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Pre-Application Document IDYLWILDE HYROELECTRIC PROJECT FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PROJECT NO. P-2829 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT Submitted by LOVELAND WATER AND POWER CITY OF LOVELAND, COLORADO FEBRUARY 7, 2011 IDYLWILDE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PROJECT NO. P-2829 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT FEBRUARY 7, 2011 Submitted by LOVELAND WATER AND POWER CITY OF LOVELAND, COLORADO Ralph Mullinix, Director Steve Adams, Manager, Water Utilities Bruno Lopez, Superintendent, Technical Services Larry Howard, Senior Civil Engineer/Water Resources Technical and Environmental Contractors: Water Consult, Loveland, Colorado ERO Resources Corporation, Denver, Colorado Miller Ecological Consultants, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado IDYLWILDE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC LICENSE P-2829 PRELIMINARY APPLICATION DOCUMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 1-1 2.0 Project Description, Related Permits, and Relicensing Plan 2-1 2.1 Project Description………………………………………………………...…. 2-1 2.1.1 Existing FERC License…………………………………………… 2-1 2.1.2 Idylwilde Dam, Penstock and Reservoir………………………...... 2-1 2.1.3 Current Operations……………………………………………....... 2-3 2.2 Related Permits…………………………………………………………....…. 2-3 2.2.1 U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permit………………………...… 2-3 2.2.2 State of Colorado Water Quality Certification………………….... 2-4 2.3 Relicensing Plan and Process…………………………………………...……. 2-4 2.4 References……………………………………………………………………. 2-5 3.0 Existing Environment and Resource Impacts 3-1 3.1 Geology and Soils………………………………………………………….…. 3-1 3.1.1 Existing Environment……………………………………………... 3-1 3.1.2 Geology…………………………………………………………… 3-1 3.1.2.1 Regional Geology…………………………………………. 3-1 3.1.2.2 Geologic Resources……………………………………….. 3-2 3.1.3 Soils……………………………………………………………….. 3-2 3.1.4 Project Area Conditions…………………………………………... 3-3 3.1.5 Potential Impacts………………………………………………….. 3-3 3.1.5.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts……………………………….. 3-3 3.1.5.2 Cumulative Impacts………………………………………. 3-3 3.1.6 Mitigation Measures………………………………………………. 3-4 3.1.7 Agencies Contacted………………………………………………. 3-4 3.1.8 References………………………………………………………… 3-4 3.2 Water Resources and Water Quality…………………………………………. 3-5 3.2.1 Water Resources…………………………………………………... 3-5 3.2.1.1 Water Rights………………………………………………. 3-5 3.2.1.2 Instream Flow Water Rights………………………………. 3-5 3.2.1.3 Bureau of Reclamation Releases to Big Thompson……….. 3-5 River from Lake Estes 3.2.1.4 Big Thompson River Watershed and Streamflows………... 3-6 3.2.1.5 Direct and Indirect Impacts………………………………... 3-8 3.2.1.6 Cumulative Impacts………………………………………... 3-8 [1] 3.2.1.7 Mitigation Measures……………………………………….. 3-8 3.2.1.8 Agencies Contacted……………………………………….. 3-8 3.2.1.9 References…………………………………………………. 3-9 3.2.2 Water Quality……………………………………………………… 3-10 3.2.2.1 Surface Water Quality Standards, Regulations,………….... 3-10 and Classifications 3.2.2.2 Surface Water Quality……………………………….……. 3-12 3.2.2.3 Idylwilde Reservoir Characteristics………………………. 3-15 3.2.2.4 Potential Impacts…………………………………………. 3-16 3.2.2.5 Mitigation Measures……………………………………… 3-16 3.2.2.6 Agencies Contacted……………………………………… 3-16 3.2.2.7 References………………………………………………… 3-17 3.3 Fish and Aquatic Resources………………………………………………….. 3-18 3.3.1 Existing Environment…………………………………………….. 3-18 3.3.2 Fisheries Management……………………………………………. 3-18 3.3.3 Fish Population Data……………………………………………... 3-18 3.3.3.1 Above Idylwilde Dam……………………………………. 3-19 3.3.3.2 Bypass Reach…………………………………………...… 3-19 3.3.3.3 Downstream of the Bypass Reach………………………... 3-19 3.3.4 Fish Habitat……………………………………………………….. 3-19 3.3.5 Macroinvertebrates………………………………………...……… 3-20 3.3.6 Water Quality for Aquatic Species……………………………...… 3-22 3.3.7 Essential Fish Habitat……………………………………...…...… 3-24 3.3.8 Potential Impacts…………………………………………………. 3-24 3.3.8.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts………………………………. 3-24 3.3.8.2 Cumulative Impacts…………………………..………..…. 3-25 3.3.9 Agencies Contacted………………………………………….…... 3-25 3.3.10 References………………………………………………………… 3-25 3.4 Wildlife Resources…………………………………………………………… 3-27 3.4.1 Commercially Important Wildlife………………………………… 3-27 3.4.2 Other Wildlife…………………………………………………….. 3-28 3.4.3 Direct Impacts…………………………………………………….. 3-28 3.4.4 Cumulative Impacts………………………………………………. 3-28 3.4.5 Mitigation Measures………………………………………………. 3-28 3.4.6 Agencies Contacted………………………………………………. 3-28 3.4.7 References………………………………………………………… 3-29 3.5 Botanical Resources………………………………………………………….. 3-30 3.5.1 Existing Environment…………………………………………….. 3-30 3.5.2 Vegetation………………………………………………………… 3-30 3.5.3 Wetlands and Riparian Vegetation……………………………….. 3-31 3.5.3.1 Wetlands and Littoral Habitat……………………………. 3-31 3.5.3.2 Riparian Vegetation………………………………………. 3-32 3.5.4 Potential Impacts………………………………………………….. 3-32 3.5.4.1 Vegetation………………………………………………… 3-32 3.5.4.2 Wetlands and Riparian Vegetation……………………….. 3-33 3.5.5 Cumulative Impacts……………………………………………..... 3-33 3.5.6 Mitigation Measures……………………………………………..... 3-33 3.5.7 Agencies Contacted………………………………………………. 3-33 [2] 3.5.8 References………………………………………………………… 3-34 3.6 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species…………………………………. 3-34 3.6.1 Federally Listed Plant Species……………………………………. 3-34 3.6.2 Federally Listed Wildlife Species………………………………… 3-36 3.6.3 Federally Listed Aquatic Species…………………………………. 3-37 3.6.4 State Listed and Rare or Imperiled Wildlife Species……………... 3-39 3.6.5 Direct and Indirect Impacts……………………………………….. 3-40 3.6.5.1 Federally Listed Plant Species…………………………….. 3-40 3.6.5.2 Federally Listed Wildlife Species…………………………. 3-40 3.6.5.3 Federally Listed Aquatic Species…………………………. 3-41 3.6.5.4 State Listed Species………………………………………. 3-41 3.6.5.5 Cumulative Impacts………………………………………. 3-42 3.6.6 Mitigation Measures………………………………………………. 3-42 3.6.7 Agencies Contacted………………………………………………. 3-42 3.6.8 References………………………………………………………… 3-42 3.7 Recreation and Land Use Resources…………………………………………. 3-45 3.7.1 Land Uses…………………………………………………………. 3-45 3.7.2 Recreational Uses…………………………………………………. 3-46 3.7.2.1 Water-Based Recreation…………………………………... 3-46 3.7.2.2 Land-Based Recreation…………………………………… 3-46 3.7.2.3 Current and Future Recreation Needs…………………….. 3-47 3.7.3 Potential Impacts………………………………………………….. 3-47 3.7.3.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts……………………………….. 3-47 3.7.3.2 Cumulative Impacts………………………………………. 3-48 3.7.4 Mitigation Measures………………………………………………. 3-48 3.7.5 Agencies Contacted……………………………………………..... 3-48 3.7.6 References………………………………………………….......…. 3-48 3.8 Cultural Resources……………………………………………………………. 3-49 3.8.1 Current Survey……………………………………………………. 3-49 3.8.2 Known Resources…………………………………………………. 3-50 3.8.3 Potential Impacts………………………………………………….. 3-50 3.8.3.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts……………………………….. 3-51 3.8.3.2 Cumulative Impacts………………………………………. 3-51 3.8.4 Mitigation Measures………………………………………………. 3-51 3.8.5 Agencies Contacted………………………………………………. 3-51 3.8.6 References………………………………………………………… 3-51 3.9 Tribal Resources……………………………………………………………… 3-52 3.9.1 Impacts……………………………………………………………. 3-52 3.9.2 Mitigation…………………………………………………………. 3-52 3.9.3 References………………………………………………………… 3-52 4.0 Preliminary Issues and Studies List 4-1 4.1 Geology and Soils…………………………………...……………………….. 4-1 4.2 Water Resources and Water Quality…………………………………… …… 4-1 4.2.1 Water Resources………………………………………………….. 4-1 4.2.2 Water Quality…………………………………………………….. 4-1 [3] 4.3 Fish and Aquatic Resources………………………………………………….. 4-1 4.4 Wildlife Resources…………………………………………………………… 4-2 4.5 Botanical Resources………………………………………………………….. 4-2 4.6 Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species……………………………….…. 4-3 4.7 Recreation and Land Use Resources…………………………………………. 4-3 4.8 Cultural Resources………………………………………………………...…. 4-3 4.9 Tribal Resources……………………………………………………………… 4-3 5.0 Figures Figure 1-1 Idylwilde Project Location Map…………………………………... 5-1 Figure 1-2 Idylwilde Project Features………………………………………… 5-2 Figure 3.1-1 Idylwilde Project Geology………………………………………… 5-3 Figure 3.1-2 Idylwilde Project Soils…………………………………………….. 5-4 Figure 3.2-1 Average Daily Flow of Big Thompson River at Idylwilde……….. 5-5 Hydroelectric Project Reservoir, 1957-2009 Figure 3.2-2 Average Monthly Reservoir Flows at Idylwilde …………………. 5-5 Reservoir, 2006-2009 Figure 3.2-3 Average Monthly Bypass Flows at Idylwilde……………………. 5-6 Reservoir, 2006-2009 Figure 3.2-4 Idylwilde Flow Duration Curve for………………………………. 5-7 Reservoir Inflows, 2006-2009 Figure 3.2-5 Idylwilde Flow Duration Curve for Bypass Flows,………………. 5-7 2006-2009 Figure 3.3-1 Fish Population Collection Sites in the Big Thompson…………… 5-8 River from Lake Estes Downstream to the Mouth of the Canyon Figure 3.3-2 Weighted Usable Area versus Discharge for Rainbow Trout…….. 5-9 Figure 3.3-3 Weighted Usable Area versus discharge for Brown Trout………... 5-9 Figure 3.3-4 Water Temperature Measured at USGS Gages Upstream………… 5-10 and Downstream of Idylwilde Dam - Acute and Chronic Levels are from CDPHE (2010) Figure 3.3-5 Levels of Dissolved Oxygen Measured at USGS Gages…………. 5-10 Upstream and Downstream of Idylwilde Dam – Temperature Data are also Provided for Comparison Figure 3.5-1 Wetlands and Riparian Vegetation………………………………... 5-11 Figure 3.7-1 Recreation and Land Use………………………………………….. 5-12 6.0 Agency Contacts and Mailing List 6-1 6.1 Agency Contacts………………………………………………………….. 6-1 6.2 Mailing List……………………………………………………………….. 6-1 [4] List of Tables Table 3.2-A Instream Flow Water Rights in Project Area……………………………… 3-5 Table 3.2-B Monthly flow characteristics of the Big Thompson River to……………… 3-7 Idylwilde Reservoir, 1957-2009 Table 3.2-C Maximum Possible Monthly Streamflow Increase in Big………………… 3-8 Thompson River Below Lake Estes due to Windy Gap Firming Project
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