ConcordKannapolis Interbasin Transfer IBT: Supplement 1 Rivers and IBTs: Why Upstream Is Affected

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Concord-Kannapolis Interbasin Transfer (IBT)
Supplement 1 Rivers and IBTs Why Upstream Is
Affected
August 2006

• George Johnson
• Professor Of Operations
• Management, Retired, RIT

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Rivers and IBTs

• Free Flowing Downstream effects only
• Rivers with Reservoirs Both upstream and
  downstream effects (I.e., the Catawba)

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IBT In Ordinary Free-flowing River
(For Illustration Not to Scale)
Without Diversion
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Free-flowing River, cont.
(For Illustration Not to Scale)
Without Diversion
With Diversion (IBT)
Flow Lost Downstream
IBT
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River with Interdependent Reservoirs

• IBTs effects not limited to downstream
• Catawba not free-flowing river
• 11 reservoirs with dams (like series of bathtubs
  linked by the river)
• Duke Power releases water upstream to
• Generate electricity
• Meet downstream needs
• Municipal water (drinking, sanitation, fire
  fighting)
• Recreation
• Replace diverted IBT water
• Thus, upstream is affected, too

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River with Reservoirs and IBT Diversion
No Compensating Releases From Dams Upstream
Preserves Stored Water
Lake James
Flow Lost Downstream
SC
Most Critical Storage . Supports Any Part of
Basin below it.
IBT
(Not to Scale)
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River with Reservoirs and IBT, cont.
Releases from Reservoirs to Replace Lost
Water Affect Upstream
Stored Water is Lost Upstream
Flow Recovered Downstream
IBT
(Not to Scale)
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River with Reservoirs, IBT and Drought
IBT Increases Releases from Reservoirs
(Not to Scale)
Drought/Low Inflow
More Stored Water Lost Upstream
Flow Maintained Downstream
Most Critical Storage
IBT

• Communities upstream need protection, too

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Normal Useable Storage (NUS)
Reservoir
Full Pond Level
Normal Useable Storage (In Acre-Feet)
Critical Depth First Pipe Exposed
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Normal Useable Storage (NUS) At/Above Proposed
IBT Site (LakeNorman)
Reservoir NUS (Acre-Ft.) Critical Depth Lake
James 181,287 Down 39 Lake Rhodhiss
17,836 Down 10.6 Lake Hickory 23,223
Down 6 Lookout Shoals 16,769 Down 25 Lake
Norman 298,142 Down 10
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Strategic Location of Lake James

• In a serious emergency Lake James stored water
  is the insurance policy for the rest of the
  Catawba basin below it
• The lake should not be the sacrificial lamb for
  the Yadkin-Pee Dee basin
• If its bad for Lake James, its bad for the
  Catawba

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IBT Summary

• Ignores Y-PD water supply advantage over Catawba
• Permanently reduces growth potential of Catawba
  basin
• True impact unknown - Final Environmental Impact
  Statement is full of errors
• Poor public policy
• Would reward
• Unrestrained growth in C-K
• Poor water quality practices in Y-PD basin
• Conclusion
• Reject IBT as proposed use Y-PD basin water only
  
• Pass NC SB 1561

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What You Can Do

• C-K IBT
• Send a letter or email with your concerns to
  NCDENR Phil.Fragapane_at_ncmail.net
• Emphasize effects on economic development,
  environmental impacts, poor public policy and
  public recreation
• Call EMC members, Governor, Lt. Governor,
  Senators, Representatives, etc.
• Attend Sept. 7th public meeting Old Rock
  School, 400 W. Main St., Valdese, 5 PM (Arrive at
  4 PM)(Written and oral comments)
• NC Department of Environment and Natural
  Resources

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What You Can Do, cont

• IBT Legislation
• Ask state Senators and Representatives to push
  for Sen. Clodfelters bill SB 1561
• LIP (FERC Duke Power)
• Attend public relicensing hearing when it occurs

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The (Desired) End