Dissolved oxygen levels are a key indicator of water quality and are often used by state agencies as a benchmark. Alcoa Power Generating (APGI) has been closely monitoring dissolved oxygen levels at the Yadkin Project since 2007 and provides an annual report to the state. The Yadkin Project is not currently subjected to state standards for dissolved oxygen, but it will be once a new federal license is issued.
The report shows that turbine upgrades and other enhancements made several years ago have continued to improve water quality at the Yadkin Project.
“The investments we’ve made at Narrows Dam continue to enhance water quality,” said Ray Barham, APGI’s Yadkin Relicensing Manager. “We’ve spent more than $5 million in new technology at the Narrows Dam and it has been very effective at improving downstream water quality.”
Quality Improves As Water Flows Through the Yadkin Project
Water enters the Yadkin Project at High Rock Lake with relatively low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. After traveling 38 miles down the Yadkin River and passing through four dams operated by APGI, the water quality improves significantly before it is discharged at the Falls Dam.
In 2013, water discharged from High Rock Dam met the state standard for dissolved oxygen 78% of the time (based on daily average measurements). It met those same standards 100% when discharged from Narrows Dam and Falls Dam.
$80 Million in Additional Investments Planned by Alcoa
APGI has committed to investing up to $80 million to continue improving water quality at the Yadkin Project, beginning with a $40 million investment at High Rock Lake. APGI will install three “through-the-blade” aerating turbines at High Rock once the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issues a new license for the Yadkin Project. The engineering, planning, and model testing of the new turbines has already been completed.
“We will begin work at High Rock Dam as soon as we receive a new license,” Barham said.
Summary of 2013 Dissolved Oxygen Report Findings
The state measures dissolved oxygen concentrations in two different ways: through instantaneous measurements recorded every 15 minutes, and with a daily average of all measurements in a given day. Here is how the four Yadkin dams performed in 2013 versus a state standard that will take effect when a new federal license is issued:
High Rock Dam (Water enters the Yadkin Project at High Rock)
77.8% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 39% over 2012)
93.4% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Up 34.2% over 2012)
Tuckertown Dam
70.1% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 36.9% over 2012)
87.4% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Up 36.6% over 2012)
The report shows that turbine upgrades and other enhancements made several years ago have continued to improve water quality at the Yadkin Project.
“The investments we’ve made at Narrows Dam continue to enhance water quality,” said Ray Barham, APGI’s Yadkin Relicensing Manager. “We’ve spent more than $5 million in new technology at the Narrows Dam and it has been very effective at improving downstream water quality.”
Quality Improves As Water Flows Through the Yadkin Project
Water enters the Yadkin Project at High Rock Lake with relatively low concentrations of dissolved oxygen. After traveling 38 miles down the Yadkin River and passing through four dams operated by APGI, the water quality improves significantly before it is discharged at the Falls Dam.
In 2013, water discharged from High Rock Dam met the state standard for dissolved oxygen 78% of the time (based on daily average measurements). It met those same standards 100% when discharged from Narrows Dam and Falls Dam.
$80 Million in Additional Investments Planned by Alcoa
APGI has committed to investing up to $80 million to continue improving water quality at the Yadkin Project, beginning with a $40 million investment at High Rock Lake. APGI will install three “through-the-blade” aerating turbines at High Rock once the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issues a new license for the Yadkin Project. The engineering, planning, and model testing of the new turbines has already been completed.
“We will begin work at High Rock Dam as soon as we receive a new license,” Barham said.
# # #
Summary of 2013 Dissolved Oxygen Report Findings
The state measures dissolved oxygen concentrations in two different ways: through instantaneous measurements recorded every 15 minutes, and with a daily average of all measurements in a given day. Here is how the four Yadkin dams performed in 2013 versus a state standard that will take effect when a new federal license is issued:
High Rock Dam (Water enters the Yadkin Project at High Rock)
77.8% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 39% over 2012)
93.4% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Up 34.2% over 2012)
Tuckertown Dam
70.1% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 36.9% over 2012)
87.4% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Up 36.6% over 2012)
Narrows Dam (New technology installed in 2001 and 2007)
100% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 0.5% over 2012)
99.9% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Same as 2012)
Falls Dam (Water exits the Yadkin Project at Falls)
100% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 13.7% over 2012)
100% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Up 3.4% over 2012)
Additional Notes
1. The state standards for dissolved oxygen do not currently apply to the Yadkin Project, but the rule will be applicable under a new federal license.
2. Differences in hydrologic, meteorological and/or other natural conditions or tailwater aquatic vegetation can effect dissolved oxygen levels from one year to the next.
100% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 0.5% over 2012)
99.9% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Same as 2012)
Falls Dam (Water exits the Yadkin Project at Falls)
100% compliance with new standard - Daily Average Measurement (Up 13.7% over 2012)
100% compliance with new standard - Instantaneous Measurement (Up 3.4% over 2012)
Additional Notes
1. The state standards for dissolved oxygen do not currently apply to the Yadkin Project, but the rule will be applicable under a new federal license.
2. Differences in hydrologic, meteorological and/or other natural conditions or tailwater aquatic vegetation can effect dissolved oxygen levels from one year to the next.
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