Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues Comments on Boyne River Hydroelectric Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued comments on the Boyne River Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 3409, owned and operated by Boyne USA. The comments address the updated Emergency Action Plan (EAP), Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Report (DSSMR), and Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Plan (DSSMP) submitted by Boyne USA on May 2, 2025. The FERC notes that the DSSMR concludes that the dam is performing adequately with no adverse findings this reporting period and states that the dam is safe for continuing operation.

Key Takeaways:

• The FERC has comments on the data from the active instrumentation, which should be evaluated to determine consistency with reasonable design assumptions.
• A headwater elevation should be measured and recorded while the observation wells are read, and all readings should be relative to a common horizontal datum.
• Time vs readings plots should be included in the DSSMR to illustrate long-term trends.
• A plan drawing of the project structures showing instrument locations should be included in the DSSMR.
• The EAP contains sufficient information for complying with the annual requirements listed in 18 C.F.R., Part 12, Subpart C, SS 12.24 and Chapter 6, Section 6- 2.2.4 of the Commission's Engineering Guidelines.
• Boyne USA is required to address the above comments as part of the 2025 DSSMR due by April 1, 2026.

Statistics:

• The reporting period for the DSSMR is not specified.
• The dam has been performing adequately with no adverse findings this reporting period.
• The EAP contains sufficient information for complying with the annual requirements listed in 18 C.F.R., Part 12, Subpart C, SS 12.24.

*Boyne USA is required to address 4 comments regarding the DSSMR.

Sources:

• FERC No. 3409 - 2024 DSSMR, Revised DSSMP and Updated EAP
• 18 C.F.R., Part 12, Subpart C, SS 12.24
• Chapter 6, Section 6- 2.2.4 of the Commission's Engineering Guidelines