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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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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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??)