Study 8 Aquifer Impact Study Decker Canyon South/North Fork …leapshydro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/5.-Study-8... · 2018. 9. 17. · powerhouse, and a 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission

Study 8 – Aquifer Impact Study Decker Canyon South/North Fork Plan

AQUIFER STUDY WORK PLANLAKE ELSINORE ADVANCED PUMPING STORAGE PROJECT

(PROJECT NUMBER 14227-003)RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Submitted to:Mr. David Kates

The Nevada Hydro Company3510 Unocal Place, Suite 200

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Prepared by:Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure Solutions

3120 Chicago Avenue, Suite 110Riverside, California 92507

Tel: (951) 369-8060Principal Investigator: Richard Rees, PG 6612, CHG 704

Amec Foster Wheeler Project No.: 1855400727

September 6, 2018

C:\Users\scott.crawford\Desktop\LEAPS\Fire Plan\Draft Work Plan_cas2_ap_grr7.doc ii

Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 11.1 OBJECTIVE ............................................................................................................. 11.2 BACKGROUND........................................................................................................ 11.3 CURRENT CONDITIONS .......................................................................................... 31.4 PROPOSED PROJECT ............................................................................................... 4

2.0 PHYSICAL SETTING ..................................................................................................... 42.1 GEOLOGIC SETTING ............................................................................................... 42.2 HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING .................................................................................... 7

3.0 SCOPE OF WORK........................................................................................................... 73.1 PRE-FIELD ACTIVITIES........................................................................................... 73.2 FIELD RECONNAISSANCE ....................................................................................... 83.3 SPRING AND ASSOCIATED RIPARIAN AREA ASSESSMENT ...................................... 8

3.3.1 Field Documentation of Springs ............................................................... 83.3.2 Field Measurement of Springs .................................................................. 83.3.3 Sampling of Springs.................................................................................. 93.3.4 Field Documentation of Associated Riparian Areas................................. 9

4.0 LABORATORY ANALYSES ......................................................................................... 9

5.0 COMPILATION AND REPORTING OF RESULTS ................................................... 10

6.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 10

FIGURES

Figure 1 Site Location MapFigure 2 Site AreaFigure 3 Site Area with Geology

TABLE OF CONTENTS

C:\Users\scott.crawford\Desktop\LEAPS\Fire Plan\Draft Work Plan_cas2_ap_grr7.doc 1

AQUIFER STUDY WORK PLANLake Elsinore Advanced Pumping Storage Project

Riverside County, California

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This work plan presents the procedures to be followed during an evaluation of the potentialpresence and characteristics of springs as an aquifer study required by the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission (FERC) for the proposed upper reservoir and dam for the LakeElsinore Advanced Pumping Storage (LEAPS) project. The proposed upper reservoir and damarea (the site) consists of approximately 150 acres and is located on the south fork of DeckerCanyon in Riverside County, California (Figure 1). This work plan has been prepared by WoodEnvironment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. (Wood) on behalf of The Nevada Hydro Company,Inc. (Nevada Hydro). The scope of work for the aquifer study is based the scope of workdescribed in Appendix B – Staff Recommendations on Proposed and Recommended Studies(Staff Recommendations), which accompanied the Response to Additional Study Requestsissued by FERC on June 15, 2018. Based on staff recommendations, the spring evaluation isthe primary requirement of the aquifer study (Study 8). The following sections of this work planlist the aquifer study evaluation objectives, summarize relevant background information,describe the proposed approach for the study, and present the methods for the springevaluation.

1.1 OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of the aquifer study is to assess the potential presence of springs andassociated riparian areas within the site, including collecting information on the location,habitat (i.e., flora and fauna present and extent of riparian vegetation type), habitat usage, andwater quality data associated with spring sites to evaluate the potential effects of reservoirconstruction.

1.2 BACKGROUND

In 2004, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Nevada Hydro filed an application foran original license with FERC for the construction and operation of the LEAPS Project (ProjectNumber 11858) located in Riverside County, San Diego County, and Orange County. Asoriginally proposed the LEAPS Project would occupy approximately 2,412 acres of Federallands and would include a lined upper reservoir with a dam and dike, an undergroundpowerhouse, and a 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line linking two existing transmission lines tothe north and south of the project area. A staff alternative – consisting of modifications to theoriginal design as requested by FERC and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) – was also considered

74

Plo

t D

ate: 7/27/2018 12:38:49 P

M, P

lo

tted

b

y: jo

an

na.w

orker D

raw

in

g P

ath

: W

:\P

ro

jects\1855400727 (Elsin

ore LEA

PS)\A

CA

D\Site Lo

catio

n.d

wg

, Site Lo

c

REFERENCE:

U.S.G.S. 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Maps LAKE ELSINORE, ALBERHILL, SITTON PEAK,

& WILDOMAR, California, 1997.

QUADRANGLE

LOCATIONS

Approximate scale in feet

02,4001,200

APPROXIMATE

SITE LOCATION

La k e E l s i n o r e

07/26/2018

SITE LOCATION MAP

Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project

The Nevada Hydro Company, Inc.


Project No.Date:By: jrw1855400727

Figure

1

74

74

LionSpring

74

Notes:

1. All locations are approximate.

2. Dam configuration is conceptual and subject to change.


in the 2007 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The staff alternative included analternate location for the upper reservoir, which would provide the same usable storage with asmaller total footprint, as well as an alternate alignment for the transmission line to avoidcrossing private inholdings in the Cleveland National Forest (thereby avoiding potentialconflicts with fire suppression activities). FERC granted the proposed LEAPS Project apreliminary permit to study the staff alternative on October 24, 2012.

On June 1, 2017, Nevada Hydro filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) to file a license application and adraft license application for the LEAPS Project (Project Number 14227), which had beensubstantially re-designed to be similar to the staff alternative that was assessed in the 2007Final EIS. In its NOI, Nevada Hydro requested that FERC’s pre-filing licensing requirements(i.e., pre-filing scoping, comments and information, or study requests, the preparation of andcomments on a proposed study plan, resolution of disputes over studies, and notice of theapplicant’s intent to file a draft license application) be waived to allow it to proceed directly tofiling a Final License Application (FLA). FERC staff approved Nevada Hydro’s waiver requestin September 2017, noting that stakeholders could comment on the adequacy of the FLAduring FERC’s post-filing procedures.

After Nevada Hydro filed a FLA in October 2017, study requests were filed by federal andstate agencies, Native American tribes, and non-governmental organizations, including USFS,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW),Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Temecula Band of the LuiseñoMission Indians, the Decker Canyon Property Owners, EHOF II Lakeside, LLC, the City ofLake Elsinore, and the Center of Biological Diversity (with San Bernardino Valley AudubonSociety, Endangered Habitats League, Audubon California, and Sierra Club). Among thenumerous study requests, FERC is requiring that Nevada Hydro prepare an aquifer study. Asdefined in the staff recommendations, the aquifer study will consist of the spring evaluationproposed herein. Nevada Hydro must file the required study plans (including this work plan) forFERC approval by September 13, 2018.

1.3 CURRENT CONDITIONS

The site is located on the south fork of Decker Canyon, at the upper end of the San JuanCreek watershed, adjacent to and south of the Killen Truck Trail/South Main Divide Truck Trail(Figure 1). According to GENTERRA Consultants, Inc. (GENTERRA; 2018), the terrain at thesite is relatively steep, and the ground cover consists of sparse to dense brush and trees.Scattered cobbles and boulders and chaparral consisting of coastal sage, manzanita, scruboak, and yucca are present within the site boundary (GENTERRA, 2018).


1.4 PROPOSED PROJECT

The project consists of an upper reservoir and dam structure located in upper Decker Canyonand tributary canyons (Figure 2). Other minor project features (not shown on the figure) willinclude a spillway for the reservoir that will drain to Decker Canyon to the south of thereservoir and an intake/outlet structure to the east of the reservoir. These structures are underpreliminary design and are not part of the spring evaluation.

2.0 PHYSICAL SETTING

The following subsections describe the regional geologic and hydrogeologic setting.

2.1 GEOLOGIC SETTING

The site is located in the Elsinore Mountains of the Santa Ana Mountain Range, which is aprominent northwest-trending range of the Peninsular Ranges Physiographic Province ofsouthern California. The Peninsular Ranges comprise an extensive region of linear northwest-trending mountain ranges separated by alluvial valleys and fault-bounded troughs. This regionextends from the east-west-trending Transverse Ranges on the north, into Baja California onthe south. The northern Peninsular Ranges span from the offshore continental borderland onthe west to the Coachella Valley on the east and include the Los Angeles basin. The southernPeninsular Ranges span from the offshore continental borderland on the west to the ImperialValley on the east (GENTERRA, 2018). The Peninsular ranges are characterized by abasement complex of igneous and metamorphic rocks that were intruded and locally alteredby younger igneous rocks of the Southern California batholith during Cretaceous time. Thepre-batholithic rocks vary in age from Middle Cretaceous to Paleozoic (GENTERRA, 2018).

Branches of the Elsinore fault zone, a major northwest-southeast trending fault zone, are theclosest known faults to the site. The Elsinore fault zone is recognized as active and zoned bythe State of California under the Alquist-Priolo Fault Zoning Act. The nearest known faults tothe site are the Willard and Wildomar faults (located on the southwest side of Lake Elsinore)and the Glen Ivy North fault (located on the northeast side of Lake Elsinore) (GENTERRA,2018 and Morton, 2004).

Geologic materials exposed in the site area are primarily crystalline Cretaceous-age intrusiveigneous rocks. Within the site area a gradational contact is observed along an approximatenorth-northwest/south-southeast alignment between felsic igneous rock consisting primarily ofgranite and tonalite (Kgr) on the western part of the site and mafic igneous rock consistingprimarily of diorite and granodiorite (Kgd) on the eastern part of the site (Figure 3). The felsicigneous rocks are characterized as well-rounded corestones and boulder terrain withinclusions of Kgd. The mafic igneous rocks are characterized as dark colored subrounded toangular corestones and boulder terrain that is jointed and in gradational contact with Kgr

Dam and

Reservoir

Structure

Dam

Crest

Basemap modified from a drawing by Genterra Consultants, Inc., dated January 2018,

and U.S.G.S. 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Maps LAKE ELSINORE, ALBERHILL, SITTON PEAK, &

WILDOMAR, California, 1997.

Plo

t D

ate: 7/27/2018 12:19:57 P

M, P

lo

tted

b

y: jo

an

na.w

orker D

raw

in

g P

ath

: W

:\P

ro


ore LEA

PS)\A

CA

D\P

ro

j A

rea_To

po

grap

hy.d

wg

, to

po

74

Approximate scale in feet

0800400

07/27/2018

PROJECT AREA WITH TOPOGRAPHY





Figure

2

74

74

Notes:


2. Dam configuration is conceptual

and subject to change.

74

Dam and

Reservoir

Structure

Dam

Crest

Notes:


2. Dam configuration is conceptual

and subject to change.

Plo

t D

ate: 7/27/2018 12:12:58 P

M, P

lo

tted

b

y: jo

an

na.w

orker D

raw

in

g P

ath

: W

:\P

ro


ore LEA

PS)\A

CA

D\P

ro

ject A

rea_G

eo

lo

gy.d

wg

, G

eo

lo

gy-aerial

Basemap modified from Figure 2-2 by Genterra Consultants, Inc., dated March 2018,

and an aerial photo from Esri World Imagery- Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar

Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User

Community, dated 6-4-2016.

07/27/2018

PROJECT AREA WITH GEOLOGY





Figure

3Approximate scale in feet

0 500250

Explanation

Cretaceous age felsic igneous rock - primarily granite

and tonalite; characteristic well-rounded corestones

and boulder terrain; contains inclusions of Kgb below;

jointed

Cretaceous age mafic igneous rock - primarily diorite

and granodiorite; characteristic dark-colored

subround to angular corestones and boulder terrain;

jointed; gradational contact with Kgr above

Gradational contact between Kgr and Kgd

(approximately located)

Main stem - Decker Canyon drainage thalweg

showing flow direction


(GENTERRA, 2018). Alluvial deposits (silty sand, gravelly sand, and clayey sand) are presentin some of the lower elevation areas of the canyon streambeds and valley floors. Within thedrainage of Decker Canyon in the dam and upper reservoir areas, a thin band of alluviumdeposits is present (GENTERRA, 2018).

2.2 HYDROGEOLOGIC SETTING

The site lies within the Santa Ana Mountains, south of the divide separating the San JacintoRiver Watershed to the northeast from the Coastal Basin Watershed to the southwest. Thedepth to groundwater at the site is unknown. During site reconnaissance visits by GENTERRApersonnel, evidence of near-surface groundwater was not observed in Decker Canyon(GENTERRA, 2018). However, GENTERRA noted that groundwater likely is present infractures in the bedrock underlying the proposed upper reservoir. In addition, there is apotential that localized springs may be encountered during construction of the proposedreservoir. GENTERRA (2018) does not anticipate that such springs would produce significantflow of groundwater. United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps of the sitearea (USGS, 1997) do not show any springs within the site boundary. The nearest mappedspring is Lion spring, located in Morrell Canyon approximately 3,200 feet east of the site(Figure 2).

3.0 SCOPE OF WORK

As noted in Section 1.1, the overall objective of this spring evaluation is to assess the potentialpresence and characteristics of springs and associated riparian areas within the site. Toaccomplish this, we are proposing the following scope of work:

pre-field activities;

field reconnaissance;

documentation of springs and associated riparian areas;

potential sampling of springs, if present within the site;

laboratory analysis of spring samples, if collected; and

compilation and reporting of results.

This scope of work is described in more detail below.

3.1 PRE-FIELD ACTIVITIES

This task will consist of activities to be performed in preparation for field work. Pre-fieldactivities will be as follows:


schedule and coordinate with laboratory subcontractors;

coordinate site access and field logistics with Nevada Hydro and the USFS.

prepare a site-specific health and safety plan;

obtain and compile background information such as geologic maps, aerialphotographs, previous reports or studies, and data on spring flow rates and springwater quality, as available for the site;

obtain anecdotal or historical information on locations and characteristics ofsprings, if available from other project team members or stakeholders; and

notify the Nevada Hydro of the work schedule.

3.2 FIELD RECONNAISSANCE

Wood will conduct a field reconnaissance to identify and locate springs and associated riparianareas at the site. The reconnaissance will focus on drainages, apparent geologic contacts,areas of relatively heavy or lush vegetation, and areas identified as potential springs based onpre-field evaluation of maps and aerial photographs or information provided by other teammembers or stakeholders. Information to be documented during the reconnaissance isdescribed in Section 3.3.1.

3.3 SPRING AND ASSOCIATED RIPARIAN AREA ASSESSMENT

The proposed methods for field documentation, field monitoring, and field sampling ofspring(s) and field documentation of associated riparian area(s), if observed, are describedbelow.

3.3.1 Field Documentation of SpringsThe following types of information will be collected for each spring identified within the site:

location (GPS coordinates);

general description and photographs;

geologic setting (e.g., bedrock, alluvium, and apparent geologic structures);

persistence (perennial, seasonal, or unknown);

estimated flow rate (quantitative or qualitative);

field water quality parameters (e.g., pH, electrical conductivity, temperature; andturbidity; see Section 3.3.2); and

samples collected (see Section 3.3.3) and laboratory analyses requested (seeSection 4.0).

3.3.2 Field Measurement of SpringsThe estimated flow rate and field water quality parameters for each spring identified within thesite will be measured, if feasible. Depending on field conditions, accessibility, and dischargeflow rate of the spring, the flow rate measurements may be quantitative or qualitative in nature.


If there is sufficient discharge flow from the spring, its flow rate will be measured using agraduated cylinder and a stopwatch. During sampling of accessible springs (see Section3.3.3), the following field water quality parameters will be measured:

pH;

electrical conductivity;

temperature;

dissolved oxygen; and

turbidity.

Flow rates and field water quality parameters as well as color and odor will be recorded on theWater Sampling Record. The water quality meters will be calibrated prior to the beginning ofeach day of sampling.

3.3.3 Sampling of SpringsIf there is sufficient flow, water samples will be collected using direct sampling to evaluate thequality of water from each spring identified within the site. This will be achieved by filling anopen-mouthed laboratory-provided container positioned upstream of any disturbances. Inconjunction with the sampling event, field water quality parameters, as noted in Section 3.3.2,will be measured and recorded. Containers will be labeled with the date, sample number,project name, sampler’s name or initials, parameters for analysis (method numbers whenpossible), and type of preservation. Samples will be placed in an ice-chilled cooler pendingtransport to a California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) EnvironmentalLaboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP)-certified analytical laboratory. All samples will beaccompanied to the laboratory by a Chain-of-Custody record.

3.3.4 Field Documentation of Associated Riparian AreasThe following types of information will be collected for each spring identified within the site:

vegetation mapping (associated riparian areas) (GIS polygon);

vegetation community classification;

wetland Indicator status of vegetation;

habitat usage of the spring by wildlife species; and

other flora and fauna present during the survey.

4.0 LABORATORY ANALYSES

Spring samples will be analyzed by a SWRCB ELAP-certified analytical laboratory. Sampleswill be analyzed for one or more of following constituents:


alkalinity (speciated) using Standard Method (SM) 2320B;

calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and sodium using U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Method 6010B;

chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate using U.S. EPA 300.0;

pH using SM 4500 H+ B;

conductivity using SM 2510 B;

total dissolved solids using SM 2540 C;

turbidity using SM 2130 B;

odor using SM 2150 B;

color using SM 2120 B;

total organic carbon using SM 5310 B; and

metals (Al, Sb, As, Ba, Be, B, Cd, Ca, Cr(t), Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, K,Se, Si, Sr, Ag, Na, Sn, Ti, Tl, V, Zn, and Hg) using U.S. EPA Methods 200.7, 200.8,and 245.1.

5.0 COMPILATION AND REPORTING OF RESULTS

Data obtained during this spring evaluation will be presented in a report for submittal toNevada Hydro. This report will contain a discussion of objectives, methods used, investigationfindings, and a brief QA/QC evaluation. Documentation of springs and associated riparianareas, field measurements, and laboratory data will be summarized in tables and on figures,as appropriate. Photographs and laboratory reports and Chain-of-Custody forms also will beincluded.

6.0 REFERENCES

GENTERRA Consultants, Inc. (GENTERRA), 2018, Supporting Design Report for UpperReservoir and Dam, Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumping Storage (LEAPS) project,FERC Project No. 11858, Riverside County, California, March 15.

Morton, D. M., 2004, Preliminary Digital Geologic Map of the Santa Ana 30’ x 60’ Quadrangle,Southern California, version 1.0 USGS Open-File Report OF 99-0172 version 2.1,https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-172/.

United States Geological Survey, 1997, 7.5-minute Series (topographic) Quadrangle, Alberhill,California.

United States Geological Survey, 1997, 7.5-minute Series (topographic) Quadrangle, LakeElsinore, California.

United States Geological Survey, 1997, 7.5-minute Series (topographic) Quadrangle, SittonPeak, California.

Study 8 Aquifer Impact Study Decker Canyon South/North Fork …leapshydro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/5.-Study-8... · 2018. 9. 17. · powerhouse, and a 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission

Documents