Ash River Water Use Plan

Consultative Committee Meeting # 1

Final Minutes - issued 2000.10.27

MEETING DATE: 18 October 2000
LOCATION: Best Western Barclay Hotel, Port Alberni

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING ATTENDEES:

ITEM DESCRIPTION ACTION BY



1.0 INTRODUCTIONS AND OVERVIEW SW 



Stephen Watson started introductions and summarized the agenda.



2.0 WATER USE PLAN INTRODUCTION SF



Sue Foster provided an overview of the Water Use Planning process and the proposed schedule.



3.0 ASH FACILITY TV/TF



Tom Veary provided an overview of the Ash system. There are four Saddle Dams and one Main Dam. The intake on Elsie takes the water through a 7.4 km tunnel and penstock to the generator on Great Central Lake. A low level outlet in Saddle Dam 1 is used to maintain fish flows. Mention of Elsie Dam Safety Upgrade in progress. Overview of 27 MW powerhouse and how the energy produced is dispersed by the transmission and distribution system.



Question about how much energy the generator can produce or serve. 10 MW will cover the power needs of Port Alberni and the West Coast, excluding the mill. The demand for the Pacifica mill is approximately 100 MW.



Question about energy production of cogeneration plant proposal in Port Alberni, as it is estimated to be around 250-275 MW for combined cycle.



Question about how long will the Elsie Dam last. It would last indefinitely as long as it is maintained. The Dam Safety Program at BC Hydro reviews all dams on an ongoing basis. 



Tom Fung went over the operation of the facility. PowerPoint handout given to table.



Inflows are mainly October through to June.



cms = cubic metres per second. cfs = cubic feet per second. Multiply the cms by 35 to obtain cfs.



Question on if historical information is used to predict next years flow. It does help to have historical information. It does provide medium and average inflows and outflows. Reviewed information from 1971 to 2000. Provides a guide but every year is different.



Inflows measured within Elsie Lake basin. Measure inflows by calculating the change in reservoir elevation after looking at outflow through powerhouse intake and any spill via the low level outlet and the free crest weir.



Question if BC Hydro finds inflows to be 0 or negative. If outflow is more than inflows, over time, generation will be curtailed at 317.91 metres to conserve water for fish. If there is little inflow in July – Aug, then generation is curtailed. 



Question if data is available to the public. Some information, such as reservoir water levels, on BC Hydro website (www.bchydro.com). The historical yearly data is not on the website. 



Question on how outflow measurements are determined. This is done by looking at MW generation along with how much water passes through the low level outlet. When Elsie Reservoir is spilling over free crest weir spillway, can determine discharge curve over spillway to calculate total outflow.



At Moran Creek there is a minimum fish flow requirement of 125 cfs.



Question on how much water does Elsie contribute to the total watershed downstream. This will have to be determined, but previous estimates look at about 5%.



A new notch or channel in the overflow spillway is constructed with the bottom of the channel at 324 metres (normal level is330.71 metres). It is about 7 metres deep, 120 metres long and 21 metres wide. The channel will be plugged back to original elevation once the dam safety upgrade is complete.



Generally went over operating strategies, which is to optimize energy and also consider the environment.



The facility tends to shut down around August. This year it was due to the safety upgrade and spillway notch. Once below 320 metres then generation is lessened form 27 MW to 10 MW, and after 317.91 metres, energy is curtailed for fish flows.



Water license shown. AF = acre feet, MCM = million cubic metres. 1 square acre is one foot deep.



The average annual inflows into the basin is about 24 cms. The BC Hydro water license allows for average 12 cms through the year.



Question if BC Hydro measures water quality. No. Super saturation has been measured in the past. If an issue it will be addressed.



Question about how often the water license is reviewed. Issued in 1959. Not sure how often it is reviewed. Believe it has not been reviewed since then. 





4.0 OVERVIEW OF PRELIMINARY ISSUES SW



Three-page handout given to group on the preliminary issues gathered from questionnaires, phone and e-mail conversations, and the Ash WUP Open House held September 27. Mention that these are preliminary and are to provide a starting point for discussion.



Recreation:

Under Recreation below Elsie Dam, comment to add swimming and beach access along river system. The access issue pertaining to river flows also applies to fishing opportunities. 



Fish:

Under Fish in the Ash River, the second bullet down mentioning temperature impacts on fish, it does mention Sockeye but it should include various fish species as well.



Under General Fish Issues mention that there are various fish enhancement issues/projects along the watershed. Flows would impact those projects.



Question about cold water and impacts on fish downstream. Cold water from intake and low level outlet can lead to stratification. Will need to investigate more. 



Discussion about entrainment. Mention that this is both a footprint and operational issue, but mainly the latter. The WUP Management Committee is currently reviewing this issue with a decision coming around March 2001. Essentially it is to determine if it is a problem, how much of a problem it is, and if the loss of fish is acceptable – meaning the amount of fish fatalities are small.



The issue was raised about the removal of nutrients out of the system as it goes out of the intake and the low level outlet. Water coming out of penstock and outlet tends to be clear with minimal nutrient levels. 



Mention was made by DFO representative that they use the WUP process as a screening tool under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.



Wildlife:

No additional comments.



Heritage:

Mention that First Nations have found artifacts in and around Elsie Reservoir. There have been no studies to date regarding traditional use and heritage.



Medicinal and ceremonial plants, and cleansing and cultural areas are around Elsie. 



Power Generation:

No additional comments.



Flooding:

Flooding not only a concern for residents along Ferguson Road area but also First Nations land. 



Mention of Elsie Dam Safety Upgrade and that if water levels are above the loose layer, and a major earthquake occurs, the dam could deform and possibly lead to dam failure. A linkage is set up with Port Alberni Emergency preparedness plan in the event of dam failure and flooding. The newly excavated channel will keep levels below this loose layer, but in the unlikely event that Elsie Reservoir levels do rise above 326 metres there is an enhanced response plan in place. It provides for a 24 hour surveillance of the dam. An immediate inspection of the dam is completed if there is a major earthquake. Table member wanted the potential flooding issue listed.

ACTION: Stephen Watson to provide Elsie Dam Safety Upgrade brochure to WUP Committee.



Other Issues/Considerations when conducting the Water Use Plan:

Within third bullet down mention that should be clarification about Great Central Lake used as a water supply source. Should not be ‘could be used’ but ‘will be used’ as a water source. 



Mention that the Beaver Creek Improvement District takes water out of the watershed to serve about 3400 homes.



Question about fish flows released down Ash River from dam. Mention that the minimum flow requirement is 125 cfs at Moran Creek but only 10-25 cfs may have to be released from dam depending on the time of year. If the tributaries above Moran Creek cannot contribute the water required for 125 cfs at Moran Creek then the flow from Elsie is increased to ensure that the 125 cfs is maintained. Unsure where the other 100 cfs come from in context of which tributaries and other water sources.



ACTION: Provide 11x17 copies of map showing area around Elsie down to Port Alberni. 

(It is a Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks – Water Branch map.) 



Post meeting note: the log pulling refers to stop logs used to control the level at the Pacifica Dam on Great Central Lake, and not the sorting of any logging activity.



Other Items not covered in the above headings:

Issue of erosion downstream of the dams. What are the impacts? Group unaware if it is an issue or not. Erosion can also lead to water quality issues. 



Question if can more issues can be added to the list. Discussion that this is a list in progress. The issues will/may be added to over the next two months. 





5.0 TERMS OF REFERENCE SW



A draft of the Terms of Reference was handed out.



In section 5.0 the target date for the delivery of the report is March 13.



In section 7.3 mention that BC Hydro staff work with other agencies to obtain, review, and initiate various studies. These additional groups could include the entire committee, but specifically, BC Hydro works with Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks along with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Mention that BC Hydro not only manages but resources these issues. This preface should be within the section on assisting with technical activities of the WUP.



Question about number of people on committee and if someone wants to join after Step 3 of the WUP process. The preliminary estimate of the committee is less than 20. The number of Observers could be 10. This will be determined over the next six weeks. If someone wants to join further along in the process, it will be up to the committee to decide if that person should join. Specifically this is covered in section 6.3.



Discussion that there are members around the table involved with other WUPs (such as Jordan River and Campbell River). A diversity of knowledge and experience not only in WUPs, but in specific areas of expertise. 





6.0 CONSULTATIVE WORK PLAN SW



Draft Ash WUP Work Plan handed out. 



Approximately 10 to 14 meetings to be held until completion in March 2002.



Discussion that could have a two-day meeting if the committee thinks it could be helpful.



Questioned asked to group if anyone who should be at the table is not. Mention if Darlene Clark has been contacted (Alberni District Sportsman’s Association): yes. Mention if farmers have been contacted: yes (Shannon Dairy and the Farmers Institute). Some participants contacted may not have been able to attend. No resident (Ferguson Road) representative for the flooding issues present. Will need to ensure that missing persons are informed.



Discussion that the WUP committee and observers will be confirmed at the December meeting. Will continue to work on issues document and develop the WUP Work Plan.



Question if previous WUP committees have had their water use plans approved and followed by the Water Comptroller. There have only been two WUPs completed, with one of those before the general WUP process started. So far there has yet to be any precedent as to how much the WUP recommendations made by WUP committees are followed. This is a new process as part of the water license. Mentioned that the Water Comptroller does have the right to review the final WUP report for Ash and make his/her own decisions to follow it exactly. It is discretionary. It is unlikely that recommendations would not be followed since it is the agreement of the various representatives around the Ash facility. 





7.0 MISC AND NEXT MEETING SW



Handouts: PowerPoint overview of Ash system; Preliminary list of Issues; Draft Terms of Reference; Powering Our Future; Electricity Market and BC Hydro Operations; Water Use Planning brochure; Financing Water use Plans – Background Paper; and Principles of Water Use Planning for BC Hydro



Next meeting is November 8 and it will be a site tour. Transportation and lunch will be provided by BC Hydro. The tentative meeting time will be 9:30 –3:00. The group confirmed the third meeting date as December 6. Discussion that the Barclay Hotel meeting room is fine for the WUP process. Mention to bring tables closer together in future so people can hear each other’s comments better. 



Wednesdays will be the meeting dates – will not be the last Wednesday of the month.



People are welcome to go to the BC Hydro Water Use Planning website, within the BC Hydro website, at www.bchydro.com/wup.

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