susquehanna river hydroelectric projects 1 shawn a. seaman september 27, 2010 image or graphic

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

Shawn A. SeamanSeptember 27, 2010

Image or Graphic

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

Five Major Hydroelectric Facilities on the Lower Susquehanna River:

• York Haven (Olympus Power) – FERC License Exp. 2014

• Safe Harbor (PPL/Constellation)– FERC License Exp. 2030

• Holtwood (PPL)– FERC License amended to 2030

• Muddy Run Pump/Storage (Exelon) – FERC License Exp. 2014

• Conowingo (Exelon)- FERC License Exp. 2014

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

Consequences of Dams

• Blocked migration of American shad, River Herring, Sturgeon, American Eel, etc.

• Project operations affect habitat within the watershed

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

History of Upstream Passage

1972 - Conowingo West Fish Lift

1991 - Conowingo East Fish Lift

1997 - Fish Lifts at Holtwood and Safe Harbor

2000 - Vertical-slot ladder in operation at York Haven

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

ConowingoHoltwoodSafe HarborYork Haven

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

FERC Relicensing

• Holtwood received license amendment, to make major modifications, increase generation and improve fish passage

• York Haven, Muddy Run, and Conowingo started re-licensing in 2009 (2014)

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

Study Requests• Cooperative effort of:

– Maryland DNR, – Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,– Pennsylvania DEP– Susquehanna River Basin Commission– US Fish & Wildlife Service

• Concerns– Environmental, – Fisheries / biological, and – Recreation

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

Conowingo/Muddy Run Studies

• 32 Pre-licensing studies: Ongoing (2010-2011)– Fish passage (including eels): efficiency &

capacity– Flow management: minimum flows & pond levels– Recreation and land management– Water quality: D.O. / sediments / nutrients– Biological surveys: mussels, sturgeon, eagles, etc.

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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects

The Challenge?• To gather all necessary data / information

during the study period in order to develop well-informed, adaptive, licensing conditions

This process will ultimately establish the fate of Susquehanna River fish stocks at least through the year 2044!! (Maybe 2064??)