Wind Turbine Visibility and Visual Impact Threshold Distances in ...

ackdrop of sky and mountains, while Dunlap, as viewed from the SOPs, has a mountain
backdrop.
The observation points were determined by conducting viewshed analyses for the wind
facilities to determine areas with potential visibility of the wind turbines, and then selecting
regularly spaced observation points on the roads within the viewsheds. In some cases, because
of partial screening, SOPs were moved slightly from the regular spacing, or additional SOPs
were identified in nearby locations that afforded less obstructed views or eliminated potentially
distracting foreground elements.
For the Cedar Creek wind facility, SOPs were located between 0.8 km (0.5 mi) and 56.5 km
(35.1 mi) generally west of the facility. A total of 244 observations were made from 105 SOPs,
including 232 observations with visibility ratings. These SOP locations are shown in Figures 2
through 5. The observations were made on 13 days in the course of three field exercises in
March, July, and October 2011.
For the Seven Mile wind facility, SOPs were located between 3.1 km (1.9 mi) and 30.6 km
(19.0 mi) generally east of the facility. A total of 98 observations were made from 35 SOPs,
including 96 observations with visibility ratings. These SOP locations are shown in Figure 6.
The observations were made on six days in the course of three field exercises in March, July,
and October 2011.
For the Dunlap wind facility, SOPs were located between 6.4 km (4.0 mi) and 20.1 km (12.5
mi), with one additional SOP at 38.9 km (24.2 mi), generally southeast of the facility. A total of
28 observations were made from 13 SOPs, including 26 observations with visibility ratings.
These SOP locations are shown in Figure 7. The observations were made on five days in the
course of three field exercises in March, July, and October 2011.
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