VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY, BURKE COUNTY, GEORGIA FROM JANUARY, 1977, THROUGH DECEMBER, 1978 OPERATING LICENSE STAGE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TECHNICAL DOCUMENT J. WAYNE WILTZ PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR GEORGIA POWER COMPANY ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS CENTER OCTOBER, 1982
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VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTBEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY, BURKE COUNTY,GEORGIA FROM JANUARY, 1977, THROUGH DECEMBER, 1978
1. Family, Scientific, and Common Names of Fishes Collected 7in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
2. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in January, 91977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
3. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in February, 101977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
4. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in March, 111977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
5. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in May, 121977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
6. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in June, 131977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
7. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in August, 141977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
8. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in September, 151977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
9. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in November, 161977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
10. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in December, 171977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
11. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in March, 181978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
12. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in June, 191978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
13. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in September, 201978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
14. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in December, 211978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
15. Species and Total Number of Individuals Collected in 1977 22by Month
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LIST OF TABLES
CONTINUED
16. Species and Total Number of Individuals Collected in 1978by Month
17. Percent Composition of Game and Commercial Species
18. Percent Composition of Non-Game and Non-Commercial Species
19. Percent Composition of Each Family of Fishes Collected
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20. Biomass and Percent Composition of Game and Commercial and 27Non-Game and Non-Commercial Species Collected in theBeaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
21. Mean Lengths in Millimeters with the Range in Parenthesis 29for Each Species for the Beaverdam Creek Resident FishStudy
22. Range of Physicochemical Data for Each Station for the 33Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study
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Beaverdam Creek is located approximately six miles north-northwest ofGirard, Burke County, Georgia. The creek is approximately six miles inlength and flows east-northeast to its confluence with the SavannahRiver at approximate river mile 148.4. Daniels Branch, a creek approximately five miles in length, flows southeast and High Head Creek, approximately one mile in length, flows northeast with both joining BeaverdamCreek in Telfair Pond (figure 1). Telfair Pond originated with thedamming of Beaverdam Creek below the confluence of the three creeks.
METHODS
Six permanent stations were selected to monitor drainage from the twoconstruction debris basins (figure 1). Stations 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 werelocated in Beaverdam Creek downstream from Telfair Pond. Stations 6.0,7.0, and 8.0 were in Daniels Branch upstream from Telfair Pond. Descriptions of each sampling station are given below:
Station 3.0: Beaverdam Creek approximately 1.5 miles upstream fromthe Savannah River. The stream substrate was composedof sand with scattered areas of detritus.
Station 3.5: Beaverdam Creek approximately 1.6 miles upstream fromthe Savannah River and immediately upstream from Station3.0. Stream substrate was composed of sand and detritus.
Station 4.0: Beaverdam Creek approximately 1.6 miles upstream fromthe Savannah River and immediately upstream from Station3.0. Station 4.0 was in a tributary connecting sedimentretention basin #1 with Beaverdam Creek. Stream substratewas composed of sand.
Station 6.0: Daniels Branch approximately 0.4 miles upstream fromTelfair Pond. The station was below the confluence ofDaniels Branch and a small stream draining sedimentretention basin #2. It was also located immediately below Ebenezer Church Road. Stream substrate was composedof sand, gravel, and a few scattered areas of detritus.
Station 7.0: Daniels Branch approximately 0.5 miles upstream fromTelfair Pond. The station was above the confluence ofDaniels Branch and the small stream draining sedimentretention basin #2. Stream substrate consisted of sandand detritus.
Station 8.0: Daniels Branch approximately 0.5 miles upstream fromTelfair Pond and immediately below Station 7.0. Station8.0 was in a tributary connecting sediment retention basin#2 with Daniels Branch. Stream substrate was composed ofsand.
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Nine surveys were conducted in 1977 at approximately six-week intervals.The surveys were conducted in January, February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December. On completion, the data wereanalyzed; and because of the large number of individuals collected forsome species, it was decided to reduce the sampling frequency frommonthly to quarterly for 1978. It was felt that enough data were collected in 1977 and sampling pressure could cause damage to the populationin the creek if the original sampling frequency was continued. The surveys for 1978 were conducted in March, June, September, and December.
Fish were sampled with a Smith-Root Model VIII-A backpack electrofisherand a l7-foot seine with a 1/16-inch mesh. Specimens were preserved inten percent formalin and transported to the Environmental Center inDecatur, Georgia, for identification and enumeration. Dissolved oxygenconcentration, conductivity, pH, and air and water temperatures weremeasured at the time of sampling to study possible changes in waterchemistry.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The family, scientific, and common names of fishes collected during theBeaverdam Creek resident fish study are given in table 1. A total of2435 individuals and 39 species were collected during the study (tables2 through 14). The blackbanded darter (Percina nigrofasciata), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), andtessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) were most frequently collectedin 1977 (table 15). Blackbanded darter, dusky shiner (Notropis cummingsae), speckled madtom (Noturus leptacanthus), and mosquitofish (Gambusiaaffinis) were most frequently collected in 1978 (table 16). The easternmudminnow (Umbra pygmaea), rosyface chub (Hybopsis rubrifrons), speckledmadtom, creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), spotted sucker (Minytremamelanops), snail bullhead (Ictalurus brunneus), flat bullhead (Ictalurusplatycephalus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), redear sunfish (Lepomismicrolophus), and swamp darter (Etheostoma fusiformes) were collectedonly once during the entire study. Game and commercial species, listedin table 17, comprised 20.8 percent of the total number of individualscollected with bluegill making up the largest portion (12.4 percent).Table 18 showed that dusky shiner composed the greatest portion of thenon-game and non-commercial species with 40.3 percent of the total numberof individuals. Twelve families of fishes were represented with thefamily Cyprinidae constituting 47.3 percent of the total number of individuals collected. The family Centrarchidae were next, comprising 19.3percent (table 19). The biomass of the game and commercial speciescomprised 59.8 percent of the total biomass, as shown on table 20, withbluegill contributing 20.2 percent. American eel (AngUilla rostrata)made up 6.8 percent of the non-game and non-commercial species biomasswhich totaled 41.8 percent of the total biomass.
The greater biomass of the game and commercial species was due to thesize of the species as adults compared to the size of the non-game and
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non-commercial species as adults. Range and mean lengths are given intable 21 for each species according to each sample.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations were well within the limits for warmwater species of ft~1' a minimum of 4.0 mg/l and a daily average of5 mg/l for Georgia (table 22). The limits for pH are 6.0 to 8.5 forGeorgia. Stations 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 7.0, and 8.0 were below the minimumduring parts of 1977 (table 22). This was attributed to organic decomposition and the release of acids from vegett5ron. This was a normaloccurrence in swampy terrain according to Reid. The pH at Station6.0 was 9.0 in August, 1977, which could have been a normal occurrenceor pH meter malfunction. The data from table 2t l,how5d that the watertemperatures did not exceed the limit of 32.2 C (90 F). The rangeof specific conductance in inland freshwaters supportin~81 diversefish fauna was between 150 to 500 micromhos/cm at 25 C. The datashowed that the specific conductance in the creek was relatively lowand never exceeded the maximum of 500 micromhos/cm. The highestrecorded conductivity was 349 micromhos/cm at Station 8.0.
The effects of siltation on aquatic organisms are numerous and varied.Increased suspended sediment decreases the amount of available sunlightnecessary for photosynthesis. Reduction of plant life (primary producers)will upset the energy flow or food chain in the environment, causing adecrease in the aquatic population. Elevated water temperatures mayresult due to heat absorbed by ~~, sediment. The effects previouslymentioned, according to Cairns, are of little importance since thefollowing effects are more direct and the action more acute. Oxygendepletion usually occurs due to organic decomposition, that reduces theavailable oxygen necessary for metabolic processes. Depending on streamconditions, low dissolved oxygen may have a drastic effect on aquaticorganisms resulting in a population decrease with only tolerant speciesremaining. Changes in pH can affect organisms such as fish directly byreducing the protective mucous layer on the gills and body. The gillsfunction in respiration and excretion of nitrogenous waste and chloride.Breakdown of the mucous layer of the body allows for bacterial and viralinfections. Silt also has a direct abrasive action on the gills. Heavysiltation can cause changes in spawning areas, damage to fish eggs, andpossible increase in osmotic pressure due to an increase in dissolvedsalts.
In November, 1977, nearby transmission line right-of-way constructionand off-site independent logging operations caused an increase in turbidityat Stations 7.0 and 8.0. Tree limbs and debris were scattered throughoutthe creek at Station 7.0, making sample collection impossible at certaintimes. Grass was planted on the right-of-way and a rip-rap and hay balebarrier constructed above Station 8.0. These techniques have proven tobe effective in decreasing turbidity. Initially, the creek bed at Station8.0 was shallow with very little suitable habitat for fish. After construction of the barrier, the creek deepened and additional species werecollected due to more suitable habitat.
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As a result of the well-drained sandy soil, turbidity and run~off decreasedquickly after heavy rainfalls. A diverse fish population was present inthe creek as indicated from the study.
CONCLUSIONS
Siltation was not a factor influencing the resident fish population inBeaverdam Creek. Turbidity and run-off decreased quickly after heavyrainfall because of the well-drained sandy soil. An increase in turbidity was noted at Stations 7.0 and 8.0 1n November, 1977, caused bytransmission line right-of-way construction by Georgia Power Companyand logging operations by an independent logger on property adjacent tocompany property. Grass was planted on the right-of-way and a rip-rapand hay bale barrier was constructed at Station 8.0. This proved to beeffective in decreasing turbidity.
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REFERENCES
1. Environmental Protection Division, Water Quality Monitoring Datafor Georgia Streams, Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta,Georgia, 1981.
2. Patrick, R., Caiins, J. Jr., and Roback, S. S., "An EcosystematicStudy of the Fauna and Flora of the Savannah River," Proceedingsof the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 118, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, pp 109-407, 1967.
3. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Summary of Studieson the Savannah River 1951-1970 for E. I. DuPont DeNemours andCompany, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, 1970.
4. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Summary Reports ofSavannah River Cursary Surveys for E. I. DuPont DeNemours andCompany 1961-1972, 1974, and 1977, Academy of Natural Sciences ofPhiladelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1978.
5. Matthews, R. A., Biological Surveys on the Savannah River in theVicinity of the Savannah River Plant (1951-1976), E. I. DuPontDeNemours and Company, Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, SouthCarolina, 1982.
6. United States Atomic Energy Commission, Environmental StatementRelated to the Proposed Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2,3, and 4, Parts 6 and 11, Washington, D.C., 1974.
7. Reid, G. K., Ecology of Inland Waters and Estuaries, Reinhold BookCorporation, New York, New York, p 375, 1961.
8. Ellis, M. M., Westfall, B. A., and Ellis, M. D., Determination ofWater Quality, u.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Report 9, p 122, 1946.
9. Cairns, J., Jr., Suspended Solids Standards for the Protection ofAquatic Organisms, Purdue University Engineering Bulletin, p 129,1967.
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TABLE I (PAGE I OF 2)
FAMILY t SCIENTIFIC t AND COMMON NAMES OF FISHESCOLLECTED IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY
a. No samples taken at Stations 8.0 and 7.0 in June, 1977 , becauseof electro fisher malfunction and because of low water and detritis -seining was impossible.
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TABLE 7
SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN AUGUST,1977, IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY
a. No samples taken at Stations 3.5, 8.0, and 7.0 in September, 1978,because of an e1ectrofisher malfunction and because of low waterand detritus seining was impossible.
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TABLE 14
SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN DECEMBER,1978, IN THE BEAVERDA}1 CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY
-a. No samples taken at Stations 3.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 7.0 in December,1978, because of electrofisher malfunction and because of lowwater and detritus seining was impossible. -
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TABLE 15
SPECIES AND TOTAL NU}lBER OF INDIVIDUALSCOLLECTED IN 1977 BY MONTH
RANGE OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL DATA FOR EACH STATIONFOR THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY
Parameters Range
Station 3.0Air Temperature (C) 0.0 to 30.0Water Temperature (C) 2.5 to 26.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (mg/l) 6.8 to 12.0pH 5.5 to 7.6Conductivity (micromhosl cm) 25.0 to 95.0
Station 3.5Air Temperature 0.0 to 30.0Water Temperature 2.5 to 27.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 6.7 to 11.8pH 5.9 to 7.7Conductivity 25.0 to 150.0
Station 4.0Air Temperature 0.0 to 30.0Water Temperature 1.5 to 27.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 6.5 to 12.2pH 6.2 to 7.1Conductivity 50.0 to 175.0
Station 6.0Air Temperature 1.1 to 34.0Water Temperature 4.0 to 28.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 4.7 to 11.4pH 6.3 to 9.0Conductivity 30.0 to 62.0
Station 7.0Air Temperature 7.0 to 30.0Water Temperature 5.2 to 27.7Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 5.9 to 12.6pH 5.7 to 7.6Conductivity 28.0 to 50.0
Station 8.0Air Temperature 7.0 to 30.2Water Temperature 5.5 to 29.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 5.6 to 12 .8pH 5.7 to 7.7Conductivity 20.0 to 349.0
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PLANT SITE
DANIELS BRANCH
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BEAVERDAM CREEK
• SAMPLING STATIONS~--- ROADS
SAVANNAH RIVER
SEDIMENT RETENTION BASIN #2
SEDIMENT RETENTION BASIN #1
BEAVERDAM CREEK
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TELFAIR POND
HIGH HEAD CREEK
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433-9
Georgia Power .\VOGTLEELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTUNIT 1 ANO UNIT 2
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STATION LOCATIONS FOR THE RESIDENT FISHSTUDY IN BEAVERDAM CREEK AND DANIELS
FIGURE 1
VEGP - OLSER
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Station Locations for the Resident Fish Study inBeaverdam Creek and Daniels Branch
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INTRODUCTION
Construction of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) began inJune, 1974, and was discontinued in September, 1974, as a result ofunfavorable economic conditions. Construction resumed in January,1977, with excavation activities beginning in February. The plant siteis approximately 3169 acres and located in Burke County, on the southwestside of the Savannah River, the natural boundary between Georgia andSouth Carolina. The site is at river mile 150.9 across from the SavannahRiver Plant (SRP) operated by E. I. DuPont DeNemours and Company for theU.S. Department of Energy. The plant site is approximately 26 milessouth-southeast of Augusta, Georgia. The site is located in the coastalplain which is characterized by sandy or sandy loam soil with rollinghills and mixed pine-hardwood association. Since the onset of construction, approximately 1391 acres of the site have been cleared for plantconstruction.
The original plans proposed a generating plant consisting of four units,but construction of two units has been cancelled. The plant will employtwo pressurized water reactors producing 1160 MW each. Unit 1 is scheduled to go into service in March, 1987, and Unit 2 in September, 1988.The exhaust steam will be cooled by a closed-cycle cooling system employing natural draft cooling towers using make-up water from the Savannah River. Low volume waste and blowdown from both cooling towers willultimately be discharged back into the river.
The Savannah River below Augusta, Georgia, and above the VEGP sitereceives wastewater discharges from municipalities and industries thatadd organic wastes, nutrients, metals, and other trace conttYfnants.Stream classification near the VEGP is listed as ItFishing." The rivernear the plant site is typical of large southeastern coastal plain riversexcept that a dredged channel is maintained by the Corps of Engineers forbarge traffic. The biological community of the river is similar to thatof other large southeastern rivers but has been affected by man's influence on the river. The impoundment of the river above Augusta, Georgia,has reduced the transport of sediments and allochthonous particulateorganic materials, and the dredging of the channel has reduced thenatural shallow areas and backwaters that would normally support a diverseflora and fauna. Studies on the Savannah River flora and fauna have be~2
conducted periodically since 1951 and were d~3rt!Td in Patrick'(5J al., )Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and Matthews.
Georgia Power Company was required by the Plant Vogtle Final Envt6~nmental
Statement, issued by the United States Atomic Energy Commission, to complete the'requirement that sampling stations in Beaverdam Creek be established to evaluate the effects on the resident stream fauna of sedimententering the stream from the silt and sediment retention basins. A studybegan in January, 1977, and ended in December, 1978.