(updated) October 1995 WATER CONTROL PLAN FOR JOHN H. KERR DAM AND RESERVOIR A. INTRODUCTION The water control plan for John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir describes the proper operation of the project during floods as well as for hydropower generation, low flow regulation, and other project purposes. This plan is an updated extract from the Reservoir Regulation Manual, Appendix A, for Kerr Reservoir. The water control plan is discussed in the following sections B through G. B. OBJECTIVES OF RESERVOIR REGULATION 1. General. The authorized purposes and operating objectives for John H. Kerr Reservoir are listed below: a. Flood control b. Hydroelectric power c. Recreation d. Water supply e. Fish and wildlife f. Low flow augmentation 2. Reservoir operation for flood control. The primary objective of the project is flood control and a storage of 1,278,000 acre-feet between elevations 300 and 320 feet, mean sea level (m.s.l.) has been reserved exclusively for the detention storage of flood waters. In addition, there will be a seasonal drawdown below elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., which provides incidental flood control benefits. The objective of flood control operation is to control floods along the Roanoke River below Kerr Dam. Flood waters temporarily stored in the reservoir above elevation 300 feet m.s.l., will be released at the maximum rate possible without causing significantly damaging stages downstream. Higher releases will be made only when forecasts of inflow indicate such releases are necessary to prevent a reservoir rise above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l. Details of flood operation are described in section C. 3. Reservoir operation for power. The Kerr project will operate as a peaking plant. Most of the energy produced will be generated at varying rates during some portion of those hours designated as on- peak by the customers (84 hours per week). The remainder of the energy produced will be generated incidental to reservoir regulation of flood flows. The reservoir will be operated to attain the following objectives when the headwater elevation is at or below maximum conservation pool elevation. a. During the most adverse stream flows of record, the Kerr project will assure the availability of the dependable capacity sold. However, power will be produced at less than dependable rate when necessary because of downstream conditions. b. Maximum revenue will be provided from the sale of energy and capacity. c. Additional benefits to flood control from flow regulation will be provided. To be of the greatest value to the user (and thus provide the greatest monetary return to the Federal Government), the amount of power which can be guaranteed to be available at all times must be kept as high as possible, and spillage of water or generation of power when the demand is light must be kept as low as possible. To attain the additional benefits from flow regulation, it is desirable to draw down the reservoir when the streamflow is low to provide additional space for capturing potentially dangerous flood flows. These objectives are reflected in the terms of the contract for the sale of power and are accomplished by drawing down the conservation pool in the summer and fall months when natural streamflow is generally low, and refilling in the winter and early spring months when the natural streamflow is usually high. The Corps of Engineers will operate the Kerr Power Plant and deliver the entire output thereof (less the power and energy required in the operation of the project) to Virginia Power Company (VPCO) on its 115-kv lines in the Kerr station switchyard. The power operation is subject to such regulations concerning the maximum and minimum release of water from the reservoir for flood control and stream regulation as may be established by the Wilmington District. The guide curve and operating instructions will be used as the basis for scheduling generation at the plant. The current plan of operation for John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir is to maintain the reservoir level at or near the guide curve elevation. The reservoir guide curve is shown on plate 1. Details of reservoir operation for power generation are described in section D. 4. Operation for recreation. The project will be operated for recreation in the reservoir to the maximum extent possible without serious interference with the purposes of flood control and hydropower generation. Operation in accordance with the established guide curve and rules of operation provides a full pool during the main recreation season in all but extremely dry years. 5. Operation for water supply. Normally, there are no special reservoir operations required for water supply withdrawals. Local interests who have contracted for water supply shall have storage rights in John H. Kerr Reservoir as long as storage space is available in the conservation pool between elevations 268 and 300 feet, m.s.l. Several water supply contracts to utilize water storage space in Kerr Reservoir are in effect. Details of these water supply contracts are discussed in section E. 6. Operation for pollution abatement and fish and wildlife. In accordance with the Federal license issued for the Gaston-Roanoke Rapids power project, VPCO (also referred to as the North Carolina Power Company) will release water from the Roanoke Rapids Dam specified for maintenance of proper quantity and quality of water in the lower Roanoke River valley. Additional flows that are required during the striped bass spawning season are made possible by releasing additional water from Kerr Reservoir. These flows are reregulated by the Roanoke Rapids Dam. These flows place an additional demand on the storage available at the Kerr project. At present, the additional flows for the striped bass are provided by storing water in the flood control space during the spring of the year, before and during the striped bass season. Details of the requirements and the means by which the project meets these requirements are included in section D. 7. Mosquito-control operations. Kerr Reservoir mosquito-control operations will be performed in accordance with ER 1130-2-413, pest control program for civil works projects. Corps of Engineers' policy is to respond whenever an authorized public health agency declares an emergency health hazard. It is also the policy not to participate in general pest/mosquito control programs to eliminate nuisance pests. Nuisance pest/mosquito program will only be performed on lands adjacent to Corps managed public recreation facilities, operation and maintenance areas. Water level management will include, whenever possible (without much power revenue loss or downstream damage) a gradual drawdown of the conservation pool during the hot summer months. C. FLOODTIME OPERATION 1. Method of operation. The method of operation planned for Kerr Dam and Reservoir is generally designed to make maximum beneficial use of available storage in each flood event. Whenever the reservoir rises into the flood storage space or whenever a rise into the flood storage space is assured, the release will be such as to regulate the flow at the Roanoke Rapids gage as follows: TABLE 1 Planned Floodtime Releases Reservoir elev. Release ft., m.s.l. c.f.s. ----------- ------ 300-312 20,000 312-315 25,000 315-320 35,000 320-321 85% of inflow 321 Inflow 2. Regulation within the conservation pool range. The reservoir guide curve and operating instructions are discussed in section D. This curve represents the lower limit of reservoir level throughout the year. If primary energy only is generated when the reservoir level falls below the curve, there would be no time within the period of available record when primary energy could not have been produced. The space in the reservoir between the maximum conservation pool elevation and reservoir guide curve elevation will be evacuated as much as practical by the application of rules presented in section D in order to provide additional reservoir capacity for the control of floods. Although the reservoir may be below the maximum conservation pool level (elevation 300 feet, m.s.l.), water will be released from Kerr Reservoir at rates required for flood control whenever forecasts indicate that there is enough water on the watershed to fill the reservoir above elevation 300 feet, m.s.l. 3. Control point for reservoir releases. The control point for releases from the reservoir is at the Roanoke Rapids gage, NC, which is within a few miles of the upstream end of the portion of the river subject to the major damage from flooding. Forecasts of stage at this gage are used by inhabitants along the river below the gage in determining what measures to take to protect lives and property. The local watershed between Kerr Dam and Roanoke Rapids contains about 645 square miles and contributes a significant amount of flow to the Roanoke River. A portion of this flow will be stored in the 3 feet of flood storage provided in Gaston Lake and the conservation pool at Roanoke Rapids Lake until the release from Kerr can be reduced. Below the Roanoke Rapids gage the watershed is narrow and runoff reaches the river in a few hours. Coordinating releases from Kerr with the stream flow originating in this area is impractical because the time of travel from the dam is about 3 days. The objective controlled discharge at the Roanoke Rapids gage during each flood time operation will be based on a forecast of inflow to the reservoirs. The release from Kerr will be equal to the objective discharge at the Roanoke Rapids gage less the release to be made from flood storage in Gaston Lake. The flood storage space in Gaston Lake should be emptied as soon as possible by reducing the outflow from Kerr. It should not be necessary to reduce generation of on-peak energy at Kerr in order to empty the flood storage space in Gaston Lake. The discharge at the Roanoke Rapids gage will be permitted to exceed 35,000 c.f.s. only when necessary to prevent filling Kerr Reservoir above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., and/or filling Gaston Lake above 203 feet, m.s.l. Forecasts of inflow will be periodically revised as more stream flow and/or rainfall data accumulates and the desired outflow determined and adjusted if necessary. The object of this operation will be to obtain a maximum reduction in flood crests while utilizing all the available storage up to elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., in Kerr Reservoir. 4. Emptying operation. Previous paragraphs indicate that a flow of at least 20,000 c.f.s. will be established whenever the reservoir is above elevation 300 feet, m.s.l. Reservoir performance in the August 1940 flood indicated that it would have been safe to have held the reservoir at elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., until the inflow (and outflow) decreased to 35,000 c.f.s. and to have then maintained a discharge of 35,000 c.f.s. until the flood control space was emptied. However, in the event that a discharge greater than 35,000 c.f.s. is established in controlling a flood, it is believed desirable to maintain this discharge until the reservoir is partially emptied so as to provide some flood storage space as soon as possible even though this means prolonging the existence of damaging flows. Therefore, the reservoir will be operated so as to maintain the maximum discharge already established in a given flood when the outflow is above 35,000 c.f.s., until the reservoir falls to elevation 315 feet, m.s.l., thus providing enough flood control storage to hold one inch of runoff from the drainage area above Kerr Dam before again establishing a discharge of 35,000 c.f.s. 5. Surcharge storage. Deliberate use of surcharge storage was not anticipated in the design of Kerr Dam or the gate operating machinery or in the land acquisition program in the reservoir. The design of the project was based on resisting a rise above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., by discharging inflow until the spillway gates were all open. The spillway rating curve indicates that a discharge of about 610,000 c.f.s. is possible with the reservoir at elevation 320 feet, m.s.l. Under such an operation, a reservoir rise above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., would be extremely unlikely as it could occur only after the spillway gates were fully open in a flood which had an inflow in excess of 610,000 c.f.s. 6. Restriction to use of surcharge storage. The following features of the project, as constructed, limit the use of surcharge storage: a. From Kerr Dam upstream to Clarksville, Va., the land has been acquired only to about elevation 320 feet, m.s.l. While the flooding of this land above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., would not cause serious damage, it could result in numerous damage claims. b. The motors for the water supply and sewage pumps at and in the vicinity of Clarksville and further upstream and downstream are located slightly above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l. (approximately elevation 323 feet, m.s.l.). c. Primary highways and railroads have been raised or relocated so that low steel is at elevation 325 feet, m.s.l., or above. d. There is no freeboard on the top of the spillway gates, which are at elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., when fully closed. e. The gate operating indicators and machinery are at about elevation 323 feet, m.s.l., and the base of the motors is at about elevation 325 feet, m.s.l. Thus a rise of the reservoir above elevation 323 feet, m.s.l., before the gates are fully open could make gate operation hazardous with the further possibility that wave action might immobilize the motors and make further opening of the gates impossible. 7. Planned use of surcharge storage. Surcharge storage will be used to a limited extent by discharging 85 percent of inflow whenever a rising reservoir is between elevation 320 and 321 feet, m.s.l. Inflow used as a basis for determination of discharge required shall be actual inflow in emergency operation and a forecast maximum inflow in normal operation. Rise above elevation 321 feet, m.s.l., will be resisted by discharging 100 percent of inflow. Analysis of various floods indicate that the natural peak is about 85 percent or more of the peak inflow to the reservoir. This will insure reduction of any flood flow to that which would have occurred naturally (up to approximately the magnitude of the August 1940 flood peak inflow 320,000 c.f.s.) when the reservoir is at elevation 320 feet, m.s.l. While floods having peak inflows from 320,000 to 640,000 c.f.s., (capacity of the spillway at elevation 321 feet, m.s.l.) could be made worse with the reservoir at elevation 320 feet, m.s.l. at the beginning of the flood, such an occurrence is extremely unlikely. Safety considerations dictate that all spillway gates should be fully open before there is any possibility that they might be immobilized by the rising reservoir. Therefore, a rise above elevation 321 feet, m.s.l., will not be permitted until all spillway gates are fully open. 8. Spillway gate regulation schedules. Generally, releases directed by the Coastal, Hydrology, and Hydraulics Section (SAWEP-EC) will be based on the forecast of the volume of runoff and the hydrograph of inflow to the reservoir. However, a gate regulation schedule has also been developed which will enable SAWEP-EC to make a quick determination of the required release. This schedule may also be used by the damtender as an emergency operation tool in the event that communication with SAWEP-EC fails and the only data known to the damtender is that available at the dam. A gate regulation schedule was developed in accordance with EM 1110-2- 3600. The minimum outflow required to prevent a reservoir rise above elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., for any given inflow and reservoir elevation can be determined from this schedule. This gate regulation schedule was prepared by drawing a family of curves based on a number of individual determinations as follows: a. A given value of inflow was assumed to be a peak. b. Recession following this peak flow was assumed similar to a spillway design type storm, which is as steep as any recorded. This fixes the volume under the recession hydrograph. c. A given value of outflow will fix the amount of water which must be stored in order to maintain that outflow from the peak until inflow equals outflow. d. Subtracting the volume of stored water as determined in "c" above from the reservoir capacity at elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., determines the reservoir elevation at time of peak inflow assumed in "a" above such that the reservoir will be filled to elevation 320 feet, m.s.l., during the flood. e. Inflow, outflow, and reservoir elevation determine one point on the family of curves. The inflow to the reservoir at any time can be determined by either (1) discharge data recorded at Paces and Randolph, Virginia stream gages plus the local discharge as computed by the unit hydrograph, or (2) by the change in reservoir storage and the prevailing outflow at the dam. Determinations by each method will be made by SAWEP-EC and checked, one against the other. Hourly inflow computations are available from the SCADA system at the powerhouse. These computations will be made manually by powerhouse personnel on form SAW-35 when necessary. 9. Emergency operation and instructions to Kerr powerhouse operators. In the event of failure of communications between the dam and the District Office, the damtender will regulate the reservoir in accordance with the emergency procedure outlined below. Instructions to dam and powerhouse operators concerning hydrologic data collection and instructions for normal and emergency operation will be discussed in section E. Also, for emergency procedures, the dam and powerhouse operators are to follow the specific instructions as stated in the "John H. Kerr Dam Emergency Operation for Flood Control" manual (issued separately from this water control plan) in the event of failure of communications between the dam and SAWEP-EC. In such emergency operation the control point will be the dam rather than the Roanoke Rapids gage. The emergency procedure is adequate to insure a safe, reasonably efficient operation of the reservoir throughout the flood by trained powerhouse personnel. Extended failure of communication is unlikely. However, should communications fail during a major flood, one or more persons from SAWEP-EC could be sent to the project within a few hours to direct reservoir releases. Emergency operation will begin when the reservoir rises above elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., and it is not possible to contact SAWEP-EC personnel because of communication failure or other reason. A discharge of 20,000 c.f.s. from the dam will be established and continued until a higher discharge is indicated by the Emergency Operation Chart. The required outflow will be determined from the chart. The outflow will be adjusted, if necessary, each hour based on average inflow in the preceding four hours and the current reservoir elevation. Any outflow established will not be decreased (unless actual error in data or computation caused establishment of an incorrect release) until the reservoir has been emptied to elevation 300 feet, m.s.l. After the reservoir has been emptied to elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., normal operations will be resumed. In the event the reservoir begins to rise again before it falls to elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., the current release will be maintained until a higher discharge is indicated by the Emergency Operation Chart. When personnel from SAWEP-EC are directing reservoir releases, the emptying operation prescribed in the previous paragraph entitled "Emptying Operation" should be followed. 10. Rate of change of discharge. Discharge from Kerr flows directly into Gaston Lake. Since there is no open river flow between the projects, no limit is set on the rate of change of discharge because of downstream effects. VPCO will be notified when water is to be spilled and when a substantial change is to be made in the rate of spill. 11. Reregulation of Kerr flood releases by Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Dams. Flood releases from Kerr and Gaston are normally made by operating the turbines at a discharge rate of approximately 40,000 c.f.s. for 12 or more hours. All reregulation of flood flows to a uniform rate is done at Roanoke Rapids. Since sufficient storage space for this reregulation is not normally available in Roanoke Rapids Reservoir it must be made available at the beginning of each flood period. This is done by establishing a release rate of 20,000 c.f.s. at Roanoke Rapids approximately 12 hours prior to starting the higher releases at Kerr and Gaston. If the planned flood flow at the Roanoke Rapids gage is more than 20,000 c.f.s., the Roanoke Rapids turbines are fully loaded (20,000 c.f.s.) and the remainder of the water is spilled. SAWEP-EC determines the starting time and release rate for flood releases from Roanoke Rapids. D. OPERATION FOR POWER GENERATION AND LOW FLOW REGULATION 1. Power facilities. The facilities in the power plant at Kerr include 7 units having a total rated capacity of 204,000 kilowatts and two station service units rated at 1,000 kilowatts each. The number and capacity of each turbine and related equipment are shown in the following tabulation. TABLE 2 Power Installation at Kerr Dam Turbine hp Generator Transformer No. of Units at 90 foot head kva kva ------------ --------------- --------- ----------- 6 45,000 35,555 41,000 1 17,000 13,333 15,000 2 1,600 1,250 - The reservoir capacity and area at maximum and minimum conservation pool elevations used in the design of the project (for establishment of clearing limits, elevation of intakes, etc.) are as follows: Elevation Reservoir Reservoir feet, area Capacity m.s.l. acres acre-feet ---------- --------- --------- Maximum Conservation (power) pool 300 48,900 1,488,600 Design Minimum Conservation (power) pool 268 19,700 461,600 Contractural Dependable Capacity Conservation (power) pool 293-300 ------ 316,900 2. Power market. Power generated at Kerr, in excess of that used at the dam and at Island Creek Pumping Station, is made available for sale by Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA), the marketing agency of the Department of Energy. SEPA has entered into a contract with VPCO which provides for taking all of the project power at Kerr switchyard for disposal as follows: a. Fifty-eight percent (58%) or 130 megawatts (MW) of dependable capacity at Kerr Dam and two-thirds of the excess project power is to be used by VPCO and preference customers in the area served by that company. b. The remaining 95 MW (42%) dependable capacity and one- third of the excess project power is provided for transmission by VPCO from Kerr switchyard to Carolina Power and Light Company (CP&L). c. Provision is made for interchange of energy between Philpott and Kerr projects. SEPA has entered into a contract with CP&L which provides for taking project power from VPCO for use by CP&L and preference customers in the area served by that company. 3. Reservoir operation - general. The Kerr project has been constructed primarily to provide flood control. Accordingly, whenever a flood control operation is in progress, the total flow released from the reservoir will be that required to control the flood. However, the greatest possible amount of the water released will be used for power generation. Water stored in the reservoir below the maximum conservation pool elevation will be released as necessary to obtain the maximum power revenue consistent with proper consideration of the following: a. Power generation will be increased or decreased when desirable for the control of floods. Also, the reservoir will be drawn down to the guide curve to provide additional capacity for the storage of flood flows. b. Whenever power generation for load is not required, water will be released to supply flow downstream for fish conservation during the striped bass spawning season. c. Recreation. d. Mosquito control. Flood flow regulation requirements and the flood time operating plan are discussed in section C. Low flow regulation requirements and operating rules established to meet these requirements are discussed in the following paragraphs. The low flow requirements will be met from existing storage at the Roanoke Rapids Lake except flows released from Kerr Reservoir storage for the benefit of striped bass. 4. Low flow regulation requirements for navigation. Authorized improvement of the Roanoke River by the Federal Government has been limited to provision of channels as follows: 12 feet deep and 150 feet wide from Albemarle Sound to Plymouth, N.C. 10 feet deep and 100 feet wide from Plymouth, N.C. to Hamilton, N.C. 8 feet deep and 80 feet wide from Hamilton, N.C. to Palmyra, N.C. 5 feet deep and 50 feet wide from Palmyra, N.C. to Weldon, N.C. The channels have been provided as far upstream as Palmyra. Funds for completion of the channel to Weldon have not been appropriated nor are they expected to be appropriated. Downstream from Weldon the river is used by sport and commercial traffic. At Weldon the river is used by small fishing boats. Small boat traffic is most extensive in April and May when the striped bass spawn. No restrictions on power operations at Kerr will be necessary in the interest of navigation at or below Weldon. Minimum releases required from Roanoke Rapids Dam for water quality will provide sufficient depth of water for navigation and, therefore, no releases are made from Kerr for navigation. 5. Low flow regulation requirements for pollution abatement. Flow requirements specified in the license issued by the Federal Power Commission (now Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) to VPCO authorizing construction of Roanoke Rapids and Gaston hydro projects provide for pollution abatement. They are as follows: ". . . the License shall release sufficient water from the Roanoke Rapids Reservoir to maintain minimum flows and pounds of oxygen in the Roanoke River as measured at the point of project discharge to meet the following requirements: Requirement A: Minimum Instantaneous Flows Flow Month cubic feet per second ---------------------------------- --------------------- January, February, March 1,000 April 1,500 May, June, July, August, September 2,000 October 1,500 November, December 1,000 The above flows are subject to the following special provisions: (1) These flows may be reduced on weekdays, Monday through Friday, during off-peak hours by not more than 20 percent, but such reduction shall not dispense with compliance with Requirement B. (2) The average flow for any day shall equal or exceed the minimum instantaneous flow specified for that month. (3) A minimum instantaneous flow of 2,000 cubic feet per second will be furnished by the Licensee for the period requested by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to begin as early as April 1, but not later than April 15, and to continue for at least 60 days but not longer than 75 days in any one year, in accommodation to annual variations in the time and duration of spawning activities of the striped bass. (4) The reduction in instantaneous flows permitted above shall not apply when special spawning flows are being passed for the benefit of striped bass. "Requirement B: Minimum Oxygen Discharge from the Roanoke Rapids Development shall be maintained to provide dissolved oxygen at an instantaneous rate of not less than 78,000 pounds per calendar day during the months May through October, except as is permitted under the following conditions: (1) A reduction not in excess of 34 percent of the instantaneous rate of 78,000 pounds per day will be permitted for periods not exceeding 14 consecutive hours. (2) Any oxygen deficit so created shall be offset by greater discharges so that a cumulative average rate of discharge of 78,000 pounds per day will be attained within a period up to but not exceeding 16 hours from the beginning of the oxygen deficient flows, and this condition (2) shall again begin to operate as soon as the instantaneous rate again falls below 78,000 pounds per day. The Licensee shall not be required to compensate through increased flows or other changes in operations for any lessening in the quality of water entering the Gaston Development which may after the effective date of this article be created by Acts of God, or through acts of others than the Licensee, and beyond its reasonable control. "Requirement C: In the event of temporary emergency conditions arising in performance of Requirements A and B the Licensee will cooperate in good faith with the North Carolina State Department of Conservation and Development, North Carolina State Stream Sanitation Committee and/or North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to take such reasonable steps in regard to the reductions permitted by item (1) under Requirement B as may be proper to meet the emergency conditions and in the interest of maintaining during such emergency conditions water quality in keeping with the standard required of class "C" waters by order of the North Carolina State Stream Sanitation Committee effective September 1, 1957. But nothing herein is intended to compel the Licensee to correct conditions which it has not created and no permanent change of operation shall be made without the approval of the Federal Power Commission." 6. Low flow regulation requirements for fish conservation. With the exception of striped bass fishing, fishing resources of the Roanoke River downstream from Kerr Dam are of relatively minor importance. The major spawning ground for the striped bass in North Carolina waters is in the vicinity of Weldon. The striped bass require high water conditions to move up the river in the spring to the spawning ground. Continued high water during their spawning season is necessary to dilute pollutants in the river and permit the fish and eggs to survive. The annual spawning run usually begins about April 15 and is completed by about May 15 with the peak of activity occurring about May 1. The striped bass are caught by sport and commercial fishermen in the Roanoke River during the spawning period and in coastal waters during other times of the year. In recent years this fishery has become highly regulated both locally and regionally. Current restrictions exist and vary with the area fished for the "open season", size limit, and poundage limit for the total harvest. These restrictions also vary for both the recreational and commercial fishery. The value of the striped bass fishery to the State of North Carolina is still estimated to be not less than $1,000,000 per year. Soon after Kerr went into operation, objections to minimum flows provided during the striped bass spawning season were voiced. Although efforts were made to improve conditions, the objections persisted. On 30 January 1957, the Chief of Engineers authorized, on an interim basis, the use of storage in Kerr Reservoir between elevation 302 feet, m.s.l., and the guide curve to provide increased minimum flows during the striped bass spawning season with the guide curve being as low as possible without reducing the dependable capacity of the project. This storage space is designated Zone D on the guide curve. As a result of a comprehensive study, the Steering Committee for Roanoke River Studies adopted the following supplemental flow schedule: "Instantaneous minimum river discharges, as measured at the Weldon gage, not less than 2,000 c.f.s. (10.8 feet) between April 1 and 25; not less than 5,550 c.f.s. (13 feet) between April 26 and May 4; not less than 8,350 c.f.s. (15 feet) between May 5 and May 20; and 5,550 c.f.s. between May 21 and June 15." A memorandum of understanding was signed by representatives of VPCO, U.S. Army Engineer District, Wilmington, Corps of Engineers, and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission in 1971 which identifies reserved storage in Kerr Reservoir between 299.5 and 302 feet, m.s.l., for augmentation flow for striped bass spawning and a 13 foot minimum stage at Weldon during the spawning period. The telemark gage at Weldon was discontinued in July 1985. The releases to meet the 13 foot stage at Weldon have been measured at the Roanoke Rapids gage since July 1985. The 13 foot stage at Weldon is the equivalent of about 4.8 feet on the Roanoke Rapids gage. In cooperation with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, the Wilmington District agreed to test a new fish flow regime in the lower Roanoke River to enhance striped bass fish reproduction. On April 1, 1989, a schedule of regulated releases at Roanoke Rapids Dam was initially implemented over a four year trial period to benefit the striped bass spawning season. In 1994, this trial schedule was extended through the year 2000. The new schedule of releases measured at the Roanoke Rapids gage sets up the following flow ranges under normal conditions: Lower Median Upper Target Target Target Flow Flow Flow Dates c.f.s. c.f.s. c.f.s. ----------- ------ ------ ------ April 1-15 6,600 8,500 13,700 April 16-30 5,800 7,800 11,000 May 1-15 4,700 6,500 9,500 May 16-31 4,400 5,900 9,500 June 1-15 4,000 5,300 9,500 In addition to the above, outflow from Roanoke Rapids Dam is limited to 1,500 c.f.s. flow differential per hour. This schedule is followed each year to the extent that water available from natural flow plus storage at Kerr will permit. Since flows released from Kerr are reregulated by Gaston and Roanoke Rapids, all releases from Kerr for the striped bass are made during on-peak hours. VPCO must store a portion of this water during the week and release it on weekends. In order to reduce the drawdown of Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Reservoirs over the weekends, the Corps has agreed to allow VPCO to use a portion of the 3 feet of flood storage in Gaston Lake for storing fish water. A reasonably steady reservoir level is desirable for a 3- or 4-week period, after the water temperature near the reservoir surface reaches 60 degrees F (about mid-April) to insure success of bass spawning activities in the reservoir itself. This will be accomplished whenever practical. 7. Flow regulation requirements for recreation. A high reservoir level near the guide curve would be desirable throughout the recreation season to provide the greatest lake area and most attractive shoreline. This water level requirement will be met when consistent with other flow regulation requirements. The reservoir will normally be near the maximum conservation pool level from June through August. 8. Flow regulation requirements for mosquito control. In the interest of mosquito control the following is desirable: a. Rapid drawdown of a 1- or 2-foot surcharge above the maximum conservation pool in the spring to strand drift. b. Maintain reservoir at the maximum conservation pool elevation from April through June to curb shore line growth invasion. c. Gradually draw reservoir down from July through September at a rate equal to 0.2 feet per week or more to keep the shore line below the advancing growth. The one or two feet of drift stranding surcharge is provided by the storage of water for the striped bass. While a faster drawdown would be more effective in stranding the drift, a separate drawdown for each purpose would not be practical. The other water level requirements will usually be met by normal power operations when consistent with flow regulation requirements. 9. Operation of project for power. The project will be operated for the generation of power within the limitations prescribed in the interest of flood and low flow regulation as presented in preceding paragraphs and as follows: a. Whenever the reservoir level is below the guide curve, the power plant will be operated to produce only the minimum energy required to guarantee dependable capacity. When the powerplant is not in operation to meet customer load, only water required to generate energy for station use will be released. Such an operation will ensure that dependable power (energy and capacity) can be supplied during a repeat of any drought on record. b. The reservoir will be operated to maintain the guide curve elevation whenever possible to provide high energy revenue and prevent unduly damaging river stages downstream. c. Kerr project power will be marketed in accordance with the contracts with VPCO and CP&L. 10. Reservoir guide curve. The guide curve and operating instructions will be reviewed at least annually and will be revised, subject to approval by OCE, as dictated by experience, accumulated basic data, and changed operating conditions. 11. Rules for generation of secondary energy. Water stored in the conservation pool and above the guide curve elevation will be released as quickly as practical to provide additional capacity for the control of floods. Factors influencing the elevation of the reservoir guide curve and rate of energy generation are as follows: a. Energy generated is sold at 6.25 mills per kwh. b. Timber removal operations are halted when the stage exceeds 8 feet on the gage at Williamston, NC. When this stage has been exceeded, a stage of 5.5 feet or less is required for 2 weeks before the forests drain sufficiently to permit resumption of lumber operations. Assuming that power releases at Kerr and Roanoke Rapids are made principally during Monday through Friday, the average weekly release corresponding to these stages is about 8,000 c.f.s. and 6,000 c.f.s., respectively. Reservoir operation studies indicate that maximum revenue from energy sales would be attained if the drawdown of power storage were limited to about 3 feet when possible. However, it is believed advisable to draw down the reservoir to the guide curve elevation when possible to provide greater capacity for flood control even though energy revenue may be reduced by a small percentage. The operating instruction applicable when the headwater elevation is between elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., and the guide curve will be applied as follows: a. January through March - the reservoir will be permitted to fill as high as elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., while water is being released at a rate which will not interfere seriously with timber removal operation (about 8,000 c.f.s. average for 3 days or longer). After the reservoir has been filled to elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., and river stages which interfere with timber removal have occurred, the headwater will be brought to the guide curve elevation by releasing water at the maximum rate which will not cause additional damage downstream. b. April through July - the reservoir will be maintained at the guide curve elevation by generating at rates up to 60 hours per week at plant capacity. c. August through December - the operation will be the same as for January through March except that if the reservoir fills above elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., and river stages damaging to timber interests have occurred, the reservoir will be emptied to the guide curve by releasing water through the turbines at a rate up to 60 hours per week at plant capacity. At that time the outflow rate will be reduced as necessary to prevent interference with timber removal operations. 12. Mechanics of project operation for power. On Wednesday of each week, SAWEP-EC personnel make a forecast of inflow into the reservoir for the following generation week which runs from Saturday through the following Friday. Using this inflow and releases required to meet minimum energy requirements, a determination is made of additional energy available, taking into consideration any necessary limitations on discharges and the power company energy storage accounts. This determination is summarized and furnished to South Atlantic Division (SAD) office which in turn furnishes it to SEPA. The declaration of energy available for scheduling during the following week is then given to the power companies by SEPA. When the power companies receive the energy declaration from SEPA they prepare a schedule of generation and furnish it to the powerhouse personnel. Powerhouse personnel then inform SAWEP-EC of the generation schedules for verification, thus, completing the loop. SAWEP-EC coordinates the declaration with VPCO personnel during flood release periods to insure the proper flow from Roanoke Rapids. Energy declarations may be revised at any time. If SEPA cannot be reached, declarations or revisions may be made directly to the power companies by SAWEP-EC or powerhouse personnel, with notification to follow as soon as possible. 13. Mechanics of project operation during striped bass spawning season. During the striped bass spawning season the weekly energy declaration computation is begun by assuming no water is available for the benefit of the fish. This operation is then routed through Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Lakes and the resulting stage at Roanoke Rapids gage determined. Provided that fish flow storage is available in Kerr, the energy declaration is then increased by a sufficient amount to raise the stage at Roanoke Rapids gage to the desired level. At the beginning of each fish flow season this plan of operation is discussed by telephone with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commision, Inland Fisheries group. During those years when insufficient storage is available at Kerr to provide releases for the entire 60 to 75 day flow period the N.C. Fisheries group is requested to specify the preferred release period for the available storage (ex. April 20 - May 20). Release schedules are coordinated with VPCO as necessary to insure that sufficient water is provided and also to insure that they understand how the releases from Kerr are to be reregulated by their projects. The declaration is then made in the same manner as normal power declarations. E. OPERATION FOR WATER SUPPLY In accordance with the provisions of the Water Supply Act of 1958, Public Law 85-500, the Government is authorized to include storage in any reservoir project constructed by the Corps of Engineers to impound water for municipal or industrial water use. The following water supply contracts authorizing water storage space in John H. Kerr Reservoir are in effect. a. The City of Clarksville, Virginia is allowed to make water supply withdrawals from Kerr Reservoir at no cost in accordance with preproject agreements. b. A water use contract between the Federal Government and the City of Henderson, North Carolina, was entered into on February 12, 1974. The City of Henderson can withdraw water from Kerr Reservoir at a rate not to exceed 20 million gallons per day (MGD). Plans are in progress to convert this contract to a storage contract in the near future. c. A water storage supply contract with the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, for withdrawals of water from John H. Kerr Reservoir was signed on 13 January 1984. However, no water supply withdrawals have been made by the City due to a delay in water supply pipeline construction brought about by legal action. After seven years of study and litigation, the U.S. District judge on 2 February 1990 upheld the Corps of Engineers decision to issue a permit and a water supply contract for withdrawal of water from Lake Gaston, located downstream of the John H. Kerr Dam, for the City of Virginia Beach. Ultimately, the State of North Carolina and the Roanoke River Basin Association appealed the judge's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. On 24 February 1992, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling made by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond. The City of Virginia Beach issued contracts to begin the first phase of pipeline construction. Pipeline construction began but is currently delayed by legal action. FERC issued a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on 1 July 1994. This action has created an indefinite delay in the issuance of the final permit necessary to complete pipeline construction. The City of Virginia Beach has the right to utilize 1.066 percent of the usable storage space in John H. Kerr Reservoir between elevations 268 and 300 feet, m.s.l., or approximately 10,200 acre-feet of the conservation storage in Kerr Reservoir. d. On January 25, 1989, a water storage contract was entered into between the Corps of Engineers and the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) for water supply storage space in John H. Kerr Reservoir. VADOC has the right to utilize an undivided 0.0024 percent of the conservation (power) storage from elevation 268 to 300 feet, m.s.l., in Kerr Reservoir or approximately 23 acre-feet. The specified withdrawal rate is not to exceed 60,000 gallons per day. The water supply pipeline has not yet been constructed. e. On 5 June 1991, a water storage contract with the Mecklenburg Cogeneration Limited Partnership (MCLP) was signed. The 120 megawatt coal-fired cogeneration facility at Clarksville, Virginia, uses raw water from John H. Kerr Reservoir as process water, cooling water, and steam supply for the facility. MCLP has the right to utilize an undivided 0.063 percent (approximately 600 acre-feet) of the conservation storage in Kerr Reservoir. F. DEVIATION FROM NORMAL REGULATION. a. General. The District Engineer is occasionally requested to deviate from normal regulation of John H. Kerr Reservoir. Prior approval for a deviation is obtained from SAD, except as noted in the following emergencies, unplanned minor deviations and planned deviations which will be discussed. b. Emergencies. Some emergencies that can be expected are drownings and other accidents, failure of operation facilities, and flushing of pollution during fish kills. Necessary action under emergency conditions is taken immediately unless such action would create equal or worse conditions. SAD will be informed as soon as practicable, and a written confirmation showing the deviation and conditions will be furnished to the Water Management Branch (CESAD-EN- HW). c. Unplanned Minor Deviations. These are unplanned instances that create a temporary need for minor deviations from the normal regulation of the reservoir, although they are not considered emergencies. Construction accounts for the major portion of incidents and includes utility stream crossing, bridge work, and major construction contracts. Changes in releases are sometimes necessary for maintenance and inspection. Requests for changes of release rates are generally for a few hours to a few days. Each request is analyzed on its own merits. Consideration is given to upstream watershed conditions, potential flood threat, condition of John H. Kerr Reservoir, and possible alternative measures. In the interest of maintaining good public relations, the requests are generally complied with, provided there are no adverse effects on the overall regulation of the project for the authorized purposes. Coastal, Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch, will obtain approval for these minor deviations from SAD normally by telephone. A written confirmation showing the deviation and conditions will be furnished to CESAD-EN-H. d. Planned Deviations. Each condition should be analyzed on its merits. Sufficient data on flood potential, reservoir and watershed conditions, possible alternative measures, benefits to be expected, and probable effects on other authorized and useful purposes will be presented by letter, telephone, or fax to SAD along with recommendations for review and approval. e. Drought Contingency. Existing project operating procedures may be altered during critical drought situations to provide water to both upstream and downstream towns and municipalities. Detailed instructions on operating procedures during times of drought can be found in the "Drought Contingency Plan - John H. Kerr Project," exhibit A. G. INSTRUCTIONS TO DAM AND POWER PLANT OPERATOR 1. General. This chapter contains a summary of the reservoir regulation procedures for, responsibilities of and specific instructions to the dam and power plant operators during both normal and emergency operating situations. These instructions will be issued separately so that the operator has a clear and concise description of his responsibilities and duties in connection with reservoir operation, data collection and report requirements. 2. Responsibilities of Engineering Division. The Coastal, Hydrology and Hydraulics Section (SAWEP-EC) of the Engineering Branch is responsible for all functions of reservoir regulation pertinent to the operation of the John H. Kerr Reservoir and Island Creek Pumping Station. The following duties are performed in carrying out this responsibility: a. Obtain and analyze weather forecasts and current precipitation and stream flow data. b. Prepare forecasts of stream flow and headwater reservoir elevation for District use. c. Issue instructions for low flow and flood flow regulations. d. Prepare forecasts of power available and make declaration to South Atlantic Division for forwarding to the Southeastern Power Administration, the marketing agency. 3. Responsibility of Construction-Operations Division. The John H. Kerr Operations Project Manager, Construction-Operations Division, is responsible for the physical operation of the John H. Kerr project. This responsibility includes operation of the dam, powerhouse, reservoir management and the Island Creek Pumping Station. a. Maintain all equipment required for operation and communication in good operating condition. A plan of scheduled equipment outages for normal maintenance will be given to SAWEP-EC when available. Advise SAWEP-EC when unscheduled outages occur. b. Operate generating units within the limits of good practice to produce power as scheduled by power company dispatchers. c. Operate spillway and sluice gates as necessary to supplement turbine discharge to release water from the reservoir as specified by SAWEP-EC. d. When communication with the District fails, determine release to be made during flood periods in accordance with instructions for emergency operation. e. Operate climatological substation and obtain and transmit data to SAWEP-EC. 4. Factors affecting operation of project. The total water capacity of the turbines is nearly five times as great as the average inflow to Kerr Reservoir. Accordingly, Kerr will usually operate as a "peaking plant" to supply power at widely varying rates and be shut down part of the time. The power capacity is large in relation to the base load of the VPCO system. Frequently, when sufficient water is available at Kerr to make continuous generation desirable, a similarly abundant water capacity will be available at the hydroplants owned by CP&L. Thus there may be no market for project power during some off- peak hours. Downstream from Roanoke Rapids, the channel capacity is less than the turbine discharge capacity. Releases exceeding about 8,000 c.f.s. average for three days will halt timber removal operations 120 miles downstream from Kerr. An average daily release of about 18,000 c.f.s. will flood farm access roads and continuous operation of all units at Kerr (38,000 c.f.s.) will flood pastures and some cleared farm land below Roanoke Rapids. All discharges from Kerr Dam are reregulated by Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Dams. Therefore, all units can be operated continuously at full load for a few hours without causing damage downstream but the total daily generation must be controlled carefully. Since Roanoke Rapids is at the upstream end of the reach where most of the flood damage can occur, flood control releases scheduled by SAWEP-EC will be directed toward maintaining a constant stage at Roanoke Rapids. The amount of stream flow originating from the 645 square mile area draining into the river between Kerr Dam and Roanoke Rapids will vary. However, much of this flow can be stored in Gaston Lake until the discharge at Kerr Dam can be reduced to permit release from storage of the inflow between Kerr Dam and Roanoke Rapids. When communication channels to the District are out of service, flood releases will be scheduled by the powerhouse operator. The rates at which water must be released will be based on the reservoir elevation and the rate of rise of headwater elevation without allowance for stream flow originating downstream because information on this flow will not be available to the operator. Tremendous damage could be caused downstream by improper operation of spillway gates. Therefore, the gate opening required to make the release desired must be computed carefully, clear operating instructions given, and the operation verified by maintaining a report on action taken. 5. Operation for power. The following tasks will be performed by the operator in connection with the functional operation of the plant. a. Obtain generation schedule from power company dispatcher. Relay weekly schedule, and all changes thereof as they are made, to SAWEP-EC. b. Operate turbines (within limits of good practice and standing instructions) to provide generation as scheduled by companies. Keep a record of operations on logs and reports on respective computer forms. 6. Operation for flood control. The following tasks will be performed by the Kerr operator in connection with flood control operations. a. During a flood, the amount of energy declared as available for scheduling by the customer will usually be revised upward. If it is not practical for SAWEP-EC to issue this revised declaration through SEPA, the Kerr operator will be informed of the revised declaration by SAWEP-EC. The operator will then forward the revised declaration to the company dispatcher and obtain a revised generation schedule. b. Issue instructions for opening spillway and conduit gates in accordance with instructions from SAWEP-EC. A record of operations will be kept in logs available at the project. c. In the event communication with SAWEP-EC is lost when the headwater level is above elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., the operator will determine the rate at which water shall be released in accordance with instructions for emergency flood control operation presented in the following paragraphs. 7. Emergency flood control operation. Whenever the reservoir fills above elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., and communication with SAWEP-EC by telephone or radio is not possible, the required release from the reservoir will be determined by the operator in addition to carrying out his normal flood operation duties. The required release will be determined hourly by following the steps listed in the report, "Emergency Operation for Flood Control", which has been furnished each operator. If communication with the District is lost after a flood control operation is in progress, the last release specified by SAWEN- C should be made until a higher release is indicated by the Emergency Operation Chart. The peak rate of outflow during the flood shall be maintained until the reservoir has emptied to elevation 300 feet, m.s.l., unless contact is again made with SAWEP-EC and a different outflow rate is specified. 8. Flood forecasts. Forecasts of river stage and discharge will be prepared by SAWEP-EC for District use. The National Weather Service offices in Raleigh and Morehead City, NC, are responsible for issuing to the public, forecasts of river stage at downstream gages. The District cooperates with the National Weather Service in preparing these forecasts for points downstream from the dam. Accordingly, requests for forecasts of river stage by the public should be referred to the National Weather Service. Kerr headwater elevation forecasts will be furnished to the control room operators by SAWEP-EC. This information will then be provided to the project manager so that such steps as necessary may be taken to protect government property in the reservoir area. The reservoir elevation current status, forecast and brief weather summary is updated daily on a taped telephone recording and made available to the general public. 9. Weather forecasts. Weather forecasts are made available to powerhouse personnel through the SAWEP-EC computer bulletin board system, local internet connection or through the Wilmington District's home page. Numerious forecast products are available on this system from the River Forecast Center in Atlanta. 10. Comments on reservoir regulation made by the public. Any complaints or other comments on reservoir regulation shall be referred to SAWEP-EC and the Public Affairs Office. 11. Hydrometeorological and Project Data Collection. Data observed at the project include, but are not limited to, precipitation, temperature, evaporation, elevation and releases from the reservoir. John H. Kerr data are collected electronically by the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Data collection is checked at least once each week by Kerr operators. 12. Special reports on precipitation. The responsibility for preparing special reports on precipitation lies with the Kerr powerhouse operator on duty. During normal work hours, the Kerr operator should verify precipitation data collected on the SCADA system during any heavy rainfall event. Special reports on precipitation shall be made to the Coastal, Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch personnel as follows: (1) Anytime the storm rainfall total is 1.0 inches or more. (2) After the initial special report, continue periodic updates of rainfall, headwater elevation, and discharge until the rainfall has ended. 13. Reservoir elevation and outflow data. Reservoir elevations and outflow data at hourly intervals will be furnished SAWEP-EC upon request, in addition to the data regularly furnished for the daily report. These data are normally available on daily reports prepared by computers using the SCADA system or manually by the operators. Hourly reservoir elevation and outflow data are available to SAWEP-EC on the Kerr computer. If necessary, these data will be furnished to SAWEP-EC personnel by the operator at Kerr. The current reservoir elevation should also be provided whenever a special rainfall report is made to SAWEP-EC. In the event that significant rainfall or elevation rise is occurring, an hourly update may be required. At the start of any flood event, the headwater elevation reading should be verified with the electric tape (ET) gage. This verification should be repeated on at least a daily basis during the event. It is particularly important that an accurate record be maintained of the reservoir elevation and outflow during floodtimes. In the event that the recording mechanism or stage indicator of the reservoir elevation is inoperative, arrangements should be made to make direct observations with the ET gage at 1-hour intervals until the peak elevation occurs and then at least every 2 hours until the level returns to elevation 300 feet m.s.l. If flood releases are made while gages are inoperative, arrangements should be made to obtain gage readings by whatever available means (staff, electric tape, etc.) at 2-hour intervals or less to ensure obtaining an accurate record of total outflow from the reservoir. In the event that any gage equipment is discovered to be inaccurate, SAWEP-EC should be notified immediately. 14. Daily report. A daily report summarizing rainfall and stream flow conditions will be prepared for each day. During periods of normal flow, this report for non-work days will be prepared on the next normal workday. A daily log sheet summarizing hourly elevation, rainfall, stream flow conditions, and generation is prepared automatically by the Kerr computer. Information on this report should be verified by both Kerr and Philpott operators with particular attention given to meter readings. Gage readings for the headwater, tailwater, and Philpott and Bassett stream gages should be verified at least once each week. Any discrepancies should be noted and reported to SAWEP-EC as soon as possible. In the event of a computer failure or any malfunction resulting in loss of automatic data transfer from Philpott to Kerr, data shall be manually tabulated by Philpott personnel. Manual reports prepared prior to automation shall be maintained until the automated system is restored. Hourly headwater elevation data from a data collection platform at Philpott are available from the SAWEP-EC bulletin board computer. Access procedures are provided to Kerr powerhouse personnel to retrieve this data. Erroneous data shall be reported to SAWEP-EC for correction. 15. Operating Personnel. With the advent of the new SCADA system for the operation of the powerhouse at Philpott from Kerr powerhouse, certain areas of responsibility must be clearly defined. The powerhouse superintendent at Kerr is ultimately responsible for the proper operation of Philpott at all times. However, this responsibility is also shared by the individual operating personnel at both Philpott and Kerr during the performance of their duties. Special attention and awareness must continually be given to the details of operation especially those data items and procedures performed on a routine basis. Open communication between Kerr and Philpott operators must be maintained to periodically verify data monitored and controlled by the SCADA system. Any discrepancies and/or problems indicated by the SCADA system or manual equipment should be addressed, as soon as possible, and, depending on the severity of impacts involved, be corrected as soon as practical. Any problems affecting the physical operation of Philpott should be relayed to SAWEP-EC personnel by the Kerr powerhouse superintendent or his representative as soon as possible. Specific areas of responsibility are outlined below. a. Philpott powerhouse personnel. During periods of flood control operation, it may be necessary to have personnel on duty 24- hours a day at Philpott Dam. These personnel must be qualified to perform the duties required to operate in accordance with the plans outlined below in the paragraphs entitled, "Normal Operation for Flood Control" and "Emergency Operation for Flood Control." Additional personnel from Kerr powerhouse will be made available to perform required duties as necessary and to obtain readings on the Bassett gage in case the telemetry fails to operate properly. During normal periods when the project is operating for power and low flow regulation, operation will be by automatic load control equipment and monitored by the SCADA system at Kerr powerhouse. Philpott powerhouse personnel will perform the duties at the project necessary to carry out the responsibilities of Operations Division. b. Kerr powerhouse personnel. The operation of the powerhouse at Philpott from Kerr powerhouse requires that certain data items be closely monitored by powerhouse operators at Kerr. When Philpott powerhouse is unattended or on remote control from Kerr, the Kerr operator should report any abnormalities to SAWEP-EC as soon as possible after occurrence. Special reports should be made to SAWEP-EC personnel in the order of the call roster listed on page 22. Also, special reports to SAWEP-EC do not preclude the need for Kerr operators to contact Philpott operators to investigate and/or correct problems. Kerr operators should particularly observe for the following abnormal conditions: (1) Sudden, unexplained changes in headwater or tailwater elevations. (2) Non-scheduled discharges from the dam. (3) Heavy rainfall. (4) Net line meter readings. "Net Line" on Philpott Daily Station Log No. 1 should be at least 15 MW's when the two main units are generating. (5) River Stages at Bassett, Va. (a) Non-flood stages. Within 2 hours after start-up of generator units, the Bassett stage should read between 3 and 4 feet when main units are on line and between 1.5 and 2 feet when the secondary unit is on line. Stages below 1.49 feet should be reported to the Coastal, Hydrology and Hydraulics Branch as soon as possible. (b) Flood stages. 7 feet is flood stage at Bassett and damage stage begins at 10 feet. All generation at Philpott should be discontinued immediately if the stage at Bassett rises to 13 feet or higher. (6) Equipment malfunction effecting operating schedules. (7) Gate slippage. (8) Any indication of imminent dam failure. 16. Island Creek Dam and Pumping Station. Island Creek Dam and Pumping Station was constructed to prevent permanent flooding of a substantial portion of the Hamme Tungsten District. The capacity of the pumps is sufficient to keep the water upstream from the dam at a low level during periods of normal stream flow and remove water stored during flood periods in a reasonable period of time. The station is normally unattended, the operation of the pumps being controlled by pressure and time switches. Headwater level and a trouble signal are indicated in the control room at Kerr Dam so that the operation of the pumping station may be supervised by the Kerr operator. Also, the ADAS information indicates which pumps are running. Island Creek pump controls have been set to start and stop pumps. When the watt meter and headwater level readings indicate that the pumps are not operating, the Superintendent should be informed and a maintenance man sent to the pumping station. When automatic controls are not in operation, pumps shall be operated manually. Elevations of Island Creek Reservoir are reported hourly by the SCADA system.