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Moomaw may get hydro generator
BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER
 | | This chart generated most of the concern and questions at the public hearing last week on the proposed hydro generation turbine at the dam that forms Lake Moomaw. The chart shows a simulation of lake levels under a Reduced Flood Release plan that would be used during winter and spring months. The chart appears to indicate the lake level would be two feet above the current normal pool of 1582 from mid-January to early May. People at the meeting questioned the impact this would have on recreation, the shoreline and downstream turbidity. (Courtesy Jim Price, W.V. Hydro, Inc.) |
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COVINGTON - A proposal to place an electric generating turbine in the intake tower of Gathright Dam moved forward last week after a public hearing at the Charles P. Jones Memorial library in Covington brought little opposition.
The main concerns expressed related to possible impacts on aquatic life downstream of the dam and possible impacts to recreation on Lake Moomaw that could be caused by increased lake levels and changing discharge patterns.
W.V. Hydro president Jim Price assured the two dozen people attending the meeting last Thursday that flows would continue to be adjusted for temperature and oxygen content, as they have been in the past, to maintain downstream water quality.
"Current dam flows, lake elevation and discharge path remain the same with one exception near the end of a flood release," Price said. The project is designed to minimize impacts and not interfere with other uses, he said.
Most questions arose around the "one exception." A chart presented (see illustration) to show the impact of a proposed modified winter release schedule called the "Reduced Flood Release" appears to indicate the level at Lake Moomaw could remain two feet above the current full pool level for much of the winter if the hydro project proceeds.
Under the RFR plan, seasonal flooding would be released as normal until the lake reached an elevation of 1,584 feet above mean sea level. The normal full pool level is 1,582 feet.
Instead of continuing to release water as quickly as possible after a flood to reach the 1,582 level, under the RFR plan, releases would slow at the 1,584 foot level to allow increased power generation from the flood waters. The extra power generated would amount to about 5 percent additional capacity per year, Price said.
Covington City manager Claire Collins asked Price what protections would be in place for the city public water supply, which she characterized as "exceptional quality."
Price responded, "It would be unthinkable they (the Department of Environmental Quality) would let us do anything to degrade water quality."
The Gathright Dam was built and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The special intake tower in the lake above the dam allows the Corps to remove water from the lake at different water levels. The Corps can effectively control the temperature of the discharge based on where water is withdrawn.
The design for the turbine includes a tower that will allow the dam to operate the same way as it does now. That is, water could be withdrawn through the turbine from different levels. Price said it should have the same results as the current system and if it doesn't, the company would be subject to penalties.
"If we are not doing it right, we'll have to adjust," Price said. The Corps would continue to oversee the operation of the dam and would control the amount of water released.
Chairman of the Bath board of supervisors, Jon Trees, and county planner Sherry Ryder attended the meeting last Thursday. Trees said Monday his concern was about possible impacts on the lake and recreation. He felt Price addressed those issues adequately.
The complex permit process will include a required DEQ water quality permit. But most of the process involves the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. W.V. Hydro has been studying the project under a temporary preliminary permit.
It decided last year to proceed with the permit for construction and operation. The plan was first studied in 1980. In all, there will be three public review phases with a license issued in early 2010.
The plan calls for one turbine and generator on the upstream side of the intake tower. The generator will have a maximum capacity of 3,700 kW at 350 cubic feet per second water flow.
The turbine and generator will be in a steel structure that can be lifted from the water path to allow both flood gates to operate as normal in cases of high water. Other system systems will protect the equipment in event of a power outage. The design will minimize the risk of fish entering the water flow and being injured or killed in the turbine.
The license package was distributed in December to local governments and interested parties. Copies may be obtained on CD by emailing Jim Price at jimpricehydro@bellsouth.com. Comments must be made to FERC by May 13. Stakeholders may request additional studies or provide information in support or against the project.
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