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Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project
Preliminary Application Document
FERC No.: P - 13877
Mahoning Hydropower, LLC 11365 Normandy Lane Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
PAD Preparation Support by:
December 2014 www.riparianstrategies.com
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Stonewall Jackson Hydroelectric Project FERC No. P – 13877 Preliminary Application Document Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project Preliminary Application Document FERC No.: P-13877 Contents Preliminary Application Document ...... 1 FERC No.: P - 13877 ...... 1 Appendices ...... 3 1. Introduction and Purpose ...... 4 Purpose and Authority ...... 4 Goals and Objectives ...... 4 Document Organization ...... 4 2. Applicant Information / FERC Process Plan and Schedule ...... 6 Application and Owner Information ...... 6 Authorized Agents ...... 6 FERC Process Plan and Schedule ...... 7 3. Description of Project Features ...... 8 Overview ...... 8 Existing Facilities ...... 8 Proposed Modifications ...... 10 Operational Summary ...... 11 Production Estimate ...... 12 4. Facility Maps ...... 12 5. Stream Flow and Water Regime Information ...... 15 6. Environmental Setting ...... 18 Water Resources ...... 19 River Basin Description ...... 19 Water Use ...... 20 Water Quality ...... 20 Project Effects ...... 24 Geology & Soils ...... 25 Existing Conditions ...... 25 Project Effects ...... 27 Fish & Aquatic Resources ...... 28 Existing Conditions ...... 28 Project Effects ...... 31 Wildlife & Botanical Resources ...... 32 Existing Conditions ...... 32
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Stonewall Jackson Hydroelectric Project FERC No. P – 13877 Preliminary Application Document
Project Effects ...... 38 Floodplains, Wetlands, Riparian & Littoral Habitats ...... 38 Floodplains ...... 38 Wetlands ...... 39 Project Effects ...... 42 Rare, Threatened & Endangered Species ...... 43 Existing Conditions ...... 43 Project Effects ...... 44 Recreation & Land Use ...... 45 Existing Conditions ...... 45 Project Effects ...... 46 Cultural and Historic Resources ...... 46 Existing Conditions ...... 46 Project Effects ...... 46 Socio-Economic Resources ...... 47 Existing Conditions ...... 47 Project Effects ...... 47 7. Preliminary Issues and Studies ...... 48 References ...... 50
Appendices Project Service List Record of Consultation Supplemental Environmental Information: USDA – NRCS Soil Mapping & Report Stonewall Jackson Lake Release and Reservoir Rule Curve Recreational Facilities Map Water Control Manual – USACE 2013
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Stonewall Jackson Hydroelectric Project FERC No. P – 13877 Preliminary Application Document
1. Introduction and Purpose
Purpose and Authority Mahoning Hydropower, LLC (Mahoning) intends to pursue an original license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for development of a minor water power project at the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam on the West Fork River in Weston, West Virginia (herein referred to as the Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project – FERC P-13877, or “project”). Mahoning intends to repower the existing project for the purposes of renewable energy generation.
Pursuant to 18 CFR 4.38, Mahoning is requesting to utilize the Traditional Licensing Process (TLP) to develop a license application for the Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project. The TLP involves a three stage consultation process for engaging resource agencies and other interested parties in the preparation and submission of information and materials defining the physical, operational and environmental details of the proposed project. Mahoning intends to request that the Joint meeting with the public be waived and the 60 day comment period be reduced to 45 days as the project has already been constructed by the USACE and no construction impacts are anticipated.
This Preliminary Application Document (PAD) has been developed by Mahoning as the first step in the TLP process. The information provided in this PAD is intended to familiarize stakeholders with the project, outline what is currently known about the project and its setting, identify information gaps, and discuss methods for addressing information gaps where applicable. The PAD provides a description of the proposed project (including existing and proposed facilities and their operation), identification of environmental resources potentially affected by the proposed project, and identification of any protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures intended to minimize potential adverse environmental impacts associated project development and operation.
Pursuant to 18 CFR 385.2010, notice of the applicant’s intent to pursue an original license has been provided to interested parties as identified on the FERC service list, other potentially interested stakeholders and property owners of record within the proposed bounds of the project. A copy of the project service list is provided as an appendix. Each of the entities identified on the service list has been provided a copy, or provided a means of access to this PAD pursuant to 18 CFR 385.2010(f).
Goals and Objectives Mahoning’s principal owner develops, owns and operates low impact hydropower projects in several states. Development of the Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project represents a valuable component in growing and adding value to Mahoning’s portfolio of hydropower assets. It is the intention of Mahoning to develop and operate the project in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders to realize the goal of adding value to the existing infrastructure through the addition of renewable generating capacity without compromising current federally approved uses or environmental standards.
Document Organization This PAD has been organized to provide information required at 18 CFR 4.38 in a clear and understandable format. The general organization of the document is as follows:
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Section 1 – Introduction and Purpose Section 2 – Applicant Information, FERC Process Plan and Schedule Section 3 – Description of Project Features and Operational Summary Section 4 – Maps and Figures of Project Features Section 5 – Stream Flow and Water Regime Information Section 6 – Description of Environmental Resources Section 7 – Preliminary Issues and Studies
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2. Applicant Information / FERC Process Plan and Schedule
Application and Owner Information The exact name and business address of the project Applicant is:
Mahoning Hydropower, LLC 11365 Normandy Lane Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 440.804.6627 phone 440.361-9981 fax E-mail: [email protected]
The applicant is a limited liability company registered in the state of Ohio and is claiming preference under Section 7(a) of the Federal Power Act.
The name and addresses of the owner of the existing project facilities is:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District 2200 William S. Moorhead Federal Bldg. 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Authorized Agents The exact name and business address of the agents authorized to act for the Applicant in this application are:
Anthony Marra, General Manager Mahoning Hydropower, LLC 11365 Normandy Lane Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 440.804.6627
Jonathan Petrillo, Principal Riparian Strategies 20 Hull Street Jamestown, RI 02835 203.623.4637
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FERC Process Plan and Schedule This PAD has been compiled in accordance with the FERC Integrated Licensing Process. The contents correspond with the requirements listed under 18CFR§5.6. It is the intent of the Applicant to request use of the FERC Traditional Licensing Process (TLP) as provided under 18CFR§5.3.
The anticipated plan and schedule for pre‐application activities is given below.
Activity Target Date Notification of Intent January 2014 File PAD and TLP Request January 2014 30 Day Comment Period for TLP Request Ends February 2014 Anticipated date of FERC authorization to use TLP March 2014 Joint Meeting with Public and Site Visit Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam, West Virginia (Mahoning April 2014 has requested to waive this step) 60 Day Comment/Study Request Period Ends May 2014 Perform Necessary Studies May 2014 to August 2014 Distribute and File Draft Application with Study Results September 2014 90 Day Comment Period Ends December 2014 File Final Application for License January 2015
The Schedule calls for a site visit and public meeting within 30 to 60 days following FERC’s approval of the TLP request. The exact date and time and location of this meeting will be announced at that time (if required).
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3. Description of Project Features
Overview The proposed project is located at the Stonewall Jackson Dam, a development of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Project is located on the West Fork River near Weston in Lewis County West Virginia. The project is unique in that it is a fully constructed hydropower station which was integrated into the USACE flood control project. The hydropower facilities were previously operated by the USACE, however project operations ceased in 2002, and the facility has been idle since then. Mahoning intends to bring the existing project back into service utilizing the existing infrastructure and facility which includes; the existing concrete gravity dam, existing power station equipment and appurtenant facilities, as well as the existing electrical interconnection. Detailed descriptions of these features are provided in the following sections.
Existing Facilities
Flood Control Project Authorized by the Flood Control Act of November 7, 1966, construction of the Stonewall Jackson Lake project began in 1983, was completed in 1988, and began regular operation in 1990. The lake project serves as one unit of the comprehensive plan for the Ohio River Basin to reduce flood stages downstream from the dam. The Pittsburgh District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed, built, and operates the dam. Tabulated below is a summary of the dam’s key characteristics:
Metric Value Dam Type Concrete Gravity with Ogee Crest Structural Height 95 ft Length 620 ft Drainage Area 101 mi2 Max. Winter Regulation Pool Elevation 1,067.5 ft (NAVD 88) Surface Area 2,180 acres Storage 36,100 acre-ft Permanent Winter Pool Elevation 1,037.8 ft (NAVD 88) Surface Area 360 acres Storage 3,120 acre-ft Max. Summer Regulation Pool Elevation 1,072.5 ft (NAVD 88) Surface Area 2,630 acres Storage 48,170 acre-ft Maximum Pool Elevation 1,081.3 ft (NAVD 88) Area 3,470 acres Storage 74,650 acre-ft Ex. Outlet Works Three 3.5’x7’Flood control Sluices, Two 2.5’x4’ Water Quality Control Sluices, and One 90 cfs hydropower turbine
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Dam Stonewall Jackson Dam is a concrete gravity structure founded on rock, consisting of two abutments and an uncontrolled ogee spillway. There is a roadway across the dam with a bridge over the ogee section. The crest length of the concrete section is 620 feet long, and the highest point is at elevation 1,101.3 ft (NAVD88), 95 feet above the stream bed.
The outlet works consist of five sluices (three flood control gates and two water quality gates) and one hydropower penstock, all discharging into the stilling basin. The stilling basin bypass allows for releases from the lake directly downstream, without passing through the stilling basin. Stonewall Jackson is one of five Pittsburgh District projects that provide for water intake from various lake elevations, which allows for selective withdrawal to address water quality conditions.
The sluice gates serve flood control, water control, and water quality control functions. Larger releases are made from the three 3.5-ft wide by 7.0-ft high flood control gates, located in the spillway section of the dam. Smaller releases for water quality control are made from the two 2.5-ft wide by 4-ft high water quality gates, one on either side of the spillway section. Each sluice is equipped with two identical in-line slide gates. The downstream gate is used for normal operations and is referred to as the service gate. An emergency gate is located immediately upstream of each service gate. Emergency gates are usually kept in a fully open position.
Following heavy precipitation, the dam's control structure reduces the release of water from the lake and the runoff from the watershed is stored in the lake. After the streams and rivers below the dam have receded, the stored flood water is released at a rate that will not endanger lives or property. The monthly mean lake elevations from 1991 to 2010 (based on date provided by the USACE) are shown in Figure 3.1 below:
Mean Lake Elevation at SWJ (1991- 2010) 1,074.0 1,073.0 1,072.0
1,071.0
1,070.0 1,069.0
1,068.0 Elevation (ft) Elevation 1,067.0 1,066.0 1,065.0 1,064.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Mean Lake El. (ft) 1,068.0 1,068.5 1,070.9 1,073.0 1,073.4 1,072.8 1,071.9 1,071.1 1,069.7 1,068.2 1,067.6 1,067.7
Figure 3.1 – Monthly mean lake elevations at SWJ Lake from 1991 to 2010
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Water Quality Selective Withdrawal System In addition to flood control, the lake project provides seasonally minimum flow releases to the West Fork River in the interest of water quality, as far downstream as the Monogahela River. Lake and outflow water quality (water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels) can be altered by drawing water from different elevations within the reservoir. The flow into each tower is controlled by slide gates which can be operated to control intake water quality, by drawing water from selected elevations above 1,037.3 ft (NAVD88). Water quality and low-flow discharges are controlled by withdrawal through one or both of the two water quality control towers located adjacent to each side of the spillway on the upstream face.
Hydropower Facility The proposed project would include the existing hydropower facilities which were integrated in to the SWJ Flood Control project in 1993. Hydropower operations ceased in 2002 however all of the equipment remains in place. The existing features and equipment proposed for reuse generally include the following: the left 16-ft W x 50-ft H x 10-ft L intake, existing 50-ft long 36 inch diameter steel penstock, the existing 27-ft W x 40-ft L x 13-ft H powerhouse containing one 300 KW crossflow turbine/generator system, hydraulic power unit (HPU), and protection and control systems, the existing 34-ft L x 8-ft W x 3-ft H tailrace, and the existing 12.5kV/480V transformer and existing 678-ft long 12.5 kV underground transmission line. The proposal includes reuse of the existing electrical interconnection to a 12.5 kV distribution line to the northeast owned by Mon Power (First Energy). Switch gear, transformers, relays and revenue grade electric meters are located beside the plant. Figures 4.2-4.3provide additional details on the existing hydropower facility features.
Figure 3.2 – Existing Hydropower Equipment at Stonewall Jackson Dam. The 300 kw turbine (orange), generator (red), gearbox (black), penstock (blue), and HPU (green) are visible.
Proposed Modifications No physical modifications are proposed to the project. Some minor electrical repairs are required to return the plant to operation. In addition Mahoning would install additional automation features as needed to ensure strict compliance with existing flow release and water quality standards.
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Operational Summary Mahoning is proposing to adopt the existing hydropower operation protocol as outlined in the February 2013 Water Control Manual for the Stonewall Jackson Dam (USACE 2013). The protocol essentially involves operating the project in run-of-release (ROR) mode, where existing discharges from the Federal flood protection project and associated lake levels would not be altered by the proposed hydropower project. Normal operating discharges would be passed either through the turbines, through the Stonewall Jackson Dam discharge conduit or a combination of both (depending on the volume of flows). No flow would be retained as storage for future generating purposes. When the plant is offline all discharges would flow through the existing discharge conduits.
Section 3.09(b) of the February 2013 Water Control Manual for the Stonewall Jackson Dam (USACE 2013) summarizes historic hydropower operation procedures as follows:
All of the flow for hydropower generation passes through the hydropower penstock, and any additional flow can pass through Gates 1 or 2. When the lake is at the summer pool elevation of 1072.5 ft (NAVD88), the maximum hydro flow is limited to 70 cfs due to the generator capacity. If the lake is below 1072.5 ft (NAVD88), then the turbine has the ability to pass up to 90 cfs. Total flow in excess of the maximum hydropower flow should be divided between Gates 1 and 2. With any gate operation, the actual (total gate opening) and equivalent (hydropower flow) should be given.
When generating hydropower, a minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) criterion of 7.0 mg/l must be maintained in the dam outflow at all times. In addition, during the period from May through November each year, when the lake is likely stratified, maximum water temperature criterion of 70 deg F must be maintained in the dam outflow at all times. These non-degradation criteria are necessary to assure protection of reservoir water quality benefits and the tailwater coldwater fishery. Balancing flows between Gates 1 and 2 as well as setting the appropriate slot openings with the water quality towers can achieve these objectives most of the time, and when not, generation will be reduced or terminated until criteria are met. When the lake is not stratified, generally during the period from December through April each year, balancing and blending of flows are not necessary to meet these non-degradation criteria. The station hydropower is designed to automatically go to the equivalent gate opening if the unit tripped offline.
Table 3.1 below summarizes plant operations by flow range (assumes water quality standards are met):
Table 3.1 – Proposed Hydro Operations Flows Through Flows through Flow Range Hydro Turbine Other Gates Less than 15 cfs None 100 % of Flow 15 cfs to 90 cfs 100% of flow None Flows greater than 90 cfs 90 cfs Excess flows
Mahoning intends to pursue certification as a low impact project from the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI). LIHI has established rigorous environmental and social criteria addressing river flows,
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water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed health, endangered species protection, cultural resources, recreational use and access, and whether or not the dam has been recommended for removal. A project must meet all of these tests in order to be certified as “low impact”. Additional information on LIHI and the certification process is available at http://www.lowimpacthydro.org/existing-certification- application-program.html.
Production Estimate Annual production was modeled using daily flow release and lake elevation data from 1991 to 2010 provided by the USACE. The average annual energy production is estimated to be 1,780 MWh/year. The monthly energy production data is shown in Figure 2.
Est. Monthly Mean Production @ Stonewall Jackson Hydroplant from 1991-2010 165
160
155
150
145
140
Production(MWh) 135
130
125 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Expected Production 163 147 139 150 147 147 157 158 139 140 139 155
Figure 2.3 – Est. Monthly Production at SWJ facility
4. Facility Maps The proposed hydropower power project is an integral part of the USACE’s existing SWJ Flood Control project. As such, engineering documentation of the facility is excellent and includes detailed construction level and as-built drawings for all civil, mechanical, electrical and auxiliary systems associated with the hydropower project. In addition, there are extensive topographic and boundary surveys available for the SWJ dam and surrounding areas. Included below are selected examples of the existing documentation available for the project. For this submittal, we have selected figures that illustrate the general location of the project as well as several documenting the configuration of the hydropower project features within the larger flood control project.
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EX. BURRIED TRANSMISSION LINE
EX. INTERCONNECTION POINT Project Area
EX. POWERHOUSE PROJECT BOUNDARY INCLUDES EX. POWERHOUSE, EX. TRANSMISSION LINE, EX. DAM, AND EX. INTAKE. (100% FEDERAL LANDS)
EX. PENSTOCK EX. TAILRACE
EX. INTAKE Project Region
STONEWALL JACKSON HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT EX. USACE RESERVOIR FERC# P-13877 EX. USACE DAM Mahoning Hydropower, LLC
Figure 4.1. Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project Boundary Location Map.
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CEII Figure 4.2. Stonewall Jackson Hydropower Project General Arrangement.
CEII Figure 4.3 – Existing Hydropower Project Features (as-built drawing)
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5. Stream Flow and Water Regime Information
Stream flows in the West Fork River are measured by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at a number of stream gaging stations on the river. These gages include the following locations (hyperlinks included for each gage):
Table 5.1 – West Fork River Stream Gaging Stations
03057300 WEST FORK RIVER AT WALKERSVILLE, WV
03057900 STONEWALL JACKSON LAKE NEAR WESTON, WV
03058000 WEST FORK R BL STONEWALL JACKSON DAM NR WESTON, WV
03058020 WEST FORK RIVER AT WESTON, WV
03058500 WEST FORK RIVER AT BUTCHERVILLE, WV
03058975 WEST FORK RIVER NEAR MOUNT CLARE, WV
03061000 WEST FORK RIVER AT ENTERPRISE, WV
In addition data were made available by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) based on releases from the Stonewall Jackson Dam from 1991 to 2010. The USACE indicates their data is more accurate than the USGS gage data and were therefore used as the primary hydrologic data set to evaluate the project. Flows have been regulated by the SWJ Dam since 1990. The drainage area at the project is about 101 mi2. Mean, maximum and minimum flows during operation of the SWJ dam (expect during 1990) are shown in Table 5.2.
Table 5.2 – Mean, Max and Min Flows at SWJ since 1991 (cfs) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Mean 279 304 235 224 233 145 96 104 85 93 138 250 182 Max 1337 1653 1293 1360 1604 1240 1060 1219 793 678 1139 1460 1653 Min 28 15 5 16 8 9 17 32 37 7 17 20 5
Flow data prior to operation of the SWJ dam was available from the USGS and is shown below in Table 5.3 below as well as the Water-Data Report (2012) for the USGS gage at the SWJ Dam.
Table 5.3 – Mean, Max and Min flows at Project site prior to operation of SWJ dam (1946-1989)
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Monthly West Branch River FDC @ SWJ Dam Based on USACE Release Data (1991- 2010) % Time Flow Exceeded @ Plant 1800 1600 1400
1200
1000
800 Flow (cfs) Flow 600 400 200 0 0% 5% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 95% 100.0 Jan 1337 876 710 465 320 243 185 129 91 70 41 37 28 Feb 1653 920 816 521 329 266 186 131 80 60 41 38 15 Mar 1293 795 653 454 305 190 110 44 34 28 20 17 5 Apr 1360 769 590 381 272 188 117 73 47 35 21 20 16 May 1604 953 670 386 250 176 88 56 43 27 21 19 8 Jun 1240 629 382 154 104 87 78 63 50 40 29 26 9 Jul 1060 152 126 100 94 81 80 68 57 50 41 37 17 Aug 1219 287 143 110 92 83 78 72 63 54 48 40 32 Sep 793 175 112 86 77 74 70 62 54 52 48 47 37 Oct 678 242 205 114 77 71 65 59 54 48 47 43 7 Nov 1139 520 332 179 120 105 74 64 57 50 44 39 17 Dec 1460 750 563 409 317 233 162 112 72 53 45 33 20
Figure 5.3 – Monthly FDC for West Branch River at Project Site
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6. Environmental Setting The following sections describe the existing conditions of specific environmental resources in the project area as well as the anticipated project-related effects on these resources. Where appropriate protection, mitigation and enhancement (PM&E) measures are discussed on a resource specific basis.
Information on existing resource conditions was obtained primarily from publically available information. A complete listing of reference materials is provided at the end of this document. Informal discussions were also conducted with representatives from key State and Federal regulatory agencies as a supplement to publically available information and to obtain preliminary feedback on the development concept and proposal.
The project would utilize existing infrastructure and facilities; no new construction is proposed. There are few anticipated impacts associated with repowering the existing hydropower facility. Tabulated below is a summary of anticipated environmental resource concerns and associated preliminary PM&E strategies.
Resource / Concern Preliminary PM&E Strategy Water Resources Operate in run-of-release mode (no modifications to existing hydrograph or lake levels). Utilize existing infrastructure to avoid new construction and potential associated impacts. Use existing hydro operating procedures as outlined in the USACE 2013 Water Control Manual to ensure compliance with water quality anti-degradation policies. Geology and Soils No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all potential impacts. Fish and Aquatic Resources Maintain existing river hydrograph and seasonal reservoir levels. No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all construction period potential impacts. Evaluate fish mortality associated with hydro operations and consult with resource agencies to improve fish safety if necessary. Use existing hydro operating procedures as outlined in the USACE 2013 Water Control Manual to ensure compliance with water quality anti-degradation policies. Wildlife and Botanical Resources No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all potential impacts. Rare, Threatened and Endangered No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all Species construction period potential impacts. Wetlands, Floodplains and No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all Riparian Habitats potential impacts. Recreation Maintain existing river hydrograph and seasonal reservoir levels. No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all construction period potential impacts. Cultural and Historic Resources No new construction is proposed, resulting in avoidance of all potential impacts.
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Water Resources
River Basin Description The Stonewall Jackson project is located at river mile 74 on the West Fork River in northeastern West Virginia (WV). The West Fork flows north for approximately 103 miles before joining the Tygart River in Fairmont, WV and forming the Monongahela River. The basin encompasses approximately 881 sq. miles of relatively small valleys and narrow winding ridges within the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic province (Figure 6.1). Major tributaries of the West Fork include; Tenmile Creek, Elk Creek, Hackers Creek, and Simpson Creek.
Figure 6.1. Stonewall Jackson Project Location within the West Fork River Watershed
The reservoir basin occupies approximately 100 square miles and is roughly rectangular in shape with an average length of 14 miles and width of 6 to 8 miles. The three largest tributaries in the basin above the dam are Skin Creek, Sand Fork and Right Fork (USACE 2013).
The average slope of the main channel below the dam to the mouth of the West Fork River is slightly greater than two feet per mile (USACE 2013). The main channel above the dam has an average slope of 3 feet per mile. The tributaries are located in more mountainous, higher gradient terrain and have average slopes from 6 to 90 feet per mile in the lower reaches and 80 to 200 feet per mile in the headwaters (USACE 2013).
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Water Use Although water supply is an authorized purpose, and storage is allocated for it, there are currently no agreements for its use (USACE 2013). However, the impoundment formed by the Bendale Dam, a approximately two miles downstream of Stonewall Jackson Lake, is used for water supply by the cities of Weston and Clarksburg, WV. The Bendale Dam was planned to be removed as part of the Stonewall Jackson Dam construction, however this plan was never implemented. There continue to be some concerns related to leaving the dam in place due to water quality and aquatic habitat impacts (USACE 2013).
Water Quality Geology, morphology, and land use determine the quality of water within the basin (USACE 2013). The gradient of the West Fork River is gentle and the river is slow-moving. Geological considerations are important because rock types in the drainage basin determine, to a great extent, the inorganic composition of the water. The major industries in the upper basin include farming, coal mining, traditional oil and gas extraction, and forestry. Coal mining played a significant role in the regional economy from the 1800's until a decline in coal production in the 1970's. Despite the decline in active coal mining operations legacy impacts associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) on water quality remain an issue. The basin overlies a portion of the Marcellus Shale formation, since 2008 shale gas production has increased dramatically throughout the entire basin; creating a host of new water quality concerns (USACE 2013).
Water quality in the headwaters of the West Fork River is reported to be good due to limited urbanization, coal mining, and other human activities (USACE 2013). Primary sources of pollution in the headwaters region include untreated or poorly treated sewage and land use related turbidity attributable to disturbed lands (USACE 2013). Ward Run, a tributary to Stonewall Jackson Lake, was chronically degraded by acid mine drainage pollution until reclamation of abandoned mine lands was completed in the 1970’s resulting in significant improvements to water quality (USACE 2013).
Water quality of the lower reach of the West Fork River (downstream of the Stonewall Jackson Dam) is periodically impaired by; total dissolved solids, sulfate, turbidity, nutrients, specific conductivity, BOD, dissolved oxygen, and some metals, such as Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn (USACE 2013). This reach of the West Fork river is listed on West Virginia’s 1996 and 1998 Section 303(d) lists due to iron, manganese, zinc, and/or pH impairments and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) have been developed for these parameters (USACE 2013). These impairments are attributable to AMD from extensive abandoned mine lands (AML) in the basin (USACE 2013).
Stonewall Jackson Lake is a relatively warm, shallow, slightly mineralized, and biologically productive impoundment, which develops very strong and highly persistent thermal and chemical stratification patterns during early summer continuing into early winter (USACE 2013). Water quality parameters of primary concern in the lake and the immediate tailwaters of Stonewall Jackson Dam include water temperature, dissolved oxygen, reduced nutrients and metals, dissolved oxygen, and to a lesser degree hydrogen sulfide (USACE 2013).
Concentrations of AMD related water quality parameters (specific conductivity, total dissolved, sulfates, and metals) are low and show slight decreasing trends over the period of record in the river reach upstream of Clarksburg (USACE 2013). While concentrations of these parameters remain high in the lower West Fork River, they are substantially mitigated by water quality releases from Stonewall Jackson Dam (USACE 2013). Analysis of water quality data indicate that discharges from AMLs are the primary drivers of water quality impairments associated with metals and pH in the West Fork River (USEPA 2002). Stonewall Jackson Lake stores water during periods of high runoff when water quality is the best, and release this excellent water during the summer months, when downstream water quality is the worst (USACE 2013).
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Fecal coliform and biological impairments for the West Fork River were identified in 2010; a fish consumption advisory was issued for the river related to elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (WVDEP 2011). TMDL assessments are currently being considered to address these concerns – completion is anticipated in 2018 (WVDEP 2011). Previous assessments of the river below the dam included impairments for: iron, total aluminum, fecal coliform, zinc, PCBs and biological impairments (NRCS 2010).
The tailwaters of the dam are listed as biologically impaired due to high zinc concentrations and PCBs (NRCS 2010). Recent findings suggest that the river is not impaired for dissolved zinc, therefore a TMDL is not currently planned to address this contaminant (NRCS 2010). Stonewall Jackson Lake is listed as impaired for mercury, due to fish consumption advisories (NRCS 2010).
USACE Water Quality Operational Parameters Most of Stonewall Jackson Lake’s operations are made for water quality regulation along the West Fork and upper Monongahela Rivers. These low flow augmentation releases improve water quality and benefit aquatic life by reducing concentrations of pollutants and providing critical minimum flow support. Primary parameters of concern in the downstream regulated reaches of river include; seasonal minimum flows, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, metals, specific conductivity, sulfate, total dissolved solids, biological oxygen demand, manganese, iron, and hydrogen sulfide. Water quality improved with the construction and operation of the dam for low flow augmentation, and trends towards improvement continued until 2009, when specific conductivity levels doubled and concentrations of metals and some salts began to increase (strontium, specific conductivity, chloride, bromide, etc.) (USACE 2012).
The water temperature target is to maintain an outflow water temperature of 70° F, with a maximum of 72° F for downstream fishery benefits and to control iron and manganese concentrations within the lake and outflow. Outflow water temperatures are accurately managed by adjusting the water quality intake elevations using the data collected at the lake and outflow monitors. If the outflow water temperature rises above 72°F, water quality slot openings should be lowered, in order to release colder water downstream. Slot openings are generally lowered in increments of 2 ft. Water quality control towers can be operated together or independently.
Consideration is also given to downstream dissolved oxygen levels when determining the flow release schedule and gate operations. Low dissolved oxygen levels are not normally a concern in the dam discharge since they are always effectively aerated. Regardless of the dissolved oxygen concentration in the lake at the elevation of the intake, turbulent reaeration occurs as the water is discharged and the outflow is consistently circumsaturated with dissolved oxygen.
However during historic operation of the hydropower station, dissolved oxygen levels become a concern due to the lack of aeration, therefore the turbine outflow dissolved oxygen is the same as the intake dissolved oxygen. The District has established a minimum dissolved oxygen non-degradation outflow standard of 7.0 mg/L. The USACE monitors the DO levels in the outflow of Stonewall Jackson Lake and downstream, and makes operational adjustment as required to maintain dissolved oxygen standards.
Water Temperature There are only operational targets for water temperature and dissolved oxygen governing discharges from the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam (USACE 2013). Prior to the construction of Stonewall Jackson Lake, the reach of the West Fork River was classified as a warm water fishery. Following construction of the Stonewall Jackson Dam, WVDNR requested the USACE to provide an outflow of 68° F between May and November, to establish and maintain a downstream coldwater trout fishery in the tailwater (USACE 2013). Modest deviations from this goal, with an average water temperature of 70° F and a maximum
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water temperature of 72° F, are acceptable when necessary to control iron and manganese concentrations within the lake and outflow.
Figure 4 – Average outflow temperatures at Stonewall Jackson Dam (USACE, 2013)
When the lake is thermally and chemically stratified, releasing colder, deeper water to meet the downstream water temperature objective is constrained by the quality of this deeper water (USACE 2013). Lake bottom (hypolymnetic) waters are anoxic, and therefore contain high concentrations of reduced iron, manganese, and other compounds (USACE 2013). Operations for the control of these metals take precedence over meeting downstream water temperature objectives (USACE 2013).
Temperature data indicate that thermal stratification at Stonewall Jackson Lake generally begins in April and lasts through mid-November. A typical annual lake water temperature profile is presented in Figure 6.2 (reproduced from USACE 2013).
Figure 6.2. Stonewall Jackson Lake typical annual lake water profile. Reproduced from USACE 2013.
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Dissolved Oxygen The USACE monitors the DO levels in the outflow of Stonewall Jackson Lake and downstream, and makes operations as required to maintain dissolved oxygen standards to the extent practicable. The water quality monitoring plan for Stonewall Jackson Lake was designed to provide information necessary for real-time operation of the project and to understand the various factors which affect long-term water quality conditions in the lake and the regulated reaches of river downstream of the dam. There are several real-time water quality monitoring stations throughout the basin to provide data necessary to identify best operational practices for water quality improvements (USACE 2013). Real-time monitoring at the Stonewall Jackson Dam occurs at the outflow as well as in the lake to record water temperature every three feet along the entire water column profile of the lake. Data from permanent, real time stations is supplemented with additional data from grab sample locations located throughout the watershed.
Outflow water temperatures are accurately managed by adjusting the water quality intake elevations using the data collected at the lake and outflow monitors. If the outflow water temperature rises above 72 deg F, water quality slot openings should be lowered, in order to release colder water downstream. Slot openings are generally lowered in increments of 2 feet. Water quality control towers can be operated together or independently.
Figure 5 – Average DO levels in the project outflow (USACE, 2013)
The District has established a minimum dissolved oxygen non-degradation outflow standard of 7.0 mg/L, meeting this standard is not normally a concern (USACE 2013). During historic operation of the hydropower station, dissolved oxygen levels fell below 7 mg/L during late summer reportedly due to a lack of aeration compared to the water quality sluices.
Water quality releases from Stonewall Jackson Lake mitigate the impacts of the domestic waste load in the West Fork River downstream of the three major population centers in the basin, Weston, Clarksburg, and Fairmont, WV. This assures compliance with the State's minimum dissolved oxygen standard of 5.0 mg/L.
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Stonewall Jackson Hydroelectric Project FERC No. P – 13877 Preliminary Application Document
Project Effects Since the hydropower facility is already built no construction related impacts will occur. Mahoning Hydropower proposes to operate the project in the same manner it operated historically. This is includes operating the project in a run-of-release mode using the existing operating procedures established in the 2013 Water Control Manual (USACE 2013). If downstream DO levels fall below 7 mg/L or the temperature levels rise above 70 deg F hydro flows will be bypassed incrementally until those standards are met or 100% flows are being bypassed. As this is how the dam has historically operated no new negative impacts would be introduced. There are no anticipated project-related impacts to the river basin characteristics or existing/potential water supply arrangements.
The USACE currently provides releases from the dam from a series of intake structures located at varying reservoir depths to meet water quality targets for dissolved metals as well as temperature and dissolved oxygen to the West Fork River. As the proposed project would use the existing intakes we do not anticipate any significant impacts to water quality resulting from project operations as project discharges are not anticipated to be significantly different than water quality conditions observed at the operating intake in the lake.
As noted by the USACE there is potential for reduced aeration of flows that pass through the turbine. During periods when dissolved oxygen levels are a concern the existing turbine’s ability to provide aeration of flows will be utilized to meet the release standards (using the existing air vent). It is possible that reoperation of the hydropower project with aeration can increase the flexibility of utilizing deeper colder waters to provide additional water quality benefits. In addition, there is an elevation difference between the powerhouse outlet invert and the tailwater of the West Fork River which is anticipated to provide additional aeration of flows directed through the turbine (see 6.3). Boards can be installed in the
existing bulkhead slot to increase this elevation difference and increase aeration.
Figure 6.3- Ex. Turbine Tailrace Outlet set slightly above TW elevation. Note ex. Bulkhead slot for aeration boards.
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The applicant will work collaboratively with the WVDEP, WVDNR and USACE to ensure that combined discharges from the project and reservoir meet established Surface Water Standards during operation; specifically anti-degradation policy guidelines for the receiving waters of the West Fork River. To ensure compliance with these standards the applicant will explore potential improvements to the existing water quality monitoring program to ensure that re-operation of the hydropower project can be seamlessly integrated with the operation of the flood control project and continue to provide water quality benefits. Geology & Soils
Existing Conditions The West Fork basin is composed of two basic geologic areas: the western two-thirds has relatively flat- lying rocks and the eastern one-third has folded and faulted rocks (USEPA 2002). The oldest formation, the Catoctin Formation (late Precambrian), is found in the eastern part of the state, with younger formations (Paleozoic) in the west (USEPA 2002).
Stonewall Jackson Lake is located in the hilly region of the Allegheny Plateau physiographic province, called the Kanawha Section, characterized by its gently folded, mature topography dissected with many streams (USACE 2013). This province is composed mostly of Pennsylvanian and Permian strata, bedrock is widely exposed at the surface, having been extensively mined for coal and drilled extensively for oil and gas (USEPA 2002). The round-topped hills are rugged with steep side slopes where hilltop levels vary from 1,300 to 1,800 feet above mean sea level (USACE 2013).
Geology The reservoir area lies in the valleys of the Roanoke and Grassland Synclines (USACE 2013). The rocks in this region are sedimentary, and are predominantly medium-hard to hard sandstones, medium-hard clay shales, medium-hard to hard siltstones, medium-hard inundated clays, and occasional thin coal seams (USACE 2013). Geologic maps of the area (Figure 6.4) indicate that the following geologic groups and associated formations are located in the immediate project area:
Geologic Groups / Formations Brief Description Dunkard Group: Dunkard Group - non-marine cyclic sequences of sandstone, Greene, Washington, and Waynesburg siltstone, red and gray shale, limestone, and coal. Formations Greene Formation - Cyclic sequences of sandstone, shale, red beds, thin limestone, and thin, impure coal; base is at top of Upper Washington limestone.
Washington Formation - Cyclic sequences of sandstone, shale, limestone, and coal; includes some red shale; base is at bottom of Washington coal.
Waynesburg Formation - Cyclic sequences of sandstone, shale, limestone, and coal; commercial coals present; base is at bottom of Waynesburg coal.
Monongahela Group: Monongahela Group - non-marine cyclic sequences of sandstone, Uniontown and Pittsburgh Formations siltstone, red and gray shale, limestone, and coal.
Uniontown Formation - composed primarily of shales, sandstones and cherty limestones. The Lower Member contains a sandstone unit that resulted from the filling in of eroded channels. The sandstone contains interbedded coal lenses near its base. The
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Upper Member is chiefly laminated siltstone.
Pittsburgh Formation - The lower half of the Pittsburgh Formation contains the majority of mineable coals in the Monongahela Group.
Figure 6.4. Geologic map of the Stonewall Jackson project area.
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Soils The West Fork River valley has a relatively thin soil cover, except for the flood plains where alluvial deposits are moderately thick (USACE 2013). The soil consists of clay and sandy silt with shale fragments (USACE 2013). The valley walls have a very thin cover over rock with coal seam outcroppings (USACE 2013). Soil mapping available from the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) were used to identify soils in the immediate project area (tabulated below). A complete copy of the NRCS soil report for the vicinity is provided as an attachment.
Map Unit Soil Group Brief Description Symbol VaC/D Vandalia silt loam This soil component is found on hillslopes and hills. Parent material consists of clayey colluviums derived from shale and siltstone. Within the project area these units are found downstream of the dam on the west bank of the river; a portion of this area was developed to support dam operations.
GuE Gilpin-Upshur silt loams This soil component is found on hillslopes and hills. Parent material consists of fine loamy residuum weathered from shale and siltstone. Within the project area this unit is found on a forested hillside to the west of the dam and abutment.
GwF3 Gilpin-Upshur silt loams, This soil component is found on hillslopes and severely eroded hills. Parent material consists of fine loamy residuum weathered from shale and siltstone. Within the project area this unit is found on a forested hillside to the west of the dam and abutment and downstream of the dam on the eastern forested hillside.
Project Effects The proposed project does not include any construction or other land disturbing activities, as such there are no anticipated any impacts to geologic or soil resources associated with repowering the project or its operation.
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Fish & Aquatic Resources
Existing Conditions
Stonewall Jackson Lake Stonewall Jackson Lake is managed by the WVDNR as a warmwater fishery, which supports a valuable sport fishery, most notably for black bass and muskellunge (WVDNR 2013). The reservoir fishery experienced a period of rapid growth when the West Fork River was initially impounded, which was attributable to high nutrient levels related to the decomposition of newly-inundated vegetation. In 1989, shortly after the lake was impounded, WVDNR placed catch-and-release regulations on black bass species (largemouth and smallmouth bass) and initiated a catchable-sized trout program in the tailwaters.
Fish production and lake productivity have since stabilized and the lake currently supports a diverse and productive warmwater fishery with solid reproduction and the 25-year catch and release regulation has enhanced the bass fishery. WVDNR recently approved modifications to the fishing regulations for Stonewall Jackson Lake (set to take effect in 2014) to allow for the take of up to 6 black bass per day (including one more than 18 inches), and increased the minimum size limit for muskellunge from 30 inches to 52 inches (WVDNR 2013). Rationale for the modified regulations are related to the age of the lake (approximately 25 years); typically the best fishing occurs within 10 years of lake creation, the previous limits were set to allow the lake’s fishery to become established with limited pressure from angling harvest. Although walleye are present in the lake and lake tailwaters, high lake water temperatures limit the walleye population. Tabulated below are fish species reported in Stonewall Jackson Lake (adapted from USACE 2013).
Common Name Scientific Name Brief Description Muskellunge Esox masquinongy Native sedentary game sp., spawns March-May, local migrant. Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Native benthic game sp., spawns April-September, non- migrant. Common Carp Cyprinus carpio Non-native benthic game sp.. spawns April-August, non- migrant. Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieui Native benthic game sp., spawns May-June, non-migrant. Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Native benthic game sp., spawns April-June, non-migrant. Yellow Perch Perca flavescens Native benthic game sp., spawns March-May, non-migrant. White Crappie Pomoxis annularis Native benthic game sp., spawns April-June, non-migrant. Spotted Bass Micropterus Native benthic game sp., spawns May-June, local migrant. punctulatus White Bass Morone chrysops Native schooling game sp., spawns April-May, local migrant Walleye Stizostedion vitreum Native schooling game sp., spawns April-June, local migrant Black Crappie Pomoxis Native benthic game sp., spawns April-August, non- nigromaculatus migrant. Yellow Bullhead Catfish Ameiurus natalis Native benthic game sp., spawns May to early June, non- migrant. Brown Bullhead Catfish Ameriurus nebulosus Native benthic game sp., spawns April – July, non-migrant. Channel Catfish Ictalarus punctatus Native benthic game sp., spawns May-July, non-migrant. Flathead Catfish Plyodictis olivaris Native benthic game sp., spawns June-July, non-migrant.
In March 2011, the WVDNR identified largemouth bass virus (LMBV) in fish collected in Stonewall Jackson Lake. In addition, in 2011, a large bed of the nonnative Chinese Mystery Snail was discovered near at the Georgetown Boat Ramp in the Little Skin Creek Arm of Stonewall Jackson Lake.
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West Fork River The streams of the Monongahela River watershed present a diversity of habitats. Mountainous areas are generally dominated by streams that are very low in nutrients and remain cold all year. These streams support trout and a few other coldwater fish species but commonly include diverse aquatic-invertebrate populations. Streams along the western side of the watershed are generally warm-water systems with a much greater diversity of fish species. The Monongahela River basin presently supports a relatively "modest" fish fauna, which is somewhat indistinct from that of other adjacent basins. According to the USGS, the watershed contains 89 native taxa, 13 introduced species, and 2 euryhaline species. Two species have been extirpated in recent history. There are no endemic species. Specifically, the fauna includes 32 species of Cyprinidae, 12 Catostomidae, 9 Ictaluridae, 1 Cottidae, 11 Centrarchidae, and 15 Percidae. (USACE 2012).
Prior to the construction of Stonewall Jackson Lake, the reach of the West Fork River was classified as a warm water fishery (USACE 2013). With the construction of Stonewall Jackson Lake, the WVDNR requested that the dam tailwaters be managed as a coldwater fishery (USACE 2013). The recommended water temperature target is approximately 68° F (20° C), during the period between May and November of each year. Rainbow, golden and brown trout are stocked in from the dam tailwater to 1.5 miles downstream once in February and then every two weeks from March through May every year by the WVDNR; these active stockings are reported to be very popular with fisherman (WVDNR 2013). In 2010-11, the WVDNR stocked fry and fingerling muskellunge in the West Fork River as well as advanced fingerling muskellunge and fingerling walleye in Stonewall Jackson Lake as part of their warm water fishery management program (WVDNR 2011).
The reach of the West Fork River downstream of Weston supports many warmwater fish species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and carp. However, water quality and fisheries in the reach of the West Fork River downstream of Clarksburg have historically been severely degraded by coal mine drainage pollution. Some major groups of aquatic organisms such as mollusks and emergent aquatic plants were totally absent from the lower West Fork River possibly related to zinc and other heavy metal toxicity (USACE 2013).
A total of 54 fish species, including 7 darters, 16 minnows, 7 suckers, 15 game fish and 9 additional fishes have historical records in the West Fork River (NRCS 2010). Tabulated below is a summary of fishery resources which have been observed during sporadic sampling of the West Fork River from 1949- 2002 (adapted from NRCS 2010).
Common Name Scientific Name Banded Darter Etheostoma zonale Blackside Darter Percina maculata Fantail Darter Etheostoma flabellare Greenside Darter Etheostoma blenniodes Johnny Darter Etheostoma nigrum Rainbow Darter Etheostoma caeruleum Logperch Percina caprodes Central Stoneroller Campostoma anomalum Common Carp Cyprinus carpio Bigeye Chub Hybopsis amblops River Chub Nocomis micropogon Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus
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Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus Silverjaw Minnow Ericymba buccata Common Shiner Luxilus cornutus Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucus Mimic Shiner Notropis volucellus Rosyface Shiner Notropis rubellus Sand Shiner Notropis stramineus Silver Shiner Notropis photogenis Spotfin Shiner Cyprinella spiloptera Northern Hogsucker Hypentelium nigricans Quillback Carpoides cyprinus Golden Redhorse Moxostoma erythrurum Silver Redhorse Moxostoma anisurum River Carpsucker Carpiodes carpio White Sucker Catastomus commersoni Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus White Crappie Pomoxis annularis Muskellunge Esox masquinongy Sauger Sander canadensis Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Longear Sunfish Lepomis megalotis Walleye Sander vitreus Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus Brindled Madtom Noturus miurus Brook Silverside Labidesthes sicculus Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis Least Brook Lamprey Lamptera aepyptera Longnose Gat Lepisosteus osseus
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The Monongahela River watershed, except for a few tributaries, is almost devoid of native bivalves due to habitat degradation and water quality impairments associated with the construction of dams and AMD, respectively (Clayton 2012). The WVDNR and USFWS have compiled a list of mussel species found within the West Fork River as a result of spot surveys conducted since 1980 (NRCS 2010). Tabulated below are mussel species known to occur on the mainstem of the West Fork River (adapted from NRCS 2010).
Common Name Scientific Name Threeridge Amblema plicata Spike Eliptio dilatata Wabash Pigtoe Fusconaia flava Plain Pocketbook Lampsilis cardium Fat Mucket Lampsilis siliquoidea Fluted-Shell Lasmigona costata Round Hickorynut Obovaria subrotunda Kidneyshell Ptychobranchus fasciolaris Giant Floater Pyganodon grandis Creeper Strophitus undulates Paper Pondshell Utterbackia imbecillis
It is notable that the West Fork River was identified as a potential source of kidneyshell mussels as part of restoration efforts in the proposed Dunkard Creek Fish and Mussel Restoration Plan (WVDNR 2011). However, survey data indicate that mussel occurrence is sporadic with at least two surveyed sites downstream near Shinnston, WV showing no mussels (NRCS 2010).
In addition, a non-native freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbyi), was collected in Stonewall Jackson Lake in 2003, 2004 and 2005 (NRCS 2010). The effect of this introduced species on native aquatic species populations and communities is not currently known.
Project Effects The applicant anticipates minimal project related effects to fishery and aquatic resources. The applicant is proposing to operate the project in run-of-release mode without modification to the existing USACE flow release or reservoir operations protocols. As a result current discharge from the dam are expected to have essentially the same water quality characteristics (temperature and dissolved oxygen), volume and timing as under existing conditions thereby maintaining key aquatic habitat attributes associated with existing fishery and aquatic resource requirements.
The existing hydropower intake includes a bar/trash rack cover with 2” clear spacing which has been shown to be effective in preventing fish larger than 8 inches from entrainment at hydro facilities (see Figure 6). For many species this would represent juveniles or even YOY as compared to adults which would be part of the reproductive cohort. Even moderate to high losses of young fish are not likely to affect most fisheries (Kleinschmidt Associates, 2010). In addition hydro intake velocities through the trash rack at max flow (90 cfs) are calculated to be less than the 2 ft/second typically recommended at hydropower intakes to prevent impingement.
Never-the-less, there is the potential for some entrainment and subsequent mortality of fish that are passed through the project. The applicant will conduct a desktop fish study to estimate potential fish mortality
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due to turbine operation vs. gate operation and coordinate with resource agencies to determine if any additional safety measures can be employed.
Fish Entrainment by Size at 3 Existing Hydro Plants with 2" Bar Spacing (Belding, Caldron Falls, and Colton Projects) 40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00% 0-5 cm 5-10 cm 10-15 cm 15-20 cm 20-25 cm 25-38 cm 38-51 cm 51-64 cm 64-76 cm >76 cm 0-2" 2.1-4" 4.1-6" 6.1-8" 8.1-10" 10.1-15" 15.1-20" 20.1-25" 25.1-30" >30"
Figure 6 - Entrainment studies at 3 plants showed 2” bar spacing to be effective in preventing individuals larger than 8” from entrainment (ERPI, 1997).
Wildlife & Botanical Resources
Existing Conditions Stonewall Jackson Lake and the West Fork River are located in the Monongahela Transition Zone ecoregion (70b) (Bailey 1995). This region is characterized by unglaciated hills, knobs, and ridges which are typically underlain by interbedded limestone, shale, sandstone, and coal of the Monongahela Group (Bailey 1995). Soils are derived from residuum and are typically Alfisols; Guernsey, Dormont, Culleoka, Westmoreland, Clarksburg, and Neward soil series are common (Bailey 1995). The boundary of this ecoregion generally follows the geologic division between the limestone-bearing Monongahela Group and the noncarbonate Conemaugh Group. In West Virginia, the ecoregion boundary conforms to the junction between the Dunkard Group and the Monongahela Formation (Bailey 1995).
Potential natural vegetation is mapped as mixed mesophytic vegetation, which occupies moist, well- drained sites in the Appalachian Plateaus. Widespread dominants include American beech, tuliptree, several basswoods, sugar maple, sweet buckeye, red oak, white oak, and eastern hemlock, in addition to 20-25 other species (Bailey 1995). Forested land is extensive and urban, suburban, and industrial activities are found primarily in the river valleys. Bituminous coal mining was historically common which is currently being replaced by hydraulic fracture drilling for natural gas.
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Vegetation throughout the watershed consists of forested areas dominated by oak, beech and hemlock (USACE 2012). Upland areas are characterized by white oak-hickory forests while lowland areas include willow, beech, and maple hardwood trees (USACE 2012). Bands of vegetation typically persist along the water’s edge, even in the heavily developed industrial areas along the rivers (USACE 2012).
Sycamore-Elder forests are typical of the floodplains of larger rivers in the region that receive periodic or seasonal flooding and are characterized by dominance of sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and box elder (Acer negundo) (Kalisz 2001). To a lesser extent Silver Maple Floodplain forests also occur in the watershed, they are characterized by the predominance of silver maple (Acer saccharinum) but also include red maple (Acer rubrum), black willow (Salix nigra) , box elder , American elm (Ulmus americana) and red elm (Ulmus rubra).
Scrub-shrub wetland communities can be found along riverbanks and stream habitats and are characterized by the predominance of black willow in association with several dogwood species, Cornus spp. as well as speckled alder (Alnus rugosa) (Kalisz 2001). Additionally, alder-ninebark wetlands, dominated by Alder spp and/or ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) are less common plant associations found on riverbank edges (Kalisz 2001). In areas where there is inundation of alluvium near the shore or where sediment develops among rocks in the river, water willow-smartweed riverbed communities occur. Water-willow is dominant, with several species of smartweed (Polygonum) and several species of rushes (e.g. Eleocharis) co-occurring (Kalisz 2001).
Vegetation within the immediate project area is dominated manicured grass, which is maintained by the USACE as part of routine facility maintenance activities. Natural vegetative communities occur bordering the West Fork River and Stonewall Jackson Lake. Plant species observed during a vegetation survey of the Monogahela watershed are tabulated below (adapted from Kalisz 2001).
Common name Scientific name Box-elder Acer negundo Norway maple Acer platanoides Silver maple Acer saccharinum Sugar maple Acer saccharum Buckeye Aesculus spp. Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima Alder Alnus spp. False indigo Amorpha fruitcosa Porcelain-berry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Devil's walking stick Aralia spinosa Barberry cultivar Berberis cv. Barberry Berberis thunbergii Birch cultivar Betula cv. Birch Betula spp. Hickory Carya spp. Catalpa Catalpa spp. Oriental bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus Hackberry Celtis occidentalis
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Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Redbud Cercis canadensis Dogwood Cornus spp. Hawthorn Crataegus spp. Forsythia Forsythia cv. Ash Fraxinus spp. Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana Rose-of-Sharon Hibiscus syriacus Swamp rose mallo Hibiscus moscheutus Hops Humulus spp. Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens Black Walnut Juglans nigra Juniper Juniperus sp. Privet Ligustrum vulgare Spicebush Lindera benzoin Sweet-gum Liquidambar styraciflua Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera Amur honeysuckle Lonicera maackii Common name Scientific name Honeysuckle Lonicera spp. Osage orange Maclura pomifera Crabapple Malus coronaria Apple Malus pumila Moonseed Menispermum canadense White Mulberry Morus alba Red Mulberry Morus rubra Black gum Nyssa sylvatica Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius Sycamore Platanus occidentalis Quaking aspen Populus tremuloides Cottonwood Populus deltoids Cherry cultivar Prunus cv. Wild Cherry Prunus spp. Hop-tree Ptelea trifoliata Oak Quercus spp. Buckthorn Alder Rhamnus frangula Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina Currant Ribes spp. Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia Rose cultivar Rosa cv. Multiflora rose Rosa multiflora
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Blackberry, raspberry Rubus spp. Weeping willow Salix babylonica Willow Salix spp. Elderberry Sambucus candensis Sassafras Sassafras albidum Mountain Ash Sorbus aucuparia Meadowsweet Spiraea spp. Bladdernut Staphylia trifolia Snowberry Symphoricarpus albus Basswood Tilia americana Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans Elm Ulmus spp. Arrow-wood Viburnum sp. Grape Vitis sp. Wisteria Wisteria floribunda Yellow flag iris Iris pseudacorus American water-willow Justicia americana Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica
Tabulated below is a listing of plant species that are likely associated with shallow water and vegetated wetlands associated with Stonewall Jackson Lake:
Common Name Scientific Name Sweet Waterlily Nymphaea odorata Eelgrass Vallisneria Americana Spotted Pondweed Potamageton pulcher Englemann’s Quilwort Isoetes englemannii Virginia Buttonwood Diodia virgininia Beggar’s Tick Bidens frondosa Stinging Nettle Boehmeria cylindrica Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum Carolina Horsenettle Solanum carolinese Common Threeseed Mercury Acalypha rhomboidea Dogbane Apocynum cannibinum Heath Aster Aster ericoides Indian Tobacco Lobelia inflata Common Yellow Oxalis Oxalis stricta St. John’s Wort Hypericum mutilim Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans Riverbank Grape Vitis riparia Ragweed Ambrosia artemesiifolia Blunt Broom Sedge Carex tribuloides Poverty Rush Juncus tenuis
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Maddog Skullcap Scutellaria laterifolia Wool Grass Scirpus cyperinus Marsh Seedbox Ludwigia palustris Spotted Sandmat Euphorbia maculata Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Mammals like the gray and fox squirrel, whitetail deer, chipmunks, gray fox, beaver, muskrat, mink, and river otter can also be seen along the streams and in upland areas. Tabulated below is a listing of mammals reported in the region (WVDNR 2000):
Common Name Scientific Name American Beaver Castor Canadensis Badger Taxidea taxus Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus Black Bear Ursus americanus Bobcat Lynx rufus Coyote Canis latrans Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Eastern Pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis Eastern Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus Hairy-tailed Mole Parascalops breweri Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus Mink Mustela vison Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Northern Shorttailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda Raccoon Procyon lotor Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus River Otter Lutra Canadensis Southern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus Southern Red-Backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius Striped Skunk Mephitus mephitus Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Woodchuck Marmota monax Woodland Vole Microtus pinetorum
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Tabulated below is a summary of the bird species reported in the Stonewall Jackson Wildlife Management Area which surrounds the lake (adapted from WVDNR 2013):
Common Name Scientific Name Great Blue Heron Arde herodias Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Hariy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Pileated Woodpecker Drycopus pileatus Eastern Bluebird Sialis sialis Common Raven Corvus corax Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedorum Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis Red-Winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Osprey Pandion haliaetus Red Shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus White-Eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Red-Eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla Louisiana Waterthrush Parkensia motacilla Cerulean Warbler Setophaga cerulea Blue-Winged Warbler Vermovora cyanoptera Kentucky Warbler Geothlypis formosa Hooded Warbler Septophaga citrina American Redstart Septophaga ruticilla Priarie Warbler Septophaga discolor Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Canada Goose Branta canadensis Wood Duck Aix sponsa Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
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Tabulated below is a summary of amphibians and reptiles reported to occur the Stonewall Jackson Wildlife Management Area (adapted from WVDNR 2013):
Common Name Scientific Name Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum Slimy Salamander Plethodon glutinosus Northern Spring Salamander Gyrinophilus porphyriticus Marlbled Salamander Ambytoma opacum Green Salamander Aneides aeneus Eastern American Toad Bufo americanus Fowler's Toad Bufo fowleri Spring Peeper Pseudoacris crucifer Gray Tree Frog Hyla veriscolor Mountain Chorus Frog Pseudoacris brachyphona Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Green Frog Rana clamitans Pickerel Frog Rana palustris Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina Box Turtle Terrapene carolina Map Turtle Graptemys geographica Stinkpot Sternotherus odoratus Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinfera Northern Fence Lizard Sceloporus undulatus Five-Lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus Queen Snake Regina septemvittata Northern Water Snake Nerodia sipedon Eastern Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis Eastern Hognose Heterodon platirhinos Northern Ringneck Diadophis puncatus edwardsii Northern Black Racer Coluber constrictor constrictor Black Rat Snake Pantherophis obsoletus Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum Northern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortix mokasen Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus
Project Effects The proposed project is anticipated to have minimal effect on wildlife and botanical resources. No new construction is proposed, as all of the features necessary for project operations are already in place. The existing stream flow and reservoir regimes will be maintained, resulting in no modification to wildlife and/or botanical habitats.
Floodplains, Wetlands, Riparian & Littoral Habitats
Floodplains Floodplain mapping from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was used to identify regulated floodplains within the project area (Figure 6.6). According to the mapping, flood flows are
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wholly contained within the banks of the West Fork River downstream of the project. This is consistent with the primary flood control purpose of the USACE’s Stonewall Jackson Dam and supports the estimated $210 million of prevented flood damages since the project became operational (USACE 2013). However, the lack of overbank flows and periodic flooding of historic floodplains has an overall negative cumulative impact on riverine, riparian, and floodplain system health.
Figure 6.6 - FEMA mapped flood zones within the project area.
Wetlands The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) data were reviewed to identify the extent, location and type of wetlands within the vicinity of the project. The NWI is a US Fish and Wildlife Service digital product providing identification and delineation of wetland polygons (USEPA 2011). The product is somewhat dated (based on 1980-1986 color infrared imagery), only identifies wetlands larger than 1-3 acres and is not completely accurate relative of wetland polygon locations largely because of the scale of the base imagery (USEPA 2011). Despite these limitations it remains the best statewide coverage of WV wetlands (USEPA 2011). According to National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) only identifies the West Fork River downstream of the Stonewall Jackson Dam as a wetland resource (Figure 6.7).
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Figure 6.7. National Wetlands Inventory project area mapped wetlands.
Wetland Type Description Riverine West Fork River from the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam outlet works downstream.
Riverine Wetlands Riverine wetlands in the project area identified by NWI mapping are classified according to the Cowardin et. al (1979) wetland type classification system to include the following:
R5UBH – riverine unknown perennial, unconsolidated bottom, permanently flooded
NWI mapped riverine wetland habitats within the project area are wholly represented by the West Fork River. In actuality there are likely two riverine wetland types immediately downstream of the dam reflecting the distinct channel morphology of the West Fork River in the project area. Beginning at the outlet works of the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam and extending approximately 1,000 feet downstream the river is a straight, rip-rap lined trapezoidal channel with armored banks. This reach was engineered and modified as part of dam construction to accommodate high velocity flows from the outlet works and can be characterized as “excavated”, denoting its modification from natural channel morphology and substrate. Further downstream the armored channel transitions to a more natural river morphology with earthen banks. Approximately 1.4 miles of the West Fork River from the Stonewall Jackson Dam are managed as a cold water fishery through selective withdrawal of releases at the dam.
Flows in the river are the primary drivers of riverine wetland maintenance and are controlled by releases from the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam, operated by the USACE. Project operation is driven first and foremost by the USACE’s Flood Control mission. Releases from Stonewall Jackson Lake range from a minimum of 5 cfs to an
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authorized maximum of 1,000 cfs when the pool elevation is at or below 1,067.5 ft (NAVD88) to prevent fish entrainment, when the pool is above this elevation the maximum release is 2,300 cfs (equal to the capacity of the downstream channel before overbank conditions occur) (USACE 2013). The downstream channel can accommodate flows up to 2,300 cfs before overbanking, however the largest recorded outflow since the project began operations is 1,670 cfs.
Gate changes are made in increments of no more than 1 ft per hour as measured at the downstream gage (USACE 2013). Typically releases are made to maintain seasonally variable minimum flows at downstream gages; Weston: 25-45 cfs, Clarksburg: 55 – 117 cfs, and Opekiska: 420-1,000 cfs. Flood release rates are dependent upon river stages measured at Weston, Butcherville and Clarksburg (USACE 2013).
Lacustrine Wetlands and Littoral Zone Habitats There are no lacustrine wetlands identified by NWI mapping in the project area. However, the 2,000+ acre Stonewall Jackson Lake is a significant lacustrine wetland resource. The lake was formed and is maintained by the impounding effect of the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam. Seasonal operation of the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam by the USACE results in reservoir fluctuations of approximately 5 ft and effect the seasonal availability of littoral zone habitats. Tabulated below is a summary of seasonal reservoir operation protocols implemented by the USACE.
Target Lake Period Elevation Operational Notes (ft NAVD 88) Winter Conservation January to February 1,067.5 Pool March to April 1,067.5- Summer Transition Transition period from Winter to Summer Pool 1,072.5 elevations. Mid-April (Memorial Day) to early September (Labor Summer 1,072.5 Day) Conservation Pool Supports recreational use 1,072.5- Mid-September to Mid-December Winter Transition < 1067.5 Transition period
The lake is regulated by the USACE according to seasonal rule curves. The USACE makes every effort to maintain downstream flow and water temperature schedules (USACE 2013). In a dry year, an early drawdown would be expected and the lake would fall below summer pool and into the various defined Zones; the lake will then be managed in accordance with the defined schedule for each Zone (USACE 2013). Whenever a flood event occurs and the lake rises into Zone A, excess storage is evacuated as soon as downstream conditions permit and the lake is drawn back down to Zone B within 5-10 days at the recommended drawdown rate of 0.2 ft - 1.0 ft per day (USACE 2013). A copy of the management approach for Zones of Stonewall Jackson Lake is provided as an attachment.
Although not identified by NWI mapping, littoral zone lacustrine wetland resources are likely to occur in scattered locations along the perimeter of the Stonewall Jackson Lake shoreline. Based on the size of Stonewall Jackson Lake (+2,000 acres), the length of the shoreline and seasonal reservoir fluctuations, the extent of littoral zone habitat is significant. These shallow water habitats can be important spawning and rearing areas for a variety of aquatic organisms including larval and fry stages of all fish species; aquatic insects and aquatic plants; algae and phytoplankton/ zooplankton. Depending on the extant and composition of vegetated shallow water areas this zone can also provide foraging opportunities for game species and waterfowl. It is reported that much of the woody vegetation was left in place during the filing of the reservoir – providing valuable structure and habitat for aquatic resources. As such, Stonewall Jackson Lake supports good populations of game and forage fishes (partially maintained by stocking).
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Palustrine Emergent and Forested Wetlands There are no palustrine wetlands in the project area identified by NWI mapping however there are likely a variety of submerged, emergent, scrub-shrub and forested wetlands associated with shallow water areas such as coves and drowned inlets of Stonewall Jackson Lake where substrate and water depths are conducive to their formation and maintenance. These wetland resources form an important ecological gradient (ecotone) between the open water habitat of the lake and upland terrestrial habitats. NWI mapping does not identify any palustrine emergent or forested wetlands within the immediate project area.
Riparian Habitat Riparian corridors along the West Fork River consist of mostly forested areas, varying in width from several feet to many acres (NRCS 2010). A fairly healthy buffer currently exists between the West Fork River and adjacent landuse, which consist mostly of mature woody vegetation along the corridor from Stonewall Jackson Lake downstream to Clarksburg (NRCS 2010). The existing riparian corridor is mostly in an undisturbed forested condition and exhibits good characteristics and functions throughout its length; providing large woody debris, good to excellent shading characteristics for temperature moderation, stabilization of the river channel and floodplain soils (NRCS 2010). The dominant tree species within the riparian corridor include sycamore, silver maple , red maple, green ash, river birch, box elder and various oaks (NRCS 2010).
Project Effects There are no FEMA identified floodplains within the project area which could be impacted by the project.
The project would wholly utilize existing infrastructure and facilities and does not include any new construction. There are no anticipated project related impacts to river flows or reservoir operations. Since these processes are the primary drivers of wetland formation and maintenance as well as littoral zone habitat dynamics there are no anticipated project related impacts to riparian, palustrine, lacustrine or littoral zone wetland resources.
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Rare, Threatened & Endangered Species
Existing Conditions Preliminary review of listed species within the project area (FWS Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPAC) v1.4, 2013) was not able to identify federally listed species that may occur in the project area. However, according to the FWS West Virginia Field Office all forested areas in the state are considered potential summer habitat for the Federally endangered Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalist); consultations are required for land clearing of more than 17 acres (FWS 2012).
A recent Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by NRCS related to the potential removal of four low head dams on the West Fork River downstream of Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam indicates three federally listed mussel species records in the West Fork River and one candidate species (NRCS 2010). The State of West Virginia has no formalized endangered species program, however all freshwater mussel species are considered “no take” species (NRCS 2010). We are unaware of any site specific surveys for RTE species within the immediate project area. Tabulated below is a summary of Federally listed or candidate species reported from the West Fork River (FWS 2012, NRCS 2010).
Common Name Scientific Name Listing Status Freshwater Mussels Clubshell Pleurobema clava Federally Endangered Northern Riffleshell Epioloblasma torulosa rangiana Federally Endangered Rayed Bean Villosa fabalis Federally Endangered Snuffbox Epioblasma triquetra Candidate Species Mammals Indiana Bat Myotis sodalist Federally Endangered
The following sections provide brief summaries of the listed species identified through preliminary screening that have the potential to occur in the project area.
Freshwater Mussels Each of these mussel species feed by filtering food particles from the water column. Each of them has a glochidia lifestage, whereby they engage in a short-term parasitic relationship with an appropriate species of fish while they develop into juvenile mussels.
Clubshell The clubshell can live for 20 years or more and reach a size of about 3 inches in length. The species typically burrows completely beneath the substrate, apparently relying on water to percolate between the sediment particles. Consequently, the species is very susceptible to siltation, which clogs the substrate interstices and suffocates the animal. The clubshell generally is found in runs with clean, coarse sand and gravel, often just downstream of a riffle. It cannot tolerate mud or slackwater conditions. According to the FWS recovery plan for this species (FWS, 1994), the clubshell was widespread throughout most of the Ohio River and Maumee River drainages prior to 1800 and was apparently very common. Existing clubshell populations are relatively small, healthy, and reproductively active; yet they still may be in danger of extirpation if all habitat conditions are not suitable including: food, predation, water quality and host fishes are not present in sufficient quantities within the range (NRCS 2010). The clubshell mussel is present in Hackers Creek (approximately 6 miles upstream from the West Milford Dam) within the West Fork watershed (NRCS 2010).
Northern Riffleshell The northern riffleshell is a small to medium size freshwater mussel that reaches a size of up to three inches long (DOI 2012). The northern riffleshell occurs in clean, firmly packed, coarse sand and gravel in riffles and runs of small and large streams (DOI 2012). Of the 54 streams once known to be occupied by this species, six still support populations of the northern riffleshell, and only three of these populations show evidence of reproduction two in the
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Allegheny River system (Allegheny River and French Creek, Pennsylvania), and one in the Sydenham River (Ontario, Canada) (DOI 2012). The breeding season appears to be initiated by seasonal changes, such as water temperature; reproduction requires a stable, undisturbed habitat and a sufficient population of fish hosts to complete the mussel's larval development (DOI 2012). Threats to this species include; loss of suitable habitat, limited access to fish hosts, genetic isolation, erosion and siltation, agricultural and industrial runoff and non-native invasive species (such as zebra mussels) (DOI 2012). A historical (1913) record for the Northern Riffleshell is listed for Harrison County in the West Fork River (NRCS 2010). It is unlikely this species still exists anywhere within the West Fork River (NRCS 2010).
Rayed Bean The rayed bean is a small mussel, usually less than 1.5 inches long (FWS 2013). Habitat preferences include: smaller, headwater creeks with gravel or sand substrates, and is often found in and around roots of aquatic vegetation but is sometimes found in large rivers and wave-washed areas of glacial lakes (FWS 2013). Most populations are small and geographically isolated from one another, further increasing their risk of extinction. Adults often burrow deep in sand, gravel or cobble substrates, except when they are spawning or the females are attempting to attract host fish. Threats to the snuffbox include habitat segmentation from dams, pollution, sedimentation and invasion by non-native species (FWS 2013). The rayed bean is listed as historically present within the West Fork River watershed (NRCS 2010).
Snuffbox The snuffbox is a small triangular-shaped freshwater mussel that reaches a size of approximately 2.5 inches (NatureServe 2013. Found in riffles of medium and large rivers with stony or sandy bottoms, in swift currents, usually deeply buried (NatureServe 2013). It was historically widespread in the upper Mississippi and Ohio River drainages and widespread but never abundant in the Tennessee River system (NatureServe 2013).The snuffbox is listed as historically present within the West Fork River watershed (NRCS 2010). The decline in the overall range suggests that it is not tolerant to poor water quality and is sensitive to pollution, siltation, habitat perturbation, inundation, and loss of glochidial hosts (NatureServe 2013).
Mammals
Indiana Bat During winter, Indiana bats are restricted to suitable underground hibernacula.1 The vast majority of these sites are caves located in karst areas of the east-central United States. However, Indiana bats also hibernate in other cave-like locations, including abandoned mines (FWS, 2007). In summer, most reproductive females occupy roost sites under the exfoliating bark of dead trees that retain large, thick slabs of peeling bark. Primary roosts usually receive direct sunlight for more than half the day. Roost trees are typically within canopy gaps in a forest, in a fenceline, or along a wooded edge. Habitats in which maternity roosts occur include riparian zones, bottomland and floodplain habitats, wooded wetlands, and upland communities. Indiana bats typically forage in semi-open to closed (open understory) forested habitats, forest edges, and riparian areas (FWS, 2007). The West Virginia Field Office of the FWS indicates that all forested areas within the state are potential summer habitat for the Indiana Bat; consultations are required for projects involving the clearing of more than 17 acres of land (FWS 2012).
Project Effects There are no anticipated project related effects on rare, threatened and endangered species. The project proposal includes repowering the existing, idle hydropower facility and does not include any new construction or any modifications to the exiting operating procedures or other disturbances that are likely to affect listed or candidate species.
1 Caves or other underground areas where bats hibernate.
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There are only historical records of listed mussel species within the West Fork River watershed – and these are not located within the vicinity of the proposed project. It is possible that historic modifications adversely impacted habitat conditions for listed mussel species within the immediate project area.
All forested areas within the State of West Virginia are considered potential summer habitat for the Indiana Bat (FWS 2012). Guidelines provided by the FWS West Virginia Field Office indicate that consultations are necessary for projects involving land clearing of 17 acres or more (FWS 2012). The proposed project includes no land disturbing activities therefore additional consultation is not anticipated.
Recreation & Land Use
Existing Conditions
Recreation The Water Resources Development Act of 1988 authorized recreation as a specific purpose of the Stonewall Jackson Flood Control Project (USACE 2013). In addition to recreation on lands associated with the project, it defined recreation as including (but not limited to) “downstream whitewater recreation which is dependent on project operations, recreational fishing, and boating on water at the project” (USACE 2013). Since the West Fork River has a low gradient and is slow-moving and is not suitable for whitewater rafting, Stonewall Jackson Lake is not operated for whitewater sports (USACE 2013).
Existing recreational opportunities in the USACE-operated area include a visitor information center within the administration building, a scenic overlook area, an outdoor plaza with walkways, fishing access to the tail water area, a handicap accessible fishing pier, and a hiking trail (USACE 2013).
The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) operates the 4,440 acre Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park. The park includes a 198-room lodge, an 18-hole golf course, a 374-slip marina, ten rental cottages, hiking and mountain biking trails, a three-lane boat launching ramp, and a 46-site campground (USACE 2013). An additional 15,681 acres of land surrounding the lake are managed by the WVDNR as the Stonewall Jackson Wildlife Management Area for public uses such as hunting and fishing.
At the normal summer pool elevation of 1072.5 ft (NAVD88), the lake has a surface area of 2,630 acres and provides approximately 82 miles of shoreline. The lake provides boaters with a variety of opportunities, including pleasure boating, canoeing, fishing and water skiing. In addition to the State Park, launching facilities for trailered boats are available at Vandalia, Georgetown and Jacksonville. A launch exclusive to car-top boats is available at Glady Fork. Tabulated below is a summary of public recreational facilities associated with the Stonewall Jackson Lake (adapted from USACE 2013). A map of recreational facilities associated with Stonewall Jackson Lake is provided as an attachment.
Recreation Area Facilities Stonewall Jackson Dam Area Accessible Restrooms, Drinking Water, Fishing (handicap accessible), Information / Visitors Center, Parking, Trails Glady Fork Access Area Boat Launch/Ramp, Fishing, Parking Georgetown Access Area Boat Launch/Ramp, Fishing, Parking, Restrooms Vandalia Access Area Boat Launch/Ramp, Fishing Stonewall Jackson State Park Accessible Restrooms, Boat Launch/Ramp, Campground, Boat Rental, Camper Dump Station, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing (handicap accessible), Information / Visitors Center, Marina, Parking, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter,
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Playground, Showers, Trails State Park Maintenance Area Trails Mary Conrad Roadside Park Picnic Shelter, Restrooms Jacksonville Access Area Boat Launch / Ramp, Fishing, Parking, Restrooms
Land Use Major land uses in the watershed are forest land (including mesophytic hardwoods and oak forests), which constitutes approximately 65% of the watershed and pasture/grassland, which makes up 27% (NRCS 2010). In addition to forestland and pasture/grassland uses, other major landuses include barren and urban land (NRCS 2010).
Development of the Stonewall Jackson Lake project required the acquisition of 20,451 acres of land (USACE 2013). The Corps retains control of 330 acres at the dam site for operation and support facilities (USACE 2013). All remaining federal lands are leased to the state of West Virginia, including 4,440 acres managed by the WVDNR as Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park (USACE 2013). The remaining 15,681 acres are operated by the WVDNR for public hunting and fishing (USACE 2013). There is very little shoreline development except for the Stonewall Jackson Resort sanctioned by the WVDNR.
Project Effects The proposed operation of the project does not involve any new construction, modifications to the existing facilities, release schedule or reservoir operations (i.e., lake levels) and will therefore have no effect on recreational opportunities on the lake or in the West Fork River. Further, since the project intends to operate only existing facilities there are no anticipated impacts on land use.
Cultural and Historic Resources
Existing Conditions According to the National Register of Historic Places, there are no archeological or historic sites within the project area. The immediate project area has a fairly recent history of disturbance associated with dam construction (circa 1985). It is likely that any archeological resources of significance were disturbed at that time.
There are currently no federally recognized Native American tribes in West Virginia (West Virginia Archives and History [WVAH] 2013). However, before the American Revolutionary War, Shawnee and Ohio Valley Tribes as well as the Iroquois Confederacy (an alliance of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca tribes) controlled the majority of West Virginia (WVAH 2013). The Iroquois Confederacy’s interest in the region was part of a larger effort to dominate the fur trade with early European settlers along the Ohio River Valley (WVAH 2013). Following the revolutionary war Native Americans moved their settlements further west either in response to, or to avoid conflict with expanding settlement by European pioneers (WVAH 2013). The 1794 Treaty of Greenville effectively removed all remaining Native American claims on lands within West Virginia (WVAH 2013).
Project Effects Due to the lack of existing cultural or historic resources we do not anticipate any project-related effects. The applicant will consult with resource agencies to confirm this preliminary assessment and identify any necessary avoidance and/or management strategies.
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Socio-Economic Resources
Existing Conditions Tabulated below is a summary of key demographic metrics from the 2010 U.S. Census for the counties in the project area as compared to Statewide and National values.
West Metric Lewis County National Virginia Population 16,372 1,852,994 308,745,538 Avg. Household Size (people) 2.35 2.36 2.58 Median Family Income (annual) $42,281 $48,896 $62,982 Families Below Poverty 31.0% 27.1% 10.1% * Data in the table above was obtained from 2010 U.S. Census – American Fact Finder.
Census data indicate that Lewis County is comparable to State and National demographic metrics for household size. Family earnings for Lewis County and the State are consistently lower than the national average. The percentage of families below the poverty line is approximately three times higher than the national average; this is consistent with the relatively lower median family income for Lewis County and West Virginia as compared to the national average.
Since the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam began operations in 1986 the USACE estimates that a cumulative total of $210 million in flood damages have been prevented (USACE 2013).
Project Effects The applicant does not anticipate any project-related impacts to socio-economic resources. Development of the project will create the need for several short-term skilled trade related jobs to bring the station back into service. Operation and maintenance activities associated with the project have the potential to provide limited benefit to local businesses and technical tradesmen.
The project would be operated in run-of-release mode with no modifications to the existing flood control mission or recreational use of the lake. There are no anticipated project related impacts on the ability of the project to provide flood control benefits.
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Stonewall Jackson Hydroelectric Project FERC No. P – 13877 Preliminary Application Document 7. Preliminary Issues and Studies Mahoning Hydropower initiated informal outreach to several stakeholders during the development of the PAD. Initial outreach efforts do not represent a complete representation of stakeholders with potential interest in the proposed project and were conducted for planning and informational purposes only. The specific goals initial outreach efforts was:
To introduce the proposed project and establish lines of communication with the development team; To obtain preliminary feedback on the project design and operational concepts; To identify sources of information and data necessary to characterize existing infrastructure, natural resources and management activities: To determine the most appropriate means of compensating the Federal government for private use of publically funded assets (hydropower facility), and; To identify areas of specific concern associated with operation of the project.
Tabulated below is a summary of contacts and communications made as part of the initial outreach efforts for the Stonewall Jackson project. A copy of notes from a July 12, 2013 teleconference with USACE real estate and other staff is included as an attachment.
Affiliation Contact(s) / Title USACE – Pittsburgh District Jeffery Benedict, Hydropower Coordinator Rosemary Reilly, Water Quality Tom McHugh, Attorney Bert Edwardo, Chief Real Estate Branch Shekinah Bailey, Realty Supervisor Jan Gonzales, Supervisory Park Ranger Jeff Toler, Park Ranger Eric Miller, Natural Resources Specialist Josh Bridge, Natural Resource Specialist WVDNR Wilma Reip – 401 Program Director Kerry Bledsoe – Hydropower Coordinator Bret Preston – Wildlife Resources
Based on preliminary discussions with the above stakeholders the following have been identified as potential items of concern. Please note that this listing is preliminary in nature as not all stakeholders have been consulted. We recognize that additional items of concern may be identified as we move through the formal consultation process and more stakeholders are consulted.
Maintenance of USACE congressionally authorized purposes (i.e., mission) for the Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam during all phases of project development and operation; Potential impacts to water quality associated with project development and operations, and; Avoidance and minimization to fishery resources of Stonewall Jackson Lake and West Fork River associated with project operations.
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Since the project is already existing no new construction is required and the applicant is not proposing any modifications to the existing operation procedures few studies are indicated. Studies proposed by the applicant to be performed during the study period include:
Desktop Fish Safety Assessment – The study will include an analysis of impingement, entrainment and turbine mortality using the EPRI database and other widely accepted desktop resources to determine how to ensure fish mortality will be kept to a minimum. Project Appraisal - The applicant plans to engage a qualified third party to determine a fair market annual lease payment to be made to USACE for use of the hydropower facilities. Cultural Resources Survey – The applicant will perform the required section 106 Historic Preservation Consultation to determine what effect the proposed project would have on cultural or historic resources.
A formal water quality study is not proposed due to the large quantity of data already being collected at the facility, and due to the high operation standards and procedures already in place. The applicant does not propose any modifications to the existing operation procedures. The applicant does plan to present existing water quality data in the draft application. The existing data is extensive and more than adequate to provide an accurate picture of the water quality conditions maintained by the project.
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References Bailey, R.G. (1995). Description of the Ecoregions of the United States. http://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/index.html
Clayton, J. (2012). The West Virginia Encyclopedia; Mussels. http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1542
EPRI. 1997. Unpublished Excel Fish Mortality Database.
Evaldi, R.D., Ward, S.M., and White, J.S., 2009, Summary of West Virginia water-resources data through September 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1199, 326 p.
Kalisz, S., 2001, Vegetation survey of the Monongahela River: 3 Rivers 2nd Nature Woody Vegetation Survey Phase 2, 24 p.
Kleinschmidt Associates. 2010. Jennings Randolph Hydroelectric Project Desktop Fish Entrainment and Turbine Mortality Analysis. Prepared for Fairlawn Hydroelectric Company, LLC.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (2013). NOAA Habitat Conservation – Essential Fish Habitat Mapper. http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/protection/efh/efhmapper/index.html
NatureServe. 2013. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: May 9, 2013 ).
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) (2013). Water Control Manual: Stonewall Jackson Lake, Monongahela River Basin (redacted). USACE – Pittsburgh District. April 15, 2013. 255 pp.
USACE (2012). Monongahela River Watershed: Initial Watershed Assessment (revised February 2012). USACE – Pittsburgh District. 91 pp.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (2002). Metals and pH TMDLs for the West Fork River Watershed, West Virginia. USEPA Region 3. September 2002. 81 pp.
U.S. Census Bureau; Census 2010, using American FactFinder; http://factfinder2.census.gov; (Jul7 27, 2013).
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (2013). Web Soil Survey – National Cooperative Soil Survey. Soil Map – Lewis County, West Virginia.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). (2012). Snuffbox (freshwater mussel) Epiolblasma triquetra: Fact Sheet. January 2012. 2 pp.
FWS (2012). Distribution of Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species and Proposed Species in West Virginia. August 6, 2012. 1 pp.
USDA NRCS (2010). Final Environmental Assessment for Dam Modifications on the West Fork River, Harrison County, West Virginia. 174 pp.
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West Virginia Archives and History (WVAH) (2013). Native American Clashes with European Settlers. http://www.wvculture.org/history/indland.html#tribes
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) (2011). 2010 West Virginia Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report. 274 pp.
West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) (2011). Division of Natural Resources Annual Report 2010-2011. 106. pp
WVDNR (2011). Proposed Dunkard Creek Fish and Mussel Restoration Plan. WVDNR – Wildlife Resources Section. August 25, 2011. 22 pp.
WVDNR (2013). Field Trip: Stonewall Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area. West Virginia Wildlife. Spring 2012. 2 pp.
WVDNR (2001). Mammals of West Virginia: A Field Checklist. Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section Wildlife Diversity Program. Published Oct. 2001. 2 pp.
WVDNR (2000). Fishes of West Virginia: A Field Checklist. Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section Wildlife Diversity Program. Published Dec. 2000. 2 pp.
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Appendices
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Stonewall Jackson Hydroelectric Project FERC No. P – 13877 Preliminary Application Document
Project Service List
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Record of Consultation
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Supplemental Environmental Information: USDA – NRCS Soil Mapping & Report Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam Release and Reservoir Rule Curve Recreational Facilities Map Water Control Manual – USACE 2013
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