COOSA / WARRIOR RELICENSING PROJECT INITIAL INFORMATION PACKAGE for the HENRY DEVELOPMENT FERC No. 2146 COOSA AND WARRIOR RIVER RELICENSING: COOSA RIVER PROJECT – FERC NO. 2146 MITCHELL PROJECT – FERC NO. 82 JORDAN PROJECT – FERC NO. 618 WARRIOR RIVER PROJECTS – FERC NO. 2165 NEELY HENRY DEVELOPMENT INITIAL INFORMATION PACKAGE November 2000 Prepared By: Alabama Power Company 600 N. 18th Street Birmingham, Alabama and Kleinschmidt Associates Springfield, VA COOSA RIVER PROJECT (FERC NO. 2146) NEELY HENRY DEVELOPMENT Initial Information Package Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Navigating Through this Document................................................................................ 2 1.3 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................... 4 1.4 FERC’s Relicensing Process........................................................................................... 5 1.5 The Alabama Power Cooperative Approach (APCA).................................................... 7 1.6 Getting Involved – A Public Process............................................................................ 11 1.7 Hydroelectric Projects – What Are They Anyway and How Do They Work?............. 11 1.8 Competing Interests/Uses ............................................................................................. 12 2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 15 2.1 Project Lands and Boundary......................................................................................... 15 2.2 Project Description........................................................................................................ 15 2.2.1 Reservoir........................................................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Dam................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.3 Powerhouse....................................................................................................... 16 2.2.4 Tailrace.............................................................................................................. 17 2.2.5 Transmission Lines........................................................................................... 17 2.3 Project History and Improvements ............................................................................... 17 2.4 Resource Utilization...................................................................................................... 18 2.4.1 Allocation of Power.......................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Project Modification for Consideration............................................................ 18 2.5 Project Drawings and Records...................................................................................... 19 3.0 PROJECT OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT............................................................ 25 3.1 Streamflow and Water Regime Information................................................................. 25 3.1.1 Drainage Area................................................................................................... 25 3.1.2 Flow Rates and Duration................................................................................... 25 3.2 Project Operations......................................................................................................... 26 3.2.1 Description of Power Operations...................................................................... 26 3.2.1.1 Typical Operations............................................................................. 26 3.2.1.2 Flood Control Operations .................................................................. 28 3.2.1.3 Low Water Operations....................................................................... 29 3.2.2 Description of Non-Power Operations.............................................................. 30 3.2.3 Project Operations During a New License Term.............................................. 30 3.2.4 Project Maintenance.......................................................................................... 30 3.3 Safety Programs ............................................................................................................ 30 3.3.1 Dam Safety & Inspections ................................................................................ 30 - i - 3.3.1.1 Inspection Program............................................................................ 32 3.2.1.2 Dam Safety Improvements................................................................. 33 3.3.2 Emergency Action Plan Program...................................................................... 33 3.3.3 Public Safety Program....................................................................................... 34 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES..................................................................................... 51 4.1 Geology and Soils......................................................................................................... 51 4.1.1 Surficial and Bedrock Geology......................................................................... 51 4.1.2 Seismicity and Geologic Stability..................................................................... 51 4.1.3 Soils................................................................................................................... 52 4.1.4 Climate.............................................................................................................. 53 4.2 Water Resources ........................................................................................................... 54 4.2.1 Water Quality Classifications/Standards .......................................................... 54 4.2.2 Water Quality Studies....................................................................................... 55 4.2.3 Water Use.......................................................................................................... 59 4.3 Aquatic Resources......................................................................................................... 67 4.3.1 Existing Habitat................................................................................................. 67 4.3.2 Resident Fish..................................................................................................... 67 4.3.3 Anadromous Fish.............................................................................................. 71 4.3.4 Catadromous Fish............................................................................................. 72 4.3.5 Freshwater Mussels........................................................................................... 72 4.3.6 Threatened and Endangered Species................................................................. 73 4.4 Terrestrial Resources..................................................................................................... 73 4.4.1 Botanical Resources.......................................................................................... 73 4.4.1.1 Upland Habitats.................................................................................. 73 4.4.1.2 Wetlands............................................................................................. 75 4.4.1.3 Threatened and Endangered Species.................................................. 77 4.4.2 Wildlife Resources............................................................................................ 80 4.4.2.1 Threatened and Endangered Species.................................................. 81 4.5 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................ 86 4.5.1 Cultural Chronology......................................................................................... 86 4.5.2 Archaeological Resources................................................................................. 95 4.5.3 Euro-American History..................................................................................... 95 4.5.4 History of the Project Area and Project............................................................ 98 4.5.5 Sites Listed on National Register.................................................................... 101 4.6 Recreation Resources.................................................................................................. 101 4.6.1 Existing Facilities............................................................................................ 101 4.6.1.1 Regional........................................................................................... 101 4.6.1.2 Local................................................................................................. 102 4.6.2 Existing Use.................................................................................................... 104 4.7 Land Use and Aesthetics............................................................................................. 108 4.7.1 Existing Land Use..........................................................................................