Appendix G Whitewater Recreation Flow Study Plan

Transcription

1 Appendix G Whitewater Recreation Flow Study Plan

2 Study Plan Whitewater Recreation Flow Study Grandfather Falls Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No March 2013 An Integrys Energy Group Company

3 Section 1.0 Introduction Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) as licensee of the Grandfather Falls Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 1966) proposes to complete a whitewater boating flow study on the Historic River Channel of the Wisconsin River associated with the Hydroelectric Project. The study is being completed to improve the precision of estimated flow ranges for recreation opportunities. The study will focus on the historic river channel that is approximately one mile in length and exists at approximately river mile 317 of the Wisconsin River. The historic river channel of the Wisconsin River at Grandfather Falls is the steepest descent of the Wisconsin River north of the City of Merrill, Wisconsin. The bed of the river has eroded the glacial drift to expose the Pre Cambrian rock. The average gradient in this section of the river is approximately 60 feet per mile and is composed of three main sections with a main ledge occurring between sections 2 and 3. Under current project operations, at least 50 cfs is released into this section of the river at all times. According to the most recent flow duration curve, the maximum capacity of the powerhouse (approximately 2800 cfs) is exceeded, which generally results in releases to the historic river channel, according to the following: Month % of time (monthly basis) April > 20 May >30 June >15 July 10 August <5 September 10 October 15 November 10 Whitewater boating opportunities appear to require flows in the historic river channel exceeding the 50 cfs minimum flow. While American Whitewater has identified a range of flows that have the potential to provide whitewater opportunities, the actual amount of flow required for whitewater boating has not been quantified at this time. The study is being completed to improve the precision of estimated flow ranges for recreation opportunity and the feasibility of potential recreational flow releases. Section 2.0 Study Description and Objectives ( 5.11(d)(1)) The goals of the proposed whitewater recreation flow study are to evaluate the effects of incremental flow releases into the historic river channel on the availability of whitewater boating opportunities. The study objectives are as follows: Evaluate the incremental flow releases in the historic river channel to determine optimal whitewater boating opportunities for different skill sets. Based upon updated flow duration curves, determine the number of days per year that the river flows are available when the powerhouse maximum hydraulic capacity is exceeded and assess the feasibility of potential recreational flow releases. Quantify the effect on generation of any four hour 1 period of planned flow releases adjusted for the month in which it could occur. 1 The four hour period is suggested based upon the requirements of the Order Issuing License dated May 18, 2001 for the Badger-Rapide Croche Dam (FERC Project Number 2677) located in Northeastern

4 Develop an estimate of potential whitewater boating use if scheduled releases are supplied. Identify any competing recreational or environmental uses associated with scheduled releases up to four hours in length. Verify the difficulty rating for each reach at varying flows as listed on the American Whitewater Website. Section 3.0 Resource Management Goals ( 5.11(d)(2)) The proposed study will describe flow dependent whitewater boating opportunities in the historic river channel. The proposed study will also provide data to help determine the balance between whitewater boating needs and other needs (fish habitat, pedestrian access, and power generation etc.) for this section of river. Section 4.0 Existing Information ( 5.11(d)(3)) Whitewater Paddling Opportunities There is very limited information on the whitewater boating opportunities associated with the historic river channel. The American Whitewater website rates the historic river channel as a Class II III+(IV) run and describes it as a full mile of wide river with an amazing jumble of rocks and a few good ledges. With adequate water, this is a wild stretch of river which should allow many options of routes and plenty of play possibilities. The AW website predicts the historic river channel will provide whitewater boating opportunities when the Merrill USGS gage indicates flow of at least 10,000 cfs. Boaters acknowledge that the information provided on the current AW website is based on very limited, preliminary information; the 10,000 cfs recommendation is likely premature. Fish Habitat Several years after WPS began releasing a 50 cfs minimum flow into the historic river channel, a study of the benefits to the fishery associated with the 50 cfs minimum flow was completed. The study concluded that the 50 cfs minimum flow provides an excellent small mouth bass recruitment area safe from predation for downstream sections of the river. The study also determined that periodic increased flows in the historic river channel as a result of higher river flows have a measurable negative impact upon the population of young of year small mouth bass benefitting from the recruitment area. In order to protect aquatic habitat, ramping rates will bracket each test flow as described in the Methods Section (Section 7). Public Access and Recreation Along the majority of both sides of the historic river channel, an Ice Age Trail has been constructed and maintained by the Ice Age Trail Foundation (IATF). The trail exists as both a corridor to access the historic river channel, but also as a pathway through the entire hydroelectric project. WPS has been approached by the IATF to work together to develop a crossing of the historic river channel via existing and placed rocks and boulders. Any storm event which exceeds the project s hydraulic capacity along with any additional flows released into this reach will conflict with the ability of the members of the public utilizing the Ice Age Trail crossing of the historic river channel. Section 5.0 Nexus to Project ( 5.11(d)(4)) Wisconsin, where four four-hour release periods are required to enhance whitewater boating opportunities.

5 The flows in this historic river channel are regulated by the Grandfather Falls Dam. These releases have an impact upon whitewater boating opportunities, fishery habitat and other forms of recreation. The currently required 50 cfs minimum flow does not provide for whitewater boating opportunities at that flow level. There are other periods of time when river flows regularly exceed the powerhouse maximum capacity where water is released into the historic river channel from the Grandfather Falls Dam. An analysis of several flow levels in the historic river channel relative to whitewater boating opportunities will provide baseline information to make decisions on how to balance several uses of the historic river channel by members of the public. Section 6.0 Study Area The proposed study area will be the historic river channel which is approximately 1.0 miles in length with an average gradient estimated at 60 fpm. For the purposes of the proposed study, the historic river channel will be divided into three reaches of equal length. Reach 1 will begin at the Grandfather Falls Dam and end approximately 1/3 mile downstream. Reach 2 will begin approximately 1/3 mile downstream of the dam and continue downstream to the major ledge. Reach 3 will begin at the major ledge and continue downstream to the Grandfather Falls Powerhouse. For purposes of the study, the divisions between reaches will be identified on the shoreline for the evaluating boaters. (See Appendix 1 for a map indicates the three reaches of the historic river channel). Section 7.0 Methods ( 5.11(b)(1) and 5.11 (d)(5)) For the purposes of the whitewater recreation flow study, WPS will coordinate with the NPS, AW, and the Wausau Canoe and Kayak Corporation to find approximately 10 experienced boaters (a mix of open boaters and kayakers is acceptable) to participate in the whitewater boating evaluation of four different flow releases. Emphasis will be placed upon finding volunteers who have either boated this stretch before, or are found to be experienced whitewater boaters or white water paddling instructors. A list of volunteers who have already shown interest in participating is included in Appendix 4 WPS will provide pens, clipboards and the evaluation forms for each boater. WPS will also provide meals for the participants along with restroom facilities at the put in and take out areas and also provide transportation of the boaters and their watercraft back upstream between each flow release. It is assumed that access and parking associated with the put in and take out areas is already adequate. The study will be conducted in mid May. The WDNR and the NPS will be coordinated with on the actual date of the study. WPS is proposing to test four separate flow releases as follows: 500 cfs 1,000 cfs 2,000 cfs 4,000 cfs After any given release, succeeding flow releases may be adjusted according to boater s recommendation after evaluating the previous flow. The suggested flows are based upon WPS experience regarding inundation of all of the features in the narrow channel. It is believed the majority of the features are completely inundated at flows greater than 5,000 cfs.

6 Each flow release will require a ramping rate not to exceed 70 cfs/minute. After all of the runs are completed answers on their summary evaluation forms will be used to guide a 15 minute discussion regarding lowest flow for quality boating, optimum range of flows, and highest safe flow for their craft. After the discussion on flows, a walk through of the bypass reach will be conducted by WPS personnel and the boaters to rescue any stranded organisms. The results of the walk through will be included in the final report. After each boating run, each boater will be asked to fill out the evaluation form attached in Appendix 2. After all boating runs, each boater will be asked to fill out the evaluation form attached in Appendix 3. Section 8.0 Final Product The final report for the Whitewater Recreation Flow Study will at a minimum provide the following: Whitewater boating attributes of the range of flows examined. This will include a difficulty rating by reach, and length of trip. Minimum acceptable flow for each reach. Preferred flow for each reach. The frequency of the availability and expected timing of the identified flows under the current operating scenario. The feasibility and cost of providing scheduled releases by month up to four hours in length with an emphasis upon weekends (during the April through November period). An estimate based upon the participant boaters responses of the potential of whitewater boating opportunities at the minimum and optimal boatable stream flow available at scheduled times for up to four hours at a time. A discussion of about the placement of boulders in the waterway for an Ice Age Trail Crossing of the bypass reach that addresses safety during spills of water over the dam, both natural and planned, as well as requirements for state approval for filling in a state waterway and safety concerns for boaters at recommended flows. This discussion should include a high level examination of the need for and the feasibility of an overhead bridge over the river. A discussion of the natural resource impacts associated with the controlled releases, and options to minimize or avoid adverse impacts to the aquatic community. Section 9.0 Progress Reporting and Schedule ( 5.11(b)(2) and 5.11(b)(3)) The following progress reports are proposed: Completion of the recreational flow study will need to be coordinated with the NPS and WDNR. An initial study report will be filed with the Commission no later than August 8, Provide a copy of the final report to all boating participants in the study. Section 10.0 Level of Effort and Cost ( 5.11(d)(3)) The cost for preparing the study plan, conducting the study and preparing the report is expected to be less than $25,000. This cost does not include the lost generation for releasing water into the historic river channel which bypasses the powerhouse.

7 Appendix 1 Map Depicting the Historic River Channel Reaches

8 Appendix 2 Boater Evaluation Form for Each Run.

9 Boater Evaluation Form Grandfather Falls Historic River Channel (To Be Completed After Each Run) Boater Information: (boater information other than name only needs to be completed once) Name: Address: Zip Code: Skill Level (check one): o Advanced o Expert o Elite How many years have you boated at your current skill level? years In the past three years, how many days a month do you boat? days How many times have you boated this run before today? times If you boated this run before: What were the flows? cfs What type of watercraft did you use? How far is this river stretch from you home? miles Timing: Date of the Run What was the flow during the run? cfs Watercraft: What type of watercraft did you use for this run? (check one) o hardshell kayak o Inflatable kayak o canoe o other Locations and Times: Put in Location: Take out Location: Time: Time: Difficulty: How would you rate the difficulty (Class I, Class II, etc.) of each Reach? Reach 1? Reach 2? Reach 3? (please see next page)

10 Enjoyment: Are you likely to return for future boating if today s flow was to be provided? (check one) o Definitely No o Possibly o Probably o Definitely Yes Relative to this specific flow release, would you prefer a flow that was higher, lower, or was this optimum? (check one) o Much Lower o Lower o Higher o Much Higher o Optimum Satisfaction: Please respond to each of the following statements about the characteristics at this flow level (please circle one opinion) Statement Strongly Disagree Disagree No Opinion Agree Strongly Agree Reach 1 is boatable at this flow level. Reach 2 is boatable at this flow level. Reach 3 is boatable at this flow level. Reach 1 is safe at this flow level Reach 2 is safe at this flow level Reach 3 is safe at this flow level Overall this is an aesthetically pleasing run Challenges: Please identify particularly challenging rapids or section and rate their difficult at this flow. Please use the International Whitewater Scale and also note if you portaged. Rapid Location (name of Reach) Whitewater Class Portage? (yes or no) (please see next page)

11 Portages: If you used a portage as indicated in the question above, please rate the difficulty at this flow level. Portage Location (name of site) Easy Slightly Difficult Moderately Difficult Extremely Difficult Thank You for your Time and Consideration

12

13 Appendix 3 Boater Evaluation Form for All Runs.

14 Summary Boater Evaluation Form Grandfather Falls Historic River Channel (To Be Completed After All Runs) Boater Information Name: Address: Zip Code: Skill Level (check one): o Advanced o Expert o Elite Flow Levels: Based upon all of your boating trips at various flow levels, please answer the following: What is the lowest flow (in cfs) you need to simply get down the river in your craft? cfs What is the lowest flow that provides quality boating for this reach? cfs What is the optimal range that provides the best whitewater boating for this reach? cfs What do you feel the highest safe flow is for your craft and skill level? Cfs From a recreational perspective, what is the minimum acceptable flow for this run? cfs For you, what is the optimum flow for this run? cfs What is the best or optimal flow for a "standard" trip? cfs What is the best or optimal flow for a "high challenge" trip? cfs What is the highest safe flow for your craft and skill level? cfs If one flow for boating was released, what flow would you prefer? cfs Run Specifics: Please respond to each of the following statements about the characteristics at this flow level (please circle one opinion) Statement Strongly Disagree Disagree No Opinion Agree Strongly Agree This run is a good length The portages on this run are not a problem. The put in for this run is good The take out for this run is good

15 Use of the Run: Are you likely to return for future boating if the optimum flow would be provided? (check one) o Definitely No o Possibly o Probably o Definitely Yes What months would you return to boat? (check one) o Jan o Feb o Mar o Apr o May o Jun o Jul o Aug o Sep o Oct o Nov o Dec Please rate your interest in boating this reach during the winter if the optimum flow was provided. (check one) o Not interested o Slightly interested o Moderately Interested o Very Interested How would you like to receive flow information? (check one) o Telephone Number with Recording o Website Information o Notification Do you believe any of the flows provided today would be suitable for beginning boaters? (check one) o Definitely No o Possibly o Probably o Definitely Yes If so, Which flow Level(s)? Do you believe any of the flows provided today would be suitable for play boating? (check one) o Definitely No o Possibly o Probably o Definitely Yes If so, Which flow Level(s)? Thank You for your Time and Consideration

16 John McConville Pete Steffes Scott Berry Rob Smadge Appendix 4 Preliminary List of Interested Study Participants