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Independent regulatory commissions

National Marine Fisheries Service Comments on Boott Hydropower's Amended Final License Application for the Lowell Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Boott Hydropower's Amended Final License Application for the Lowell Hydroelectric Project, located on the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. The comments highlight several issues and concerns related to the project's operations, including canal infrastructure, generation facilities, and fish passage. NMFS requests that Boott provide additional information and clarify several points in the application.

Key Takeaways:

  • NMFS comments focus on several issues related to the Lowell Hydroelectric Project, including canal infrastructure, generation facilities, and fish passage.
  • The service requests that Boott provide more accurate descriptions of design hydraulic capacity and existing hydraulic capacity associated with each canal reach in the vicinity of the various powerhouses.
  • NMFS also asks Boott to clarify the intention behind the proposal to suspend generation at all canal units during the downstream fish passage seasons for alosines and eel.
  • The service recommends that Boott include a description of the six concrete weirs located in the bypass reach zone of passage and provide information on weir elevations, notch dimensions, notch velocity, and pool dimensions.
  • NMFS suggests that Boott develop and submit an updated and accurate tailwater rating curve for the E.L. Field powerhouse, as the 1983 curve overestimates tailwater elevations by a foot or two.
  • The service also requests that Boott clarify the source of water loss in the canals and how the proposed maintenance flow is passed downstream of the Project area.

Statistics:

  • The Lowell Hydroelectric Project is located on the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts.
  • The project's operations are to be suspended during the downstream fish passage seasons for alosines and eel (typically May through November).
  • The service requests that Boott provide more accurate information on design hydraulic capacity and existing hydraulic capacity associated with each canal reach in the vicinity of the various powerhouses.
  • The six concrete weirs located in the bypass reach zone of passage are approximately 175-400 feet downstream of the Pawtucket ladder entrance.
  • Boott proposes to provide between 50 and 100 cfs to the canal system in support of maintaining canal water elevations and water quality.

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
  • Boott Hydropower's Amended Final License Application (AFLA) for the Lowell Hydroelectric Project
  • Gomez and Sullivan (2016)
  • The full document can be viewed at this link: https://elibrary.ferc.gov

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