Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
Permit/
License
No. Type of Use Source Direct Diversion Off-stream Storage
Hell Hole reservoir 40 cfs b All
year
Hell Hole reservoir Maximum 17,640
acre-feet/year
a Also known as Permit 20750.
b Permit 20754 and License 12644 are additive.
Water Quality
In the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento and San Joaquin Basins
(basin plan), the Central Valley Regional Water Board designates existing and potential
beneficial uses and water quality objectives for the Middle Fork American River and its
tributaries (Central Valley Water Board, 2011). Existing designated beneficial uses of
surface waters in project-affected waters include municipal and domestic water supply,
irrigation and stock watering, contact and non-contact recreation, power production, cold
freshwater habitat, coldwater spawning, and wildlife habitat. Potential designated
beneficial uses of project waters includes warm freshwater habitat. Table 3.3.2-7 shows
the basin plan water quality objectives to support these designated beneficial uses.
Table 3.3.2-7. Water quality objectives to support designated beneficial uses in the
project area (Source: Central Valley Water Board, 2011).
Water Quality
Objective Description
Water
Temperature
The natural receiving water temperature of interstate waters shall not
be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the
Regional Water Quality Control Board that such alteration in water
temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses. Increases in
water temperatures must be less than 5 degrees Fahrenheit above
natural receiving-water temperature.
Bacteria Fecal coliform concentration: less than a geometric average of 200 per
100 milliliters water on five samples collected in any 30-day period
and less than 400 per 100 milliliters on 10 percent of all samples taken
in a 30-day period.
Biostimulatory
Substances
Water shall not contain biostimulatory substances that promote aquatic
growth in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect
beneficial uses.
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