Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project

Client: Alcoa Power Generation, Inc. - Yadkin Division

Location: Central North and South Carolina

Summary: Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. - Yadkin Division (APGI) is in the process of relicensing its 203-MW Yadkin Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2197). Concurrently, Progress Energy (Progress) is in the process or relicensing its 108-MW Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2206), located immediately downstream on the Lower Yadkin-Pee Dee River. Though releases from the Yadkin-Pee Dee Hydroelectric Project directly control the flow in the Lower Yadkin-Pee Dee River in North and South Carolina, any flow regime ultimately required by FERC may affect the storage and operation of upstream reservoirs, including APGI?s Yadkin Hydroelectric Project.

APGI therefore has an interest in the design, execution, results and interpretation of the Yadkin-Pee Dee Instream Flow Study, which is being performed by Progress to evaluate the levels of instream, aquatic habitat that would be provided in the Lower Yadkin-Pee Dee River by alternative reservoir operational scenarios. Cardno ENTRIX is objectively and constructively participating in the Instream Flow Study discussions and deliberations within a complex relicensing setting, and is advising APGI about the meaning and potential repercussions of certain issues and study decisions.

Cardno ENTRIX has actively participated in meetings of the Instream Flow Study Subgroup on behalf of APGI. While providing review and technical comment of the study plans and other scoping documents prepared in association with the Instream Flow Study, Cardno ENTRIX benefited the process by contributing knowledge that it has gained from completing instream flow studies in other diverse and unique southeastern streams. Cardno ENTRIX is currently participating in a technical oversight role during data analysis, results evaluation, and development of instream flow recommendations. To further support APGI in the Instream Flow Study process, Cardno ENTRIX is independently developing analytical hydrologic and aquatic habitat decision support tools that will be used to evaluate the effect of alternative flow regime recommendations on instream, aquatic habitat.

Ultimately, Cardno ENTRIX will use knowledge gained from its role in the Instream Flow Study process to assist APGI in the development, evaluation, and negotiation of its instream flow requirements and associated resource agency consultations.