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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FERC Issues General Correspondence on Buchanan Hydroelectric Project Inspection

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Chicago Regional Office conducted a dam safety inspection of the Buchanan Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. P-2551) on July 19, 2023. The inspection team, led by Mr. Adam Christy, found no immediate dam safety-related items that need to be addressed. However, the inspection did reveal some concerns, including additional scour downstream of the spillway and animal burrows under the gate control building. The Commission has requested that American Electric Power (AEP) submit a stability analysis of the powerhouse and spillway by December 31, 2024, and implement measures to prevent future animal burrows.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2023 dam safety inspection of the Buchanan Hydroelectric Project was conducted on July 19, 2023, and found no immediate dam safety-related items that need to be addressed.
  • The inspection revealed up to 11 feet of additional scour downstream of the spillway, which was identified in the 2022 Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Report (DSSMR).
  • AEP was requested to perform a stability analysis of the powerhouse and spillway by December 31, 2024, using the most recent bathymetric data.
  • Animal burrows were observed under the gate control building, and AEP was requested to fill the burrows and implement measures to prevent future burrows.
  • The next 2023 DSSMR is due by April 1, 2024, and must be submitted using the Commission's eFiling system.
  • The Commission's review of the 2022 DSSMR found that it fulfills the requirements in Chapter 14 - Appendix K of the engineering guidelines.

Statistics:

  • 11 feet: Additional scour downstream of the spillway revealed in the 2022 DSSMR.
  • July 19, 2023: Date of the dam safety inspection.
  • December 31, 2024: Deadline for AEP to perform a stability analysis of the powerhouse and spillway.
  • April 1, 2024: Due date for the next 2023 DSSMR.
  • 2022 DSSMR: Received by the Commission with AEP's June 1, 2023 submittal.

Sources:

  • FERC Office of Energy Projects Division of Dam Safety and Inspections - Chicago Regional Office (230 S Dearborn St, Suite 3130, Chicago, IL 60604) - (312) 596-4430
  • August 2, 2023 via electronic mail
  • Mr. Gene F. Sirca, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., S.E., Chief Hydro Dam Safety Engineer, American Electric Power (gfsirca@aep.com)
  • Kevin Griebenow, P.E., Regional Engineer, FERC (adam.christy@ferc.gov)

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