.5
Lake Wylie 569.4
Fishing Creek Reservoir 417.2
Great Falls Reservoir 355.8
Cedar Creek Reservoir 284.4
Lake Wateree 225.5

16

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
4.Net Inflow – The cumulative inflow into a reservoir, expressed in acre-feet (ac-ft) per month.

Net inflow is the sum of tributary stream flow, inflow from upstream hydro development flow
releases (where applicable), groundwater inflow, precipitation falling on the reservoir surface,
land surface runoff, and on-reservoir point-source return flows, less the sum of on-reservoir
water withdrawals, groundwater recharge, hydro development flow releases, evaporation, and
other factors.
5.Normal Minimum Elevation – The level of a reservoir (measured in feet above Mean Sea Level

(MSL) or feet relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft. corresponding to full pond) that
defines the bottom of the reservoir’s Normal Operating Range for a given day of the year. If
inflows and outflows to the reservoir are kept within some reasonable range of the average or
expected amounts, hydroelectric project equipment is operating properly and no protocols for
abnormal conditions have been implemented, reservoir level excursions below the Normal
Minimum Elevation should not occur.
6.Normal Maximum Elevation – The level of a reservoir (measured in feet above MSL or feet

relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft. corresponding to full pond) that defines the top
of the reservoir’s Normal Operating Range for a given day of the year. If inflows and outflows
to the reservoir are kept within some reasonable range of the average or expected amounts,
hydroelectric project equipment is operating properly, and no protocols for abnormal
conditions have been implemented, reservoir level excursions above the Normal Maximum
Elevation should not occur.
7.Normal Target Elevation – The level of a reservoir (measured in feet above MSL or feet relative

to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft corresponding to full pond) the Licensee will endeavor in
good faith to achieve, unless operating in this LIP, the Maintenance and Emergency Protocol
(MEP), the Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program (Lakes James, Norman, Wylie and
Wateree only), a Spring Stable Flow Period (Lake Wateree only) or a Floodplain Inundation
Period (Lake Wateree only). Since inflows vary significantly and outflow demands also vary, the
Licensee will not always be able to maintain actual reservoir level at the Normal Target
Elevation. The Normal Target Elevation falls within the Normal Operating Range, but it is not
always the average of the Normal Minimum and Normal Maximum Elevations.
8.Normal Operating Range for Reservoir Levels – The band of reservoir levels within which the

Licensee normally attempts to maintain a given reservoir that it operates on a given day. Each
reservoir has its own specific Normal Operating Range, and that range is bounded by a Normal
Maximum Elevation and a Normal Minimum Elevation. If inflows and outflows to the reservoir
are kept within some reasonable range of the average or expected amounts, hydro project
equipment is operating properly and no protocols for abnormal conditions have been
implemented, reservoir level excursions outside of the Normal Operating Range should not
occur. The New License for the Project includes the Normal Operating Ranges for reservoir
levels (i.e., Normal Minimum, Normal Maximum, and Normal Target Elevations) as listed in
the Reservoir Elevations License Article.
9.Large Water Intake – Any water intake (e.g., public water supply, industrial, agricultural, power

plant, etc.) having a maximum instantaneous capacity greater than or equal to one Million
Gallons per Day (MGD) that withdraws water from the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.
10.Public Water Supply (PWS) – Any water delivery system owned and/or operated by any

governmental or private entity that utilizes waters from the Catawba-Wateree River Basin for
17

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
the public interest including drinking water; residential, commercial, industrial, and
institutional uses; irrigation, and/or other public uses.
11.Critical Reservoir Elevation – Unless it is otherwise stated as applying only to a specific intake

or type of intake, the Critical Reservoir Elevation is the highest level of water in a reservoir
(measured in feet above MSL or feet relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft.
corresponding to full pond) below which any Large Water Intake used for PWS or industrial
uses, or any regional power plant intake located on the reservoir will not operate at its
Licensee-approved capacity. The Critical Reservoir Elevations, as of December 31, 2016, are
defined below:
Critical Reservoir Elevation
Reservoir (ft. relative to local datum) Type of Limit
(100 ft = Full Pond)
Lake James 50.0 Power Production
Lake Rhodhiss 89.4 Municipal Intake
Lake Hickory 94.0 Municipal Intake
Lookout Shoals Lake 74.9 Municipal Intake
Lake Norman 90.0 Power Production
Mountain Island Lake 90.5 Municipal Intake
Lake Wylie 92.6 Industrial Intake
Fishing Creek Reservoir 95.0 Municipal Intake
Great Falls Reservoir 87.2 Power Production
Cedar Creek Reservoir 80.3 Power Production
Lake Wateree 92.5 Municipal Intake

12.Total Usable Storage (TUS) – The sum of the Project’s volume of water expressed in ac-ft

contained between each reservoir’s Critical Reservoir Elevation and the Full Pond Elevation.
13.Remaining Usable Storage (RUS) – The sum of the Project’s volume of water expressed in ac-ft

contained between each reservoir’s Critical Reservoir Elevation and the actual reservoir
elevation at any given point in time.
14.Storage Index (SI) – The ratio, expressed in percent, of RUS to TUS at any given point in time.

15.Target Storage Index (TSI) – The ratio of RUS to TUS based on the Project reservoirs being at

their Normal Target Elevations. The following table lists the TSIs for the first day of each
month:

18

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Month Target Storage Index for 1 Day of Target Storage Index for 1 Day
stst
Month (%) of Month (%) (Modified)
112
Jan 63 63
Feb 54 54
Mar 63 63
Apr 70 70
May 77 80
Jun 77 80
Jul 77 80
Aug 77 80
Sep 77 80
Oct 77 80
Nov 71 71
Dec 64 64
1

Target Storage Indices for other days of the month are determined by linear

interpolation.
2

Future modified Comprehensive Relicensing Agreement (CRA) values for
Normal Target Elevation for Lake James, Lake Norman and Lake Wylie
shall become effective after Wateree Dam is modified to improve flood

management or after December 31, 2025, whichever is later.

16.U.S. Drought Monitor – A synthesis of multiple indices, outlooks, and news accounts that

represents a consensus of federal and academic scientists concerning the drought status of all
parts of the United States. Typically, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates intensity of drought
as D0-Abnormally Dry, D1-Moderate, D2-Severe, D3-Extreme, and D4-Exceptional. The
website address is http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu. The following federal agencies are
responsible for maintaining the U.S. Drought Monitor:
Joint Agricultural Weather Facility (U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of


Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\[DOC/NOAA\])
Climate Prediction Center (DOC/NOAA/National Weather Service)


National Centers for Environmental Information (DOC/NOAA)


17.U.S. Drought Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average – If the U.S. Drought Monitor has a

reading of D0-D4 for any part of the Catawba-Wateree River Basin that drains to Lake
Wateree, the Basin will be assigned a numeric value for the current month. This monthly
numeric value will equal the area-weighted average Drought Monitor designation (e.g., D0 =
0, D4 = 4) for the Catawba-Wateree River Basin that drains to Lake Wateree. A normal
condition in the Basin, defined as the absence of a Drought Monitor designation, would be
assigned a numeric value of negative one (-1). A running average numeric value of the current
month and the previous two months will be monitored and designated as the U.S. Drought
Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average.
18.Critical Flows – The minimum flow releases from the hydro developments that may be

necessary to:
a.prevent long-term or irreversible damage to aquatic communities consistent with the

resource management goals and objectives for the affected stream reaches;
19

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
b.provide some basic level of operability for Large Water Intakes located on the affected

stream reaches; and,
c.provide some basic level of water quality maintenance in the affected stream reaches.

For the purposes of this LIP, the Critical Flows are as follows:
a.Linville River, below the Bridgewater Development (Lake James): 75 cubic feet per

second (cfs).
b.Catawba River Bypassed Reach below the Bridgewater Development (Lake James): 25

cfs.
c.Oxford Regulated River Reach below the Oxford Development (Lake Hickory): 100 cfs.

d.Lookout Shoals Regulated River Reach below the Lookout Shoals Development: 80 cfs.

e.Wylie Regulated River Reach below the Wylie Development: 700 cfs.

f.Great Falls Bypassed Reaches (Long and Short) at the Great Falls-Dearborn

Development: 450 cfs and 80 cfs respectively.
g.Wateree Regulated River Reach below the Wateree Development: 800 cfs.

h. Leakage flows at the remaining Project structures. Leakage flows are defined as the
flow of water through wicket gates when the hydro units are not operating and
seepage through the Project structures at each development.
19.Recreation Flow Reductions – Since all recreation flow releases must be made by either

releasing water through hydroelectric generation or through flow releases that bypass hydro
generation equipment, reductions in Project Flow Requirements will impact recreation flow
releases.
20.Organizational Abbreviations – Organizational abbreviations include the North Carolina

Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC), SCDNR, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control (SCDHEC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), United States Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
21.CW-DMAG – The CW-DMAG will be tasked with working with the Licensee when the LIP is

initiated. This team will also meet as necessary to foster a basin-wide response to a LIC (see
Procedure section of this LIP). Members of the CW-DMAG agree to comply with the conditions
of this LIP. Membership in the CW-DMAG is open to the following organizations, of which
each organization may have up to two members, with one vote per organization for making
decisions:
a.NCDEQ

b.NCWRC

c.NMFS

d.SCDNR

e.SCDHEC

f.USFWS

g.USGS

20

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
h.Each Owner of a Large Water Intake located on one of the Project reservoirs or the

main stem of the Catawba-Wateree River
i.Each Owner of a Large Water Intake located on any tributary stream within the

Catawba-Wateree River Basin that ultimately drains to Lake Wateree
j.Licensee (CW-DMAG Coordinator)

The CW-DMAG will meet at least annually (typically during the month of May) beginning in
2007 and continuing throughout the term of the New License, regardless of the LIC status, to
review prior year activities, discuss data input from Large Water Intake Owners, and discuss
other issues relevant to the LIP. The Licensee will maintain an active roster of the CW-DMAG
and update the roster as needed. The Licensee will prepare meeting summaries of all CW-
DMAG meetings and will make these meeting summaries available to the public by posting on
its Web site.
22.Revising the LIP – D
uring the term of the New License, the CW-DMAG will review and
update the LIP periodically to ensure continuous improvement of the LIP and its
implementation. These evaluations and modifications will be considered at least once
every five (5) years during the New License term. Modifications must be approved by a
consensus of the participating CW-DMAG members. If the participating members
cannot reach consensus, then the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section
31.0 of the CRA will apply. Approved modifications will be incorporated through
revision of the LIP and the Licensee will file the revised LIP with the FERC. If any
modifications of the LIP require amendment of the New License, the Licensee will: (i)
provide notice to all Parties to the CRA advising them of the proposed license article
submit the modification
amendment and the Licensee’s intent to file it with the FERC; (ii)
request to the NCDEQ and/or the SCDHEC for formal review and approval as may be required
by any reopener conditions of the respective state's 401 Water Quality Certification for the
Project
; and (iii) file a license amendment request for FERC approval. During this
process, the CW-DMAG may appoint an ad hoc committee to address issues and
he filing of a revised LIP by the Licensee will not constitute or
revisions relevant to the LIP. T
require modification to the CRA and any Party to the CRA may be involved in the FERC’s public
process for assessing the revised LIP. Issues such as sediment fill impact on reservoir storage
volume calculations, revising the groundwater monitoring plan and substitution of a regional
drought monitor for the U.S. Drought Monitor, if developed in the future, are examples of
items that may be addressed.
23.Water Withdrawal Data Collection and Reporting – The Licensee will maintain information on

cumulative water use from Project reservoirs beginning in 2006 and continuing throughout the
term of the New License and will make the information available to water intake owners and
governmental agencies upon their request. The Licensee will require a
ll owners of Large
Water Intakes located within the FERC Project Boundaries to report to the Licensee, on
an annual basis in MGD, their average monthly water withdrawals from and flow
returns to the Project or its tributary streams that drain to Lake Wateree. The Licensee
will maintain a database of this information including the Licensee’s own non-hydro
water use records (i.e., water uses due to thermal power generation). These annual
withdrawal summaries will be in writing, certified for accuracy by a professional
engineer or other appropriate official, and will be provided to the Licensee by January
This information may
31 of each year for the preceding calendar year beginning in 2007.
be used to determine if future increased water withdrawals would be within the projections of
21

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
the Water Supply Study conducted during the relicensing process and filed with the FERC as
part of the Licensee’s Application for New License for the Project or subsequent updates to
the projections.
24.Reclaimed Water – Wastewater that has been treated to reclaimed water standards and is re-

used for a designated purpose (e.g., industrial process, irrigation). Reclaimed Water will not
be subject to the water use restrictions outlined in this LIP.
25.Drought Response Plan Updates – All Large Water Intake Owners will review and update
their
Drought Response Plans or Ordinances (or develop a plan or ordinance if they do not
have one) by June 30, 2007 and as necessary within 180 days following the
acceptance by the FERC of any future LIP revisions during the term of the New
License to ensure compliance and coordination with the LIP, including the authority to
enforce the provisions outlined herein, provided that the requirements of the LIP are

consistent with state law.
26.Relationship Between the LIP and the MEP – The MEP outlines the response the Licensee will

take under certain emergency and equipment failure and maintenance situations to continue
practical and safe operation of the Project, to mitigate any related impacts to license
conditions, and to communicate with resource agencies and the affected parties. Under the
MEP, temporary modifications of prescribed flow releases and the reservoir level Normal
Operating Ranges are allowed. Lowering levels of Project reservoirs caused by situations
addressed under the MEP will not invoke implementation of this LIP. Also, if the LIP has
already been implemented at the time that a situation covered by the MEP is initiated, the
Licensee will typically suspend implementation of the LIP until the MEP situation has been
eliminated. The Licensee may, however, choose to continue with the LIP if desirable.
27.Consensus – Consensus is reached when all CW-DMAG members in attendance can ‘live with’

the outcome or proposal being made. The concept of consensus is more fully described in the
Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Stakeholder Teams Charter (dated
October, 2005).
28.Monitored USGS Streamflow Gages – The Monitored USGS Streamflow Gages are identified as

USGS streamflow gage #s 02145000 (South Fork Catawba River at Lowell, NC), 02137727
(Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens, NC), 02140991 (Johns River at Arney’s Store, NC), and
02147500 (Rocky Creek at Great Falls, SC).
29.Instream Flows for Recreation – The New License for the Project includes recreational flow

releases as listed in the Recreational Flows License Article.
30.Minimum Flows – The New License for the Project includes the minimum flow requirements as

listed in the Minimum Flows License Article, the Wylie High Inflow Protocol License Article,
and the Flows Supporting PWS and Industrial Processes License Article.
31.Project Flow Requirements – These flow requirements include the Minimum Flows and the

portion of the Recreational Flows that is greater than the Minimum Flows for Normal
Conditions (i.e., conditions outside of this LIP or MEP).
32.Public Information System – The New License for the Project includes the requirement to

provide information to the public as specified in the Public Information License Article.
22

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
33.Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program – The New License for the Project includes the

reservoir level requirements in the Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program License Article.
PROCEDURE
During periods of normal inflow, reservoir levels will be maintained within prescribed Normal
Operating Ranges. During times when inflow is not adequate to meet all of the normal demands
for water and maintain reservoir levels as normally targeted, the Licensee will progressively reduce
hydro generation while meeting Project Flow Requirements. During a Low Inflow Watch or a LIC
(as defined below), the Licensee and other water users will follow the protocol set forth below for
the Project regarding communications and adjustments to hydro station flow releases, bypassed
flow releases, minimum reservoir elevations, and other water demands. The adjustments set forth
below will be made on at least a monthly basis and are designed to equitably allocate the impacts
of reduced water availability in accordance with the purpose statement of this LIP.
Trigger points that demonstrate worsening hydrologic conditions will define various stages of the
LIC. A summary of trigger points for various stages is provided in the table below. The specific
triggers required to enter successive stages are defined in the procedure for each stage.

Summary of LIP Trigger Points
Drought Monitor (3-Monitored USGS
23
Stage Storage Index
1
month average) Streamflow Gages
0 90% < SI < 100% TSI 3mo Ave DM ≥ 0 AVG ≤ 85% LT 6mo Ave
4
1 75% TSI < SI ≤ 90% TSI and 3mo Ave DM ≥ 1 or AVG ≤ 78% LT 6mo Ave
2 57% TSI < SI ≤ 75% TSI and 3mo Ave DM ≥ 2 or AVG ≤ 65% LT 6mo Ave
3 42% TSI < SI ≤ 57% TSI and 3mo Ave DM ≥ 3 or AVG ≤ 55% LT 6mo Ave
4 SI ≤ 42% TSI and 3mo Ave DM = 4 or AVG ≤ 40% LT 6mo Ave
The ratio of RUS to TUS at a given point in time.
1
DM = The three-month numeric average of the published U.S. Drought Monitor.
2
The sum of the rolling sixth-month average for the Monitored USGS Streamflow Gages as a percentage of the
3
period of record (i.e., long-term \[LT\]) rolling average for the same six-month period for the Monitored USGS
Streamflow Gages.
Stage 0 is triggered when any two of the three trigger points are reached.
4
Stage 0 Actions
The Licensee will monitor the SI, the U.S. Drought Monitor, and the Monitored USGS Streamflow
Gages on at least a monthly basis and will declare a Stage 0 Low Inflow Watch if any two of the
following conditions occur:
a.On the first or sixteenth day of the month (or first business day thereafter), SI is

below the TSI, but greater than 90% of the TSI, while providing the Project Flow
Requirements.
b.The U.S. Drought Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average has a value greater than or

equal to 0.
23

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
c.The sum of the actual rolling six-month average streamflows at the Monitored USGS

Streamflow Gages is equal to or less than 85% of the sum of the period of record
rolling average streamflows for the same six-month period.
When a Low Inflow Watch has been declared, the Licensee will activate the CW-DMAG, including
the initiation of monthly meetings or conference calls to occur on the second Tuesday of each
month. These monthly discussions will focus on:
a.Proper communication channels between the CW-DMAG members.

b.Information reporting consistency for CW-DMAG members, including an SI history and

forecast (at least a 90-day look back and look ahead) from the Licensee, a water use
history and forecast (at least a 90-day look back and look ahead) from each water user
on the CW-DMAG, streamflow gage and groundwater monitoring status from the state
agencies and USGS, and state-wide drought response status from the state agencies.
c.Refresher training on this LIP.

d.Overview discussions from each CW-DMAG member concerning their role and plans

for responding if a Stage 1 or higher LIC is subsequently declared.
Stage 1 Actions
1.The Licensee will declare a Stage 1 LIC and notify the CW-DMAG if:

a.On the first or sixteenth day of the month (or first business day thereafter), the SI is at

or below 90% of the TSI, but greater than 75% of the TSI, while providing the Project
Flow Requirements,
and either of the following conditions exists:
b.The U.S. Drought Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average has a value greater than or

equal to 1.
c.The sum of the actual rolling six-month average streamflows at the Monitored USGS

Streamflow Gages is equal to or less than 78% of the sum of the period of record
rolling average streamflows for the same six-month period.
2.The Licensee will complete the following activities after the Stage 1 LIC declaration:

Within 1 day:
a.Reduce the Project Flow Requirements by 60% of the difference between the normal

Project Flow Requirements and the Critical Flows. These reduced Project Flow
Requirements are referred to as Stage 1 Minimum Project Flows.
b.Reduce the Normal Minimum Elevations by two feet at Lake James and Lake Norman

and by one foot at each of the other Project reservoirs, but not to levels at any
reservoir below the applicable Critical Reservoir Elevation. These elevations are
referred to as the Stage 1 Minimum Elevations.
24

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Within 5 days:
c.Update its Web site and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) messages to account for the

impacts of the LIP on reservoir levels, usability of the Licensee’s public access areas,
and recreation flow schedules.
d.Notify the FERC, the USFWS, the BIA, NMFS, and the Catawba Indian Nation of the

Stage 1 LIC declaration.
e.Provide bi-weekly (once every two weeks) information updates to owners of Large

Water Intakes about reservoir levels, meteorological forecasts, and inflow of water
into the system.
f.In addition the Licensee may, at its sole discretion, modify or suspend its use of

selected operating procedures that are designed for periods of normal or above
normal inflow to optimize the water storage capabilities of the Project, including the
Normal Maximum Elevations and Normal Target Elevations for reservoir levels; the
Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program; the Wylie High Inflow Protocol and at
Lake Wateree, the Spring Stable Flow Periods and Floodplain Inundation Periods.
These modifications and suspensions may be used at the Licensee’s sole discretion in
any LIC (Stages 1 through 4).
3.Owners of PWS intakes and owners of intakes used for irrigation with a capacity greater than

100,000 gallons per day will complete the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 1
LIC declaration:
a.Notify their water customers and employees of the LIC through public outreach and

communication efforts.
b.Request that their water customers and employees implement voluntary water use

restrictions, in accordance with their drought response plans, which may include:
Reduction of lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week


(i.e., residential, multi-family, parks, streetscapes, schools, etc.)
Reduction of residential vehicle washing.


At this stage, the goal is to reduce water usage by 3-5% (or more) from the amount
that would otherwise be expected. The baseline for this comparison will be generated
by each entity and will be based on existing conditions (i.e., drought conditions). For
the purposes of determining ‘the amount that would otherwise be expected’, each
entity may give consideration to one or more of the following:
Historical maximum daily, weekly, and monthly flows during drought conditions.


Increased customer base (e.g., population growth, service area expansion) since


the historical flow comparison.
Changes in major water users (e.g., industrial shifts) since the historical flow


comparison.
Climatic conditions for the comparison period.


Changes in water use since the historical flow comparison.


25

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Other system specific considerations.


c. Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends. Discuss
plans for moving to mandatory water use restrictions, if required.
4.Owners of Large Water Intakes, other than those referenced in Item 3 above, will complete

the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 1 LIC declaration:
a.Notify their customers and employees of the LIC through public outreach and

communication efforts.
b.Request that their customers and employees conserve water through reduction of

water use, electric power consumption, and other means.
c.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

Stage 2 Actions
1.The Licensee will declare a Stage 2 LIC and notify the CW-DMAG if:

a.On the first or sixteenth day of the month (or first business day thereafter), the SI is at

or below 75% of the TSI, but greater than 57% of the TSI, while providing the Stage 1
Minimum Project Flows,
and either of the following conditions exists:
b.The U.S. Drought Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average has a value greater than or

equal to 2.
c.The sum of the actual rolling six-month average streamflows at the Monitored USGS

Streamflow Gages is equal to or less than 65% of the sum of the period of record
rolling average streamflows for the same six-month period.
2.The Licensee will complete the following activities after the Stage 2 LIC declaration:

Within 1 day:
a.Eliminate prescribed recreation flow releases at this stage and all subsequent stages.

Reduce the Project Flow Requirements by 95% of the difference between the normal
Project Flow Requirements and Critical Flows. These reduced flows are referred to as
Stage 2 Minimum Project Flows.
b.Reduce the Stage 1 Minimum Elevations by one additional foot at Lake James (three

feet total below Normal Minimum Elevation) and two additional feet at Lake Norman
(four feet total below Normal Minimum Elevation) and by one additional foot (two
feet total below Normal Minimum Elevations) at each of the other Project reservoirs
but not to levels at any reservoir below the applicable Critical Reservoir Elevation.
These elevations are referred to as the Stage 2 Minimum Elevations.
Within 5 days:
c.Update its Web site and IVR messages to account for the impacts of the LIP on

reservoir levels, usability of the Licensee’s public access areas, and recreation flow
schedules.
26

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
d.Notify the FERC, the USFWS, the BIA, NMFS, and the Catawba Indian Nation of the

Stage 2 LIC declaration.
e.Provide bi-weekly information updates to owners of Large Water Intakes about

reservoir levels, meteorological forecasts, and inflow of water into the system.
f.In addition the Licensee may, at its sole discretion, modify or suspend its use of

selected operating procedures that are designed for periods of normal or above
normal inflow to optimize the water storage capabilities of the Project, including the
Normal Maximum Elevations and Normal Target Elevations for reservoir levels; the
Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program; the Wylie High Inflow Protocol; and at
Lake Wateree, the Spring Stable Flow Periods and Floodplain Inundation Periods.
These modifications and suspensions may be used at the Licensee’s sole discretion in
any LIC (Stages 1 through 4).
3.Owners of PWS intakes and owners of intakes used for irrigation with a capacity greater than

100,000 gallons per day will complete the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 2
LIC declaration:
a.Notify their water customers and employees of the continued LIC and movement to

mandatory water use restrictions through public outreach and communication efforts.
b.Require that their water customers and employees implement mandatory water use

restrictions, in accordance with their drought response plans, which may include:
Limiting lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than two days per week (i.e.,


residential, multi-family, parks, streetscapes, schools, etc.)
Eliminating residential vehicle washing.


Limiting public building, sidewalk, and street washing activities except as required


for safety and/or to maintain regulatory compliance.
At this stage, the goal is to reduce water usage by 5-10% (or more) from the amount
that would otherwise be expected (as discussed in Stage 1 above).
c.Enforce mandatory water use restrictions through the assessment of penalties.

d.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

4.Owners of Large Water Intakes, other than those referenced in Item 3 above, will complete

the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 2 LIC declaration:
a.Continue informing their customers and employees of the LIC through public outreach

and communication efforts.
b.Request that their customers and employees conserve water through reduction of

water use, electric power consumption, and other means.
c.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

27

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Stage 3 Actions
1.The Licensee will declare a Stage 3 LIC and notify the CW-DMAG if:

a.On the first or sixteenth day of the month (or first business day thereafter), the SI is at

or below 57% of the TSI, but greater than 42% of the TSI, while providing the Stage 2
Minimum Project Flows,
and either of the following conditions exists:
b.The U.S. Drought Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average has a value greater than or

equal to 3.
c.The sum of the actual rolling six-month average streamflows at the Monitored USGS

Streamflow Gages is equal to or less than 55% of the sum of the period of record
rolling average streamflows for the same six-month period.
2.The Licensee will complete the following activities after the Stage 3 LIC declaration:

Within 1 day:
a.Reduce the Project Flow Requirements to Critical Flows. These reduced flows are

referred to as Stage 3 Minimum Project Flows.
b.Reduce the Stage 2 Minimum Elevations by seven additional feet at Lake James (ten

feet total below Normal Minimum Elevation) and one additional foot at Lake Norman
(five feet total below Normal Minimum Elevation) and by one additional foot (three
feet total below Normal Minimum Elevations) at each of the other Project reservoirs
but not to levels at any reservoir below the applicable Critical Reservoir Elevation.
These elevations are referred to as the Stage 3 Minimum Elevations.
Within 5 days:
c.Update its Web site and IVR messages to account for the impacts of the LIP on

reservoir levels, usability of the Licensee’s public access areas, and recreation flow
schedules.
d.Notify the FERC, the USFWS, the BIA, NMFS, and the Catawba Indian Nation of the

Stage 3 LIC declaration.
e.Provide bi-weekly information updates to owners of Large Water Intakes about

reservoir levels, meteorological forecasts, and inflow of water into the system.
f.In addition the Licensee may, at its sole discretion, modify or suspend its use of

selected operating procedures that are designed for periods of normal or above
normal inflow to optimize the water storage capabilities of the Project, including the
Normal Maximum Elevations and Normal Target Elevations for reservoir levels; the
Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program; the Wylie High Inflow Protocol; and at
Lake Wateree, the Spring Stable Flow Periods and Floodplain Inundation Periods.
These modifications and suspensions may be used at the Licensee’s sole discretion in
any LIC (Stages 1 through 4).
3.Owners of PWS intakes and owners of intakes used for irrigation with a capacity greater than

100,000 gallons per day will complete the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 3
LIC declaration:
28

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
a.Notify their water customers and employees of the continued LIC and movement to

more stringent mandatory water use restrictions through public outreach and
communication efforts.
b.Require that their water customers and employees implement increased mandatory

water use restrictions, in accordance with their drought response plans, which may
include:
Limiting lawn and landscape irrigation to no more than one day per week (i.e.,


residential, multi-family, parks, streetscapes, schools, etc.)
Eliminating residential vehicle washing.


Limiting public building, sidewalk, and street washing activities except as required


for safety and/or to maintain regulatory compliance.
Limiting construction uses of water such as dust control.


Limiting flushing and hydrant testing programs, except to maintain water quality


or other special circumstances.
Eliminating the filling of new swimming pools.


At this stage, the goal is to reduce water usage by 10-20% (or more) from the amount
that would otherwise be expected (as discussed in Stage 1 above).
c.Enforce mandatory water use restrictions through the assessment of penalties.

d.Encourage industrial/manufacturing process changes that reduce water consumption.

e.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

4.Owners of Large Water Intakes, other than those referenced in Item 3 above, will complete

the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 3 LIC declaration:
a.Continue informing their customers and employees of the Low Inflow Condition

through public outreach and communication efforts.
b.Request that their customers and employees conserve water through reduction of

water use, electric power consumption, and other means.
c.Encourage industrial/manufacturing process changes that reduce water consumption.

d.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

Stage 4 Actions
1.The Licensee will declare a Stage 4 Low Inflow Condition (LIC) and notify the CW-DMAG if:

a. On the first or sixteenth day of the month (or first business day thereafter), the SI is at
or below 42% of the TSI, while providing the Stage 3 Minimum Project Flows.
and either of the following conditions exists:
b.The U.S. Drought Monitor Three-Month Numeric Average has a value of 4.

29

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
c.The sum of the actual rolling six-month average streamflows at the Monitored USGS

Streamflow Gages is equal to or less than 40% of the sum of the period of record
rolling six-month average streamflows for the same six-month period.
2.The Licensee will:

a.Continue to provide Critical Flows as long as possible.

b.Reduce the Stage 3 Minimum Elevations to the Critical Reservoir Elevations within 1

day following the Stage 4 LIC declaration.
c.Establish a meeting date and notify the CW-DMAG within 1 day following the Stage 4

LIC declaration.
d.Notify the FERC, the USFWS, the BIA, NMFS, and the Catawba Indian Nation of the

Stage 4 LIC declaration within 5 days following the Stage 4 LIC declaration.
e.Continue to update its Web site and IVR messages to account for the impacts of the

LIP on reservoir levels, usability of the Licensee’s public access areas, and recreation
flow schedules within 5 days following the Stage 4 LIC declaration.
f.Provide bi-weekly information updates to owners of Large Water Intakes about

reservoir levels, meteorological forecasts, and inflow of water into the system.
g.In addition the Licensee may, at its sole discretion, modify or suspend its use of

selected operating procedures that are designed for periods of normal or above
normal inflow to optimize the water storage capabilities of the Project, including the
Normal Maximum Elevations and Normal Target Elevations for reservoir levels; the
Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program; the Wylie High Inflow Protocol, and at
Lake Wateree, the Spring Stable Flow Periods and Floodplain Inundation Periods.
These modifications and suspensions may be used at the Licensee’s sole discretion in
any LIC (Stages 1 through 4).
Note: Once a Stage 4 LIC is declared, the RUS in the reservoir system is small and can
be fully depleted in a matter of weeks or months. Groundwater recharge may also
contribute to declining reservoir levels. For these reasons, in the Stage 4 LIC, the
Licensee may not be able to ensure that flow releases from its hydro developments will
meet or exceed Critical Flows or that reservoir elevations will be greater than or equal to
the Critical Reservoir Elevations.
3.Owners of PWS intakes and owners of intakes used for irrigation with a capacity greater than

100,000 gallons per day will complete the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 4
LIC declaration:
a.Notify their water customers and employees of the continued LIC and movement to

emergency water use restrictions through public outreach and communication efforts.
b.Restrict all outdoor water use.

c.Implement emergency water use restrictions in accordance with their drought

response plans, including enforcement of these restrictions and assessment of
penalties.
30

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
d.Prioritize and meet with their commercial and industrial large water customers to

discuss strategies for water reduction measures including development of an activity
schedule and contingency plans.
e.Prepare to implement emergency plans to respond to water outages.

f.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

At this level, the goal is to reduce water usage by 20-30% (or more) from the amount that
would otherwise be expected (as discussed in Stage 1 above).
4.Owners of Large Water Intakes on the CW-DMAG, other than those referenced in Item 3

above, will complete the following activities within 14 days after the Stage 4 LIC declaration:
a. Continue informing their customers and employees of the LIC through public outreach
and communication efforts.
b. Request that their customers and employees conserve water through reduction of
water use, electric power consumption, and other means.
c.Encourage industrial/manufacturing process changes that reduce water consumption.

d.Provide a status update to the CW-DMAG on actual water withdrawal trends.

5.The CW-DMAG will:

a.Meet within 5 days after the declaration of the Stage 4 LIC and determine if there are

any additional measures that can be implemented to:
(1) reduce water withdrawals without creating more severe regional problems;
(2) reduce water releases from the Project without creating more severe regional
problems; or
(3) use additional reservoir storage without creating more severe regional
problems.
b.Work together to develop plans and implement any additional measures identified

above.
Recovery from the Low Inflow Protocol
1.Recovery under the LIP as conditions improve will be accomplished by reversing the staged

approach outlined above, except that:
a.All three of the trigger points identified above for declaring the lower numbered stage

must be met or exceeded before returning reservoir minimum elevations and Project
flows to levels specified in that LIC stage, Low Inflow Watch, or Normal Conditions.
b.In addition to the triggers used to designate LIP stages, groundwater levels must

show improvement to designate less restrictive LIP stages. The wells listed in the
table titled “USGS Catawba-Wateree Groundwater Network Wells” will be
monitored to evaluate the condition of groundwater resources upstream of Wateree
Dam. The monthly average of the daily mean water levels reported by USGS for the
groundwater network wells will be used to evaluate groundwater conditions.
31

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
USGS Catawba-Wateree Groundwater Network Wells
Groundwater Date
Site ID Site Name
Monitor Station Installed
342440080443900 KER- 433 KERSHAW COUNTY NR LIBERTY HILL (REGOLITH) 5/11/2009
#1 USGS Kershaw
County near
Liberty Hill 342440080443901 KER- 435 KERSHAW COUNTY NR LIBERTY HILL (BEDROCK) 5/11/2009
344333080503600 LAN- 497 LANCASTER COUNTY AIRPORT (REGOLITH) 1/12/2010
#2 USGS Lancaster
County Airport
344333080503601 LAN- 498 LANCASTER COUNTY AIRPORT (BEDROCK) 1/12/2010
#3 USGS Mineral 345609080415102 UN-147 MINERAL SPRINGS RS TRANSITION ZONE WELL 3/26/2011
Springs Research
Station 345609080415103 UN-148 MINERAL SPRINGS RS BEDROCK WELL 3/26/2011
345830081033100 YRK-3295 YORK COUNTY AIRPORT (BEDROCK) 9/3/2010
#4 USGS York
County Airport
345830081033101 YRK-3296 YORK COUNTY AIRPORT (REGOLITH) 9/2/2010
#5 USGS Pasour 352012081154301 GS-289 PASOUR MTN RS REGOLITH WELL, PM-25 4/21/2010
Mountain
Research Station 352012081154302 GS-290 PASOUR MTN RS TRANSITION ZONE WELL, PM-3 4/21/2010
353135080524201 IR-130 LANGTREE RS MW-2S NR MT MOURNE (REGOLITH) 3/3/2001
#6 USGS Langtree
Peninsula Research
353135080524202 IR-131 LANGTREE RS MW-2I (TRANSITION ZONE) 3/3/2001
Station near
Mount Mourne
353135080524203 IR-132 LANGTREE RS MW-2D (QUARTZ DIORITE) 3/3/2001
#7 USGS Pleasant 354133082042201 MC-107 NEAR PLEASANT GARDENS RS, NC (REGOLITH) 8/20/2010
Gardens Research
Station
354133082042203 MC-109 NEAR PLEASANT GARDENS, NC (BEDROCK) 8/20/2010
#8 USGS Glen BK-126 GLEN ALPINE RS NEAR MORGANTON, NC
354302081433201 1/13/2000
(BEDROCK)
Alpine Research
Station near
354302081433202 BK-127 GLEN ALPINE RS NR MORGANTON, NC (REGOLITH) 11/1/2008
Morganton
354616081085101 CW-350 OXFORD RS NR CLAREMONT (TRANSITION ZONE) 3/24/2011
#9 USGS Oxford
Research Station
near Claremont 354616081085102 CW-351 OXFORD RS NR CLAREMONT, NC (BEDROCK) 8/1/2009
#10 USGS Granite 355031081243202 CD-101 GRANITE FALLS RS TRANSITION ZONE WELL 3/17/2011
Falls Research
Station
355031081243203 CD-102 GRANITE FALLS RS BEDROCK WELL 3/17/2011

Movement between LIP stages during recovery will be determined by comparing the
current monthly average water level for each well to the range of monthly average
water levels for each well calculated from the period of record data through the most
recent USGS approved Water Year (October-September) to determine comparative
percentiles.

The results of the monthly calculations will be combined and compared to the
32

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Groundwater Recovery Triggers defined below. Groundwater trigger levels will be
updated annually. The following triggers will be used in combination with the three
triggers used for defining LIP stages to designate improving conditions.

Groundwater Recovery Triggers

The following recovery steps are authorized when the groundwater network’s current
combined monthly average water level meets the designated trigger.
i. Recovery to Stage 3: Monthly period of record low water level
or higher
th
ii. Recovery to Stage 2: Monthly period of record 10 percentile
or higher
th
iii. Recovery to Stage 1: Monthly period of record 25 percentile
or higher
th
iv. Recovery to Stage 0 and Normal: Monthly period of record 50
percentile or higher
The calculations described in this Item b. above will be used for informational purposes
only until ten or more years of approved USGS data are available, reflecting the range of
historical hydrologic conditions in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin which ultimately
drains to Wateree Dam.

2.The NCDEQ, SCDNR, SCDHEC, USGS and the Licensee will determine by consensus when the

groundwater trigger points for recovery are reached.
3.The Licensee will directly notify the CW-DMAG members within 5 days following attainment of

all the trigger points necessary to recover to a lower stage of the LIC, Low Inflow Watch, or
Normal Conditions.
4.

The Licensee will update its Web site and IVR messages within 5 days following attainment of
all the trigger points necessary to recover to a lower stage of the LIC, Low Inflow Watch, or
Normal Conditions to account for the impacts of the LIP on reservoir levels, usability of the

Licensee’s public access areas, and recreation flow schedules.
5.

Notify the FERC, the USFWS, the BIA, NMFS, and the Catawba Indian Nation within 5 days
following attainment of all the trigger points necessary to recover to a lower stage of the LIC,

Low Inflow Watch, or Normal Conditions.

33

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of the
revision compared to the original WQC

The LIP revisions make the LIP consistent with and supportive of the beneficial CRA
provisions previously discussed (i.e., higher summer Target Elevations and reduced
Lake Wyle Dam recreation flow). In addition, other revisions allow the LIP to respond
more quickly to changing drought triggers which conserves water during drought
periods, helping to reduce the impacts of severe drought conditions on water supply,
recreational uses and environmental resources.
Additionally, comparisons of the percent of time in LIP stages were completed for the
various scenarios. The results of this analysis indicate little difference between the
percent of time in various LIP stages for the proposed revisions as compared to the
baseline scenario, but do generally indicate an improvement of less time in more severe
drought stages. A summary of impacts and/or benefits determined from the assessment
of proposed LIP revisions is presented in the following table.

Proposed LIP Revision Impact of Revision
Lower critical intake Slightly increases Total Usable Storage, with corresponding
elevation revisions at minor increase to Target Storage Index. Increases are the
Lake James and Mountain result of the new Bridgewater Powerhouse at Lake James and
Island Lake the retirement of the Riverbend Steam Station on Mountain
Island Lake.
Increase summer target Provides an enhancement to basin-wide water yield and
elevations by 6 inches at extends available water supply by one decade and by a total
Lake James, Lake Norman of 4 decades when coupled with other CWWMG WSMP
and Lake Wylie recommended strategies; minimal impact of increased
flooding potential in Catawba-Wateree reservoirs based on
modeled assessment.
U.S. Drought Monitor Current methodology (worst case Drought Monitor condition
area-weighted average in basin) is not indicative of basin-wide conditions and can
calculation methodology unnecessarily prolong drought recovery; proposed
methodology is more indicative of basin-wide average
conditions and consistent with North and South Carolina
resource agencies’ approach to use of the U.S. Drought
Monitor; proposed revision more closely aligns this trigger
other drought triggers (storage and streamflow).
LIP Stage determination Allows faster response during rapidly intensifying drought
frequency of twice per conditions.
34

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
month
Expedite Duke Energy Allows faster response during rapidly intensifying drought
response time to 1 day conditions.
for certain LIP response
actions
Reduce Lake Wylie Improves recreational boating safety; no additional impact as
recreational flow release this revision acknowledges the 6,000 cfs to 3,000 cfs
recreation flow release previously discussed.

Consultation Summary

Consultation resulted in the comments summarized in the following table.

Commenter Summary of Comment Duke Energy Response
North Page 4, bullet #11 – Will the Lake James If a new intake is located
Carolina critical elevation change with the on Lake James in the
Wildlife installation of the new water intake for future, the intake would
Resource McDowell County? be required to be
Commission operational below the Lake
James Critical Elevation
resulting from the new
powerhouse. Therefore, a
new intake would not
change the Critical
Elevation.
North Page 5, bullet #17 – Details of the This section of the
Carolina drought index are still not clear. In proposed modified LIP
Wildlife second sentence you should clarify that document has been
Resource the monthly numeric value is the revised for clarification,
Commission average drought value of the basin. I say based upon this comment.
this because you should distinguish The monthly average will
between the monthly average and the 3-be based on an area-
month rolling average. More weighted average. The
importantly, this bullet doesn't define area-weighted average will
how the monthly average will be be determined by an Excel
determined. Will it be a weighted spreadsheet tool which
average (e.g., by area) or a simple imports GIS-based U.S.
average (part of basin is D1 and part is Drought Monitor data and
D2, so average is 1.5)? If a weighted maps overlaid by basin
35

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
average, how will you determine area boundary maps to
under each designation – visual estimate calculate an exact area-
from map or some other method? What weighted average.
would the average be for the maps
below?
United Page 7 of the revision: it should be The typographical
States Fish changed from USFSW to USFWS. correction will be made for
and Wildlife the final document.
Service
36

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix D: Maintenance and Emergency Protocol (MEP) Article (applies to NC and
SC)

Statement of Revision

Add National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the list of resource agencies to be
notified and consulted under the MEP.

Background information explaining the need for the revision

As included in the license issued November 25, 2015, Duke Energy is required to notify
the FERC of any deviations in required flow releases in accordance with the MEP and to
also notify state and federal resource agencies and determine if consultation is
necessary to more fully evaluate the deviation. There have been several such incidents,
some of which have prompted the FERC to inquire why the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) was not notified or consulted. NMFS is not currently included for
notification or consultation in the MEP. Duke Energy believes it is beneficial and
appropriate to add NMFS to the MEP to be included in notifications and
consultation when MEP-related events occur in South Carolina due to NMFS
jurisdictional interest in endangered species shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon. This
revision also incorporates general terminology updates, Critical Reservoir Elevation
updates, and organization name updates to align with updates in the LIP and MEP.

Actual text of the revision (for ease of identification, text modified from the December
22, 2006, Signature Copy of the CRA, Revision 1 is shown in bold italics)
37

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

APPENDIX D: MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY PROTOCOL
(MEP) FOR THE CATAWBA-WATEREE PROJECT

Introduction

Under some emergency, equipment failure, maintenance or other abnormal situations,
certain license conditions may be impractical or even impossible to meet and may need
to be suspended or modified temporarily to avoid taking unnecessary risks. The
objectives of this protocol are to define the most likely situations of this type, identify the
potentially impacted license conditions and outline the general approach that the
Licensee will take to mitigate the impacts to license conditions and to communicate with
the resource agencies and affected parties.
Note: Due to the potential variability of these abnormal situations, this protocol is not
intended to give an exact step-by-step solution path. It will, however, provide basic
expectations for the Licensee’s approach to dealing with the situation. Specific details
will vary and will be determined on a case-by-case basis as the protocol is being
enacted.
The Licensee will review the requirements of this protocol each time it is used and may
revise the MEP from time to time as noted below.

Key Facts and Definitions

1. Human Health and Safety and the integrity of the Public Water Supply and
Electric Systems are of Utmost Importance – Nothing in this protocol will limit the
Licensee’s ability to take any and all lawful actions necessary at the Project to
protect human health and safety, protect its equipment from major damage,
protect the equipment of the Large Water Intake owners from major damage, and
ensure the stability of the regional electric grid and public water supply systems. It
is recognized that the Licensee may take the steps that are necessary to protect
these things without prior consultation or notification. Likewise, nothing in this
MEP will limit the States of North Carolina and South Carolina from taking any
and all lawful actions necessary within their jurisdictions to protect human health
and safety. It is recognized that North Carolina and South Carolina may also
take the steps necessary to protect these things without prior consultation or
notification.
2. Normal Full Pond Elevation – Also referred to simply as “full pond,” this is the
level of a reservoir that corresponds to the point at which water would first begin
to spill from the reservoir’s dam(s) if the Licensee took no action. This level
corresponds to the lowest point along the top of the spillway (including
flashboards) for reservoirs without floodgates and to the lowest point along the
top of the floodgates for reservoirs that have floodgates. To avoid confusion
among the many reservoirs the Licensee operates, it has adopted the practice of
38

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

referring to the Full Pond Elevation for all of its reservoirs as equal to 100.0 ft.
relative. The Full Pond Elevations for the Catawba-Wateree Project reservoirs
are:

Full Pond Elevation

Reservoir

(ft. above Mean Sea Level)

Lake James 1200.0
Lake Rhodhiss 995.1
Lake Hickory 935.0
Lookout Shoals Lake 838.1
Lake Norman 760.0
Mountain Island Lake 647.5
Lake Wylie 569.4
Fishing Creek Reservoir 417.2
Great Falls Reservoir 355.8
Cedar Creek Reservoir 284.4
Lake Wateree 225.5

3. Normal Minimum Elevation – The level of a reservoir (measured in feet above
Mean Sea Level (MSL) or feet relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft.
corresponding to full pond) that defines the bottom of the reservoir’s Normal
Operating Range for a given day of the year. If inflows and outflows to the
reservoir are kept within some reasonable range of the average or expected
amounts, hydroelectric project equipment is operating properly and no protocols
for abnormal conditions have been implemented, reservoir level excursions
below the Normal Minimum Elevation should not occur.
4. Normal Maximum Elevation – The level of a reservoir (measured in feet above
Mean Sea Level (MSL) or feet relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft.
corresponding to full pond) that defines the top of the reservoir’s Normal
Operating Range for a given day of the year. If inflows and outflows to the
reservoir are kept within some reasonable range of the average or expected
amounts, hydroelectric project equipment is operating properly, and no protocols
for abnormal conditions have been implemented, reservoir level excursions
above the Normal Maximum Elevation should not occur.
5. Normal Target Elevation – The level of a reservoir (measured in ft above Mean
Sea Level (msl) or feet relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft
corresponding to full pond) that the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to
achieve, unless operating in the Low Inflow Protocol, the Maintenance and
Emergency Protocol, the Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program (Lakes
James, Norman, Wylie and Wateree only), a Spring Stable Flow Period (Lake
39

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Wateree only) or a Floodplain Inundation Period (Lake Wateree only). Since
inflows vary significantly and outflow demands also vary, the Licensee will not
always be able to maintain actual reservoir level at the Normal Target Elevation.
The Normal Target Elevation falls within the Normal Operating Range, but it is
not always the average of the Normal Minimum and Normal Maximum
Elevations.
6. Normal Operating Range – The band of reservoir levels within which the
Licensee normally attempts to maintain a given reservoir that it operates on a
given day. Each reservoir has its own specific Normal Operating Range, and that
range is bounded by a Normal Maximum Elevation and a Normal Minimum
Elevation. If inflows and outflows to the reservoir are kept within some reasonable
range of the average or expected amounts, hydro project equipment is
operating properly and no protocols for abnormal conditions have been
implemented, reservoir level excursions outside of the Normal Operating Range
should not occur. The New License for the Catawba-Wateree Project includes
the Normal Operating Ranges for the reservoirs (i.e., Normal
Minimum, Normal Maximum and Normal Target Elevations) as listed in the
Reservoir Elevations License Article.
7. Returning to Normal – Some of the abnormal situations noted in this MEP can
impact the Licensee’s ability to operate the hydro project in the most efficient and
safest manner for power production. The Licensee will therefore endeavor in
good faith to repair existing hydro project equipment and facilities and return them
to service within a reasonable period of time, commensurate with the severity
of the equipment / facility repair requirements. If the Licensee decides that
repair is not cost-effective or that hydro station or dam retirement is necessary,
the Licensee will notify the Parties to the Comprehensive
Relicensing Agreement (CRA) and consult with them as well as the FERC to
determine any necessary modifications of the New License and/or this
Agreement.
8. Incidental Maintenance – These are maintenance activities at hydro project
works that are very brief in nature or that require minimal if any deviation from
normal license conditions. For the purposes of this protocol, maintenance of
hydro project works that does not require deviation from any license conditions
related to prescribed flow releases from Project structures, or the Normal
Operating Ranges for reservoir levels or is less than 24 hours in duration and will
not require any excursions below any Critical Flows or Critical Reservoir
Elevations is considered Incidental Maintenance and, except for the notification
steps identified in the tables below for communication with resource agencies
and affected parties for conditions that impact prescribed flow releases, Incidental
Maintenance is exempt from the requirements of this protocol.
9. Notification Guidance
a. Scheduled Maintenance that Affects License Conditions – Typically,
scheduled maintenance is planned months in advance. Once a likely
maintenance schedule has been established, the Licensee will endeavor in
40

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

good faith to provide as much advance notice as possible to the affected
parties identified in this protocol.
b. Unscheduled Maintenance and Emergencies that Affect License Conditions –
It is not possible for the Licensee to assure any level of advance notice. For
these situations, the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to inform the
affected parties identified in this protocol within some reasonable amount of
time after the situation has been identified.
10. Relationship Between this Protocol and the Low Inflow Protocol – The Low Inflow
Protocol (LIP) provides for reductions in generation flows, instream flows and
recreational flow releases and modification of the Normal Operating Ranges for
reservoir levels when water demands on the reservoirs substantially exceed net
inflow. Lowered reservoir levels caused by situations addressed under this
Maintenance and Emergency Protocol (MEP) will not invoke implementation of
the LIP. Also, if the LIP has already been implemented at the time that a situation
covered by this MEP is initiated, the Licensee will typically suspend
implementation of the LIP until the MEP situation has been eliminated. The
Licensee may however choose to continue with the LIP if desirable.
11. Peak Recreation Season – The period when recreation use on Project reservoirs
is generally at the highest levels, identified by the Recreation Use and Needs
st th
Study as extending from April 1through September 30.
12. Critical Flows – The minimum flow releases from the hydro developments that
may be necessary to:
a. prevent long-term or irreversible damage to aquatic communities consistent
with the resource management goals and objectives for the affected stream
reaches;
b. provide some basic level of operability for large water intakes located on the
affected stream reaches; and,
c. provide some basic level of water quality maintenance in the affected stream
reaches.
For the purposes of the LIP and this MEP, the Critical Flows are as follows:
a. Linville River, below the Bridgewater Development (Lake James): 75 cubic
feet per second (cfs).
b. Catawba River Bypassed Reach below the Bridgewater Development (Lake
James): 25 cfs.
c. Oxford Regulated River Reach below the Oxford Development (Lake
Hickory): 100 cfs.
d. Lookout Shoals Regulated River Reach below the Lookout Shoals
Development: 80 cfs.
e. Wylie Regulated River Reach below the Wylie Development: 700 cfs
41

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

f. Great Falls Bypassed Reaches (Long and Short) at the Great Falls-Dearborn
Development: 450 cfs and 80 cfs respectively.
g. Wateree Regulated River Reach below the Wateree Development: 800 cfs
h. Leakage flows at the remaining Project structures. Leakage flows are
defined as the flow of water through wicket gates when the hydro units are
not operating and seepage through the Project structures at each
development.
13. Critical Reservoir Elevation – Unless it is otherwise stated as applying only to a
specific intake or type of intake, the Critical Reservoir Elevation is the highest
level of water in a reservoir (measured in feet above Mean Sea Level (mls) or
feet relative to the full pond contour with 100.0 ft. corresponding to full pond)
below which any Large Water Intake used for Public Water Supply or industrial
uses, or any regional power plant intake located on the reservoir will not operate
at its Licensee-approved capacity. The Critical Reservoir Elevations, as of
December 31, 2016, are defined below:

Critical Reservoir Elevation
Reservoir(ft. relative to local datum) Type of Limit

(100 ft = Full Pond)

Lake James 50.0 Power Production
Lake Rhodhiss 89.4 Municipal Intake
Lake Hickory 94.0 Municipal Intake
Lookout Shoals Lake 74.9 Municipal Intake
Lake Norman 90.0 Power Production
Mountain Island Lake 90.5 Municipal Intake
Lake Wylie 92.6 Industrial Intake
Fishing Creek Reservoir 95.0 Municipal Intake
Great Falls Reservoir 87.2 Power Production
Cedar Creek Reservoir 80.3 Power Production
Lake Wateree 92.5 Municipal Intake

14. Organizational abbreviations include the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC), the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(NCDEQ), North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), North
Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (NCSHPO), South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), South Carolina State Historic
Preservation Office (SCSHPO), United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS),
United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Marine Fisheries Service
42

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

(NMFS), American Whitewater (AW), United States Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA), Catawba Indian Nation (CIN) and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
(EBCI).
15. Voltage and Capacity Emergencies – The electric transmission system serving
the Project area is part of the Licensee’s main transmission system. The
Licensee’s system is connected to other large transmission systems located in
the southeast. If the Licensee’s system reliability is at risk due to Voltage and
Capacity Emergencies, the ability to provide secure and continuous electric
service to the Licensee’s electric customers becomes compromised. The
Licensee’s System Operating Center (SOC) and Transmission Control Center
(TCC) continuously monitor the electric transmission system. Therefore, for the
purposes of this protocol, a Voltage or Capacity Emergency shall exist when
declared by the Licensee’s SOC or TCC.
16. Large Water Intake – any water intake (e.g., public water supply, industrial,
agricultural, power plant, etc.) having a maximum instantaneous capacity greater
than or equal to one Million Gallons per Day (MGD) that withdraws water from
the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.
17. Preparation for High Inflow Events – With modern forecasting, it is more possible
than ever to predict large high inflow events and to increase generation hours to
reduce reservoir levels in order to mitigate the potential for spilling and high
water. Typically, this type of advance action is taken from 1 to 5 days or more
before the expected arrival of the storm. It is assumed that the Normal Operating
Ranges of reservoir levels may not include adequate flexibility (i.e. band width) to
allow for this type of reservoir level reduction under heavy inflow circumstances,
and therefore, allowances are made in this MEP to lower reservoir levels below
the Normal Minimum Elevations if needed in preparation for such events.
18. Large Extended Drawdown – Any drawdown of a Project reservoir that will
expose substantial lakebed areas for an extended period of time that are not
normally exposed during the year. For the purposes of this document, a large
extended drawdown is any drawdown that is expected to maintain lake elevation
for at least 30 consecutive days at levels that are at least five feet below the
lowest Normal Minimum Elevation for that reservoir.
43

20

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

19. Revising the MEP – The Licensee will review the requirements of this MEP each
time it is used and will consult with the organizations listed in Item 14 above
(except the FERC) if the Licensee determines that revisions are warranted. The
Licensee will file the revised MEP with the FERC, including filing a license
amendment request if the Licensee determines that the amendment is needed. If
any modifications of the MEP require amendment of the New License, the
Licensee will provide notice to all Parties to the CRA advising them of the
proposed license article amendment prior to filing the license amendment
request for FERC approval. The filing of a revised MEP by the Licensee will not
constitute or require modification to the CRA and any Party to the CRA may be
involved in the FERC’s public process for assessing the revised MEP.
20. Instream Flows For Recreation – The New License for the Project includes
the prescribed recreational flow releases as listed in the Recreational
Flows License Article.
21. Minimum Flows – The New License for the Project includes the minimum
flow requirements as listed in the Minimum Flows License Article, the Wylie
High Inflow Protocol License Article, and the Flows Supporting Public Water
Supply and Industrial Processes License Article.
22. Public Information System – The New License for the Project includes the
requirement to provide information to the public as specified in the Public
Information License Article.
23. Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Program – The New License for the
Project includes the reservoir level requirements in the Spring Reservoir
Level Stabilization Program License Article.

Guidance for Responding to Abnormal Conditions

This section provides guidance for responding to the most likely conditions identified in
the table below. The table identifies the most likely abnormal conditions when this
protocol will be enacted and the license requirements that would most likely be
impacted.

Potentially Impacted License
Abnormal Condition

Requirements

Normal

Operating

Flows in
Flows in
Ranges and

Condition Regulated
Condition NameIndicationsBypassed
Stabilization

LetterRiver

Reaches
Periods for

Reaches

Reservoir
Levels

44

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Potentially Impacted License
Abnormal Condition

Requirements

Normal

Operating

Flows in
Ranges and
Flows in

Condition Regulated
Condition NameIndicationsStabilization
Bypassed

LetterRiver

Periods for
Reaches

Reaches

Reservoir
Levels

Hydro Unit Maintenance will require hydro
A X X X
Maintenance unit shutdown.

Maintenance will require
Maintenance of
interruption of scheduled
B X X
Minimum Flow
minimum releases from normal
Devices
locations

Imminent Failure or Potential

Failure condition is declared

per Emergency Action Plan or
Dam Safety
C X X X
Emergency
other dam safety concern is
identified.

Voltage or capacity conditions

on the electric grid in the

Licensee’s system or the

larger regional electric grid

Voltage or cause the Licensee’s system
D Capacity reliability and safety to be at X X X
Emergency risk and a voltage or capacity
emergency is declared by
Licensee’s System Operating
Center (SOC) or Transmission
Control Center (TCC).

Reservoir

Drawdown

Below Normal

Minimum
Elevation due to The reservoir level is below
E X X X
maintenance, Normal Minimum Elevation
emergency or
other reasons
(not due to low
or high inflow)
Safe access to bypasses or

River Access regulated river reaches

F Special requires interruption of X X
Circumstances scheduled/minimum releases
from normal locations
45

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Potentially Impacted License
Abnormal Condition

Requirements

Normal

Operating

Flows in
Ranges and
Flows in

Condition Regulated
Condition NameIndicationsStabilization
Bypassed

LetterRiver

Periods for
Reaches

Reaches

Reservoir
Levels

Expected or The water level at a reservoir
G existing high is significantly above or below X
inflow event the Normal Operating Range

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

General Notification
As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response to an abnormal
condition will potentially impact license conditions, the Licensee will add appropriate
messages to its public information Web site and/or its reservoir level toll-free phone
system to inform the general public. Specific consultation is discussed below for each
identified abnormal situation.
Notification and Consultation
Notification and consultation requirements are specified for each abnormal condition.
The Licensee will consider options suggested by the identified agencies and
organizations that could lessen the impact of the abnormal condition on the
environmental, cultural and human needs relative to the Project.
46

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition A.1 – Scheduled Hydro Unit Maintenance
Mitigating Actions
1. Scheduling – To the extent practical, the Licensee will avoid scheduling hydro unit
maintenance that would impact flow requirements for aquatic habitat, water quality,
recreation, navigation or downstream water uses during Peak Recreation Season, or
during Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization Periods (Bridgewater, Cowans Ford, Wylie
and Wateree developments only) or during Spring Stable Flow Periods (Wateree
Development only) unless it is likely that the equipment condition will cause damage
or unscheduled unit maintenance if repairs are delayed.
2. Replacing Recreational Flow Releases – If the maintenance operations affect
equipment that provides the normal method of providing prescribed recreational
flows, then the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to replace some or all of the
missed flows that are normally scheduled for recreation. This can be accomplished
by providing replacement flow releases at the Oxford Development, the Wylie
Development, and the Fishing Creek Development (for the Great Falls Bypassed
Reaches) through the use of spillway gates. The preferred method at all of the
developments is to schedule replacement recreational flow releases for another time
after the maintenance operations are completed. The replacement recreational flow
releases will occur during the same calendar year as originally scheduled. An Annual
Recreational Flow Schedule Planning meeting will be held each March (see Section
3.2 of the CRA) and contingency dates for make-up releases can be identified at that
time.
3. Drawing Down the Affected Reservoir –To minimize the impacts to its electric
customers, the Licensee may choose to draw down a reservoir using its hydro units
to minimize spillage from the dam during maintenance operations, but not to levels
below the Critical Reservoir Elevations.
4. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners or Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of any reduced flow releases.
47

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition A.1 – Scheduled Hydro Unit Maintenance

NotificationConsultationComments

For developments in NC (including Wylie). If the maintenance will

affect any required flow release or Normal Operating Range or
NCDEQ

Stabilization Requirements for Reservoir Levels, provide notification
FERC NCWRC
and initiate consultation as soon as maintenance schedules are
USFWS
determined (typically months in advance), but at least 10 days prior to
beginning any reservoir drawdown or the hydro unit maintenance.
For developments in SC. If the maintenance will affect any required
SCDNR flow release or Normal Operating Range or Stabilization
SCDHEC Requirements for Reservoir Levels, provide notification and initiate
FERC
USFWS consultation as soon as maintenance schedules are determined
NMFS (typically months in advance), but at least 10 days prior to beginning
any reservoir drawdown or the hydro unit maintenance.

Consult at least 10 days prior to maintenance if it will affect the
AW
prescribed recreational flow releases.

Consult at least 10 days prior to maintenance or beginning any
NCSHPO
reservoir drawdown if maintenance will affect Historic Properties
SCSHPO
(NCSHPO or SCSHPO as appropriate) and include consultation with
CIN
CIN and EBCI if the maintenance will result in a Large Extended
EBCI
Drawdown.

Consult at least 10 days prior to maintenance, if it will affect normal
BIA
minimum flow releases from the Wylie Development.
CIN

Large Water
1
Intake Owners

Consult with intake owners and downstream effluent dischargers at

least 10 days prior to beginning maintenance or any reservoir
Downstream
drawdown if flow releases below Critical Flows will be required.
Effluent
1
Dischargers

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any temporary
Access Area
recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure due to
Closure
extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the Recreation
Notification
Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
General the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform the
general public.
Note 1 – If affected by the maintenance.
48

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition A.2 – Unscheduled Hydro Unit Maintenance
Mitigating Actions
1. Replacing Recreational Flow Releases – If the maintenance affects equipment that
provides the normal method of providing prescribed recreational flows, then the
Licensee will endeavor in good faith to replace some or all of the missed flows that
are normally scheduled for recreation. This can be accomplished by providing
replacement flow releases at the Oxford Development, Wylie Development, and the
Fishing Creek Development (for the Great Falls Bypassed Reaches) through the use
of spillway gates. The preferred method at all the developments is to schedule
replacement recreational flow releases for another time after the maintenance
operations are complete. The replacement recreational flow releases will occur
during the same calendar year as originally scheduled. An Annual Recreational Flow
Schedule Planning meeting will be held each March (see Section 3.2 of the CRA) and
contingency dates for make-up releases can be identified at that time.
2. Drawing Down the Affected Reservoir –To minimize the impacts to its electric
customers, the Licensee may choose to draw down a reservoir using its hydro units
to minimize spillage from the dam during maintenance operations, but not to levels
below the Critical Reservoir Elevations.
3. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners and Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of any reduced flow releases.
49

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition A.2 – Unscheduled Hydro Unit Maintenance

NotificationConsultationComments

For developments in NC (including Wylie). If the maintenance will

FERC affect any required flow release or Normal Operating Range or
NCDEQ
NCDEQ Stabilization Requirements for Reservoir Levels, perform notification
NCWRC
NCWRC as soon as possible after the unscheduled maintenance begins, but
USFWS
USFWS no longer than 5 days afterwards. Begin consultation within 10 days
after the unscheduled maintenance begins.

FERC For developments in SC. If the maintenance will affect any required
SCDNR
SCDNR flow release or Normal Operating Range or Stabilization
SCDHEC
SCDHEC Requirements for Reservoir Levels, perform notification as soon as
USFWS
USFWS possible after the unscheduled maintenance begins, but no longer
NMFS
NMFS than 5 days afterwards. Initiate consultation within 10 days.

Notify (within 5 days) and consult (within 10 days) afterwards if
AW AW
maintenance will affect the prescribed recreational flow releases.
NCSHPO NCSHPO Notify (within 5 days) and consult (within 10 days) afterwards with
SCSHPO SCSHPO NCSHPO and SCSHPO (as appropriate) if maintenance will affect
CIN CIN Historic Properties and include consultation with CIN and EBCI if the
EBCI EBCI maintenance will result in a Large Extended Drawdown.

Notify (within 5 days) and consult (within 10 days) afterwards if
BIA BIA
maintenance affects normal minimum flow releases from the Wylie
CIN CIN
Development.

Large Water Large Water

11
Intake OwnersIntake Owners

Notify (within 5 days) and consult (within 10 days) afterwards with

intake owners and downstream effluent dischargers if flow releases
Downstream Downstream
below Critical Flows are required.
Effluent Effluent
11
DischargersDischargers

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any temporary
Access Area
recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure due to
Closure
extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the Recreation
Notification
Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
General
Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform the
general public.
Note 1 – If affected by the maintenance.
50

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition B.1 – Maintenance of the Normal Means of
Providing Minimum Flows (Scheduled)
Mitigating Actions
1. Scheduling – To the extent practical, the Licensee will avoid scheduling maintenance
that would impact the ability of the Licensee to release flows for aquatic habitat,
water quality or downstream water uses, unless it is likely that the equipment
condition will cause damage or an unscheduled maintenance condition if repairs are
delayed.
2. Providing Minimum Flows – If the maintenance cannot avoid impacting minimum
flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or downstream water uses, then the Licensee
will endeavor in good faith to provide some of the minimum flows in the affected
stream reaches. This can be accomplished by partially opening spillway gates at the
Oxford Development, the Wylie Development and the Fishing Creek Development (for
the Great Falls Bypassed Reaches). At all other sites, leakage from the dams or
other means of releasing flows (e.g., pulsing of hydro units at Bridgewater) will be
provided during the maintenance. Note that it would be a very unusual occurrence to
not have any generation or spill control equipment available at these sites.
3. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners and Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of any reduced flow releases.
51

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition B.1 – Maintenance of the Normal Means of Providing Minimum Flows (Scheduled)

NotificationConsultationComments

NCDEQ

NCWRC

USFWS
For developments in NC (including Wylie). If the maintenance cannot

avoid impacting minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or

Large Water
FERC downstream water uses, provide notification and initiate consultation
1
Intake Owners

as soon as maintenance schedules are determined (typically months

in advance), but at least 10 days prior to beginning the maintenance.
Downstream
Effluent
1
Dischargers

SCDNR

SCDHEC

USFWS

NMFS
For developments in SC. If the maintenance cannot avoid impacting

minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or downstream
FERC Large Water water uses, provide notification and initiate consultation as soon as
1
Intake Owners maintenance schedules are determined (typically months in

advance), but at least 10 days prior to beginning the maintenance.

Downstream
Effluent
1
Dischargers

Consult if maintenance affects normal minimum flow releases from
BIA
the Wylie Development, as soon as maintenance schedules are
CIN
determined (typically months in advance), but at least 10 days prior
to beginning the maintenance.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
General the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
Web site and/or its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform
the general public.
Note 1 – If affected by the maintenance.
52

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition B.2 – Maintenance of the Normal Means of
Providing Minimum Flows (Unscheduled)
Mitigating Actions
1. Providing Minimum Flows – If the maintenance cannot avoid impacting minimum
flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or downstream water uses, then the Licensee
will endeavor in good faith to provide some of the minimum flows in the affected
stream reaches. This can be accomplished by partially opening spillway gates at the
Oxford Development, the Wylie Development and the Fishing Creek Development (for
the Great Falls Bypassed Reaches). At all other sites, leakage from the dams or
other means of releasing flows (e.g., pulsing of hydro units at Bridgewater) will be
provided during the maintenance. Note that it would be a very unusual occurrence to
not have any generation or spill control capability available at these sites.
2. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners and Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of any reduced flow releases.
53

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition B.2 – Maintenance of the Normal Means of Providing Minimum Flows
(Unscheduled)

NotificationConsultationComments

FERC
NCDEQ

NCDEQ
NCWRC

NCWRC
USFWS For developments in NC (including Wylie). If the maintenance cannot
USFWS
avoid impacting minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or

downstream water uses, perform notification as soon as possible
Large Water
Large Water
1
after the unscheduled maintenance begins, but no longer than 5 days
Intake Owners

1
Intake Owners

afterwards. Begin consultation within 10 days after the unscheduled

Downstream maintenance begins.
Downstream
Effluent
Effluent
1
Dischargers

1
Dischargers

FERC
SCDNR

SCDNR
SCDHEC

SCDHEC
USFWS

USFWS
NMFS For developments in SC. If the maintenance cannot avoid impacting
NMFS
minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or downstream

water uses, perform notification as soon as possible after the
Large Water
Large Water
1
unscheduled maintenance begins, but no longer than 5 days
Intake Owners

1
Intake Owners

afterwards. Initiate consultation within 10 days.

Downstream
Downstream
Effluent
Effluent
1
Dischargers

1
Dischargers

Notify if maintenance affects normal minimum flow releases from the
BIA BIA Wylie Development, as soon as possible after the unscheduled
CIN CIN maintenance begins, but no longer than 5 days afterwards. Initiate
consultation within 10 days.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
General the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
Web site and/or its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform
the general public.
Note 1 – If affected by the maintenance.
54

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition C – Dam Safety Emergency
Mitigating Actions
1. Safety Must Come First – If an Imminent Failure or Potential Failure condition
is declared per the Licensee’s Emergency Action Plan, or other dam safety
concerns arise, the Licensee may modify or suspend any license conditions
immediately and for as long as necessary to restore the dam to a safe
condition.
Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition C – Dam Safety Emergency
Notification Consultation Comments
Conducted strictly in accordance with the Licensee’s Emergency
Action Plan. In cases where dam safety concerns arise that are
During EAP Imminent Failure or not an Imminent Failure or Potential Failure Condition per the
Potential Failure Conditions Licensee’s Emergency Action Plan, consultation with resource
agencies and affected parties will occur as soon as possible, after
the dam safety concern arises.
As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the
response to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license
Once Dam Safety Conditions Have
conditions, the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its
Stabilized
public information Web site and/or its reservoir level toll-free phone
system to inform the general public.
The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any
Access Area
temporary recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure
Closure
due to extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the
Notification
Recreation Management Plan.

55

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition D – Voltage and Capacity Emergencies
Mitigating Actions
1. Suspension of the Normal Operating Ranges and Spring Stabilization Periods for
Reservoir Levels – If a voltage or capacity emergency (as defined above) occurs, the
Licensee may modify or suspend reservoir level operating limitations immediately and
for as long as necessary if doing so would allow additional hydro station operation
that is needed to restore the electric grid to a stable condition. Reservoir levels
will not be reduced below the Critical Reservoir Elevations noted above.
2. Conserving Water for Power Generation – If a voltage or capacity emergency (as
defined above) occurs and if it is expected to continue for an extended period of time
(e.g. two weeks or more), the Licensee may reduce minimum flows to the Critical
Flows (as defined above) and may modify or suspend any scheduled recreational
flow releases, and may at Lake Wateree, modify or suspend any Spring Stable Flows
or Floodplain Inundation Flows if taking those actions is necessary to maintain the
water inventory in Project reservoirs for use during the Voltage and Capacity
Emergency. During a Voltage and Capacity Emergency, the Licensee will not deviate
from the normal license conditions to conserve water for power generation strictly
as a cost avoidance measure, but only to assist in addressing the emergency.
3. Replacing Lost Recreational Flow Releases – If scheduled recreational flow releases
are lost, then once the emergency is over, the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to
reschedule the releases during the same calendar year as originally scheduled. An
Annual Recreational Flow Schedule Planning meeting will be held each March (see
Section 3.2 of the CRA) and contingency dates for make-up releases can be
identified at that time.
56

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition D – Voltage and Capacity Emergencies

NotificationConsultationComments

FERC For developments in NC (Including Wylie). Perform notification as
NCDEQ
NCDEQ soon as possible, but no longer than 5 days following the deviation
NCWRC
NCWRC from a license condition for Voltage or Capacity Emergency reasons.
USFWS
USFWS Initiate consultation as soon as possible.

FERC
SCDNR For developments in SC. Perform notification as soon as possible,
SCDNR
SCDHEC but no longer than 5 days following the deviation from a license
SCDHEC
USFWS condition for Voltage or Capacity Emergency reasons. Initiate
USFWS
NMFS consultation as soon as possible.
NMFS

Notify (within 5 days) and consult as soon as possible if maintenance
AW AW
will affect the prescribed recreational flow releases.

NCSHPO NCSHPO
Notify (within 5 days) and consult as soon as possible with NCSHPO
SCSHPO SCSHPO
and SCSHPO (as appropriate) if Voltage or Capacity Emergency
CIN CIN
will affect Historic Properties.
EBCI EBCI

Notify (within 5 days) and consult as soon as possible if Voltage or
BIA BIA
Capacity Emergency affects normal minimum flow releases from the
CIN CIN
Wylie Development.

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any temporary
Access Area
recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure due to
Closure
extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the Recreation
Notification
Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
General the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform the
general public.
57

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition E.1 – Reservoir Drawdown (Planned)
Mitigating Actions
1. Scheduling – To the extent practical, the Licensee will avoid scheduling reservoir
drawdowns (i.e., reducing water level to below the Normal Minimum Elevation)
that would impact the ability of the Licensee to release the prescribed flows for
aquatic habitat, water quality, recreation, navigation or downstream water uses.
Also, to the extent practical, the Licensee will avoid scheduling reservoir drawdowns
during the Peak Recreation Season or during Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization
Periods (Bridgewater, Cowans Ford, Wylie and Wateree developments only) or
during Spring Stable Flow Periods (Wateree Development only).
2. Alternative Means to Provide Minimum Flows – If the drawdown cannot avoid
impacting minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or downstream water uses,
then the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to provide some of the minimum flows
in the affected stream reaches by utilizing the generating equipment, spill gates or
leakage at the developments for flows required downstream of the powerhouses.
Note that it would be a very unusual occurrence to not have any generating units or
spill devices available at these sites for flows required downstream of powerhouses.
3. Replacing Recreational Flow Releases – If the reservoir drawdown impacts normally
scheduled recreational flows, then the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to replace
some or all of the missed recreational flows. This can be accomplished by providing
replacement flow releases at the Oxford Development, the Wylie Development, and
the Fishing Creek Development (for the Great Falls Bypassed Reaches) through the
use of spillway gates. The preferred method at all of the developments is to schedule
replacement recreational flow releases for another time after the drawdown is
completed. The replacement recreational flow releases will occur during the same
calendar year as originally scheduled. An Annual Recreational Flow Schedule
Planning meeting will be held each March (see Section 3.2 of the CRA) and
contingency dates for make-up releases can be identified at that time.
4. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners and Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of the reduced flow releases.
5. Avoid Falling Below Critical Reservoir Elevations – To the extent practical, the
Licensee will avoid falling below any of the Critical Reservoir Elevations as noted
above. If it is determined that 100 percent exceedance of the Critical Reservoir
Elevations cannot reasonably be achieved, the Licensee will work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners to minimize the impacts of the drawdown.
58

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition E.1 – Reservoir Drawdown (Planned)

NotificationConsultationComments

For developments in NC (including Wylie). Provide notification and
NCDEQ

consult as soon as approximate dates are determined (typically
FERC NCWRC
months in advance), but at least 10 days prior to beginning
USFWS
drawdown.

SCDNR

For developments in SC. Provide notification and consult as soon as
SCDHEC
FERC approximate dates are determined (typically months in advance), but
USFWS
at least 10 days prior to beginning drawdown.
NMFS

NCSHPO
SCSHPO Consult in the event of a Large Extended Drawdown as soon as
approximate dates are determined (typically months in advance), but
CIN
EBCI at least 10 days prior to beginning drawdown.
BIA

Consult at least 10 days prior to beginning drawdown if it will affect
AW
the prescribed recreational flow releases.

Large Water Intake
If the drawdown will go below Critical Reservoir Elevations that affect
1
Owners

the operations of a Large Water Intake located in a reservoir or will

cause flow releases to drop below Critical Flows supporting Large
Downstream
Water Intakes or Downstream Effluent Dischargers, the Licensee will
Effluent
consult with the owner of the intake or discharge facility as soon as
1
Dischargers

approximate dates are known (typically months in advance), but at
least 10 days prior to beginning the drawdown.

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any temporary
Access Area
recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure due to
Closure
extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the Recreation
Notification
Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
General the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform the
general public.
Note 1 – If affected by the reservoir drawdown.
59

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition E.2 – Reservoir Drawdown (Unplanned)
Mitigating Actions
1. Alternative Means to Provide Minimum Flows – If the drawdown (i.e., reducing
water level to below the Normal Minimum Elevation) cannot avoid impacting
minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality, navigation or downstream water
uses, then the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to provide some or all of the
missed minimum flows in the affected stream reaches. This can be accomplished by
using the generating equipment, spill gates or leakage at the developments for flows
required downstream of the powerhouses. Note that it would be a very unusual
occurrence to not have any generating units or spill devices available at these sites
for flows required downstream of powerhouses.
2. Replacing Recreational Flow Releases – If the reservoir drawdown impacts normally
scheduled recreational flows, then the Licensee will endeavor in good faith to replace
some or all of the missed recreational flows. This can be accomplished by providing
replacement flow releases at the Oxford Development, the Wylie Development, and
the Fishing Creek Development (for the Great Falls Bypassed Reaches) through the
use of spillway gates. The preferred method at all of the developments is to schedule
replacement recreational flow releases for another time after the drawdown is
completed. The replacement recreational flow releases will occur during the same
calendar year as originally scheduled. An Annual Recreational Flow Schedule
Planning meeting will be held each March (see Section 3.2 of the CRA) and
contingency dates for make-up releases can be identified at that time.
3. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners and Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of the reduced flow releases.
4. Avoid Falling Below Critical Reservoir Elevations – To the extent practical, the
Licensee will avoid falling below any of the Critical Reservoir Elevations as noted
above. If it is determined that 100 percent exceedance of the Critical Reservoir
Elevations cannot reasonably be achieved, the Licensee will work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners to minimize the impacts of the drawdown.
60

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition E.2 – Reservoir Drawdown (Unplanned)

NotificationConsultationComments

FERC
NCDEQ

NCDEQ
NCWRC

NCWRC
USFWS
USFWS For developments in NC (including Wylie). If the drawdown cannot

avoid impacting minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality or
Large Water Intake
downstream water uses, perform notification as soon as possible,
Large Water
1
Owners

1
but no longer than 5 days after the drawdown begins. Begin
Intake Owners

consultation within 10 days after the drawdown begins.

Downstream
Downstream
Effluent
Effluent
1
Dischargers

1
Dischargers

FERC
SCDNR

SCDNR
SCDHEC

SCDHEC
USFWS

USFWS
NMFS For developments in SC. If the drawdown cannot avoid impacting
NMFS
minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality, navigation or

downstream water uses, perform notification as soon as possible,
Large Water Intake
Large Water
1
but no longer than 5 days after the drawdown begins. Begin
Owners

1
Intake Owners

consultation within 10 days after the drawdown begins.

Downstream
Downstream
Effluent
Effluent
1
Dischargers

1
Dischargers

If the drawdown affects releases from the Wylie Development,
BIA BIA
notify as soon as possible, but no longer than 5 days after the
CIN CIN
drawdown begins. Begin consultation within 10 days after the
drawdown begins.

Notify (within 5 days) and consult as soon as possible if the
AW AW
drawdown will affect prescribed recreational flow releases.

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any
Access Area
temporary recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure
Closure
due to extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the
Notification
Recreation Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the

response to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license
General conditions, the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its
public information Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone
system to inform the general public.
.
Note 1 – If affected by the drawdown
61

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition F – Special River Access Circumstances
Mitigating Actions
1. Scheduling – To the extent practical, the Licensee will 1) avoid scheduling Special
River Access Circumstances that would impact the ability of the Licensee to release
flows for aquatic habitat, water quality, navigation, recreation or downstream water
uses and 2) avoid scheduling during Peak Recreation Season.
2. Replacing Recreational Flow Releases – If scheduling Special River Access impacts
normally scheduled recreational flows, then the Licensee will endeavor in good faith
to replace some or all of the missed recreational flows. This can be accomplished by
providing replacement flow releases at the Oxford Development, the Wylie
Development, and the Fishing Creek Development (for the Great Falls Bypassed
Reaches) through the use of spillway gates. The preferred method at all of the
developments is to schedule replacement recreational flow releases for another time
after the Special River Access Circumstance is completed. The replacement
recreational flow releases will occur during the same calendar year as originally
scheduled. An Annual Recreational Flow Schedule Planning meeting will be held
each March (see Section 3.2 of the CRA) and contingency dates for make-up
releases can be identified at that time.
3. Avoid Falling Below the Critical Flows – To the extent practical, the Licensee will
avoid falling below any of the Critical Flows as noted above. If it is determined that
100 percent exceedance of the Critical Flows cannot reasonably be achieved, the
Licensee will work with the resource agencies to (a) monitor any potential aquatic
species impacts in the affected stream segments and (b) replace any aquatic
species mortalities that are identified. The Licensee will also work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners and Downstream Effluent Dischargers to minimize the
impacts of the reduced flow releases.
4. Avoid Falling Below Critical Reservoir Elevations – To the extent practical, the
Licensee will avoid falling below any of the Critical Reservoir Elevations as noted
above. If it is determined that 100 percent exceedance of the Critical Reservoir
Elevations cannot reasonably be achieved, the Licensee will work with any affected
Large Water Intake Owners to minimize the impacts of the drawdown.
62

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition F – Special River Access Circumstances

NotificationConsultationComments

NCDEQ

NCWRC
For developments in NC (including Wylie). If the circumstances

USFWS
cannot avoid impacting minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water

quality, navigation, recreation or downstream water uses, initiate

Large Water Intake
FERC consultation as soon as soon as the dates are known, but at least
1
Owners

10 days prior to beginning the temporary flow alteration. Initiate

consultation for unplanned river access within 5 days after the
Downstream
temporary flow alteration.
Effluent
1
Dischargers

SCDNR

SCDHEC

USFWS For developments in SC. If the circumstances cannot avoid

NMFS impacting minimum flows for aquatic habitat, water quality,

navigation, recreation or downstream water uses, initiate
FERC Large Water Intake consultation as soon as soon as the dates are known, but at least
1
Owners10 days prior to beginning the temporary flow alteration. Initiate

consultation for unplanned river access within 5 days after the

Downstream temporary flow alteration.
Effluent
1
Dischargers

If the flow modifications for the planned river access affect flow
BIA
releases from the Wylie Development, initiate consultation as soon
CIN as the dates are known but at least 10 days prior to beginning the
temporary flow modification. Initiate consultation for unplanned
river access within 5 days after the temporary flow alteration.

Notify (within 5 days) and consult as soon as possible if the
AW AW
drawdown will affect prescribed recreational flow releases.

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any
Access Area
temporary recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure
Closure
due to extended low reservoir levels) in accordance with the
Notification
Recreation Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the

response to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license
General conditions, the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its
public information Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone
system to inform the general public.
Note 1 – If affected by Special River Access Circumstances.

63

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Abnormal Condition G – Expected or Existing High Inflow Event
Mitigating Actions
1. As outlined in the Key Facts and Definitions section of this protocol, the Licensee
may reduce reservoir levels significantly below the Normal Minimum Elevation, but
not below the Critical Reservoir Elevations in preparation for high inflow events to
minimize the potential for uncontrolled spilling. Reservoir levels may also rise
significantly above Normal Maximum Elevations as a result of high inflow events.
The reservoir levels may be below Normal Minimum Elevations or above Normal
Maximum Elevations for as long as necessary to minimize the effects of
uncontrolled spilling on the Project reservoirs and downstream river reaches and to
minimize reservoir elevations during high inflow events.
Communication with Resource Agencies and Affected Parties

Abnormal Condition G – Expected or Existing High Inflow Event

NotificationConsultationComments

FERC
For developments in NC (including Wylie). The Licensee will perform
NCDEQ
notification as soon as possible following or prior to a deviation from
NCWRC
license requirements for an existing or expected high inflow event.
USFWS

FERC
SCDNR For developments in SC. The Licensee will perform notification as
SCDHEC soon as possible following or prior to a deviation from license
USFWS requirements for an existing or expected high inflow event.
NMFS

The Licensee will conduct notification procedures for any temporary
Access Area recreation facility/Access Area closures (e.g., closure due to
Closure extended low or high reservoir levels) in accordance with the
Notification Recreation Management Plan.

As soon as possible after the Licensee determines that the response

to an abnormal condition will potentially impact license conditions,
General the Licensee will add appropriate messages to its public information
Web site and its reservoir level toll-free phone system to inform the
general public.

64

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of the
revision compared to the original WQC

This revision creates no incremental environmental impacts. It expands resource agency
notification and consultation regarding flow and reservoir level deviations and potential
related environmental impacts and mitigation.

Consultation Summary

No comments received for this revision.
65

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
CRA Appendix F: Water Quality Monitoring Plan (WQMP) (applies to NC and SC)

Statement of Revision

CRA Appendix F is the WQMP and is included as a condition of both state WQCs.

Appendix E; Section A-5.0 Water Quality Article; Article – Water Quality Monitoring
Plan of the license issued by the FERC on November 25, 2015 requires:

(A) Within 180 days following the issuance of this license, the Licensee must file
with the Commission, for approval, a Water Quality Monitoring Plan (WQMP) to
monitor compliance with water quality requirements. The plan must include, at a
minimum, identification of compliance monitoring locations and devices at applicable
Project developments as needed to accurately monitor and record flows, dissolved
oxygen, and water temperatures released from Project developments and an
implementation schedule.

Background information explaining the need for the revision

There are two reasons for these revisions. Duke Energy now plans to shift from a fully
in-house implementation, operation, and maintenance of water quality monitoring
equipment, as envisioned when CRA Appendix F was originally written, to a partnership
in which the United States Geological Survey (USGS) locates, installs, and maintains
water quality monitors. Also, in Duke Energy’s assessment, the existing CRA Appendix F
may not fully comply with the requirements set forth in the license issued November 25,
2015, as it does not contain an implementation schedule (Implementation schedule is
currently found in CRA Appendix M).
Actual text of the revision

Note that the following revision of the WQMP represents a significant update of the
original WQMP that was included in the December 22, 2006, Signature Copy of the
CRA. Because of the substantial revisions made to text, figures, maps, and format,
individual changes are not tracked to facilitate readability.
66

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

APPENDIX F: WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN (WQMP)

1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 69

2.0 Hydro Project Compliance Monitoring .......................................................... 69

3.0 Supplemental Trout Habitat Monitoring ...................................................... 104

4.0 Trend Monitoring of Water Quality Characteristics .................................... 106

5.0 References .................................................................................................... 108

67

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

(intentionally blank)
68

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN (WQMP)

1.0 Introduction

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (the “Licensee”) received a new operating license (“License”) from
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project
(the “Project’) on November 25, 2015.
Appendix E of the New License requires Duke Energy to file a Water Quality Monitoring Plan
(WQMP) with the FERC for approval. The WQMP must at a minimum include identification of
compliance monitoring locations, devices needed to accurately monitor flows, dissolved oxygen
(DO) concentrations, and water temperature, and an implementation schedule. This WQMP,
developed in consultation with natural resource agencies, has been prepared to meet these
requirements.
The Licensee also submitted one Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) to each state water
quality agency. The QAPP provides the details for project management, measurement/data
acquisition procedures and calibration, data validation, and reporting requirements as specified
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA 2001).
The monitoring activities described in this document will be accomplished by a combination of
United States Geological Survey (USGS) stream gages, USGS-operated water quality
monitoring stations, and Licensee monitoring responsibilities (i.e., supplemental trout habitat
monitoring and monitoring trends in water quality for streamflows entering the Project
developments).

2.0 Hydro Project Compliance Monitoring

2.1 Background
The License for the Project specifies flows to be released from various Project developments.
Figure 1 provides a flow routing and compliance flow schematic for the entire Catawba-Wateree
Project. These required flows in the riverine reaches are designed to enhance fish and wildlife
habitat (continuous flows), to meet the needs of downstream water users, to provide periodic
higher flows for recreational activities (water sports) and ecological purposes, and to meet water
quality standards.
Water quality issues that are relevant to the Project include continuous flows, water
temperature, and DO concentrations. Compliance with state DO standards in water released
from all of the Project developments is a requirement for both North and South Carolina’s 401
Water Quality Certifications.
69

9

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Figure 1: Project Flow Routing Schematic

Catawba River Linville River

Catawba Linville
Lake James
Arm of Arm of

Lake Lake
Catawba Paddy Ck Paddy Ck Bridgewater Linville
11
DamSpillway
Dam Powerhouse Dam

Paddy Creek
Bypassed Reach
Linville River

Catawba River Bypassed Reach

Muddy
Johns

Catawba River River

Lake Rhodhiss
Rhodhiss Rhodhiss
1
Dam
Powerhouse

Lake Hickory
Lower
Little
River
Oxford Oxford
2
Dam
Powerhouse

Notes:

Overflow spillway

Spillway with gates
Catawba River

With flash boards

Lookout Shoals Lake
Lookout Lookout
LEGEND
1
Shoals Dam
Shoals PH

Powerhouse release

Recreation release

Lake Norman
Continuous release
Cowans Cowans
Regulated reach or
2
Ford Dam
Ford PH
tributary inflow

Bypassed reach

Mountain Island Lake
Reservoir
Lake
Mountain Mountain
Dam
Structure
1
Island Dam
Island PH

(continued)
70

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

(continued)

Mountain Island Lake
Mountain Mountain
South Fork
1
Island Dam
Island PH
Catawba

River

Lake Wylie
Notes:

Overflow spillway

WylieWylie
Spillway with gates
Sugar

1,2
Dam
Creek
Powerhouse
With flash boards

Catawba River

Fishing Cane

Creek Creek
Fishing Creek Reservoir
Fishing Fishing
2
Creek Dam
Creek PH

Great Falls Reservoir
Lower Upper
Pond Pond
Camp
Great Falls Dearborn Great Falls Great Falls
Creek
1,31,3
HeadworksDiversion
PH + Dam Powerhouse

Rocky
Creek

Short
Bypass

Long

Bypass
LEGEND

Powerhouse release
Cedar Creek Reservoir
Recreation release
Rocky Creek Cedar
1,2
PH + Dam
Creek PH
Continuous release

Big

Wateree
Regulated reach or
Beaver

Creek
Creek
tributary inflow
Creek
Lake Wateree

Bypassed reach
Wateree Wateree
1
Dam
Powerhouse
Lake
Reservoir

Dam
Structure
Wateree River
71

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

2.2 Sensor Locations
The proposed sites for compliance monitoring of the Project were based upon the various flow
and reservoir level requirements and water quality requirements referenced in Table 1 and the
following criteria:
1. Representative of water quality conditions at all Project flows and operations;
2. Secure (minimize probability of vandalism);
3. Safely accessible for maintenance at all flows; and;
4. Small time-lag between changes in Project operations and monitor response
(minimize downstream distance of sensor).

Table 1. Summary of Project Compliance Verification and Reporting

Comprehensive Relicensing
Developments *

Agreement Requirement

Flow and Reservoir Level Requirements

Bypassed Reaches Minimum Continuous
BW, GF
Flow Release
Recreational Flow Releases BW, OX, WY, GF, WA
Minimum Continuous Flows BW, OX, LS, WY, GF, WA
Minimum Average Daily Flows RH, CF, MI, FC, CC
Reservoir Elevations All
Spring Reservoir Level Stabilization BW, CF, WY, WA
Compliance Monitoring All
Water Quality Requirements

DO Concentrations All
Minimum Flows BW, OX, LS, WY, GF, WA
Compliance Reporting All

* BW = Bridgewater (Lake James)
RH = Rhodhiss
OX = Oxford (Lake Hickory)
LS = Lookout Shoals
CF = Cowans Ford (Lake Norman)
MI = Mountain Island
WY = Wylie
FC = Fishing Creek
GF = Great Falls-Dearborn (Great Falls Reservoir)
72

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CC = Rocky Creek-Cedar Creek (Cedar Creek Reservoir)
WA = Wateree
The following pages provide maps or aerial photos for each hydro development in the Project
indicating existing and proposed compliance monitoring locations with amplifying information.
73

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Bridgewater (Lake James)


Reservoir Level Monitor


USGS WQ Monitor at
Existing USGS Gage

Valve Flow
Monitor


Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Wireless

Bypassed telemetry to
Flow sensor at
Reach Minimum Hydro Station
1 Catawba Dam n/a
Flow Release
Continuous Computer and
Valve
Flows Staff Gage for
visual
74

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Minimum
USGS Satellite

Continuous
1
Downstream of
Link to NWIS

Flows
Powerhouse, USGS Station Web Interface
2 Recreational 0.10
and Turbine
West Bank of 02138520
Flows
Linville River Generation
Project Hourly
Records
Flows

Wireless

Telemetry (DO)
In Situ
Downstream of - Pipe and

Water to Hydro Station
Powerhouse, Instruments at
3 0.10 Computer,
Temperature,
West Bank of USGS Station
DO USGS Satellite
Linville River 02138520
Link to NWIS
Web Interface

Current Device on Wired to Hydro
Bridgewater
4 Reservoir Levels n/a the Intake Station
Forebay
Structure Computer

Device Location Rationale
The ring-jet valve at the Catawba Dam is designed to supply seasonal minimum continuous
flows in the Catawba River Bypassed Reach (Location 1). A sensor, calibrated for flow,
provides a continuous reading of the flow being released into the Catawba River Bypassed
Reach. Since the sensor is located on the dam, it should be secure from vandals.
The channel configuration at USGS Gage 02138520, CATAWBA R AT SR1223 BL LK JAMES
NR BRIDGEWATER, NC, located 0.10 mile below the Bridgewater Powerhouse, is ideally
suited for the expected range of flows originating from the Linville Dam (Location 2 & 3). The
site is located on private property providing a measure of security.
A previous water quality monitoring site was located on the downstream side of the former
Bridgewater Powerhouse. Given the present configuration of the new Bridgewater Powerhouse,
a decision was made to place the water quality monitoring instrument at the existing USGS flow
gage station. Additional downstream continuous DO monitoring conducted in 2012 for aeration
characteristics of the new Bridgewater Powerhouse generating units demonstrated that at the
existing USGS gage site, DO concentrations were virtually identical to those measured
simultaneously at the previously proposed (WQMP version 0) site, which was located 0.05 miles
further downstream at the Powerhouse Road Bridge (HDR 2012). The selected USGS gage site
has been shown to represent the water quality conditions of any combination of hydro unit flow
(including minimum flow). In addition, the site is accessible under all Project flows, and will

1
National Water Information System: Web Interface operated by the USGS.
75

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

facilitate a rapid response at the station to water quality conditions. This gage site, originally
installed in December 2008, was upgraded by the USGS in August 2015 to accommodate
seasonally operated water quality instrumentation. Security from vandals is a minor concern at
this site. Besides seasonal compliance monitoring for generation flow DO, water temperature
will be monitored seasonally at this site to support state trout management initiatives on the
downstream section of the river.
76

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Rhodhiss

Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Planned USGS

In Situ
Station with Wireless

- Pipe and Telemetry (DO)
Rhodhiss Road

Water Instruments to Hydro Station
Bridge
1 Temperature, 0.40 Mounted on Computer,
Downstream of
DO Bridge in Center USGS Satellite
Rhodhiss Hydro
of Channel Link to NWIS
(NCDOT approval Web Interface
required)
77

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Current Device on Wired to Hydro
Rhodhiss
2 Reservoir Levels n/a the Intake Station
Forebay
Structure Computer

Device Location Rationale
The previous water quality monitoring site was located on the south corner on the downstream
side of the Rhodhiss Powerhouse. That site adequately represented the water quality of the
turbine flow when all the units were identical; however, the turbine venting tests (Duke Power
2005a), indicated that this location was not representative of the combined flows from units with
differing aeration capability. Therefore, the monitor should be moved to the center of the river
channel at the downstream bridge (Location 1). The bridge not only provides an existing
structure to place the water quality monitor in the center of the channel, but this site represents
the water quality conditions of any combination of hydro unit flows (Duke Power 2005a). This
site is accessible under all Project flows, and may provide a rapid response at the station to
water quality conditions. Security from vandals may be a slight concern at this site.
78

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Oxford (Lake Hickory)

Proposed WQ Monitor



Reservoir Level Monitor
Proposed USGS-


Gage Height

Sensor
Proposed Modified
Trash Gate



79

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
Data Comments Data Collection
Location Location Downstream
(miles)
Planned USGS
In Situ
Station with Wireless
- Pipe and Telemetry (DO)
Highway 16
Water Instruments to Hydro Station
Bridge
1 Temperature, 0.15 Mounted on Computer,
Downstream of
DO Bridge, South USGS Satellite
Oxford Hydro
Channel Link to NWIS
(NCDOT approval Web Interface
required)
Modified Trash
Minimum Gate monitored Wired to Hydro
2 Continuous Oxford Dam n/a via Reservoir Station
Flows Elevation and Computer
Gate Position
Highway 16 USGS-Gage Gage Height
Recreational
Bridge height sensor at indicator and
Flows
3 Downstream of 0.15 planned USGS Turbine
Project Hourly
Oxford Hydro, Water Quality Generation
Flows
Turbine Records Station Records
Current Device on Wired to Hydro
4 Reservoir Levels Oxford Forebay n/a the Intake Station
Structure Computer

Device Location Rationale
An existing trash gate will be modified to spill well-aerated reservoir near-surface water in order
to provide a constant minimum continuous flow in the downstream channel (Location 2). The
gate will provide the minimum continuous flow during periods of no hydro unit generation. The
gate position will be adjustable and set as required to deliver the required minimum flow based
on target reservoir elevation and expected reservoir elevation range. Generation and
recreational flow requirements will be recorded from the generation records for each turbine.
A previous water quality monitoring site was located in the corner of the Oxford Powerhouse
and wingwall. That site adequately represented the water quality of the turbine flow when all
the hydro units were identical, and prior to the installation of the tailrace buttresses. However,
this site now is not representative of the combined flows from hydro units with differing aeration
capability and the buttresses would effectively prevent Unit 2 water from reaching the sensor
when Unit 1 is generating. Therefore, a decision was made to move the monitor to the
Highway 16 Bridge immediately downstream of the turbines (Location 1). The bridge not only
provides an existing structure to place the water quality monitor in the channel, but this site will
represent the water quality conditions of any combination of hydro unit flows. This site will be
accessible under all Project flows, and will provide a rapid response of the station to water
quality conditions. Security from vandals may be a concern at this site, and adverse effects on
equipment due to occasional high tailwater water levels is a possibility.

80

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Lookout Shoals

Reservoir Level

Monitor


USGS WQ Monitor


Map Data Recommended Approximate Comments Data Collection
Distance
LocationLocation

Downstream
(miles)

1 Water 0.01 In Situ - Pipe and Wired to Hydro
East Wingwall -
Instruments at
Temperature, Tailrace Station
USGS Station
DO Computer (DO),
0214244102
USGS Satellite
Link to NWIS
Web Interface
2 Minimum Lookout Shoals n/a n/a Turbine
Continuous Hydro Generation
Flows Records
Project Hourly
Flows
3 Reservoir Levels n/a Current Device on Wired to Hydro
Lookout Shoals
Forebay the Intake Station
Structure Computer
81

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Device Location Rationale
The minimum continuous flow will be provided by either one of the small auxiliary hydro units
(Location 2) during periods when the larger hydro units are not operating. The configuration of
the Lookout Shoals tailrace (including a pooled area upstream of the first downstream hydraulic
control, located approximately 500 ft downstream of the powerhouse) exhibits very little stage
change with or without the auxiliary hydro unit generation. In addition, the elevation of the
tailrace is also a function of Lake Norman’s reservoir level (at full pond, the reservoir level
extends upstream of the hydraulic control). Therefore, the minimum continuous flow and hourly
flow rates would be best monitored by the individual generation records of each hydro unit at
Lookout Shoals Hydro.
A previous water quality monitoring site was located on the east wingwall downstream of Unit 1.
That site adequately represented the water quality of the turbine flow when all the hydro units
were identical. The nearest downstream structure to place a monitor in the center of the
channel is the I-40 Bridge, which is 1.3 miles downstream. The I-40 Bridge site is strongly
influenced by Lake Norman’s reservoir level, and the long travel time to the Bridge site would
influence the water quality at minimum flow. Therefore, the I-40 Bridge location is not preferred
for water quality monitoring. Since no other downstream structure exists to place a monitor in
the center of the river, the wingwall site (Location 1) represents the best logistical option
available for water quality monitoring. This wingwall site will be accessible under all Project
flows, and will provide a rapid response of the station to water quality conditions. The monitor
will be secure since it is located inside the security fence. A seasonally operated USGS Water
Quality Station, USGS 0214244102 CATAWBA RIVER CATAWBA RIVER BL LOOKOUT
SHOALS DAM NR SHARON, NC was activated in March, 2016.
82

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Cowans Ford (Lake Norman)

Reservoir Level Monitor

USGS WQ Monitor


Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Wireless

Telemetry (DO)
In Situ
Railroad Bridge - Pipe and

Water to Hydro Station
Downstream Instruments at
1 Temperature, 0.50 Computer,
Cowans Ford USGS Station
DO USGS Satellite
Hydro 0214264790
Link to NWIS
Web Interface

Wired to Hydro
Cowans Ford Current Device on
2 Reservoir Levels n/a Station
Forebay Intake Structure
Computer

Device Location Rationale
83

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Even though the previous monitor was placed on the tail-deck of Cowans Ford Hydro, this
location probably represented the water quality of the released flow. However, under multi-unit
operation, the monitor would only record data from the hydro unit flows adjacent to the monitor.
In addition, security at the Cowans Ford Hydro facility is controlled by the McGuire Nuclear site
(Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines) and is difficult to enter when operators are not
present. This security issue limits maintenance accessibility. Therefore, the recommended site
for the temperature and DO monitoring is at the railroad bridge 0.5 miles downstream (Location
1). This site enables the monitor to measure water quality from the high-volume hydro unit flow
as well as provide a somewhat secure site. Location of the monitor just west of the downstream
tip of the island ensures that the monitor remains out of the influence of the wastewater
discharge from McGuire Nuclear Station. A seasonally operated USGS Water Quality Station
(USGS 0214264790 CATAWBA R AT RR BRIDGE AB NC 73 AT COWANS FORD, NC) was
activated at this site in June, 2016.
84

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Mountain Island

Reservoir Level

Monitor

USGS WQ Monitor


Approximate
Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Wireless

Telemetry (DO)
In Situ
- Pipe and

Water to Hydro Station
Tail Deck -
Instruments at
1 Temperature, 0.00 Computer,
Tailrace USGS Station
USGS Satellite
DO
0214267602
Link to NWIS
Web Interface

Wired to Hydro
Mt. Island Current Device on
2 Reservoir Levels n/a Station
Forebay Intake Structure
Computer

Device Location Rationale
85

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Even though the present monitor is on the tail-deck of the hydro (Location 1), this location
probably represents the water quality of the released flow. However, under multi-unit operation,
the monitor would be primarily influenced by the hydro unit flows adjacent to the monitor. Since
no other structure, (e.g., bridge), exists in the center of Mountain Island’s tailrace, this tail-deck
location represented the best logistical location available. The site is secure and provides ready
access for maintenance. A seasonally operated USGS Water Quality Station, USGS
0214267602 CATAWBA RIVER DNSTRM DECK MTN IS DAM NR MTN IS, NC was activated
at the site in May, 2015.
86

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Wylie

87

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Approximate

Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Planned USGS

In Situ
Station with

Pipe and

Wireless
Instruments

Approximately Telemetry (DO)
Water Deployed into

0.5 Mile
to Hydro Station
Temperature, Channel from
1 Downstream 0.50
Computer,
West Shore off
from Hydro (off USGS Satellite
DO
Ferrell Island
Ferrell Island)
Link to NWIS

Web Interface
(Island property,
owner’s approval
required)

USGS Gage

Small Unit
Turbine

Minimum Turbine 02146000,
n/a,
Generation

Records,
2 Continuous
Records, and
CATAWBA RIVER
3.60
Flows Highway 21
USGS Gage
NEAR ROCK
USGS Gage
HILL, SC

USGS Gage

Recreational Turbine
Turbine

02146000,
Flows Records, n/a,
Generation

3

Records, and
CATAWBA RIVER
Project Hourly Highway 21 3.60
USGS Gage
NEAR ROCK
Flows USGS Gage
HILL, SC

Current Device on Wired to Hydro
the Intake Station
4 Reservoir Levels Wylie Forebay n/a
Structure Computer

Device Location Rationale
The USGS gage at the Highway 21 Bridge (Location 2/3) is well established and will be used for
verification of minimum continuous flow, recreational flows, and hourly Project flows. In
addition, generation records will be used to supplement the USGS data. However, as this site is
88

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

approximately 3.6 miles downstream of the Wylie Powerhouse, the distance makes it less
suitable for locating water quality instruments there.

A previous water quality monitoring site was located in the corner of the powerhouse and
wingwall. Extensive monitoring of DO concentrations in the Wylie tailrace was conducted during
the 2002 turbine venting test (Duke 2005a). These results indicated that the proposed
monitoring location was the closest point to the hydro that best represented the water quality of
the multi-unit flows (Location 1). This test included detailed water quality sampling along several
downstream transects, as opposed to just at the monitoring site. Furthermore, the Wylie tailrace
is very complicated since the island immediately downstream of the powerhouse splits the
water released from the hydro. The flow, from either a single unit or multiple unit operation,
moves around the island and finally merges just upstream of the small island across the channel
from the proposed monitoring location. Use of this location is contingent on being able to get
permission for access from the property owner and on obtaining any necessary easements.
Security from vandals is of some concern at this site.
89

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Fishing Creek

Reservoir Level Monitor

Buttresses
USGS WQ Monitor


Approximate

Recommended Distance Data
Map
DataComments

Location

LocationDownstream Collection

(miles)

Wireless

Telemetry
Highway 97/200

(DO) to Hydro

In Situ
- Pipe and
Water Bridge
Station
Instruments at
Temperature,
1 0.15 Computer,
Downstream
USGS Station

USGS
DO Fishing Creek
02147310
Satellite Link
Hydro
to NWIS Web
Interface
90

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Existing Device
Wired to

Reservoir Fishing Creek
2 N/A Hydro Station
on the Intake
Levels Forebay
Computer
Structure

Device Location Rationale

A previous water quality monitoring site was located on the wingwall, west of the Fishing Creek
Powerhouse. That site adequately represented the water quality (temperature and DO) of the
turbine flow when all the hydro units were identical and prior to the recent installation of the
tailrace buttresses. However, this site would probably not be representative of the combined
flows from hydro units with differing aeration capability since the flows will be directed
downstream due to the newly installed buttresses. Therefore, the best site for a new monitor is
the Highway 97/200 Bridge immediately downstream of the turbines (Location 1). The bridge
not only provides an existing structure to place the water quality monitor in the channel, but this
site will represent the water quality conditions of any combination of hydro unit flows. This site is
accessible under all Project flows, and allows for a rapid response of the station to water quality
conditions. Security from vandals may be a concern at this site. A seasonally operated USGS
Water Quality Station (USGS 02147310 CATAWBA RIVER AT GREAT FALLS, SC) was
activated at this site in June, 2016.
91

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Great Falls-Dearborn (Diversion Dam)

Proposed Staff Gage

Proposed Obermeyer Gate(s); and/or
Diversion Dam Notch(s)



92

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Great Falls-Dearborn (Headworks)

Proposed Staff Gage

 Proposed Obermeyer Gate(s);
or Diversion Dam Notch(s)

Proposed Pond Level

Gage

93

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Great Falls-Dearborn (Main Dam)

Reservoir Level
Monitor

USGS WQ Monitor



Map Data Recommended Approximate Comments Data
Location

LocationDistance Collection

Downstream
(miles)

Optionally, Static

Bypassed

Optionally, Notch Dimensions
Diversion Dam
Reaches

Notch(s) in Used with Wired

Long Bypassed Diversion Dam,
Pond Elevation or
Minimum 0.25 mi. from
Reach or Gate Position Staff Gage Visual;
1 Continuous Fishing Creek
Sensor Used in
or Wireless
Flows Dam
Downstream
Conjunction with Telemetry of

Fishing Creek
Pond Elevation to Actuated Gate
Recreational
Hydro
Assure Flows
Position to Hydro
Flows
Station Computer
Optionally, Optionally, Static
Bypassed 1.95 mi. from
Headworks
Notch(s) in Notch Dimensions
Reaches
2 Fishing Creek

Headworks Dam, Used with Wired
Dam

Short Bypassed
Minimum
or Gate Position Pond Elevation or
94

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Continuous Reach Sensor Used in Staff Gage Visual;

Flows Conjunction with or Wireless
Downstream
Pond Elevation to Telemetry of
Fishing Creek
Recreational
Assure Flows Actuated Gate
Flows Hydro
Position to Hydro
Station Computer
Wireless Telemetry

In Situ
- Pipe and
(DO) to Hydro
Water
Duke Bridge 0.1 mi. from

Instruments at Station Computer,
Temperature,
3 Downstream of Great Falls –
USGS Station USGS Satellite Link

Hydros Dearborn Dam
DO
021474095
to NWIS Web
Interface
Existing Device
Reservoir Great Falls Wired to Hydro
4 N/A on the Intake
Levels Forebay Station Computer
Structure

Device Location Rationale

Ideally, measurement of the minimum continuous flows and recreational flows in the Great Falls
Long and Short Bypassed Reaches would be taken directly in the respective channels.
However, the irregular channel configuration in both reaches prevents accurate flow
measurements from stage changes. In addition, the difficult access to the bypassed reaches
poses substantial personnel safety limitations to the calibration and maintenance of the gages.
Therefore, the best measurement of the flow in the bypassed reaches is at the source of the
flows (Locations 1 and 2).
The facilitation and measurement of recreational flows into the bypassed reaches will either be
via a known relationship of stage and gate opening positions, or via the known relationship to
pond elevation relative to dam notch openings. Continuous flow monitoring for the Long
Bypass will be located at the Great Falls Diversion Dam immediately downstream of Fishing
Creek Hydro (Location 1). The continuous flow monitoring for the Short Bypassed Reach will be
provided at the Great Falls Headworks spillway, downstream of the headworks structure
(Location 2). Manually read, new USGS type plate staff gages will be placed at the Great Falls
Diversion Dam and upstream of the Great Falls Headworks (Locations 1 and 2).

A previous water quality monitor mounted on the Duke Energy bridge immediately downstream
of Great Falls and Dearborn Hydros is ideally located since it is in the center of the channel
(Location 3). This position captures the water quality (temperature and DO) from both hydros
and is in a secure location. A seasonally operated USGS Water Quality Station (021474095
95

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

GREAT FALLS RESERVOIR TAILRACE AT GREAT FALLS, SC) was installed at this site in
March, 2016.
96

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Rocky Creek-Cedar Creek

Approximate

Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Planned USGS
Water
Downstream

In Situ
Station with
Wired to Hydro
Temperature
Face of Cedar
1 0.00 - Pipe, Monitor Station
Creek

Location Computer
DO
Powerhouse
Unchanged

Current Device on Wired to Hydro
Cedar Creek
the Intake Station
2 Reservoir Levels n/a
Forebay
Structure Computer
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Device Location Rationale
A previous water quality monitor was located in the center of the Cedar Creek tailrace, mounted
directly on the powerhouse. Since the hydro units at Cedar Creek were identical, the
temperature and DO monitor adequately measured the water quality released from Cedar Creek
Powerhouse (Location 1). Unlike Great Falls-Dearborn, there is no structure downstream of
Cedar Creek Powerhouse to mount a water quality monitor in the center of the channel.
The water quality of the Cedar Creek hydro flow represents the overall tailrace water quality
because:

Cedar Creek Powerhouse flow is significantly greater than Rocky Creek Powerhouse
flow and dominates the downstream flow (capacity of Cedar Creek units is three times
the capacity of the Rocky Creek units).

Rocky Creek Hydro is operated infrequently; it is operated only after Cedar Creek
Reservoir pond level cannot be maintained by Cedar Creek Hydro (three Units at Cedar
Creek).

Both hydros draw water from the same forebay and the water quality is similar.
Thus, no water quality monitoring device is necessary at the Rocky Creek Hydro.
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Wateree

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Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Approximate

Map Recommended Distance
DataCommentsData Collection

LocationLocationDownstream

(miles)

Wireless

Planned USGS Telemetry (DO)

Water
West Shore In Situ
Station with to Hydro Station
Temperature,
Platform – Computer,
1 0.02 - Pipe, Monitor

Tailrace Location USGS Satellite
DO
Unchanged Link to NWIS
Web Interface

USGS Station

02148000

USGS Gage and

Minimum

Highway 1/601
(Wateree River
Turbine
2 Continuous 7.4
near Camden, Generation
USGS Gage
Flows
SC) Records

USGS Station

02148000
Recreational

Turbine Records
USGS Gage and

Flows
(Wateree River Turbine
3 Highway 1/601 7.4

near Camden, Generation
Project Hourly
SC)
Records
USGS Gage
Flows

Current Device on Wired to Hydro
Wateree
4 Reservoir Levels n/a the Intake Station
Forebay
Structure Computer

Device Location Rationale
The USGS gage at Highway 1/601(Location 2/3) is well-established and will be used for
verification of minimum continuous flow, recreational flows, and hourly Project flows.
Generation records will be used to supplement the USGS data.
The Wateree tailrace is a relatively simple channel, with the flows from the various hydro units
moving directly downstream. However, the tailrace does not lend itself to simple water quality
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

monitoring due to the various aeration capabilities of the individual hydro units and subsequent
multi-unit flow patterns (Duke Power 2005a). Moving the monitor location downstream to
capture a multi-unit flow is not an option because, at flows greater than provided by 2-3 unit
operations, a significant volume of water flows out of the main channel to the east within a few
hundred yards of the powerhouse.
The existing monitor location (Location 1) was built to extend a short distance into the tailrace
with the goal of obtaining more representative water quality measurements than at the face of
the powerhouse. The existing monitor location is the best logistical location available to
measure water quality because no structure exists in the center of the channel, nor is the east
side of the channel a viable option because that area is heavily used by fisherman (creating
damage and security issues) and is prone to flooding and further potential damage or loss.
The next available location at the Highway 1/601 Bridge is less suitable because of its distance
from the powerhouse and the presence of aquatic plants and shoals between the powerhouse
and bridge that significantly influence the DO levels.

2.3 Water Quality Monitoring Implementation Plan and Schedule
Per the Comprehensive Relicensing Agreement (CRA), Appendix M, all water quality monitors
are to be installed within 12 months following FERC approval of the Project Flow and Water
Quality Implementation Plan (FWQIP; Table 3).
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Table 3 Water Quality Monitoring Schedule

Task Timeframe Notes
At several locations, the installation of water quality

monitors will precede the installation of the equipment

12 months after FERC approves
modifications necessary to achieve compliance. In
Water Quality the FWQIP (subject to approval
these cases, the monitors will assist Duke Energy in
in NC and SC 401 Water
Monitor the implementation of interim measures per the
Installation Quality Certification) per CRA,
FWQIP. However, these monitor results are not
Appendix M
suitable for compliance assessments until the
necessary equipment modifications have been
implemented (refer to CRA Section 13.2)
DO
Each year for the term of the license, per
Compliance April 1 – November 30
WQMP/FWQIP
Monitoring
Water
Each year for the term of the license, per
Temperature
April 1- November 30
WQMP/FWQIP
Compliance
Monitoring
Annual Report The annual report will reflect previous year’s data;
June 30
Submitted annual reports submitted for the term of the license

The Licensee’s plans for water quality data collection methodologies, including requirements for
measuring instrumentation, calibrations and maintenance, validation, archival, reporting, and
data transmittal providing real-time input for hydro compliance operations are described in the
Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) filed with both the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control (SCDHEC).
2.4 Reporting Requirements
Historic records indicate that DO concentrations have consistently exceeded state water quality
standards during the winter months. Therefore, compliance monitoring for water temperature
and DO will commence on 1 April and end on 30 November each year during the term of the
New License, unless additional monitoring is determined necessary by the state water quality
agency (e.g., for extended low DO periods, unusual meteorological periods). Flows and
reservoir levels will be recorded year-round.
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2
USGS Provisional water quality datafor each monitoring site will be maintained in real time on
the USGS NWIS Web Interface for as needed access by state water quality agency staffs.
After compliance monitoring is initiated per Section 2.3 above, during the term of the New
License, an annual report summarizing the previous water quality monitoring season will be filed
with the appropriate agencies by June 30 of the following year.

2
Provisional USGS data typically include the following disclaimer: Data are provisional and subject to revision until
they have been thoroughly reviewed and received final approval. Provisional data may be inaccurate due to
instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. Subsequent review based on field inspections
and measurements may result in significant revisions to the data. Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the
provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct
of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences.
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3.0 Supplemental Trout Habitat Monitoring

3.1 Monitoring
The Catawba River Bypassed Reach and Bridgewater minimum continuous flows have been
selected and evaluated to provide flows and water temperatures suitable for protection and
enhancement of mussels in the bypassed reach and the maintenance of a stocked trout fishery
downstream of Bridgewater Hydro. The volume of warmwater flows provided to the Catawba
River Bypassed Reach to maintain mussel habitat are balanced against the coldwater minimum
flow from the Linville Dam to maintain suitable temperatures for trout downstream of the
confluence of the Catawba River Bypassed Reach and the Linville River. During Project
relicensing, the flows and temperatures provided to each channel to achieve the desired, but
conflicting temperature requirements were analyzed by the CE-QUAL-W2 reservoir model and
the River Modeling System (RMS). The results of these computer models were evaluated by the
Aquatics/Terrestrial and Water Quality Resource Committees. Bypassed Reach and Linville
Dam minimum continuous flows stated in the CRA are the result of the recommendations from
the evaluations by the resource committees.
Due to the hydraulic complexity and trout supplemental management interests in this area,
supplemental monitoring will be used seasonally (1 April through 30 November) to support
future evaluations of whether trout management goals in the mainstem Catawba River continue
to be supported. Results of this monitoring may be used to determine if flow reductions need to
be made in the Catawba River Bypassed Reach.
Per CRA agreement, this supplemental trout habitat monitoring was to commence after the
Bridgewater Powerhouse had been replaced with either a new powerhouse or valve system and
compliance operations had begun. Also, the study was to continue through the next full North
Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) Catawba River Basinwide Assessment period,
but not beyond Year 2019. Due to the extended time between the CRA signing and New
License issuance, Duke Energy and the NCDWR have agreed that the study will be conducted
at least from 2016 to 2019 (four years), but may be extended to additional years if the initial four
sampled years are not sufficiently variable from either a meteorological or operational
perspective.
The general study outline for the supplemental trout habitat monitoring is provided below.
3.2 Sensor Locations
The temperature and level logger placement is designed to be able to record temperatures, flow
(level logger with stage-discharge relationship) from the inflows, and empirically determine the
temperatures at the appropriate downstream river reaches. An additional downstream
temperature and level logger and staff gage (not depicted on the map below) will be provided at
the Watermill Bridge (RM 271.7) in Glen Alpine, NC which is in the middle of the primary trout
habitat.
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Bridgewater Supplemental Trout Habitat Monitoring

USGS Gage & WQ
Reservoir Level
Monitor (Compliance)
Temperature
Monitor
Logger, Level
Logger, & Staff
Gage
Valve Flow
Monitor
Temperature
Loggers
(Compliance)
Temperature
Loggers
Level Logger,
Staff Gage

3.3 System Requirements
Level loggers (devices to record river stage from which a stage-discharge relationship may be
developed to calculate flow) and temperature loggers will be placed in the river and periodically
downloaded to obtain the respective data. Stage-discharge curves will be developed and
maintained for the level logger sites.
3.4 Reporting Requirements
Annual reports will be provided to the NCDEQ and North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC) annually by 30 April, the calendar year following monitoring seasons, for
the duration of the supplemental trout habitat monitoring study. Reports will detail the previous
monitoring season’s temperatures and levels. Flow-weighted temperatures will be calculated
for the downstream sites.
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

4.0 Trend Monitoring of Water Quality Characteristics

4.1 Background
Dissolved oxygen deficits in the Project reservoirs have been shown to be related to organic
and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loading (Duke Power 2005b). Increased organic and
nutrient loadings to the system after the Licensee installs aeration equipment designed to meet
current deficits may impose additional oxygen deficits that the equipment was not designed to
treat. To provide information to assess basin-wide growth and potential increased organic and
nutrient loading, the Licensee will monitor trends in organic and nutrient concentrations to
supplement state water quality databases. This monitoring is not required for compliance with
the Section 401 Water Quality Certifications.
4.2 Sampling Locations
In cooperation with state agencies, the Licensee will identify sampling sites for future long-term
organic and nutrient sample collections. Parameters collected will include total N (calculated
from nitrate+nitrite and total Kjeldahl nitrogen), total P, pH, DO, and water temperature.
Hydro Tailraces
Samples will be collected monthly throughout the year from the immediate tailraces or
alternatively in the vicinity of the continuous water quality monitors.
Tributary Sites
Tributary sampling will focus on stream confluences draining major sub-watersheds into the
Project reservoirs and downstream river sections. Tributary samples will be collected monthly,
beginning in 2017.
The following tributaries will be monitored in North Carolina:

Muddy Creek at Highway 70 (Burke Co.)

Johns River at Highway 18 (Burke Co.) *

Catawba River at Highway 18 (Burke Co.) *

Lower Little River upstream of Confluence with Catawba River (Alexander Co.)

Catawba Creek at SR 2435 (Gaston Co.)

South Fork Catawba River at Goat Island Park Pier, Cramerton (Gaston Co.) *
3
(* Three storm events will be sampled each year.)

The tributaries in South Carolina to be sampled will be chosen from the following list:

Sugar Creek at Hwy 160 (York Co.)

3
Storm event sampling to occur within 72 hours of a tributary catchment precipitation event estimated meeting or
exceeding a minimal 1.27 cm (0.5 in) precipitation accumulation. One convenient-to-access source of precipitation
data currently available for this purpose is the NC CRONOS/ECONet Database, developed by the State Climate
Office of North Carolina (http://climate.ncsu.edu/cronos).
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Catawba River at Highway 9 (Chester and Lancaster Co.)

Fishing Creek at SSR 77 (Chester Co.)

Cane Creek at SSR 50 (Lancaster Co.)

Rocky Creek at USGS Gage (Chester Co.)

Big Wateree Creek at Highway 21 (Fairfield Co.)

Beaver Creek at SSR 13 (Kershaw Co.)

4.3 Sampling Requirements
The samples will be collected and analyzed by state certified personnel and laboratories.

4.4 Reporting Requirements
Data derived from the long-term monitoring program will be stored electronically and reports
provided as needed or requested by state agencies, such as to support the NCDWR’s Catawba
River Basinwide Assessment.
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

5.0 References

Duke Power. 2005a. Catawba Hydros - Existing Aeration Capability and Downstream Aeration
Tests, Technical Report Series, Catawba-Wateree License. FERC No. 2232, Charlotte,
NC.
Duke Power. 2005b. CE-QUAL-W2 Calibration Reports, Technical Report Series, Catawba-
Wateree License. FERC No. 2232, Charlotte, NC.
Duke Energy 2015. Bridgewater Supplemental Trout Habitat Monitoring Study Plan. Duke
Energy Water Resources. Huntersville, NC.
\[HDR\] HDR Engineering, Inc. 2012. Bridgewater Hydroelectric Station Dissolved Oxygen
Report. Prepared for Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC. December 2012.
Knight, Jon, 2003. Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations and Water Temperature from Bridgewater
Hydroelectric Station. Duke Power Company.
Mitchell, Thomas O. 2006. Luminescence Based Measurement of Dissolved Oxygen in Natural
Waters. Hach Environmental. Loveland, CO.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2001. EPA Requirements for Quality
Assurance Project Plans. EPA QA/R-5, EPA/240/B-01/003. USEPA, Office of
Environmental Information, Washington D.C.
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of the revision
compared to the original WQC

The USGS is a nationally-trusted resource whose expertise adds value in the form of personnel
experience and technical capability, organizational continuity and accountability, and all facets
of quality assurance and quality control in environmental monitoring. The USGS has the
resources to make provisional water quality data publicly available on the internet for all
monitoring locations on a real-time basis, and subsequently furnishing approved water quality
data which will be used in annual compliance reports. Duke Energy will also have access to real-
time water quality data via local telemetry, to be used throughout the monitoring season in
managing hydro operations to meet dissolved oxygen requirements.
Consultation Summary

Commenter Summary of Comment Duke Energy Response
NC Wildlife The map location of the USGS gage Duke Energy agrees the location of
Resources and WQ monitor below the the USGS gage as shown on the
Commission Bridgewater Powerhouse are Water Quality Management Plan
incorrect. (WQMP) maps needs to be changed.
The gage is actually located on the
river between the Bridgewater
Powerhouse tailrace and the
Powerhouse Road bridge, just
upstream of where the bridge
crosses the river. We will revise the
maps and will also confirm
downstream distances and revise
them accordingly.
NC Wildlife There is a discrepancy between The USGS aerial photograph of the
Resources Duke Energy’s description of the gage location is of the Bridgewater
Commission USGS gage location below the Fishing Area, which is indeed open
Bridgewater Powerhouse and the to the public. The lat-long
location as shown by the USGS and coordinates on the USGS aerial
a concern about the gage being in a photo place the gage across the river
publicly-accessible area. from the fishing area adjacent to
Powerhouse Road downstream of
the Powerhouse Road bridge.
However the gage is actually located
upstream of the bridge outside the
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
access area. While Duke Energy may
not be able to resolve all
discrepancies among these
references, we will confirm and
revise the site description in the
WQMP as necessary to be accurate.
NC Wildlife It was suggested to add text Duke Energy will provide additional
Resources explaining how the minimum flow explanation of how the gate at
Commission release gate at the Oxford Oxford will operate and provide
Powerhouse will operate and continuous minimum flow.
provide continuous minimum flow.
The gate position will be adjustable
and set as required to deliver the
required minimum flow based on
target reservoir elevation and
expected reservoir elevation range.
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No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

CRA Appendix L: Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (FWQIP) (applies to NC and SC)

Statement of Revision

CRA Appendix L is the FWQIP and is included as a condition of both state WQCs.

Appendix E; Section A-2.0 Flow Articles; Article – Flow and Water Quality Implementation
Plan of the license issued by the FERC on November 25, 2015 requires:

Within 180 days following the issuance of this license, the Licensee must file with the
(A)

Commission, for approval, a Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (FWQIP) for
completing the modifications necessary to satisfy the flow and water quality requirements
at Project developments. The Plan shall include, at a minimum: (i) descriptions of any
equipment, including flow release valves, minimum flow hydro units, or aerating hydro units
to be installed; (ii) descriptions of any proposed modifications to any Project structures to
provide prescribed flow releases or meet the requirements of the 401 Water Quality
Certifications; and (iii) a schedule for the installations and modifications to meet the
prescribed flow releases or water quality requirements stipulated in this license.

Background information explaining the need for the revision

One reason for the changes to FWQIP activities and schedules as originally included in both
state WQCs is current timelines for vendors to design, fabricate, and deliver major components,
such as the new minimum flow units at the Wylie and Wateree Developments, are different
than projected in 2006. Also, Duke Energy has already implemented major items such as flow
and water quality improvements at the Bridgewater Development (at both the Bridgewater
Hydro Station and the Catawba Dam), the Rhodhiss Development, and the Oxford
Development. More detailed design and scheduling for Great Falls minimum continuous flow
and recreation flow release modifications coupled with other improvements required by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission have resulted in modifications to implementation
schedules at that development.
Actual text of the revision (for ease of identification, text modified from the December 22,
2006, Signature Copy of the CRA, Revision 1 is shown in bold italics)
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APPENDIX L: FLOW AND WATER QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FWQIP)

The Flow and Water Quality Implementation Plan (FWQIP) table that follows presents an outline of:

A site-specific list of measures that the Licensee will take for providing aquatic flows, recreation flows and for meeting the
applicable water quality standards;

A schedule for when these measures will be implemented; and

A schedule for any interim measures that will be taken to address flow releases or dissolved oxygen (DO) improvements
prior to completing the necessary physical modifications to the Project.
Dates are subject to change due to items beyond the Licensee’s control such as materials availability, manufacturing capacity,
transportation schedules and installation contractor availability. The Licensee will however make every reasonable effort in its
planning and implementation to minimize the chance of delays in this schedule.

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)
Bridgewater Development (Notes 2, 4, 6)

Completed 11/18/09
New flow valve with aerating
Catawba Dam N/A N/A
capability
New Powerhouse with
Linville Dam N/A New powerhouse N/A
aerating capability on all
completed 11/14/11
units or flow valve
system (Note 2)
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North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)

Rhodhiss Development

Rhodhiss Dam & New aerating runner on Unit
N/A Completed 12/03/13 N/A
Powerhouse 3

Oxford Development

- Trash gate modification
- 12 months following Beginning within 60 days following the

to spill forebay surface
FERC approval of FWQIP date of closure of the New License, raise
water. The gate position
Oxford Dam N/A a flood gate during periods of no
will be adjustable and
generation to release and aerate the
set as required to deliver
Minimum Continuous Flow.

the required minimum

flow based on target

reservoir elevation and

expected reservoir

elevation range.

- New aerating runner on
- Completed 12/23/13
one existing unit (Unit 2)
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North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)

Lookout Shoals Development

Beginning within 60 days

following the date of closure

of the New License, operate

existing vacuum breakers

(three units) as needed
Lookout Shoals to meet state standard
N/A N/A N/A
Powerhouse s for DO while monitoring
Oxford DO
carry-over benefits. If
necessary, add aerating
capacity to auxiliary units.
Operate existing large or
auxiliary units as needed
to provide minimum flow.

Cowans Ford Development

Beginning within 60 days

following the date of closure
Cowans Ford of the New License, operate
N/A N/A N/A
Powerhouse & Dam existing units as needed.
No flow or DO
enhancements are needed.
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North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)

Mountain Island Development
(Note 5)

Beginning within 60 days

following the date of closure

of the New License, operate
Mountain Island
existing stay vane aeration N/A N/A N/A
Powerhouse & Dam
units as needed.
No flow or DO
enhancements are needed.

Wylie Development

Beginning within 60 days following the

date of closure of the New License, pulse

Replace one existing hydro an existing unit 1 hr on, 2 hrs off during
30 months following
Wylie Powerhouse N/A unit with a smaller unit with periods when at least 1 unit is not running
FERC approval of FWQIP
aerating capability continuously. When DO is below state
standards, operate two existing units with
hub-venting capability on a first-on, last-off
hierarchy whenever the station is being
operated for flow release, reservoir level
control or generation.
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
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South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)

Fishing Creek Development

Beginning within 60 days

following the date of closure

of the New License, operate
Fishing Creek existing stay vanes (two
N/A N/A N/A
Powerhouse & Dam
units) and hub venting (one
unit) as needed to meet
state standards for DO.

Great Falls – Dearborn Development

Great Falls Diversion Combination notches/gates 55 months following
N/A None
Dam (Long Bypass) and/ or bladder dam FERC approval of FWQIP

In order to provide aquatic flow to

the Short Bypass Duke Energy will
Great Falls Headworks Combination existing trash 55 months following
N/A
(Short Bypass) gate and/or bladder dam FERC approval of FWQIP
leave open the existing trash gate
continuously with the exception of
any time if and when it must be
closed for public safety,
operational emergency, to
perform design reconnaissance for
the permanent headworks
modifications , or to begin
constructing the permanent
modifications.

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South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)
Beginning within 60 days
following the date of closure
of the New License, operate
existing vacuum breakers
(three units) as needed to
Dearborn Powerhouse N/A N/A N/A
meet state standard s for
DO while monitoring
Fishing Creek DO carry-
over benefits.

Rocky Creek – Cedar Creek Development

Beginning within 60 days

following the date of closure

of the New License, operate

existing hub venting

capability (three units) as
Cedar Creek
needed to meet state N/A N/A N/A
Powerhouse & Dam
standards for DO while
monitoring the benefit of
continuous flows through
Great Falls Bypassed
Reaches.
117

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Timeframe for

Operational Change to Timeframe for

Implement Flows and/or Completing Physical

Enhance DO where No Physical Modifications Modifications and Interim Measures for Providing Aquatic

Physical Modifications Proposed to Meet Flow Implementing Flows Flow and/or DO Enhancement until
Locationare Anticipatedand/or DO Requirements and/or DO Enhancements Physical Modifications are Complete

(Note 7) (Note 8) (Note 1) (Notes 3, 7)

Wateree Development

Beginning within 60 days following the

date of closure of the New License,
Beginning within 60 days

approximate minimum continuous flows
following the date of closure

by (1) pulsing an existing unit 1 hr on, 2
of the New License, operate

hrs off from May 16 thru Feb 14 during
existing hydro units

periods when at least 1 unit is not running
Replace one existing hydro
as necessary to provide
42 months following continuously and (2) running an existing
Wateree Powerhouse unit with a smaller unit with
downstream flow
FERC approval of FWQIP hydro unit continuously from Feb 15 thru
requirement. Also operate aerating capability
May 15. When DO is below state
existing units with auto-
standards, operate existing units with
venting capability as
auto-venting capability on a first-on, last
needed to meet state
off hierarchy whenever the station is being
standards for DO.
operated for flow release, reservoir level
control or generation.
118

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Notes:

1. The FWQIP was filed with NCDWQ and SCDHEC during the 401 Water Quality Certification processes as the recommended flow and water quality
implementation plan. NCDWQ and SCDHEC took the recommended FWQIP under advisement and approved and/or modified the FWQIP in the 401
Water Quality Certification. The FERC must approve the FWQIP before the Licensee can begin construction at any location, except for Bridgewater (see
Note 2 below). Also, since the FERC approval order for the FWQIP can substantially modify the Licensee’s proposed FWQIP, the Licensee will not
contract for the manufacture or installation of large capital cost items until FERC approval is obtained.
2. At Bridgewater, retirement of the existing powerhouse and its replacement with a new powerhouse was performed as part of the ongoing Bridgewater
Dam Upgrade Project, and FERC approval was obtained in conjunction with that project. The Licensee’s final decision was to replace the original
powerhouse with a new powerhouse designed to provide the prescribed flows and meet the applicable state water quality standards.
3. The interim measures will be implemented as indicated except when the Licensee is operating under the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) or the Maintenance
and Emergency Protocol (MEP).
4. Paddy Creek Bypassed Reach: No flow releases are proposed in the Paddy Creek Bypassed Reach. Parties to this Agreement agree to recommend the
provisions presented in Section 4.0 of this Agreement in lieu of flow releases into the Paddy Creek Bypassed Reach for consideration by the NCDWR
and the FERC in the 401 Water Quality Certification process and the license issuance process, respectively.
5. Mountain Island Bypassed Reach: No flow releases are proposed in the Mountain Island Bypassed Reach. Parties to this Agreement agree to
recommend the provisions as presented in Section 4.0 of this Agreement in lieu of flow releases into the Mountain Island Bypassed Reach for
consideration by the NCDWR and the FERC in the 401 Water Quality Certification process and the license issuance process, respectively.
6. The Licensee consulted with the resource agencies to reduce resource impacts during any periods of reduced flow associated with the Bridgewater
Dam Upgrade Project.
7. For the purpose of this Appendix L only, “date of closure for the New License” will mean the first day following the issuance of the New License and the
closure of all rehearing and administrative challenge periods related to water quantity, including Project flow releases and reservoir levels, and water
quality.
8. If a state water quality agency requires equipment modifications in addition to those listed in this Appendix L to assure compliance with applicable state
water quality standards for Dissolved Oxygen (DO), the fact that such modifications are not currently specified in this Appendix L does not render those
modifications inconsistent with this Agreement pursuant to Section 21.0. However, any equipment modifications necessary to assure compliance with
any other applicable state water quality standard or any other regulatory requirements to provide flow releases, and/or reservoir levels other than the flow
releases and reservoir levels specified in this Agreement may be inconsistent with this Agreement and may be subject to review pursuant to the
provisions of Section 21.0.
119

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

Identification and assessment of any incremental environmental impacts of the revision
compared to the original WQC

Overall, this revision to the FWQIP is an improvement to and not inconsistent with the previous
FWQIP given:

Four of the nine modification projects (Catawba Dam, Bridgewater Powerhouse,


Rhodhiss turbine, Oxford turbine) have been completed years ahead of schedule.
The originally proposed Oxford minimum flow release valve has been changed to a


trash gate modification to 1) release forebay surface water higher in dissolved oxygen,
2) spill that water to provide additional aeration, and 3) shorten the implementation
schedule.
The original schedule for the Wylie Hydro Station unit replacement is unchanged.


The Wateree Hydro Station unit replacement date has extended. The Wylie and


Wateree unit replacements are unique and complicated designs required to
significantly raise dissolved oxygen under reduced flow conditions while utilizing the
same intake structures and turbine outlet structures. There are considerable risks
associated with these unique designs. Therefore, rather than have simultaneous
installations that may duplicate unexpected problems, these implementations are
staggered to maximize lessons learned, correct any discovered design or
manufacturing deficiencies, and make more efficient use of installation crews.
The schedule for the Great Falls Long Bypass modifications has extended. The original


concept was to use notches, gates or bladder dams to release both minimum
continuous and recreation flows. However, these options may not provide sufficient
control to regulate flow releases precisely enough to assure compliance. Instead,
additional design concepts are being developed, including possibly Obermeyer gates
which require pneumatic piping, compressors, and controls that greatly increase the
scope of this modification compared to the original concept.
The Great Falls Short Bypass modification date has extended in order to integrate


the flow release provision (also including Obermeyer gates as described for the Long
Bypass) into an overall modification to make FERC-required dam stability
modifications and to replace the existing flashboards on top of a section of the short
bypass spillway with bladder dams. This approach will improve Duke Energy’s ability to
comply with flow releases. In addition, public safety will be improved since the existing
flashboards are somewhat trouble-prone and can unpredictably break resulting in
difficulty managing flow releases, unsafe flow releases, and undesired debris in the Short
120

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
Bypass reach.

Consultation Summary

Commenter Summary of Comment Duke Energy Response
NC Wildlife It was suggested to add text Duke Energy will provide additional
Resources explaining how the minimum flow explanation in both Appendix F
Commission release gate at the Oxford (WQMP) and Appendix L (FWQIP) of
(NCWRC) Powerhouse will operate and how the gate at Oxford will operate
provide continuous minimum flow. and provide continuous minimum
flow.

The gate position will be adjustable
and set as required to deliver the
required minimum flow based on
target reservoir elevation and
expected reservoir elevation range.
SC Department of There are no interim measures Duke Energy will revise the interim
Natural Resources identified in the CRA to provide measure for the Great Falls
(SCDNR) flows to the Long and Short Headworks (Short Bypass) to clarify
Bypasses. SCDNR also requests Duke in order to provide aquatic flow to
Energy strive to complete Great the Short Bypass Duke Energy will
Falls Long and Short Bypass leave open the existing trash gate
modifications ahead of schedule continuously with the exception of
and consider the development of an any time if and when it must be
interim measure that could be used closed for public safety, operational
to provide some flow to the emergency, to perform design
bypasses in the meantime. reconnaissance for the permanent
headworks modifications , or to
begin constructing the permanent
modifications.

Duke Energy will also pursue design
alternatives for the Long Bypass
modifications to save time while
providing reasonable assurance of
public safety, operational feasibility,
and regulatory compliance. Duke
Energy will consult with SCDNR by
02/28/17 to review design concepts,
schedule, and identify potential
121

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008
additional interim measures if
needed based on the success of
shortening the Long Bypass
modification schedule.
122

Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2232
Application for Amendment of Water Quality Certification
South Carolina Certification DHEC 08-C-001 issued February 12, 2015
No. 3767
North Carolina Certification issued November 14, 2008

ATTACHMENT A
Consultation Documentation