NC0024406_Report_20190509

(� DUKE
ENERGY
May 9, 2019
Sergei Chernikov
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
WQ Permitting Section — NPDES
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Belews Creek Steam Station
3195 Pine Hall Rd
Belews Creek, NC 27009
RE-CEIVED/NCOEQ/DWR o:336.445.0644
f: 336.445.0423
MAY 15 201g
Water Quality
Permitting Section
Subject: Proposed Belews Creek Steam Station Study Plan to Support a Clean Water Act §316(a) Demonstration
Dear Sergei Chernikov,
In accordance with Part I, Condition A. (24.) of our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit
No. NC0024406, enclosed is the draft Study Plan to Support a Clean Water Act §316(a) Demonstration for review
and comment. This study plan was developed for the Duke Energy Belews Creek Steam Station following several
meetings from 2017 - 2019 with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to discuss
316(a) demonstrations at several company facilities in North Carolina.
A few points of agreement came from these meetings and were incorporated in the Belews Lake study plan. These
points include:
Addressing phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates (excluding mussels) by narrative
as these components are considered Low Potential Impact based on the USEPA 1977 316(a) guidance
document and the experience of NCDEQ and DE staff biologists
The use of Representative Important Species in the assessment as indicators of a Balanced Indigenous
Community
Use of continuous temperature monitors, profile data, and satellite imagery for the Belews Lake thermal
analysis
Duke Energy plans to initiate the one-year demonstration in 2019 upon receiving final approval of the study plan
from NCDEQ. The NPDES permit requires the following milestones as a component of the 316(a) compliance
schedule (section A. (24.) of the permit):
• NCDEQ will perform the Plan review and provide comments to Duke Energy within 30 days of Plan
receipt;
• Duke Energy will meet with NCDEQ before July 23, 2019 to provide responses to the NCDEQ/EPA
comments and discuss the Study Plan;
• Duke Energy will submit the Final Study plan before August 22, 2019 to the NCDEQ and to the EPA;
• Duke Energy will conduct one year of monitoring after obtaining an approval of the Study Plan.
If there are any questions, please contact either:
• Mr. Maverick Raber (Environmental Science Manager) 980.875.2021, [e-mail]
• Ms. Brenda Johnson (Belews Environmental Professional) 336.445.0634, brenda.iohnson2@cluke-
enerPy.com

1 certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a
system designed to assure that qualifiedpersonne/properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or
persons who manage the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information is, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the
possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations.
Sincerely,
Reggie Anderson
Station Manager

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN
WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
May 9, 2019
(� DUKE
ENERGY.

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
Contents
1 Introduction........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background...............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Environmental Monitoring History.............................................................................................1
1.3 Thermal Permit History ..............................................................................................................2
2 Purpose.............................................................................................................................2
3 Study Goals.......................................................................................................................3
4 Study Plan.........................................................................................................................3
4.1 Thermal Analysis....................................................................................................................... 3
4.2 Limnology.................................................................................................................................. 4
4.3 Habitat Formers.........................................................................................................................4
4.4 Planktonic Communities............................................................................................................4
4.5 Benthic Macro i nverteb rate Community.....................................................................................4
4.5.1 Mussel Community Survey...........................................................................................4
4.6 Fish Community.........................................................................................................................5
4.6.1 Electrofishing................................................................................................................ 5
4.6.2 Gill Nets........................................................................................................................ 5
4.6.3 Analysis........................................................................................................................ 6
4.7 Other Vertebrate Wildlife...........................................................................................................6
4.8 Endangered Species................................................................................................................. 6
5 Reference Lake..................................................................................................................7
6 Data Management.............................................................................................................7
7 Study Timeline and Reporting............................................................................................ 8
8 References........................................................................................................................8
9 Figures and Tables..........................................................................................................10
Tables
Table 1. Belews Creek Steam Station 316(a) Demonstration Study Plan Summary .................................11
Table 2. Belews Lake Water Quality and Water Chemistry Monitoring Variables......................................12
Table 3. Representative Important Species (RIS) in Belews Lake.............................................................12
Figures
Figure 1. Belews Lake 316(a) study areas (labeled with bold letters and delineated with solid
black lines) and sample locations..................................................................................................10

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
Belews Creek Steam Station (BCSS) is a two -unit, coal-fired electric generating plant located in
Stokes County, North Carolina, approximately 15 miles northeast of Winston-Salem. The
station sits adjacent to Belews Lake, an impoundment of Belews Creek, West Belews Creek
and East Belews Creek, part of the Dan River (Roanoke) watershed (Figure 1). The reservoir,
impounded primarily to supply once -through condenser cooling water (CCW), first reached full
pond in 1973 after the dam was completed in 1970. BCSS Unit 1 began commercial operation
in August 1974 followed by Unit 2 operation in December 1975. Each 1,245.6-megawatt Unit is
cooled by CCW pumped at a maximum rate of 33.1 m3/s (1,170 cubic feet per second [cfs]).
Historically, BCSS has been operated as a baseload generating station.
Belews Lake has a surface area of 15.63 km2 and is relatively deep for a piedmont reservoir
(14.6 m mean depth). The watershed, however, is comparatively small (197 km2) with an
average drainage flow of 2.8 m3/s (99 cfs). Low inflows, combined with evaporative loss from
the station results in a long average retention time of 1,500 days. The shoreline is mostly steep,
buffered primarily by undeveloped forest with sparse residential development. Much of the
nutrient load from the watershed is sequestered in the upper reaches of Belews Lake. As a
result, there is a productivity gradient from the upper Lake (Areas I, J and K) to the lower Lake
(Areas B, C, D and E; Figure 1).
1.2 Environmental Monitoring History
Duke Energy has performed or sponsored environmental monitoring on Belews Lake since dam
construction was completed in 1970. The initial study, performed from 1970 — 1977, included
three years prior to full pond being reached, one year at full pond before station operation, and
three years after the station began operation (Weiss and Anderson 1978). This study evaluated
water quality and chemistry, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic macroinvertebrates. The
North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) surveyed the Belews Lake fishery for
sport fish potential during the same time period, from 1971-1978 (Van Horn 1978). By 1975,
substantial declines in fish populations and recruitment became evident in lower Belews Lake,
and it was determined that selenium loading from BCSS ash basin sluicing into the lake,
exacerbated by the long retention time, was inhibiting fish reproduction (Harrell et al. 1978).
Environmental studies were restructured to monitor effects of selenium on Belews Lake biota
and water quality. These lake recovery sampling programs evolved over time and new
sampling programs were created when BCSS redirected its regulated ash basin discharge to
the Dan River in October 1985. Belews Lake biota began to recover once this redirection
occurred (Duke Power Company 1996).
Over the past several decades, environmental monitoring on Belews Lake has focused on water
quality/chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fisheries. Water quality and water chemistry
samples have been collected on at least a semi-annual basis since 1977. Annual cove
rotenone surveys were performed from 1977 — 1994 to sample littoral fish populations (Duke
Power Company 1996). Semi-annual or annual electrofishing surveys began in 1983 and

(
STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
continue through the present. From 1991-2016, benthic macroinvertebrate community samples
were collected. Starting in 1996, lake environmental data were submitted to North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) during each National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit cycle. The NCWRC has also conducted several fisheries
surveys and research projects on Belews Lake over the years (Hining 2003, 2005a, 2005b;
Hodges 2012).
1.3 Thermal Permit History
BCSS operates under NPDES permit no. NC0024406. The initial permit was issued by the
State of North Carolina in 1970 prior to development of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and
associated §316(a) requirements for a thermal variance. The initial permit granted BCSS a
temperature variance that stated daily average ambient water temperatures shall not exceed
32°C at the dam discharge as a result of BCSS operations.
North Carolina's Division of Water Resources (DWR) issued BCSS a new NPDES permit in
2012, and stated in Section A. (15.),
"The thermal variance granted by the State of North Carolina terminates on expiration of
the NPDES permit. Should the permittee wish a continuation of its thermal variance
beyond the term of this permit, reapplication for such continuation shall be submitted in
accordance with 40 CFR Part 125, Subpart H and Section 122.21 (1)(6)... The
temperature analysis and the balanced and indigenous study plan shall conform to the
specifications outlined in 40 CFR Part 125 Subpart H and the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) draft 316a Guidance Manual, dated 1977."
Upon review of the 2011-2015 BCSS 316(a) report submitted to the State in 2016, North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) commented that the
report did not satisfy the 2012 permit requirements specified in Section A. (15.). To address
these comments and continue operating under a thermal variance, the new 2019 NPDES five-
year permit for BCSS requests in Section A. (24.) a 1-year comprehensive 316(a)
Demonstration study, performed in accordance to specifications in 40 CFR Part 125 Subpart H
and the EPA's 1977 draft 316(a) Guidance Manual.
2 Purpose
In accordance with NPDES permit no. NC0024406, Section A. (24.), Duke Energy will conduct
an initial, comprehensive one-year Demonstration study on Belews Lake to support a request
for a thermal variance for BCSS under §316(a) of the CWA. The purpose of this Study Plan is
to describe the thermal analysis as well as the biological sampling required that will give Duke
Energy the opportunity to apply for and acquire an alternative effluent thermal limitation.

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
3 Study Goals
The two primary goals of this 316(a) study are to:
1. Perform a thermal analysis of Belews Lake and
2. Demonstrate the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous community (BIC)
in Belews Lake through biological surveys.
Data collected during this study will be evaluated against four primary BIC criteria defined in 40
CFR 125.71. The four criteria state that BICs are biotic communities typically characterized by:
a. Having diversity and representative trophic levels within expectations,
b. The ability to self -sustain through successful reproduction and recruitment over seasonal
changes,
c. Having adequate food items, and
d. A lack of domination by pollution tolerant species.
Representative Important Species (RIS) have been chosen and will be used as part of the
assessment due to numerous species being present in Belews Lake. The RIS will be used tc
indicate a BIC exists within Belews Lake. The NCWRC and the NCDEQ support the species
selected as RIS (Kin Hodges, personal communication, June 29, 2018 and Jeff Deberardinis,
personal communication, April 8, 2019).
4 Study Plan
The following describes the study components of the proposed Belews Lake 316(a)
Demonstration study. Table 1 displays the different sampling programs, locations and
frequencies for the year -long study period.
4.1 Thermal Analysis
A rigorous temperature sampling program in Belews Lake was conducted in 2017 (January —
December) in anticipation of the upcoming temperature analysis requirement within the 316(a)
Demonstration. Monthly water quality profiles (measurements from surface to bottom at 1 m
intervals) were collected at twelve locations in Belews Lake, along with continuous in situ
temperature profile loggers at five of the locations (Figure 1). These continuous loggers
recorded temperature hourly and were deployed from the surface down to 20 m (or lake bottom,
whichever was less) at 2 m intervals, with the exception of location 416.0 near the dam.
Continuous loggers were deployed deeper (down to lake bottom, 36 m) at 416.0 to document
thermal stratification formation during summer and subsequent mixing in autumn.
Monthly profile data and hourly temperature data collected from the continuous loggers, along
with historical profile data and hourly BCSS intake and discharge temperatures (provided

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
through internal Duke Energy sources) will provide the data required to perform a thermal
analysis of Belews Lake. Vertical profiles, time -series graphs, surface/transect contour graphs,
thermal plume extent (i.e., ambient boundary), degree of stratification, intake temperature and
other potential parameters may be used to display different seasonal conditions in the lake.
Species -specific heat -tolerance data can be overlaid with these displays (e.g., surface and
cross -sectional avoidance areas by species), which will help determine if any fish migrations
barriers may exist related to the thermal discharge.
Spatial analysis of the surface thermal plume in Belews Lake during winter and summer worst -
case scenarios will be produced from archived satellite imagery. Satelytics Inc. will provide
these images from Landsat 7 Band 6 (thermal; A = 10.4-12.5 µm) satellites. Thermal resolution
will be reported at 1 °C.
4.2 Limnology
Data from Duke Energy's existing in situ water quality and water chemistry monitoring program
will be incorporated into the 316(a) Demonstration to address any potential water
quality/chemistry interactions with the thermal effluent (e.g., dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a,
etc.) and how those interactions may affect the Lake's biotic community. A list of variables in
the sampling program can be found in Table 2.
4.3 Habitat Formers
One qualitative (presence/absence) habitat former (aquatic vegetation) survey will be conducted
in the summer during the year -long comprehensive study. Presence and spatial distribution will
be recorded for all visible aquatic vegetation species (submerged, floating and emergent).
Observations will be mapped and overlaid with thermal plume displays to determine if aquatic
vegetation distributions are influenced by the thermal discharge.
4.4 Planktonic Communities
Phytoplankton and zooplankton are low potential impact (LPI) biotic categories. Narrative
assessments of these components will be made and included within the framework of the
Belews Lake BIC utilizing scientific literature and historical planktonic data collected from
Belews Lake (Weiss and Anderson 1978). The validity of using a narrative approach can be
found in the most recent 316(a) review by Coutant (2013).
4.5 Benthic Macroinverteb rate Community
Like phytoplankton and zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates are LPI. The narrative
assessment will include assessed using scientific literature and historical data (Duke Energy
2005, 2011, 2015; Duke Power Company 1996, 2000; Weiss and Anderson 1978).
4.5.1 Mussel Community Survey
Qualitative (timed/distance) mussel surveys will be conducted once during the Demonstration
period according to Duke Energy procedure FSH-867.0 (on file with NCDEQ). All native mussel
species will be considered RIS (Table 3). The goal will be to complete two timed surveys within

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
each fisheries study location (12 total surveys, see section 4.6 below; Figure 1; Table 1), each
survey encompassing 4.0 person -hours of search time or at least a distance of 200 m. Survey
site locations, substrate descriptions, species identifications, relative abundance (Catch -Per -
Unit -Effort [CPUE]), individual length measurements and survey technique (e.g., tactile search
using surface air supply, snorkeling and bathyscope) will be recorded for each location site.
Simple statistics (e.g., ANOVA) will be used to analyze results. Results will be mapped using
GIS techniques.
4.6 Fish Community
Fisheries surveys will be performed during the Demonstration to evaluate for BIC. As stated
above, a BIC should be diverse and contain different trophic levels, be self-sustaining year to
year, not be dominated by pollution -tolerant species and contain adequate food items. Fish
species selected to be RIS are listed in Table 3.
4.6.1 Electrofishing
Boat electrofishing surveys will be conducted according to standard fisheries methods (Zale et
al. 2012) and Duke Energy procedure FSH-250.05. Sampling will be done quarterly (every
three months), and four timed transects (approximately 1000 seconds of effort per transect) will
be performed in each study location, totaling 24 transects lake wide (Figure 1; Table 1).
Transects will be sampled during the day with a Smith -Root GPP Electrofisher mounted on a
Smith -Root boat, using pulsed DC current. Transects will be established parallel to the
shoreline and be designed to ensure no overlap with other transects will occur. Boat crews will
consist of a driver and two netters on the bow. Species identification, enumeration and
individual total length (nearest millimeter) and weight (nearest gram) will be recorded for fish
collected in each transect. Fish will also be inspected for parasites and any deformities. If fish
are not identifiable in the field they will be preserved and taken back to the lab for identification.
Water quality measurements (temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH) will be taken
at each transect with a calibrated probe to evaluate environmental conditions at the time of
collection.
4.6.2 Gill Nets
Experimental gill nets will be deployed according to Duke Energy procedure FSH-252.03 during
each quarterly electrofishing survey to select for bottom -orienting and pelagic fish. Gill nets will
be 8' deep and 100' long with four incremental, 25' sections per net (1", 2", 3" and 4"
monofilament stretch length). Two gill nets will be set in each study location for two net nights,
totaling four net nights every quarter per location (24 total net nights lake wide). Every study
location will have three or four potential gill net locations (Figure 1; Table 1), two of which will be
randomly selected each net night. Nets will be set on lake bottom approximately perpendicular
to the shoreline with the 1" stretch section nearest to shore. After each net night the fish will be
removed and the net re -set or stored on the boat. Individual fish will be identified, enumerated,
measured and inspected using the same methods described for fish collected during
electrofishing (see above).

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
4.6.3 Analysis
Data analysis will consist of total taxa numbers and biomass (fish only), mean CPUE
calculations, spatial comparisons of RIS, length distributions, species pollution tolerance, trophic
guild and hybrid complexes. Comparisons will be made among locations using one-way
ANOVA with the conservative Bonferroni multiple -comparison procedure (a = 0.1) and analysis
of similarity (ANOSIM) and related community level analyses. Simple means, standard
deviations and ranges may also be reported. Biological community indices such as Shannon's
Diversity Index and Species Richness will be an additional data assessment tool. Primer 7 and
Sigma Plot will be utilized for biological data analyses, and GIS will primarily be utilized for
graphic displays.
4.7 Other Vertebrate Wildlife
In addition to aquatic biota, Duke Energy will conduct observations regarding "other vertebrate
wildlife" (wildlife) that are associated with aquatic habitats and/or rely on the waters for foraging,
reproduction, and other life functions (e.g., waterfowl, bald eagles, aquatic mammals,
amphibians).
According to the USEPA 1977 316(a) Technical Guidance Document, most sites in the United
States will likely be considered ones of LPI for other vertebrate wildlife simply because thermal
discharge plumes should not generally impact large or unique populations of wildlife (e.g.,
waterfowl concentrations, eagle wintering areas). Exceptions to sites classified as LPI would be
those few sites where the discharge might affect protected, RIS, or threatened and endangered
wildlife.
Observations for wildlife will be conducted by qualified Duke Energy staff at sampling sites
similar in general location to those being conducted for the fisheries study component (Braun
2005; Heyer et. al., 1994; Wilson et.al., 1996). The observations will also be conducted in the
same time period (i.e., month, season) as the fisheries fieldwork. Observations will be
augmented by literature reviews of pertinent information (e.g., USFWS listed species county list,
USFWS Information for Planning and Construction database, facility -specific reports) which will
enable Duke Energy to prepare rationale regarding why the site should be considered one of
low potential impact or an exception to that. Observations will be conducted for aquatic wildlife
species or species that use the Belews aquatic system during activities such as foraging for fish
or other life function activities. During this Demonstration, Duke Energy will not be documenting
wildlife species that do not fit the criteria mentioned above (e.g., white-tailed deer, most
songbirds and wild turkeys).
4.8 Endangered Species
Wildlife surveys (Section 4.7 above) will include an assessment of presence/absence of
threatened and endangered terrestrial species that may inhabit or potentially use the area near
BCSS (e.g., bald eagle). Information regarding the protected and federally listed terrestrial
species will be obtained via the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Stokes,
Rockingham, and Forsyth Counties, NC county -wide list (USFWS 2014). Mussel surveys will
also be utilized to detect any threatened and endangered mussel species. Scientific literature,

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
federal and state surveys and listings, and Natural Heritage Program database element
occurrences will be reviewed or queried for other protected aquatic species that may occur in
Belews Lake. Lastly, the NCWRC will be consulted for additional input.
5 Reference Lake
If available, additional reference locations are valuable in a 316(a) Demonstration (Coutant
2013). Mayo Reservoir is an impoundment of Mayo Creek in Person County, North Carolina,
approximately 65 miles ENE of Belews Lake. Reaching full pond in 1983, it was originally
created to supply make-up cooling water to Mayo Steam Electric Plant (MP). Although Mayo
Reservoir is smaller and shallower than Belews Lake (1,133 ha compared to 1,563 ha and
average depth of 9.0 m to 14.6 m, respectively), it is a good candidate as a reference lake for
several reasons listed below:
1. Mayo Reservoir receives little to zero thermal input from MP due to cooling towers,
2. has a similar but less severe legacy issue with selenium loading to the lake,
3. is in the same basin as Belews Lake (Roanoke River basin),
4. has similar productivity and nutrient load to Belews Lake (low to moderate),
5. has a similarly long retention time (1,100 days compared to 1,500 days for Belews
Lake),
6. is buffered by similar land use patterns (mostly undeveloped forest), and
7. was recently found to have a "relatively balanced and stable fish community" by NCDWR
(2018).
Consistent monitoring has been occurring on Mayo Reservoir since 1983 and continues through
the present (Duke Energy Progress 2017). Water quality and water chemistry are currently
collected bi-monthly (six times per year) and fisheries data are collected through shoreline
electrofishing four times a year in April, May, October and November. In addition, experimental
gill nets identical to those used in Belews Lake will be deployed during fisheries surveys in 2019
and 2020. These environmental reference data from Mayo Reservoir will be compared with
data collected from Belews Lake during the 316(a) Demonstration. Indices to be compared
between lakes may include pollution tolerant species percentages, species trophic level
percentages, Species Richness, Shannon Diversity Index and others, as well as water quality
and chemistry parameters.
6 Data Management
All data collected by Duke Energy for the BCSS 316(a) Demonstration will be digitally recorded
and uploaded into Duke Energy's EQuIS database for retrieval and analysis. Internal QA/QC

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
processes will be established to ensure accuracy of data being submitted to the EQuIS
database.
7 Study Timeline and Reporting
The BCSS NPDES permit has an effective date of March 25, 2019, with a due date of May 24,
2019 for the first draft of the 316(a) Demonstration Study Plan. The BCSS 316(a)
Demonstration will commence once the Final Study Plan is approved by the NCDEQ and EPA
(as early as fall 2019), and will be conducted for one year. According to the NPDES Permit,
study results will be presented in a report to NCDEQ within 120 days of monitoring completion
for application of a 316(a) variance.
8 References
Braun, C. E., editor. 2005. Techniques for Wildlife Investigations and Management. Sixth
edition. The Wildlife Society. Bethesda, MD.
Coutant, C. 2013. Considerations and requirements for biological determinations related to
thermal discharges. Special Report No. 13-02. National Council for Air and Stream
Improvement. August 2013.
Duke Energy. 2005. Assessment of balanced and indigenous populations in Belews Lake.
NPDES No. NC0024406. Duke Power Company, Huntersville, NC.
Duke Energy. 2011. Assessment of balanced and indigenous populations in Belews Lake.
NPDES No. NC0024406. Duke Power Company, Huntersville, NC.
Duke Energy. 2015. Assessment of balanced and indigenous populations in Belews Lake.
NPDES No. NC0024406. Duke Power Company, Huntersville, NC.
Duke Energy Progress. 2017. Mayo Steam Electric Plant 2016 Environmental Monitoring
Report. NPDES No. NC0038377. Duke Energy Progress, Raleigh, NC.
Duke Power Company. 1996. Assessment of balanced and indigenous populations in Belews
Lake. NPDES No. NC0024406. Duke Power Company, Huntersville, NC.
Duke Power Company. 2000. Assessment of balanced and indigenous populations in Belews
Lake. NPDES No. NC0024406. Duke Power Company, Huntersville, NC.
Harrel, R. D., R. L. Fuller and T. J. Edwards. 1978. An investigation of the fish community of
Belews Lake North Carolina. DukePWR/78-07. Duke Power Company, Charlotte NC.
Heyer, W. R., M. Donnelly, R. McDiarmid, L. Hayek, and M. Foster, editors. 1994. Measuring
and Monitoring Biological Diversity. Standards Methods for Amphibians. Smithsonian
Institution Press. Washington and London.
8

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
Hining, K. 2003. Characteristics of the black and white crappie populations in Belews Lake,
2001-2002. North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries.
Raleigh, NC.
Hining, K. 2005a. Characteristics of the black and white crappie populations in Belews Lake,
2004. North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries.
Raleigh, NC.
Hining, K. 2005b. Comparison of day and night electrofishing for largemouth and smallmouth
bass in three North Carolina reservoirs. North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission,
Division of Inland Fisheries. Raleigh, NC.
Hodges, K. 2012. Belews Lake largemouth bass survey, 2007-2009. North Carolina Wildlife
Resource Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries. Raleigh, NC.
NCDWR. Review of Progress Energy, Mayo Electric Generation Plant (NC 0038377)
Environmental Monitoring Report (Letter). May 24, 2018.
USFWS. 2014. Endangered Species, Threatened Species, Federal Species of Concern, and
Candidate Species. New Hanover County, NC. Raleigh Ecological Field Office.
Van Horn, S. L. 1978. Development of the sport fish potential of an industrial cooling lake. North
Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, Division of Inland Fisheries. Raleigh, NC.
Weiss, C. M. and T. P. Anderson. 1978. Belews Lake: a summary of a seven year study
(August 1970-June 1977) to assess environmental effects of a coal-fired power plant on
a cooling pond. ESE No. 475. Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering,
UNC Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill, NC.
Wilson, D., F. R. Cole, J. Nichols, R. Rudran, and M. Foster, editors. 1996. Measuring and
Monitoring Biological Diversity. Standards Methods for Mammals. Smithsonian Institution
Press. Washington and London.
Zale, A. V., D. L. Parrish and T. M. Sutton, editors. 2012. Fisheries Techniques, third edition.
American Fisheries Society. Bethesda, MD.
9

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
9 Figures and Tables
• ��
Belews
Lake 4_
Stokes County
North Carolina
1% O
418.3
411.0
D ® L
Ash
Basin
Belews Creek
418.0 O
Steam Station —
O
® 408.0 410.5
F 410.0
E
408.1
408.2
0
G
H
0
0.5
1
2 Miles
0
0.75
1.5
3 Kilometers
419.3p
41
Hwy 65
N
416.0
412.0
C
Sampling Locations:
O Water Quality
Profiles
+ Continuous Temp.
Loggers
o Electrofishing
Gill Nets
O Mussels
�-- Hwy 158
405.0
K
r(n DUKE
FNFRGY
Figure 1. Belews Lake 316(a) study areas (labeled with bold letters and delineated with
solid black lines) and sample locations.
06

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
Table 1. Belews Creek Steam Station 316(a) Demonstration Study Plan Summary
PROGRAM
FREQUENCY
LOCATION
Limnology
Water Quality
Quarterly
416.0, 411.0, 412.0, 418.0, 410.5, 410.0,
408.0, 408.1, 408.2, 419.3, 419.2, 405.0
Water Chemistry
I" Quarter, 31 Quarter
416.0, 411.0, 412.0, 418.0, 418.3, 410.0,
408.2, 419.3, 419.2, 405.01
Chlorophyll a
I" Quarter, 31 Quarter
416.0, 411.0, 412.0, 418.0, 418.3, 410.0,
408.2, 419.3, 419.2, 405.0
Habitat Formers
Aquatic Vegetation
Once during summer
Lake -wide littoral zone
Mussel survey
Once during summer
12 transects, 2 each at 6 locations
412.0, 418.0, 410.0, 408.0, 408.2, 419.2
Fisheries
Electrofishing
Quarterly 24 transects, 4 each at 6 locations
412.0, 418.0, 410.0, 408.0, 408.2, 419.2
Gill nets
Quarterly 2x 100ft experimental nets at 6 locations
412.0, 418.0, 410.0, 408.0, 408.2, 419.2
Other Wildlife
Observation
Once during summer One observation at 6 location vicinities
412.0, 418.0, 410.0, 408.0, 408.2, 419.2
No metals collected except at locations D_3_418.3 and J_2_419.2.
W

STUDY PLAN TO SUPPORT A CLEAN WATER ACT §316(a) DEMONSTRATION
BELEWS CREEK STEAM STATION
Table 2. Belews Lake Water Quality and Water Chemistry Monitoring Variables.
Water Quality
Temperature
pH
Dissolved oxygen
Specific conductivity
Chlorophyll a
Water Chemistry
Metals (total)
Nutrients
Arsenic
Ammonia nitrogen
Copper
Nitrite -nitrate nitrogen
Mercury (Low Level)
Total Kjeldhal nitrogen
Selenium
Total phosphorus
Zinc
Orthophosphate
Total organic carbon
Ions
Calcium
Alkalinity (TIP)
Chloride
Magnesium
Total Hardness
Sulfate
Physical
Total dissolved solids
Turbidity
Table 3. Representative Important Species (RIS) in Belews Lake.
Fish
Common Name
Gizzard Shad
Channel Catfish
Redbreast Sunfish
Bluegill
Redear Sunfish
Spotted Bass
Largemouth Bass
Mussels
Any native species collected
Scientific Name
Dorosoma cepedianum
Ictalurus punctatus
Lepomis auritus
Lepomis macrochirus
Lepomis microlophus
Micropterus punctulatus
Micropterus salmoides
12