Hyrum Dam Spillway Replacement Project Environmental Assessment

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hyrum Dam Spillway Replacement Project Environmental Assessment Hyrum Dam Spillway Replacement Project Final Environmental Assessment PRO-EA-14-003 Cache County, Utah Provo Area Office Upper Colorado Region U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Provo Area Office Provo, Utah August 2016 Mission Statements The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and manage the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provide scientific and other information about those resources; and honor its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Hyrum Dam Spillway Replacement Project Final Environmental Assessment Cache County, Utah Provo Area Office Upper Colorado Region prepared by Rick Baxter Manager, Water. Environmental, and Lands Division U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Provo Area Office Provo, Utah August 2016 Contents Page Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Proposed Action ...................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background ................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action ............................................... 3 1.3.1 Need to Reduce the Risk of Potential Failure Modes ........................ 3 1.3.2 Increase Public Safety and Reduce the Risk of Loss of Human Life 4 1.3.3 Reduce Maintenance and Associated Costs ....................................... 4 1.4 Scoping ...................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Permits, Licenses, and Authorizations Required ....................................... 4 1.6 Related Projects and Documents ............................................................... 5 1.7 Scope of Analysis ...................................................................................... 5 1.8 Document Organization ............................................................................. 6 Chapter 2 Alternatives ........................................................................................ 7 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 7 2.2 No Action Alternative ................................................................................ 7 2.3 Proposed Action Alternatives .................................................................... 7 2.3.1 Alternative 3....................................................................................... 9 2.3.2 Alternative 1a ..................................................................................... 9 2.3.3 Alternative 1b................................................................................... 10 2.3.4 Alternative 2a ................................................................................... 10 2.3.5 Alternative 2b................................................................................... 11 2.4 Project Design .......................................................................................... 12 2.5 Comparison of Alternatives ..................................................................... 12 2.6 Alternatives Considered and Eliminated From the Study ....................... 13 Chapter 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences .......... 14 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 14 3.2 Resources Eliminated from Analysis ....................................................... 14 3.3 Public Health and Human Safety ............................................................. 15 3.3.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 15 3.3.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 15 3.3.3 Alternative 1..................................................................................... 15 3.3.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 16 3.4 Air Quality and Noise .............................................................................. 16 3.4.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 16 3.4.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 16 3.4.3 Alternative 1.................................................................................... 16 3.4.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 17 3.5 Transportation and Roads ........................................................................ 17 3.5.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 17 3.5.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 17 3.5.3 Alternative 1..................................................................................... 17 3.5.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 17 3.6 Soils and Farmlands ................................................................................. 18 3.6.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 18 3.6.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 18 3.6.3 Alternative 1..................................................................................... 18 3.6.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 19 3.7 Socioeconomics ....................................................................................... 19 3.7.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 19 3.7.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 19 3.7.3 Alternative 1..................................................................................... 19 3.7.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 19 3.8 Recreation ................................................................................................ 20 3.8.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 20 3.8.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 20 3.8.3 Alternative 1..................................................................................... 20 3.8.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 20 3.9 Visual Resources ...................................................................................... 21 3.9.1 No Action Alternative ...................................................................... 21 3.9.2 Alternative 3..................................................................................... 21 3.9.3 Alternative 1..................................................................................... 21 3.9.4 Alternative 2..................................................................................... 21 3.10 Water Resources and Hydrology ........................................................... 22 3.10.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................... 23 3.10.2 Alternative 3................................................................................... 23 3.10.3 Alternative 1................................................................................... 23 3.10.4 Alternative 2................................................................................... 23 3.11 Operations .............................................................................................. 24 3.11.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................... 27 3.11.2 Alternative 3................................................................................... 27 3.11.3 Alternative 1................................................................................... 27 3.11.4 Alternative 2................................................................................... 27 3.12 Wetlands ................................................................................................ 27 3.12.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................... 28 3.12.2 Alternative 3................................................................................... 28 3.12.3 Alternative 1................................................................................... 28 3.12.4 Alternative 2................................................................................... 28 3.13 Vegetation and Noxious Weeds ............................................................. 28 3.13.1 No Action Alternative .................................................................... 29 3.13.2 Alternative 3................................................................................... 29 3.13.3 Alternative 1................................................................................... 29 3.13.4
Recommended publications
  • Lake Bonneville: Geology of Southern Cache Valley, Utah
    Lake Bonneville: i Geology of Southern Cache Valley, Utah GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 257-C Lake Bonneville: Geology of Southern Cache Valley, Utah By J. STEWART WILLIAMS GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 257-C Cenozoic geology of a part of the area inundated by a late Pleistocene lake UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1962 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. CONTENTS Page Page Abstract-__-_-__-____-_____--_-_-_-________-_-_____ 131 Stratigraphy—Continued Introduction.______________________________________ 131 Quaternary deposits—Continued Stratigraphy.______________________________________ 132 Landslides of Lake Bonneville and post-Lake Pre-Tertiary rocks_______-_-_-_-_-_-_.__________ 132 Bonneville age____________________________ 142 Tertiary system. _______________________________ 132 Post-Lake Bonneville deposits________________ 142 Wasatch formation__________________________ 132 Fan graveL____________________________ 142 Salt Lake formation...______________________ 133 Flood-plan alluvium_____________________ 142 Lower conglomerate unit________________ 133 Alluvial sand in natural levees of the Bear Tuff unit.---_-----_---------------_--_ 134 River----.-----------.-------------- 142 Upper conglomerate and sandstone unit___ 134 Slope wash___________________________ 143 Quaternary deposits.._____---____-__--_____-___- 135 Eolian
    [Show full text]
  • Water Quality in the Bear River Basin of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming Prior to and Following Snowmelt Runoff in 2001
    Water Quality in the Bear River Basin of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming Prior to and Following Snowmelt Runoff in 2001 112r 111r River Bear Bear Lake IDAHO 42r UTAH River W Y Bear O M IN G Bear Weber Great River Salt River 41° Lake Salt Lake Jordan City River River Provo Utah Lake 40° IDAHO WYOMING Salt Lake City UTAH Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5292 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Cover photos: Background—Soda Dam and hydroelectric plant on the Bear River near Soda Springs, Idaho. Foreground (Upper)—Water-quality sampling on the Bear River, March 2001. Foreground (Lower)—The Bear River in Black Canyon near Grace, Idaho. (Photographs by Jay Cederberg, U.S. Geological Survey) Water Quality in the Bear River Basin of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming Prior to and Following Snowmelt Runoff in 2001 By Steven J. Gerner and Lawrence E. Spangler Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5292 NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Meyer, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Quality in the Bear River Basin of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming Prior to and Following Snowmelt Runoff in 2001
    Water Quality in the Bear River Basin of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming Prior to and Following Snowmelt Runoff in 2001 112r 111r River Bear Bear Lake IDAHO 42r UTAH River W Y Bear O M IN G Bear Weber Great River Salt River 41° Lake Salt Lake Jordan City River River Provo Utah Lake 40° IDAHO WYOMING Salt Lake City UTAH Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5292 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM Cover photos: Background—Soda Dam and hydroelectric plant on the Bear River near Soda Springs, Idaho. Foreground (Upper)—Water-quality sampling on the Bear River, March 2001. Foreground (Lower)—The Bear River in Black Canyon near Grace, Idaho. (Photographs by Jay Cederberg, U.S. Geological Survey) Water Quality in the Bear River Basin of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming Prior to and Following Snowmelt Runoff in 2001 By Steven J. Gerner and Lawrence E. Spangler Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5292 NATIONAL WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Meyer, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • An Environmental History of the Bear River Range, 1860-1910
    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2013 An Environmental History of the Bear River Range, 1860-1910 Bradley Paul Hansen Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Hansen, Bradley Paul, "An Environmental History of the Bear River Range, 1860-1910" (2013). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1724. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1724 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF THE BEAR RIVER RANGE, 18601910 by Bradley P. Hansen A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in History Approved: Christopher Conte, Ph D David Rich Lewis, PhD Major Professor Committee Member Robert Parson Mark McLellan, PhD Committee Member Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2013 ii Copyright © Bradley P. Hansen 2013 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT An Environmental History of the Bear River Range, 18601910 by Bradley P. Hansen, Master of Science Utah State University, 2013 Major Professor: Dr. Chris Conte Department: History The study of environmental history suggests that nature and culture change all the time, but that the rate and scale of such change can vary enormously.1 During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Anglo settlement in the American West transformed landscapes and ecologies, creating new and complex environmental problems.
    [Show full text]
  • Middle Bear River and Cutler Reservoir Tmdls
    February 2010 Middle Bear River and Cutler Reservoir Final TMDLs February 2010 Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Quality TMDL Section Cutler Reservoir TMDL EPA Approval Date: February 23, 2010 Waterbody ID UT-L-16010202-002 Location Cache County, Northern Utah Pollutants of Concern Low dissolved oxygen (DO) Excess total phosphorus Impaired Beneficial Uses Class 3B: Protected for warm water species of game fish and other warm water aquatic life, including the necessary aquatic organisms in their food chain Class 3D: Protected for waterfowl, shore birds and other water- oriented wildlife not included in Classes 3A, 3B, or 3C, including the necessary aquatic organisms in their food chain Current Load Southern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 71,201 kg TP/season • Winter season: 62,622 kg TP/season Northern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 127,402 kg TP/season • Winter season: 119,829 kg TP/season Loading Capacity Southern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 25,539 kg TP/season • Winter season: 28,986 kg TP/season Northern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 62,103 kg TP/season • Winter season: 63,461 kg TP/season Margin of Safety Southern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 1,277 kg TP/season • Winter season: 1,449 kg TP/season Northern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 3,105 kg TP/season • Winter season: 3,171 kg TP/season Future Load Allocation Southern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 213 TP/season • Winter season: 0 kg TP/season Northern Cutler Reservoir • Summer season: 356 TP/season
    [Show full text]
  • EPA Watershed Initiative Quarterly Project Progress
    EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant Final Report BEAR RIVER WATERSHED DRAFT Project Title: EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant DRAFT Final Report Project Start Date: November 1, 2004 Project End Date: October 31, 2007 (extended to October 31, 2008) Project Contact: Jack Barnett, Bear River Commission 106 West 500 South Bountiful, UT 84010 Phone: (801) 292-4662 E-mail: [email protected] EPA Grant: WS-97807301 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………… 2.0 PROJECT PARTNERS……………………………………………………………… 3.0 PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES……………………………………………. 3.1 PLANNED AND ACTUAL DELIVERABLES, PRODUCTS, AND OUTCOMES………………………………………………………………. 3.2 REFERENCE LIST………………………………………………………….. 4.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT………………………………………………………….. 5.0 LONG TERM RESULTS……………………………………………………………. 6.0 ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT DID NOT WORK WELL………………….. 7.0 FUTURE ACTIVITY AND RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………... 8.0 APPENDICES Annotated list of appendices………………………………………………………… 8.1 The Bear River Watershed Information System…………………………….. 8.2 Technical Memo: Integration of the Water Quality Modeling Results Into the Watershed Information System…………………………………………. 8.3 Watershed Modeling for Water Quality Trading…………………………... 8.4 Assessing the Potential for Water Quality Trading in the Bear River watershed 8.4A Assessing the Potential for Water Quality Trading in the Bear River watershed by Jason R. Whitehead……………………………………….. 8.4B Survey of Effluent Managers………………………………………. 8.5 Estimates of Phosphorus Abatement Costs………………………………… 8.6 Cooperative Surplus Sharing……………………………………………….. 8.7 Examples of Pollutant Trading……………………………………………... 8.8 Trading Strategies………………………………………………………….. 8.9 Steps to Trading……………………………………………………………. 8.10 Technical Memo: Specific Requirements of and Objectives for the Water Quality Model to Support Water Quality Trading in the Bear River Basin……………... 8.11 Technical Memo: Review and Summary of Water Quality Modeling Approach to Support Water Quality Trading in the Bear River Basin………………………..
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrology of Cache Valley, Cache County, Utah, and Adjacent Part of Idaho, with Emphasis on Simulation of Ground-Water Flow
    STATE OF UTAH DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Technical Publication NO.1 08 HYDROLOGY OF CACHE VALLEY, CACHE COUNTY, UTAH, AND ADJACENT PART OF IDAHO, WITH EMPHASIS ON SIMULATION OF GROUND-WATER FLOW By Kim A. Kariya, D. Michael Roark, and Karen M. Hanson -:\\ STATE OF UTAH ~." NATURAL RESOURCES Prepared by the United States Geological Survey in cooperation with the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Water Resources Division of Water Rights 1994 CONTENTS Abstract.............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction 1 Purpose and scope 3 Previous studies .. 3 Acknowledgments 5 Description of the study area.. 5 Geology....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Climate........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Population and land use........................................ 8 Hydrology 8 Surface water 8 Streams........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Reservoirs.................................................................................................................................................... 16 Canals.........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Flooding and Streamflow in Utah During Water Year 2005
    Flooding and streamflow in Utah during water year 2005 In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it. Lao Tzu Introduction The 2004 and 2005 water years illus- trate why water managers in Utah generally describe the water supply as ‘feast or famine.’ In September 2004, Utah was finishing its sixth year of drought. Most reservoirs were substantially drained and the soil was parched. In contrast, in September 2005 Utah was finishing a water year that set new records for peak discharge and total annual Figure 2. Virgin River near Washington, Utah, just upstream of the Santa Clara River. Discharge streamflow. is approximately 12,000 cubic feet per second. View looking downstream on January 10, 2005. The 2004 water year ended on September (Photo by D.E. Wilberg, U.S. Geological Survey). 30, 2004. The 2005 water year brought with it a significant change in the weather, begin- southern Utah and the Whiterocks River in ning with intense rainfall in the Virgin River In the high mountains and plateaus of northeastern Utah. basin of southwestern Utah. Only minor Utah, these and subsequent storms built up a Eleven streamflow-gaging stations have flooding resulted from this storm; however, it snowpack that reached record depths in some been selected to highlight the flooding that provided soil moisture that would contribute areas by the spring of 2005 (Julander and occurred in Utah during water year 2005 to severe flooding during January 2005 (figs. others, 2005). On April 28, 2005, heavy rain (fig.
    [Show full text]