ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA MARTIN DAM PROJECT FERC PROJECT NO. 349 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT JUNE 2008 Prepared by ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA MARTIN DAM PROJECT FERC PROJECT NO. 349 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT JUNE 2008 Prepared by: ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA MARTIN DAM PROJECT FERC PROJECT NO. 349 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background.......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Summary of Contacts........................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Agents for Client Name ....................................................................................... 1-5 1.4 Document Purpose and Content........................................................................... 1-6 2.0 INTEGRATED LICENSING PROCESS (ILP) .............................................................. 2-1 2.1 Description of the ILP.......................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Process Plan and Schedule................................................................................... 2-2 2.3 Document Control and Website........................................................................... 2-2 2.3.1 Mailing Lists............................................................................................ 2-2 2.3.2 Website ................................................................................................ 2-3 2.3.2.1 Public Reference File............................................................. 2-3 2.3.3 Restricted Documents .............................................................................. 2-3 2.4 Communications Protocol.................................................................................... 2-4 2.4.1 Document Distribution............................................................................. 2-4 2.4.2 Providing Documents to APC.................................................................. 2-5 2.4.3 Meetings ................................................................................................ 2-5 2.4.4 General Communications......................................................................... 2-6 2.4.5 FERC Scoping Meeting ........................................................................... 2-6 3.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF RIVER BASIN............................................................ 3-1 3.1 Major Land and Water Uses ................................................................................ 3-4 3.2 Other Diversion Structures in the Basin .............................................................. 3-4 3.3 Tributaries............................................................................................................ 3-7 3.4 Climate................................................................................................................. 3-7 3.5 References............................................................................................................ 3-7 4.0 PROJECT LOCATION, FACILITIES, AND OPERATIONS ....................................... 4-1 4.1 Project Introduction, Location, Facilities, and Operations .................................. 4-1 4.2 Measurement of Elevation at the Martin Project ................................................. 4-1 4.3 Project Facilities................................................................................................... 4-2 4.3.1 Reservoir ................................................................................................ 4-2 4.3.2 Dam ................................................................................................ 4-2 4.3.3 Powerhouse.............................................................................................. 4-3 4.3.4 Project Transmission................................................................................ 4-4 4.4 Current and Proposed Project Operations............................................................ 4-4 4.4.1 Dependable Capacity............................................................................... 4-9 i Table of Contents (Cont’d) 4.4.2 Other Project Information........................................................................ 4-9 4.4.2.1 Evaluation of Potential Winter Rule Curve Changes.................................................................................. 4-9 4.4.3 Current License Requirements............................................................... 4-10 4.4.4 Compliance History of the Project......................................................... 4-10 4.4.5 Safety Requirements .............................................................................. 4-11 4.4.6 Summary of Project Generation and Outflow Records ......................... 4-11 4.4.7 Delivery of Water for Non-Power Uses................................................. 4-12 4.4.7.1 Russell Lands – Willow Point Golf Course......................... 4-12 4.4.7.2 City of Alexander City – Adams Water Treatment Plant.................................................................... 4-13 4.4.7.3 Central Elmore Water and Sewer Authority – Water Treatment Plant ......................................................... 4-13 4.4.7.4 Still Waters Resort – Beaver Lake Replenishment System......................................................... 4-14 4.4.8 Current Net Investment.......................................................................... 4-15 4.4.9 Project Boundary................................................................................... 4-15 4.5 References.......................................................................................................... 4-23 5.0 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT........................................................ 5-1 5.1 Geology and Soils................................................................................................ 5-1 5.1.1 Soil Types in Project Area ....................................................................... 5-9 5.1.2 Existing Erosion..................................................................................... 5-16 5.1.3 Potential Issues and Cumulative Impact................................................ 5-17 5.1.4 Literature Cited...................................................................................... 5-18 5.2 Water Resources................................................................................................ 5-19 5.2.1 Project Area........................................................................................... 5-19 5.2.2 Existing and Proposed Uses of Water.................................................... 5-21 5.2.3 Existing Instream Flow Uses................................................................. 5-21 5.2.3.1 Flow Statistics...................................................................... 5-21 5.2.4 Existing Water Rights............................................................................ 5-22 5.2.5 Morphometric Data for Existing Reservoirs.......................................... 5-23 5.2.6 Gradient of Downstream Reaches ......................................................... 5-23 5.2.7 Intake Velocities.................................................................................... 5-24 5.2.8 Federally Approved Water Quality Standards....................................... 5-24 5.2.9 Existing Water Quality Data.................................................................. 5-27 5.2.9.1 APC Monitoring Data.......................................................... 5-28 5.2.9.2 ADEM and Other Project Related Monitoring Data...................................................................................... 5-32 5.2.10 Potential Issues and Cumulative Impacts .............................................. 5-36 5.2.11 Literature Cited...................................................................................... 5-37 5.3 Fish and Aquatic Resources............................................................................... 5-39 5.3.1 Essential Fish Habitat As Defined Under Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ............................ 5-48 5.3.2 Potential Issues and Cumulative Effects................................................ 5-49 5.3.3 Literature Cited...................................................................................... 5-49 5.4 Wildlife Resources............................................................................................. 5-51 5.4.1 Project Area........................................................................................... 5-51 5.4.2 Wildlife Species..................................................................................... 5-51 ii Table of Contents (Cont’d) 5.4.3 Littoral Zone Species ............................................................................. 5-52 5.4.4 Exotic Species........................................................................................ 5-52 5.4.5 Spatial Distribution................................................................................ 5-52 5.4.6 Potential Issues and Cumulative Effects................................................ 5-53 5.4.7 Literature Cited...................................................................................... 5-54