Managing Lake Levels prior to the New License

Gene Ellis just sent out the August issue of The Yadkin Report. In it he spells out clearly how APGI will manage the lake levels during a drought prior to the new license being issued.

Following is an excerpt from the article Drought Management 101:

Managing Drought Conditions Until A New License Is Issued
Alcoa-Yadkin has agreed to adopt many elements of the Low Inflow Protocol to protect our water resources, even though the LIP will not officially become effective until the company receives a new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Here is a general description of how Alcoa-Yadkin intends to manage water levels at the Yadkin lakes until a new license is issued:

• High Rock Lake: If drought conditions cause water levels at High Rock Lake drop more than six inches below the “normal minimum elevation” – which is currently 5 feet below full during the summer recreation season – Alcoa-Yadkin will begin implementing its drought management plan. If drought conditions persist and water levels at High Rock Lake drop more than 1 foot below the normal minimum elevation, Alcoa-Yadkin will begin to draw down Badin Lake until the water level at both lakes is roughly equal. From that point forward, water levels at the two lakes will be drawn down equally on a foot-by-foot basis.
• Badin Lake: Water levels at Badin Lake will typically remain in the normal operating range (within 3 feet of full) until High Rock Lake falls 6 feet below full. If that happens, water levels at Badin Lake will be drawn down until it is roughly equal to High Rock Lake. From that point forward, water levels at the two lakes will be drawn down equally on a foot-by-foot basis.
• Tuckertown and Falls: These are smaller reservoirs with limited storage capacity. Reducing water levels at these reservoirs by three feet is equivalent to drawing down High Rock Lake by about nine inches. Therefore, the water in these reservoirs is typically used only during extreme drought conditions.

You will notice some changes in lake operations after a new license is issued. For instance, one notable difference will be a change in the “normal minimum elevation” at High Rock Lake from 5 feet below full to 4 feet below full.

This is an excellent plan for all involved -- APGI, South Carolina, and Badin Lake users including homeowners, recreational users, and the fish and wildlife.

I will be working with the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin Drought Management Advisory Group (YPD-DMAG) after the license is issued to modify the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) to be more in line with this interum plan. The main difference is to change the Badin Lake Normal Minimum Elevation (NME) from 5 feet below full to 3 feet below full.

Be sure to read the entire article in your issue of The Yadkin Report.

By the way, the North Carolina House last week overwhelmingly voted down the bill to create the Yadkin River Trust. This leaves the State takeover attempt in an awkward position of not having an organization to operate the project. Looks more likely that Alcoa will likely get the new license.

...........................Garry