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Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

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. Hydrology <strong>and</strong> Water Quality: The water quality of <strong>the</strong> AllisonCreek dra1nage 15 11ttle affected by conditions o<strong>the</strong>r than natural, <strong>and</strong>is considered typical of a small, glacial fed system.A recording <strong>the</strong>rmograph was installed in Allison Creek at <strong>the</strong> weir inJune 1979 <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> data will be collected <strong>for</strong> several more years. Therecordings indicate tnat high temperatures occur in August <strong>and</strong> lowtemperatures of 0 degrees Celsius first occur in early November (AppendixE, Table 1). Two additional tnermographs to record intergrave1temperatures of Allison Creek <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> intertidal area are proposed <strong>for</strong>installation.A stream gage was installed in Allison Creek in March of <strong>1981</strong>, <strong>and</strong> willcontinue to monitor stream flows until at least project completion.Calculated flows have been established <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> drainage basin usingmeteoroloq;cal data from 1948 to 1977 (Appendix E, Table 2). The datainaicate unregulated flows <strong>and</strong> predict flows which would occur uponproject completion. Estimates were also calculated to predict averageinflows to Allison Creek below Allison Lake (Appendix E, Taule 3). Tneseestimates were derived only to predict flows whicn may occur in additionto <strong>the</strong> diverted flows. It should be noted that <strong>the</strong>se flows are onlyestimates <strong>and</strong> may not precisely indicate actual flows.Water qua 1 ity ana lys i s <strong>for</strong> All i son Creek was per<strong>for</strong>med <strong>for</strong> A lyeskaPipeline Service on several occasions between 22 February 1975 <strong>and</strong>11 April 1977. Water quality analysis of Allison Lake was per<strong>for</strong>med by<strong>the</strong> Alaska District on 7 May 1979 (Appendix E, Table 4).The proposed PRT action would not affect <strong>the</strong> aquatic environment.c. Es<strong>the</strong>tics: The scenic value in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Valdez</strong> area is stillconsidered high. The view from tne city of <strong>Valdez</strong> of <strong>the</strong> proposedhydroelectric project area is of steep mountainous terrain with <strong>the</strong>natural values marred by <strong>the</strong> Alyeska Oil Terminal. Nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> lake nor<strong>the</strong> creek can be seen from <strong>the</strong> city <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> creek cannot be viewed by <strong>the</strong>general public due to its location on restricted Alyeska property.The proposed site <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> PRT is located south of <strong>the</strong> Lowe <strong>River</strong> in anarea changed by <strong>the</strong> construction of <strong>the</strong> Trans-Alaska pipeline. Thees<strong>the</strong>tic values have been changed in this area where <strong>the</strong> pipeline isunaerground, however <strong>the</strong> values are not considered poor.2. Biologicala. Vegetation: The transmission line corridor between Allison Creek<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Solomon Gulch substation is typified by dense coniferous <strong>for</strong>estof Sitka spruce ana mountain hemlock with an Llnderstory of alder <strong>and</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r shrubs. The area of <strong>the</strong> proposed powerhouse <strong>and</strong> lower reaches ofpenstock support tall thickets consisting primarily of alder with somesalmonberry, blueberry, ana devils club. Portions of <strong>the</strong> area have beendisturbed by <strong>the</strong> Alyeska terminal <strong>and</strong> pipeline construction. Tne steepEIS-4

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