Claytor Hydroelectric Project

Water Quality Study

Mark Hutchins, Project Manager

January 25, 2007

About Normandeau Associates, Inc. New Hampshire-based natural resources

consulting firm founded in 1970

Employee-owned since 2001

13 fully-staffed offices nationwide

Known for managing complex field and impact assessment projects

Recognized as one of the largest natural resource management companies in the U.S. (EBJ)

Hydro Relicensing Services

FERC Relicensing and Compliance Fish Passage Wetlands, Endangered Species &

Wildlife Water Quality Monitoring and

Mitigation Instream Flow

Studies

Representative HydroPower Projects

Dozens of Hydro projects throughout the U.S. Yadkin Relicensing (NC) Tapoco Relicensing (NC/TN) Santee Cooper Relicensing (SC) TVA Reservoir Operations Study EIS (35

dams, 6 states)

Project Organization Chart

Mark HutchinsProject Manager

Rick SimmonsField Supervisor

Jeff WollisField Scientist

Claytor Lake Water Quality Study

Study Goals– Evaluate WQ within and downstream of Claytor

Lake– Determine how hydroelectric operations affect WQ– Determine how hydroelectric operations could be

modified to improve WQ, if necessary Study Methods

– Collect existing WQ data– Collect new WQ data– Characterize existing WQ conditions– Recommend measures to enhance WQ, as

appropriate

Specific Study Objectives

Objective 1: Assemble and Review Existing Data• All recent (last 15 years) data immediately

upstream, within and downstream of Claytor Lake will be retrieved.

• Know data sources are state agencies, colleges and universities and non-governmental agencies

• QA/QC data• VDEQ will determine data acceptability

Specific Study Objectives

Objective 8: Assess Adequacy of Existing Upriver and Downriver Temperature Data• Evaluate existing VDGIF continuous temp

data to determine completeness, deficiencies and additional data needs.

• Modify field collection study plan, if appropriate, to fill data gaps

Specific Study Objectives Objective 4: Collect Additional WQ Data

• Sampling period – generally, once weekly, June 15 to September 15• Four locations – inflow to Claytor Lake, lower Claytor Lake, Claytor Dam

tailrace and select downriver locations At an upriver mussel bed

• Temperature only Within Claytor Lake at three transects (forebay, 1km, 2km)

• Sampling will occur at 4 equi-spaced locations per transect• DO, temp, pH and conductivity by 1-meter vertical profile• Chlorophyll a by field meter at one center location per transect by 1-meter vertical

profile In Project tailrace – continuous monitoring

• Sampling will occur at one well-mixed location• DO, temp, pH and conductivity

3 downriver transects (Rt 11 bridge, upriver of Plum Creek, Pembroke area)• Sampling will occur at each quarter point on each transect in pre-dawn/early

dawn hours• DO, temp, pH and conductivity by 1-meter profile, if appropriate

Specific Study Objectives

• Objective 2: Characterize Existing Study Area WQ

• Use existing and new collected WQ data• Focus will be DO/temp, but other WQ parameters

will be included• Characterization will be 4 dimensional –

longitudinal (Allisonia to Glen Lyn), horizontal, vertical and temporal

• Temporal focus will be spring, summer, early fall

Specific Study Objectives

Objective 7: Identify Impact of Project Operations on Claytor Lake and Downriver WQ• Identify, where possible how peaking

operations, water level fluctuations, water residence times and turbine intake zones affect reservoir and New River WQ

Specific Study Objectives

Objective 3: Identify Measures that could Enhance Downriver DO under Normal and Drought River Flow Conditions• Determine the magnitude, frequency and

duration of low DO events downriver of the Project

• Conduct a literature survey of methods used to improve DO at hydroelectric facilities

• Assess applicability to Claytor Lake

Specific Study Objectives

Objective 6: Determine Effects of Sediments on Claytor Lake WQ• Conduct a literature review of activities that

may affect sediment/water/fish interactions• Review VDEQ fish tissue and sediment

analyses data• Assess relevance to Claytor Lake

Specific Study Objectives

Objective 5: Develop Protocols for Future WQ Monitoring, as Appropriate• Identify remaining WQ data deficiencies • Detail how future sampling efforts should be

undertaken, spatially and temporally, to eliminate these deficiencies

Project Deliverables

Periodic Progress Reports Draft Information Report Final Information Report Weekly spreadsheets of new data to VDEQ Draft Final Report Final Report

Schedule

Progress Reports – May, August and November 2007

Draft Informational Report – May 2007 Final Informational Report – June 2007 Stakeholders Meeting – May 2007 WQ Sampling Program – June 15-September

15, 2007 Draft Final Report – January 2008 Stakeholders Meeting – February 2008 Final Report – by May 30, 2008