Visual Assessment
Beaver River Project Visual/Scenic Assessment
The Beaver River Project consists of eight developments constructed circa
1920; and utilized as store-and-release facilities, which operate in a peaking
mode on a daily basis. Progressing downstream, the eight developments are
Moshier, Eagle, Soft Maple, Elmer, Effley, Taylorville, Belfort, and High Falls.
As part of its relicensing application Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC)
proposed a new minimum flow unit at Eagle and redevelopment of the Belfort
Development. Following the filing of the license application, FERC requested
additional information needed to complete an independent review.
Devine Tarbell & Associates, Inc.’s (DTA) engineers responded to 10 of the
additional information requests (AIRs). All eight sites required energy
analysis. A representative 20-year period was selected for flow duration
analysis, synthetic hydrology from unregulated flow was developed,
computer-generated energy simulations were run, and energy production impacts
were assessed for a proposed run-of-river scenario during waterfowl nesting
periods. The run-of-river proposal required a feasibility study review regarding
equipment costs, estimated capital costs and lost energy production.
Additionally, studies of shoreline erosion were conducted along with an
assessment of the biological effects of water level fluctuations.
DTA’s personnel provided a narrated VHS videotape of a range of flows for each
of the bypass reaches with special emphasis on the representative views likely
to be seen by recreationalists, sightseers, and passers by. A complete color
photographic survey of existing project works, proposed facility sites and
routes, and associated landscape features was also prepared.