ML20035H394
| ML20035H394 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png |
| Issue date: | 12/31/1992 |
| From: | Walt T PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| PGE-1009-92, NUDOCS 9305040435 | |
| Download: ML20035H394 (67) | |
Text
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.. PortlanciGeneitil BectricCompany y.
i James E. Cross t
Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer April 29, 1993 Trojan Nuclear Plant Docket 50-344 License NPF-1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn:
Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555
Dear Sirs:
Annual Report of the Operational Ecological Monitorine Procram for the Trojan Nuclear Plant The purpose of this letter is to transmit a copy of Portland General Electric Company's " Operational Ecological Monitoring Program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant - Annual Report 1992", in accordance with the Trojan Operating License, Appendix B, Environmental Protection Plan, Section 5.4.1, Sincerely, O
T. D. Walt for J. E. Cross Enclosure c:
Mr. John B. Martin Regional Administrator, Region V U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mr. David Stewart-Smith State of Oregon Department of Energy 1
Mr. Kenneth Johnston NRC Resident Inspector Trc,jan Nuclear Plant Mr. Terry Edvalson Chairman, Trojan Subcommittee Energy Facility Siting Council State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 9305040435 921231 PDR ADOCK 05000344 q
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PDR g
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PG E-1009-92 l
OPERATIOls AL ECO_OGICAL NOsflTORING PROGRAM for t7e
~90JA\\ NUC_ EAR 3LA\\T l
ANNUAL REPORT 1992 l
Portland General Electric Environmental Services Department Portland, Oregon
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I - GENERAL PAGE 1.
Acknowledgements I-1 2.
Technical Specification Requirements I-1 3.
Introduction I-2 4.
Technical Specification reports I-3 SECTION II - COLUMBIA RIVER AQUATIC PROGRAM 1.
Physical-chemical II-1 2.
Fish Impingement II-9 SECTION III - TERRESTRIAL PROGRAM 1.
Aerial Photography III-1 2.
Incidental Observations III-30 SECTION IV - RECREATION LAKE ACUATIC PROGRAM 1.
Recreation Lake Fish IV-1 2.
Benthic Invertebrates 3
IV-5 SECTION V - REFERENCES
FIGURES Pace II-1 Columbia River Sampling Stations II-2 III-1 Aerial Flightline and Analysis Sites III-4 III-2 Trojan Survey Area III-31 IV-1 Fish - Catch per Effort IV-4 IV-2 Benthos - Mean Density IV-8 IV-3 Benthos - Yearly Comparison IV-8 TABLES Pace II-1 Columbia River Vertical Profile, RM 73.7 II-3 II-2 Columbia River Vertical Profile, RM 72.0 II-4 II-3 Columbia River Water Temperature II-5 II-4 Columbia River Conductivity II-6 II-5 Columbia River Dissolved Oxygen II-7 II-6 Columbia River pH II-8 II-7 Intake Fish Impingement II-10 III-1 Aerial - Project Specifications III-2 III-2 Bird Observations III-32 IV-1 Recreation Lake Gill Het Catch IV-2 IV-2 Common and Scientific Names, 1974-92 IV-3 IV-3 Benthic Invertebrate Data IV-6 IV-4 Recreation Lake Chemical Data IV-7 IV-5 Physical / Chemical Data, 1987-92 IV-9
Section I General Information
- ~ -
- - - - ~ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SECTION I GENERAL 1.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS l
This annual report, prepared by Portland General Electric Company (PGE), describes the aquatic terrestrial, and aerial monitaring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant for the period January through December 1992.
The individuals responsible for report preparation are listed below.
Field Sampling S.C.
Bull ock D.E.
Clark Aerial Photography Photography Plus Umatilla, Oregon Martin Pitney Imagery Interpretation Oregon State University Geographic Applications Lab Corvallis, Oregon J.i'. Grenninger G.G.
Gaston G.L.
White Primary Authors S.C.
Bullock L.M.
Carter Managerial Assistance D.M.
Norton W.
Lei 2.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REOUIREMENTS This report, Operational Ecological Monitoring Program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant Annual Report, 1992, PGE 1009-92, contains the necessary reporting information to meet the technical specification requirements for non-radiological monitoring and to comply with the Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 345 division 26 - 075.
I-1
3.
INTRODUCTION A.
Troian and its Environment The Trojan Plant site is near Prescott, Oregon in Columbia County.
It occupies an area between the Columbia River at River Mile (RM) 72.5 and U.S.
Highway 30.
The economy of the area upstream of Trojan has traditionally been oriented toward the wood product industries, agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, and trade, resulting in numerous upstream sources of chemical discharges; in addition to the secondary treated sewage of over a million people.
The constituents of their discharges may be similar to those monitored at Trojan, making evaluation difficult.
I Both the plant and the nearby town of Prescott are located on a rocky ridge (el. 75 feet MSL) approximately 700 feet wide and a mile long, running parallel to the Columbia River.
The Trojan Cooling Tower is on a rise at 90 feet MSL.
As late as 1900, this ridge was separated from the Oregon shore by a navigable channel.
That old channel is now a marshy area which includes Neer Creek and Carr Slough.
At the northern edge is a shallow, natural lake drained by Carr Slough.
As part of site preparation, the southern end of the marshlands was excavated to provide a recreational lake and, west of the plant, a reflecting pool.
Water levels in these two ponds can be equalized by a weir alongside the access road.
Neer Creek, flowing off the steep hillside to the west and along the western edge of the old river channel, has been redirected into the recreational lake.
Its flow ranges from 30 cfs during winter to less than 1 cfs during summer droughts.
The overflow from the two ponds is directed into Carr Slough through lower Neer Creek and into the Columbia north of Trojan.
At the Trojan site (RM 72.5), the Columbia River average annual flow is 230,000 cfs with an average velocity of 1.8 fps.
Maximum flows usually occur in May, June, and July when snow melts in the high Cascades and Canadian Rocky Mountain headwater areas.
These flows range between 300,000 cfs and 550,000 cfs, with an average current velocity of 2 to 3 fps.
In the winter months, November through March, when rainfall is prevalent west of the
- Cascades, the average flow is 200,000 to 250,000 cfs, with an average current velocity c5 1.5 to 2.0 fps.
A low-flow period occurs in the late summer and fall, with flows of 120,000 to 170,000 cfs and velocities of 1.0 to 1.5 fps.
Stated velocities are averaged across the river and over a tidal cycle.
Ebb tide velocities are 20 to 30 percent greater.
Velocities near shore may be 40 percent less than velocities at midchannel.
The level of the Columbia River near Trojan is influenced by tides.
During low river flows and strong tides, flow reversal occurs.
I-2 l
l
Upstream releases from a series of storage reservoirs behind Bonneville Dam and water from tributaries below Bonneville control the flow of the Columbia at the Trojan site. The largest tributary below Bonneville Dam, the Willamette River, contributes as much as 20 percent to the river flow at Trojan, but during drought conditions in January 1978, the Willamette contributed over 50 percent of the flow.
In addition, flows may be further
- ltered in the Columbia River by releases of water from upstream reservoirs during the spring and summer migration period to aid downstream movement of ocean-bound juvenile salmonids.
5.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REPORTS A.
Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) Noncomoliances No EPP noncompliances were observed or reported during 1992. No corrective action was necessary.
B.
Chances in Station Desien or Operation No changes in station design or operation occurred which sign!.ficantly affected the EPP; consequently, there were no potertially significant unreviewed environmental issues.
C.
Nonroutine Reports No nonroutina NPDES reports were filed with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
D.
Summary Pollution Control Technicues ggg There are f.ive general sources of possible pollutant discharges from the Trojan Nuclear Plant; 1) Chemicals used in plant process streams; 2) Oils used for fuel and lubrication; 3) Sewage from the sanitary system; 4)
Radioactive wastes generated through normal system operat. ion; and 5) Heat from steam plant cooling processes.
Control of the chemical wastes discharged from the plant is based upon minimum reasonable usage consistent with operational requirements.
Makeup water requirements are minimized whenever possible by returning steam generator blowdown to the condenser and recycling primary system dilution water and boric acid through evaporation.
I-3
Chemical wastes generated on site associated with the production of potable and demineralized water were minor in 1992.
This was due to the use of well water instead of the Columbia River as the primary water source and the use of vendor supplied demineralizers and demineralized water production.
The use of well water has eliminated alum and polyelectrolyte wastes associated with surface water pretreatment.
Alum has been removed from the site, and plans are being made to remove the remaining water plant chemicals.
The use of vendor supplied demineralizers eliminate sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid wastes associated with on-site demineralizer regeneration.
Present plans are to continue use of this water supply scheme.
Usage of sodium hypochlorite for biofouling control and sodium bisulfite for dechlorination is minimized by control of both the frequency of service water and circulating water chlorination and the concentrations of chemical used.
In addition, during chlorination of the circulating water system, blowdown to the river is l
secured to eliminate the need for sodium bisulfite dechlorination.
Lubricating oil or diesel fuel oil that leaks or is spilled during normal operation of the plant systems is collected and removed by the oil / water separator and discharged to the plant's main outfall at the discharge and dilution structure.
Drainage and blowdown from the start-up boiler is routed to the discharge and dilution structure.
This has eliminated any discharges to the recreation lake except for storm runoff, discharges from the circulation water pump sump, and periodic draining of the circulating water system for maintenance.
The sewage treatment system collects drainage of sanitary waste from various site facilities as well as the Visitors Information Center and recreation park.
A sequential batch wastewater treatnent plant was placed into service November 1989.
Tnis unit is rated at 75,000 gallons per day and replaces a 25,000 gallon per day extended aeration treatment facility which has been dismantled.
The facility provided wastewater treatment through batch reaction in an aerated mixed liquor media followed with solids removal by settling and disinfection with hypochlorite prior to discharge.
The Trojan Central Building office complex was completed in 1992.
This allowed for the elimination of most of the trailers located on the Plant site.
Trojan I-4
Central Building added a cafeteria which began operation in the spring of 1992.
Overall, the addition of the new building did not significantly alter the volume of sanitary waste generated.
Radioactive waste effluents are minimized by good operating practices and by purification as necessary.
The generation of radioactive waste is minimized by repairing valve and seal leaks as soon as possible and by planning and controlling plant evolutions to minimize the volume and activity of radioactive waste.
When radioactive wastes are released, purification by filtration and demineralization is performed as necessary to meet the required limits.
Radioactive releases at Trojan have been significantly below the Technical Specification limits and below the design objectives.
Thermal discharge to the Columbia River is controlled by design and by limiting circulating water blowdown.
Optimum system operation would require more blowdown than is allowed to maintain thermal discharge limits.
With the shut-down of Trojan, a substantial reduction in number of site personnel will reduce the volume of waste water generated.
By no longer operating the Plant, thermal discharges and radioactive waste effluents will also be minimized.
1-5
a 4
Section II Columbia River Aquatic Program
SECTION U COLUMBIA RIVER AQUATIC PROGRAM 1.
PHXSICAL AND CHEMICAL The 1992 Columbia River water quality monitoring program k
docume ats the physical and chemical characteristics of specific parameters in the Columbia River near Prescott, Oregon.
This sectAon satisfies requirements of OAR 345-26-060.
Water quality studies have been conducted in the Columbia River in the vicinity of Trojan since 1974.
Results of these studies demonstrated normal seasonal and cross river trends.(Portland General Electric Company. 1979-1991. Operational Ecological Monitoring Program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant. Annual reports)
The cross river trends are influenced by the Willamette River flows which generally prevail on the Oregon side of the river and the upper Columbia River flows which prevail on the Washington side of the river.
In 1992, temperature, conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen were monitored from May through December at Stations RM 73.7 and RM 72.0 (Figure II-1).
Results are presented in Tables II-1 & 2.
Temperatures ranged from 5.0*C in December to 21.3*C in August; conductivity from 109 pmhos/cm in July to 162 gmhos/cm in May; dissolved oxygen from 8.5 mg/l in July and August to 11.7 mg/l in December; and pH from 7.6 in July, August, and December to 8.5 in November.
~
Considering the relatively small discharges from Trojan (< 99 cfs) compared to total river volume (>120,000 cfs) and all the upstream influences on the water quality of the Columbia, the probability of measuring subtle impacts from operation of Trojan is small.
Station comparisons in 1992 for the selected parameters show no unnatural upstream-downstream differences occurred between RM 73.7 and 72.0 from May through December.
Also, comparison of 1992 data with that for previous years indicates all years were generally similar, with differences due to seasonal trends or natural conditions.(Tables II-3 through 6)
The operation of the Trojan Nuclear Plant did not affect the physical-chemical parameters measured in the Columbia River in 1992.
Weather and upstream biogeochemical processes govern the Columbia River physical-chemical-biological relationships near the Trojan Plant.
II-1
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- q Figure 11-1 Field sampling stations on the Columbia River for monitoring physical and chenical paraneters.
G PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY COLUMBIA RIVER AT TROJAN NUCLEAR PLANT 1992 PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL DATA Table 11-1 RIVER MILE 73.7 Parameter Depth May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Conductivity surface 155 118 111 132 138 154 115 112 Conductivity 3 meters 162 122 109 133 154 121 119 Diss. Oxygen surface 10.6 9.5 8.5 8.5 8.7 10.2 10.8 11.7 Diss. Oxygen 3 meters 10.8 9.4 8.6 8.6 10.2 10.8 10.7 Percent Oxygen surface 105 102 97 98 96 104 104 95 104 104 86 Percent Oxygen 3 meters 108 101 99 100 pH surface 7.8 8.0 7.6 7.6 7.8 8.4 8.5 7.6 pH 3 meters 7.7 8.0 7.6 7.6 8.4 8.2 7.6 Temperature surface 13.6 17.1 20.7 21.3 18.6 14.9 12.0 5.0 l
Temperature 3 meters 13.8 17.1 20.9 21.3 14.8 12.0 5.0 NOTE: conductivity in ymhos/cm; Dissolved Oxygen in mg/L; Temperature in C'
- pil in Standard Unite II-3 l
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PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY COLUMBIA RIVER AT TROJAN NUCLEAR PLANT 1992 PIIYSICAL-CHEMICAL DATA Table II-2 RIVER MILE 72.0 Parameter Depth May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Conductivity surface 159 121 97 132 151 160 119 140 Conductivity 3 meters 158 122 96 132 160 120 140 Diss. Oxygen surface 10.6 9.8 8.7 8.2 8.9 10.1 10.9 11.4 10.2 10.8 10.9 Diss. Oxygen 3 meters 10.8 9.8 8.8 8.6 Percent Oxygen surface 105 105 100 95 98 103 105 92 Percent Oxygen 3 meters 107 105 101 99 105 103 86 pH surface 7.9 8.2 7.6 7.7 8.3 8.5 8.4 8.3 S.5 8.3 8.3 pH 3 meters 7.8 8.2 7.3 7.7 Temperature surface 13.3 17.1 20.7 21.5 18.5 15.0 12.0 5.0 1
15.0 11.8 5.2 Temperature 3 meters 13.3 17.0 20.9 21.3 l
NOTE: Conductivity in ymhos/cm; Dissolved Oxygen in mg/L; Temperature in C'; pH in Standard Un8.Ls
MONTHLY SURFACE WATER TEMPERATURES IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
1986 - 92 Table 11-3 TEMPERATURE (degrees celsius)
Month River 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Mean 1992 Mile 86-91 May 73.7 12.7 13.0 12.8 13.6 72.0 12.6 13.0 12.8 13.3 Jun 73.7 19.5 16.5 20.4 14.4 15.0 17.2 17.1 19.5 16.5 20.4 14.3 14.9 17.1 17.1 72.0 l
Jul 73.7 22.1 20.5 21.0 20.0 20.8 18.6 20.5 20.7 72.0 22.5 20.5 21.0 20.0 20.8 18.6 20.6 20.7 Aug 73.7 16.4 18.0 18.4 19.5 20.2 20.3 18.8 21.3 72.0 16.5 18.0 18.5 19.5 20.2 20.3 18.8 21.5 Sep 73.7 14.2 14.5 16.4 14.2 19.1 18.4 16.1 18.6 72.0 14.2 14.5 16.5 14.2 19.2 18.4 16.2 18.5 10.6 13.4 12.9 11.7 14.9 Oct 73.7 10.0 10.6 13.6 13.3 11.9 15.0 72.0 10.0 8.3 11.0 8.6 9.3 12.0 Nov 73.7 8.3 11.2 8.9 9.5 12.0 72.0 7.8 7.8 5.0 Dec 73.7 8.0 8.0 5.0 72.0 11-5
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1 MONTIILY SURFACE CONDUCTIVITY READINGS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
l 1986 - 92 l
Table II-4 l
CONDUCTIVITY (pmhos/cm)
Month River 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Mean 1992 Mile 86-91 l
May 73.7 112 103 107 155 l
72.0 117 127 122 159 Jun 73.7 118 140 100 94 105 111 118 72.0 118 145 105 111 106 117 121 Jul 73.7 160 150 122 120 133 112 133 111 72.0 165 150 122 120 134 112 134 97 Aug 73.7 153 160 144 130 133 125 141 132 72.0 155 155 135 135 134 124 140 132 Sep 73.7 180 160 135 135 151 138 150 138 72.0 180 160 139 135 145 135 149 151 Oct 73.7 110 160 145 140 146 148 141 154 72.0 145 170 150 145 167 146 154 160 Nov 73.7 125 97 96 106 115 145 139 112 132 119 72.0 81 90 112 100 Dec 73.7 118 90 104 140 72.0
- No sample taken II-6 i
MONTHLY SURFACE DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER.
1986 - 92 Table II-5 DISSOLVED OXYGEN (milligrama/ liter)
Month River 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Mean 1992 Mile 86-91 11.0 11.2 11.1 10.6 May 73.7 11.0 12.1 11.5 10.6 72.0 Jun 73.7 9.8 10.6 9.9 10.0 10.1 9.5 10.8 10.2 10.3 9.8 72.0 9.2 11.2 Jul 73.7 8.4 8.9 9.3 9.4 9.2 9.6 9.1 8.5 72.0 8.4 3.3 9.3 9.3 9.3 9.6 9.2 8.7 Aug 73.7 7.7 8.5 9.6 8.9 8.0 8.9 8.6 8.5 72.0 7.9 8.8 9.4 8.6 8.4 9.0 8.7 8.2 Sep 73.7 8.6 9.4 9.5 9.4 8.3 9.0 9.0 8.7 72.0 8.7 9.2 9.4 9.3 8.3 9.1 9.0 8.9 Oct 73.7 10.0 9.6 10.0 9.5 9.6 9.2 9.6 10.2 72.0 9.9 10.1 9.4 9.7 9.8 9.5 9.7 10.1 11.0 9.4 11.6 10.5 10.8 Nov 73.7 10.0 11.0 9.5 11.2 9.8 10.9 72.0 7.5 12.2 11.8 11.7 11.4 Dec 73.7 11.4 12.1 11.7 11.4 72.0
- no sample taken 11-7 S
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MONTIILY SURFACE pil VALUES IN TIIE COLUMBIA RIVER.
1986 - 92 Table II-6 pil (Standard Units)
Month River 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Mean 1992 Mile 86-91 l
8.0 8.0 8.0 7.8 l
May 73.7 72.0 8.0 8.2 8.1 7.9 Jun 73.7 7.3 7.7 8.0 7.8 7.7 8.0 7.8 7.5 8.0 7.7 7.7 8.2 l
72.0 Jul 73.7 7.4 7.9 7.9 7.6 8.0 8.0 7.8 7.6 1
l 72.0 7.5 7.4 7.8 7.6 8.0 8.1 7.7 7.6 Aug 73.7 7.9 8.0 7.7 8.9 7.8 7.8 8.0 7.6 72.0 7.9 7.7 7.7 8.6 7.9 8.1 8.0 7.7 Sep 73.7 7.9 7.8 7.8 7.3 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.8 72.0 7.8 7.9 7.7 7.2 8.0 7.7 7.7 8.3 Oct 73.7 8.1 7.6 7.7 6.9 7.9 7.7 7.6 8.4 72.0 8.0 7.6 7.7 6.9 8.1 7.8 7.7 8.5 6.5 7.9 7.0 7.3 8.5 Nov 73.7 7.7 72.0 7.6 6.3 8.1 7.8 7.4 8.4 Dec 73.7 7.9 7.2 7.5 7.6 7.9 7.8 8.3 72.0 7.8 II-8 l
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2.
FISH IMPINGEMENT In compliance with OAR 345-26-060, the debris trap for the traveling screen wash water at the intake structure continues to be monitored to check the system's efficiency in protecting the fishery resource of the Columbia River.
During 1992 scheduled sampling, 11 fish were collected from the wash water debris trap, compared to 5 in 1991 and 39 in 1990.
Species collected included Prickly sculpin, Largescale sucker, Three-spine stickleback, Chinook salmon, and American shad.
Most were juveniles, lengths ranging from 3 to 27 centimeters (Table II-7).
Spawned-out Columbia River Smelt have traditionally been the dominant species impinged at the Trojan intake.
Low numbers were impinged from 1988-1990, and in 1991 and 1992 none were found impinged during the checks.
Smelt, like the salmon die soon after spawning, and those found on the travelling screens are spent and either dead or in a weakened condition prior to being impinged.
The loss of these fish is a natural occurrence and not related to operation of the Plant.
Maximum smelt impingement years are thought to occur when smelt spawn in the mainstem Columbia upstream of Trojan.
Evidently, spawning in the mainstem Columbia has not occurred since 1987.
The Trojan intake system continues to show little potential for impact on resident or migratory Columbia River fish populations.
l II-9
Table II-7 INTAKE STRUCTURE FISH IMPINGEMENT 1992 Month Species Forklength Weight April Prickly sculpin 13.0 cm 38 gr (Cottus ascer)
May Prickly sculpin 12.0 cm 20 gr May Largescale sucker 13.5 cm (catostomus nacrocheilus)
May Chinook salmon 13.2 cm 17 gr (Oncorhynchus tshavvtscha)
June Largescale sucker 27.0 cm 170 gr July Largescale sucker 26.0 cm July Prickly sculpin 12.2 cm 38 gr July Stickleback 3.0 cm (Gasterosteus aculeatus) l July Stickleback 6.2 cm December American shad 13.0 cm 24 gr (Alosa sapidissina)
December American shad 11.0 cm 11 gr
Section III l
Terrestrial Program
SECTION III TERRESTRIAL PROGRAM 1.
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY From March 1974 through August 1987, remote sensing imagery in selected areas around Trojan was obtained twice annually by Intera Technologies, Ltd., of Calgary, Alberta.
Annual documentation of seasonal differences in vegetation communities recorded on this imagery indicated changes in vegetation growth patterns, species composition, and pigments due to various natural and anthropogenic causes unrelated to the operation of Trojan.
This remote sensing program provided baseline data during the pre-operational and operational history of Trojan.
The aerial photography program was required under Appendix B of the Operating License of the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Technical Specification 4.2 in Appendix B, Part II (Revision, May 14, 1981) acknowledged the aerial photography program had been under way for several years.
The Technical Specification Revision required this program be continued every two years for three additional periods.
At the conclusion of the requirement in 1986, it was decided to continue an aerial photography study in the Trojan Area as it has provided an extremely sensitive method of detecting environmental stress.
This program is an expansion and enhancement of the previous program and a continuation of aerial photography record we have on the pre-and post-operational data for Trojan.
Photography Plus, Incorporated, of Umatilla, Oregon was retained to perform the overflights in 1988, and the Geographic Applications Laboratory of Oregon State University at Corvallis, Oregon was retained to evaluate film quality and interpret and analyze the photographs.
Methods used for the 1992 flights and interpretation are presented in Table III-1.
III-1 h-
Table III-1 Project Specifications Air Photo Accuisition Specifications Three-season acquisition of color and color infrared photography.
Flight altitude Low level:
2,625 ft/AGL Medium level:
9,000 ft/AGL Equipment 2 Hasselblad cameras with synchronous shuttered 80mm planar lenses and intervalometer.
Film l
70mm Kodak Aerochrome IR 2443 with yellow wratten #12 filter.
70mm Kodak Aerochrome Color MS 2448 with skylight filter.
Scale of photography Low level 1:10,000 medium level 1:36,000 Sequential frame overlap:
60%
10%
Side-lap on parallel flightlines:
30%
5%
Photo ground coverage Low level:
1,800 ft x 1,800 ft
(= 66 acres)
Medium level:
5,800 x 5,800
(= 780 acres)
Length of flightlines Low level:
17 miles Medium level:
8 miles III-2
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Interoretation and Analysis
~
Richards light table with full-spectrum quartz halogen lamps.
i 30x Bausch and Lomb stereoscopic viewer.
Eikonixscan 78/99 scanning image digitizer, j
.I IBM-compatible microcomputer based on Intel 386' processor e
operating at 20 megahertz with a 150-megabyte hard drive and high-resolution VGA graphics.
j IDRISI image processing program developed by Clark University.
RASERTECH 512 X 57.2 high-resolution display terminal (24-bit planes, over 6 million possible color combinations).
10 scenes selected from each coverage to provide reference
{
information.
?
Locations of Permanent Analysis Sites in Relation of Plant Site j
Direction Distance I
Swane Location Flightline from Plant from Plant
[
i 1
Prescott 1
North 1.00 mile-1 2
Hill 1
North-Northwest 0.25 mile 3
Pond 1
South-Southwest 0.50 mile 4
Cemetery 1
South-Southwest 1.00 mile i
l 5
Lindberg l 2
Northwest 2.70 miles t
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Figure III-1
i Summary and Comparison of 1991 and 1992 Observations i
Timber management practices continue to dominate observable spatial and temporal changes in vegetation patterns in 1992.
The 1991 summary report cited three specific areas of large-scale timber harvest activity; immediately west of the Trojan Power Plant adjacent to Highway 30, approximately 2.8 miles west of Trojan in the Beaver Creek vicinity, and 2.5 miles south-southwest of Trojan near Nicoli Road.
Logging operations continued throughout these three areas during the 1992 year.
Small-scale harvest activity immediately west of Highway 30 near Trojan was documented in Flight 92-002.
However, heavy utilization of the dirt roadways in this area produced a great deal of fugitive dust observed as particularly high reflectance values on both CIR and true color photography.
The Beaver Creek logging operation was covered by several photo scenes in 1992.
On Flightline 3 of the March 1992 photography, large areas of stream bank erosion and log debris on the west side of Beaver i
creek were identified, most likely due to the adjacent timber harvest activity.
Four large burnt brush piles from the Beaver Creek harvest site are identified in Flight 92-002.
The Beaver Creek environment was visible only on the last frame of Flightline 3 on Flight 92-003 low-altitude photography.
This scene indicated recent clear-cutting.
Mechanical disturbance of soil was observed, and photosynthetic activity was not apparent.
The most extensive area of timber harvest activity is found in the Goble-Nicoli Road area approximately 2.2 miles southwest of the Trojan facility.
Approximately 100 acres of predominately Douglas fir was harvested between March 1992 and September 1992, i
expanding the total harvest area to approximately 330 acres.
Recent areas of small-scale timber harvest are identified in Flight 92-003.
Localized wood-lot cuts were observed immediately east of the City of Raini r and approximately 2.1 miles south of Trojan.
These are 11 and 3 acres in size, respectively.
l Colorations within these cuts, olive green to yellow on CIR and
)
brown to rust on the true color photography, are indicative of recent logging debris.
Defoliated broadleaf vegetation was first identified in t
Flight 92-002.
By Flight 92-003, the Jack Falls area of continual timber management, spanning from 2.2 miles southwest of Trojan and north to the City of Rainier, showed a mottled pattern of_ defoliated broadleaf vegetation.
This pattern is spatially consistent with previous timber harvest operations and appears related to selective defoliant spraying and timber management.
-j l
III-5 1
-l
1 h
Conifer plantations located in the Neer City Road vicinity, approximately three miles west of Trojan, appear to be growing i
steadily, as documented in the 1991 reports.
In 1992, the ground i
cover between the trees nearly disappeared as the crowns of these trees spread out.
The only variation in the growth cycles of the plantations, most likely due to the related stresses of summer, was observed in the 92-002 photography.
Some yellowing patterns were observed adjacent to bare ground areas.
These represent rock outcrop areas, naturally drought susceptible in the summer.
A comparison of water levels in the Columbia River, between Flight 91-003 and Flight 92-003, indicated substantially lower water levels in the September 1992 photography.
For example, comparative measurements, from the northwest corner of an i
abundoned barge in Carrolls Channel near the eastern extent of Cottonwood Island, revealed a lateral difference in the location of standing water of about 104 feet.
In Flight 91-003, the channel waterline was located approximately 69 feet from the 4
barge, while September 1992 levels were measured about 175 feet l
from the barge.
l i
A sandbar, on the west bank of the Columbia River formed from July to September 1992.
This depositional feature, hardly discernible in any 1991 imagery, accumulated about.5 mile south f
of Trojan.
Seasonally declining water levels within the Columbia River and subsequent channel adjustments of depositional particles may account for the development of such a feature.
In flight 91-003, near the eastern portion of Cottonwood Island and Carrolls Channel, a large crawler tractor was observed
[
distributing dredged material recently unloaded from a nearby barge.
Since October 1991, little activity on Cottonwood Island j
was recorded.
However, on Flight 92-003 another large crawler l
tractor, similar to the one identified in Flight,91-003, was 7
j again observed on the eastern banks of Cottonwood Island.
The surrounding freshly disturbed surface area of Cottonwood Island indicates recent movement and activity of heavy machinery.
[
The status of park and lawn health adjacent to the Trojan facility has varied only slightly within the last year.
Interpretation of 92-003 photography suggested that areas regularly visited by people appear to be well irrigated.
Grass areas, such as the lawn / playing field near the southern employee parking lot, islands throughout the parking lots, and the grounds surrounding the administrative buildings, appear to be in good _
health as indicated by the vibrant red tones on CIR photography.
However, areas immcdiately underneath the power transmission l
lines extending west of the plant, lawns immediately north of the l
plant, and the banks of the ponds surrounding the Trojan plant, are not maintained or irrigated.
These locations appear tan on l
both true color and CIR photography, indicating areas of drought
{
and stress.
Examination of Flight 91-003 revealed III-6 i
I E
i i
characteristics similar to 92-003 photography.
The park and lawn areas on the 91-003 photography appear to be slightly more i
stressed than in September 1992.
The stress factors may be c
onhanced due to the overexposure of the film.
Annual comparison of vegetative health throughout the hill analysis site yielded only slight variances among tree species.
I Within the hill site, 10 dead trees, predominately Douglas fir, are observed on Flight 91-002.
Analysis of Flight 92-003 i
~
revealed 15 dead trees.
The conical branch network of dead coniferous trees appear white / gray on CIR and true color photography, indicating no photosynthetic activity.
Portions of a few dead trees were partially blocked by adjacent tree canopies.
Other dead trees may be entirely obstructed from view by the neighboring vegetation.
Quarry activity in 1991 was first noted in Flight 91-002.
In July 1991, several trucks and heavy machinery were observed in i
the main quarry west of Goble.
Vehicle activity within the quarry is suggested by high-reflectance dust-covered surfaces i
throughout the quarry road network.
No quarry activity was i
observed in either the 92-002 or 92-003 overflights.
A comparison of July 1991 and 1992 pasture stress levels yielded similar results.
In general, reduced CIR reflectance of pastures i
on Flight 91-002 suggests increased drought and land management stresses.
The majority of the pastures across the landscape l
appear tan to brown on both CIR and true color photography, indicating areas of low photosynthetic activity.
In both sets of i
photography, many fields had been harvested or are in the process of harvesting hay crops.
Well-managed and healthy pastures appear pink (CIR) and light green (true color) representing areas of moderate photosynthetic growth.
For example, in the July 1992 photography, a series of large pastures about.25 miles southwest f
of Goble, show faint yet uniform areas of photosynthetic j
activity.
In July 1991, these same pastures exhibited small l
mottled patches of minimal photosynthetic growth while the majority of the field appeared tan / white on both true color and CIR, indicating areas of high stress.
Immediately south of l
Lindberg, a pasture approximately 3.2 acres in size also shows varying signs of stress between July 1991 and 1992 photography.
In 1991 the pasture appears completely white / tan, while in 1992 l
there are increased areas of pink (CIR) and light green (true color) suggesting reduced levels of stress.
l Seasonal vegetation transformations produced expected stress-
[
indicators throughout the landscape.
Blow-down, dead wetland 1
gr ;ses, and the lack of foliar development in deciduous canopy cover were observed on Flight 92-001.
By July 1992, the majority l
of the wetland grasses emerged through the blow-down stems, and all tree species were exhibiting high levels of photosynthetic
)
activity.
In July, upland grasses began to show signs of summer J
III-7 1
drought stresses, appearing brown on true color photography.
f Variations in'the photosynthetic vigor of the broadleaf i
vegetation are identified in the September 1992 photography.
Many mottled. individual broadleaf trees, maples and oaks, began to enter senescence early and appeared white to faint pink on CIR l
photography.
However, the deciduous tree populations in the fall 1991 flight do not appear as photosynthetically active as in the l
September 1992 photography.
This may be attributed to the slight overexposure of the film.
j t
Relative land use change throughout the Trojan landscape may be summarized through the following table.
This analysis compares i
relative land use percentages observed in July 1991 and September 1992.
The dominant change across the landscape is the result of l
timber management practices.
Classifications other than " mixed i
conifer-deciduous", " conifer", and " clearcut," basically remain l
unchanged within the last year.
i Flight 91-002
' Flight 92-003
{
LAND USE PERCENT PERCENT l
l Urban 3
3 Water 7
7 j
3 Wetland 6
6 l
Mixed Conifer-Deciduous 16 12 Conifer 36 31 j
Pasture 5
5 Industrial 1
1 Clearcut 21 30 Conifer Plantation 5 ]
i i
e
~
III-8
4-i Flight 92-001 (March 21, 1992) j l
[
Film Ouality and Coverace
[
Low altitude (1:10,000) and medium altitude (1:36,000) color and i
color infrared (CIR) photography was flown over the Trojan Environmental Monitoring Project Research Area in late March l
1992.
Both CIR and color aerial photography satisfactorily followed established flightlines encompassing the monitoring sites.
[
The color balance in the CIR photography was satisfactory. The only variation of color in the photography occurred between i
Flightlines 2 and 3 of the low-altitude color photography.
Flightlines 1 and 2 revealed a variety of blue tones throughout f
the images while Flightlines 3 and 4 of the color low-altitude
'j expressed noticeable green tones.
The green-tinted runs provided a more natural-appearing view of the study area.
The color variation between the flightlines did not interfere with interpretation of the photography.
This difference may possibly be attributed to the use of different films, film processing i
procedures, or camera exposure.
t Medium Altitude Photoaraphy i
Flightline 1 of the medium altitude photography begins approximately 2.2 miles south of Goble.
A majority of the grasslands and pastures of this region are exhibiting signs of i
strong and healthy photosynthesis.
The exception to this growth is located within the wetlands east of Highway 30.
Here, last year's tall wetland grass stems have blow over and, therefore, appear tan on both sets of photography.
i An overall view of the landscape indicates the healthy growth of coniferous vegetation, as indicated by the corresponding shades of green and red on the color and CIR photography.
A few deciduous tree species show increased reflectance values indicating new seasonal growth; however, many of the deciduous l
tree species have yet to fully develop since it is still early in the year.
l Two large clearcuts located immediately north and south of Nicoli Road about 2.2 miles south-southwest of Trojan were harvested in l
1991.
These clearings, approximately 270 and 111 acres in size,
[
i display the environmental alteration associated with clearcut timber harvest practices.
The main quarry west of Goble currently appears to be active, as seen by the presence of vehicles and heavy machinery throughout the site.
The other quarries southwest and northwest of Goble do not appear to be in operation, III-9 t
i A large condensation plume may be seen moving in a northerly direction indicating the current operation of the power plant.
Starting approximately one mile north one mile northwest of the cooling tower is the beginning of a continuous zone of timber harvest land use.
This area of clearcuts, all of varying ages, continues in a northerly direction for about three miles until it reaches just south of Highway 30, near the City of Rainier.
In Flightline 2 of the medium altitude photography a more intensive and extensive series of clearcuts are observed west and northwest of the plant.
Each harvested area exhibits different states and strengths of regrowth.
Areas harvested within the last two years show signs of little regeneration, while older conifer plantation appear to be growing steadily.
Much of the pasture land use appears to be moderately healthy, as indicated by green tones on the color photography.
However, a
=ajority of the pastures reveal increased reflectance values on CIR, indicating reduced rates of photosynthesis and increased 1
rates of stress, most likely due to improper land management.
A more detailed summary of the pasture land use is located in the low altitude photography analysis.
A broad overview of the land use in the Trojan vicinity is readily visible through the use of the medium altitude imagery, which encompasses approximately 14 square miles of area.
The following table describes the relative percentages of land use throughout the study area.
i t
LAND USE PERCENT LAND USE PERCENT J
Urban 3
Pasture 5
Water 7
Industrial 1
Wetland 6
Clearcut 26 j
Mix Conifer-14 Conifer 5
l Deciduous Plantation i
Conifer Forest 33 i
a Low Altitude Photocraphy l
Flightline 1 begins over Cottonwood Island where the vegetation l
of-the area _is currently in a variety of growth stages.
The wetland portions of the island are mottled with areas of dead grasses and areas of vegetation that exhibit signs of weak photosynthesis.
Judging from bright CIR reflectance, the a
III-10 i
I i
cottonwood trees appear healthy while many other deciduous tree species have not yet begun to foliate.
The beach toward the west side of the island is mottled with a variety of shrubs that eppear dark magenta, on the CIR images, and a dark green on the color photography.
Vehicle tracks are observed along the west beach of Cottonwood Island indicating active use of the area on the west side of the Columbia River.
Several vehicles are noticed parked along the Prescott beach area, which has been developed into a county park and river access facility.
The grass and shrub vegetation in the area appears to be mottled between areas of light photosynthesis and areas that have not yet begun to develop.
Most of the deciduous vegetation along the beach area appears to be healthy.
Some trees have not yet developed full canopies since it is early in the growing season and, therefore, appear dormant.
In the Prescott community area, the large variety of ornamental vegetation is readily distinguishable on CIR photography.
The native conifers and deciduous species appear magenta and pink tones on CIR, while other trees appear yellow or orange.
On the color photography these yellow and orange tree species appear to be dark red in color, suggesting a type of ornamental plum or fruit tree.
A few trees appear white on both sets of photography, indicating a period of seasonal blooming.
The coniferous vegetation throughout the hill site immediately l
north of Trojan appears to be in healthy condition.
Douglas fir and cedars are easily identified through the bright red tones, indicating proper photosynthesis, and by their distinctive cone-
)
shaped crowns.
Much of the deciduous vegetation has not begun to grow and foliate.
The distinguishing structural features of the limb and branch networks of the many deciduous maples and alders l
are clearly visible.
Throughout the Trojan Park most of the landscape appears to be well maintained and in healthy condition.
The inlet into the l
park pond appears to have brighter reflectances on the CIR film, possibly indicating the re-vegetation of disturbed areas.
The j
island in the pond shows little vegetative growth.
The island is light beige on both color and CIR photography.
This color tone indicates that there is no photosynthetic activity taking place.
A lack of plant growth is also noted in the berm areas surrounding the most recently constructed Trojan park ponds.
A
.i variety of ornamental and blooming vegetation is also seen in the
~
park grasslands near the entrance to the visitors center.
l l
The area surrounding the cenetery site reveals signs of past j
overgrazing.
The lawns within the cemetery site appear healthy, in contrast to the pasture to the north of the cemetery site, which shows signs of reduced vigor.
Small patches of blooming vegetation appear intermittently throughout the pasture.
The I
III-ll j
I I
i
)
E quarry immediately south of the cemetery appears to be inactive.
Immediately south of the substation is a large clearcut dated to 1990.
Much of the vegetation on the site consists of brushy deciduous species, most likely alder and maple regrowth.
Directly south of the 1990 cut and east of Nicoli Road is a clearcut that occurred in 1991.
There is very little growth of i
any kind throughout this cleared area.
The only vegetation that shows any sign of photosynthesis are the invasion species, such as blackberry bushes, alders, and maples, mainly along the road edges.
Large brush and debris piles may be seen dispersed throughout the entire harvest site.
Flightline 2 begins south of Goble.
Distinct vegetation patterns are noticed on opposite sides of Highway 30.
East of the road there is a considerable deciduous tree population, while on the west side, the majority of the forest species appears to be coniferous.
Water appears to be flowing through Goble Creek.
The ? awn area south of the Trojan employee parking lot has noticeable linear striations running in a north-south direction.
Each striation is approximately 10 feet in width, possibly indicating the use of lawn maintenance equipment.
However, there also appears to be alternating photosynthetic differences as well.
The region west of Prescott, along the shoreline of Carr Slough, appears yellow-green in color.
This color tone indicates a lack-of photosynthetic activity, most likely related to dead, blow-down wetland grasses.
The pond immediately west of the plant appears to be extremely turbid, appearing brown in color, and turquoise on CIR.
Some interesting colorization appears in the ponds west of the hill site.
Large quantities of possibly pollen or other wind-blown materials appear to have collected along the northern edge of the ponds.
This_ wind-drift material is tinted yellow on the CIR imagery and a dull gray on the color photography.
As in the Prescott area, a variety of ornamental vegetation may be identified throughout the Lindberg region.
The majority of the landscape vegetation and fruit trees appear orange or white f
on CIR, indicating some variety of fruit trees or other vegetation is in bloom.
Numerous recreational fishing boats are aligned in the Columbia River between Lindberg and Prescott.
+
Flightline 3 begins directly over the hill site immediately north-III-12 i
i
=
of the plant.
The flight path then continues to follow the high-voltage transmission lines-into a rejuvenating clearcut, west of the Trojan facility.
The surrounding landscape is interlaced with healthy coniferous tree stands.
Water appears to be flowing in Beaver Creek west of Walker Road.
Large areas of stream bank erosion and log debris may be seen on
.the west side of Beaver Creek, most likely due to the adjacent timber harvest activity.
Several linear brush piles of logging debris are aligned east of Walker road.
i
}
Flightline 4 begins over a series of clearcuts in the Walker Road vicinity.
The cuts appear to be steadily regenerating as seen by the presence of photosynthetic activity throughout the area.
Large contoured brush piles are linearly oriented in a east-west pattern following a transverse slope profile.
West of Neer City Road a-large pasture is exhibiting signs of stress due to intensive grazing.
Other pasture grasslands also appear in poor photosynthetic condition.
Immediately east of Neer City Road is a coniferous tree plantation that appears to be in healthy condition as indicated by vibrant red tones on CIR and green on color photography.
.l
'f' III-13 i
5 s
w
+
l Flight 92-002 (July 12, 1992) i Film Ouality and Coveraae r
On July 12, 1992, color and color infrared (CIR) photography was i
obtained over the Trojan study area at two levels.
Low altitude i
coverage was flown at approximately 1:10,000 scale, and medium i
altitude photography was produced at a scale of 1:36,000.
The photography adequately followed established flightline parameters.
The Neer Cemetery, a permanent analysis site, was j
i missed entirely on the low-altitude photography.
The color balance between the CIR photography was excellent.
A l
i few light leaks appeared within the CIR photography on Scene 1 of Flightline 1 and Scene 2 on Flightline 3.
The light leaks did not interfere with interpretation of the photography.
1 The color balance between the true color photography revealed continual blue tones throughout the landscape.
This could be due to the brightness levels of the sun and the filters used with the camera.
This color variation did not interfere with the j
interpretation of the study area.
Medium Altitude Photograohv l
Flightline 1 of the medium altitude photography begins about
.5 mile south of Goble.
The general landscape of the Trojan area has made several significant seasonal and cultural transformations since the March 1992 photography.
In March, tall wetland grass stems were observed blown over, creating several areas that appeared dead.
The tan colors observed on the l
photography indicated low levels of photosynthetic activity throughout the wetlands.
However, in July, vegetation within the wetlands has grown above the blow-down stems and now appears pink in CIR and green on the color photography, indicating high photosynthetic levels.
i The March photography also indicated several healthy pastures and grasslands through the green tones on the color photography.
i However, after four months, a majority of the upland grasslands and pastures are exhibiting signs of stress, such as overgrazing and summer drought.
On CIR, many of the pastures appear dull i
gray with intermittent mottles of pink, which indicates low levels of photosynthetic activity.
The most prolific transformation of the landscape appears within i
the abundant deciduous and coniferous tree canopies.
The March photography shows that many of the deciduous tree species were i
still in senescence, while the July photography reveals vibrant shades of green on the color images, indicating the healthy and seasonal foliation of the resident tree species.
III-14
The main quarry west of Goble appears to be inactive at the time of photography.
Only one truck is visible within the mining area.
The quarries southwest and northwest of Goble do not appear to be in operation.
i Vegetative growth is visible within the ponds located immediately north of Nicoli Road about.7 mile west of Goble.
The green shrubbery, which was not visible in the March photography, most likely developed because of a decrease in pond water levels.
A large condensation plume flowing in a southeasterly direction indicates the current operation of the power plant.
The pastures immediately north of the Neer Cemetery site appear tan and yellow on CIR and color films, indicating low levels of photosynthetic activity, most likely due to overgrazing and l
extreme weather conditions.
Other pastures to the west of the cemetery site appear brown, which also represents an area in poor health.
Effects of the summer heat and lack of water may be identified by observing the lawns throughout the Lindberg residential area.
In March, the lawns appeared healthy and green on the true color photography, while in July the region appears dull beige, indicating areas of low-photosynthetic growth.
Flightline 2 of the medium altitude photography begins over the City of Rainier.
Immediately south of Rainier is a zone of j
continuous timber harvest activity.
The landscape is composed of rejuvenating and fresh clearcuts and tree farms of varyinc ages.
The age differences between conifer stands over the landscape are readily identifiable by the patchwork appearance of red and pink tones on CIR and dark green tones on the color photography.
A clearcut approximately 45 acres in size about 1.5 miles north of the substation nearest Goble exhibits little signs of regrowth wnen compared to other harvested areas within the region.
July 1991 photography indicates patches of natural regrowth within this clearcut.
Judging by the lack of growth this season, the harvested area may have been sprayed and defoliated.
The most recent timber harvest activity has taken place along the perimeter of a large clearcut located south of Nicoli Road about 2.2-miles southwest of the Trojan facility.
Between March 1992 and July 1992 approximately 53 acres were harvested.
The recently cleared areas are identified by the high reflectance levels of the new roads and the contrast between the harvested beige region and reddish (CIR) colors of vegetative regrowth.
III-15
i Low Altitude Photography Low altitude coverage begins with Flightline 1 over Carrolls Channel and the northeastern extent of cottonwood Island.
Significantly lower water levels within Carrolls Channel are distinguishable when compared to water levels of previous summers.
The northwest corner of a stationary abandoned barge located on the eastern bank of the inlet was used to measure the lateral variation between seasonal water lines.
In the July 1991 photography, the water was located approximately 240 feet west of the barge, while in the July 1992 photography the water has decreased to about 510 feet.
Very little water is visible toward the southern extent of the inlet.
Vegetation within Cottonwood Island is currently at high photosynthetic levels.
The deciduous tree species, such as ash, cottonwood, willow, and alder, appear brilliant red and green on CIR and true color films.
Wetlands no longer appear dead, as in the March photography, but emerge as pink and green on CIR and color images, indicating continued healthy growth.
Moving northeast to southwest across the island, the vegetation begins a transition between the dense cottonwood and ash stands to an area of open beach and grassland.
The beach and neighboring grasslands appear gray and tan on the true color photography, indicating low levels of photosynthetic activity.
1 The beach is mottled with intermittent patches of healthy scotch J
broom and small cottonwood trees.
Two boats and faint vehicle tracks are visible along the western coast of Cottonwood Island, suggesting the island is used for t
recreational purposes.
l d
Two small fire scars are observed along the beach northeast of l
Prescott.
The majority of the vegetation throughout the Prescott residential area consists of oak, alder, and ash species.
Moving south toward the Trojan facility, the healthy, dense broadleaf I
forests of the Prescott area transform into a heavily forested coniferous region.
The vegetation within the hill site immediately north of the Trojan plant appears to be growing steadily, as indicated by the
]
dark red and green tones on the CIR and true color photography.
R A few standing dead coniferous trees scattered throughout the site may be identified by the conical structural features.
The landscape surrounding the Trojan plant continues to be well 1
maintained.
III-16 1
1 a
l Unlike in the March photography, the inlet and island areas
)
within the. ponds immediately south of Trojan appear to be in healthy condition and are exhibiting increased levels of I
I photosynthesis.
Plant growth surrounding the most recent Trojan park ponds indicates improvement from earlier photography, as seen by the l
bright pink tones on the CIR photography.
The variation of landscape ornamental trees and shrubbery near the visitors center are identified by their orange / yellow appearance on CIR and their maroon tones on true color photography.
Approximately one mile south of the Trojan facility, two tractors are in the process of harvesting a hay crop.
Immediately south and southwest of the harvested fields are two large pastures that exhibit signs of poor land management.
The field to the south appears light brown with faint tinges of green on true color film.
Mottled areas of heavy grazing are identified by the beige-colored regions.
The white and beige (CIR) pastures to the southwest also show signs of poor land use.
Several other fields south of Trojan have recently been harvested, as indicated by the linear machinery tracks around the fields.
About 2.1 miles south of the cooling tower, which is south of Nicoli Road, are three dead coniferous trees.
Their conical l'
branch networks appear yellow on CIR and reddish brown on true color photography.
As seen in Flightline 2, a pasture.56 mile southwest of Goble i
has recently been harvested, as indicated by the linear machinery tracks encircling the field.
Water is flowing through Goble Creek.
Approximately.5 miles south of the cooling tower a large sandbar has developed along the west bank of the Columbia River.
Not l
nearly as noticeable in the March 1992 photography, this sandbar has more than doubled in size within the last four months.
Linear striations from lawn maintenance vehicles are still visible in the lawn south of the employee parking lot.
A large circular shape apprcximately 50 feet in diameter has appeared i
toward the r;urnern portion of the lawn.
This circular shape 3
i appears yellow and tan on CIR and true color photography, indicating a lack of photosynthetic growth.
III-17 i
i
_ ~ -.
1 The wetlands within the ponds northwest of Trojan appear to be healthy.
The ponds appear black and brown on CIR and an j
extremely turbid blue on the true color film.
This color variation is most likely due to the heavy algae growth within the l
water.
l The wetland region adjacent to Carr Slough is exhibiting signs of increased photosynthetic activity since the March photography.
The widespread green tones in the true color' images indicate the wetlands to be growing steadily and in healthy condition.
However, the water levels within the canals west of Carr Slough have decreased when compared to earlier photography.
In March 1992, the canal width was about 33 feet, while the water channel in July is only 8 feet wide.
l West of Lindberg, a large clearcut harvested in 1990 shows very i
little signs of regeneration.
July 1991 photography reveals e
signs of natural regrowth.
The clearcut appears to have been
]
sprayed and defoliated within the last year..The harvested area now appears olive green and brown on CIR and true color f
photography, indicating virtually no foliage development.
3 l
Flightline 3 begins overlooking the Trojan facility and hill l
site.
A clearing containing an irregular road network appears immediately west of Highway 30.
The white color of the roadway s
on both CIR and true color film suggests that the road is heavily utilized, and fugitive dust covers adjacent vegetation.
l A clearing approximately.2 mile east of Neer City Road appears
.j j
to be in extremely poor condition.
On CIR photography, the field appears white with periodic red and brown rottles.
The red 4
represents small groupings of healthy deciduous tree species, 4
while the brown regions indicate area of little photosynthetic
- growth, i
The general landscape through Flightline 3 appears to contain dense and healthy broadleaf and coniferous vegetation.
- However, individual orange and yellow broadleaf trees and shrubbery are j
spotted throughout the landscape, indicating localized stress.
i Four large burnt log piles are identified within a large clearcut.
near Beaver Springs.
-i A large Douglas fir plantation south of the intersection between Walker Road and Neer City Road appears to be suffering sone local stress conditions.
While most trees appear healthy and green on i
color photography, several patches of trees are smaller in size t
I and do not appear as photosynthetically active as others, as indicated by lower CIR reflectances.
i e
III-18 i
i e
i 2
L t
Flight 92-003 (September 28, 1992)
E Film Ouality and Coveraae Color infrared (CIR) and true color photography were flown over the Trojan Study Area on September 28, 1992.
Medium altitude photography was taken at a scale of 1:35,300, and the low altitude imagery was photographed at a scale of 1:10,000.
a The medium elevation photography satisfactorily followed established flightpaths, while Flightline 1 of the low level photography deviated slightly to the west.
Flightline 1 remained l
within acceptable parameters and covered the necessary permanent l
analysis sites.
Light leaks appeared at the beginning of Flightline 2 of the low altitude photography.
Partial cloud shadowing appeared throughout Scenes 3-6 on Flightline 2 of the medium level imagery.
The light leaks and cloud shadowing did not hamper interpretation of the landscape.
l Excessive blue tones on the.true color images appear throughout j
both runs of the medium altitude photography.
However, the CIR imagery was suitable to evaluate all of the analysis sites.
Medium Altitude Photocraohv The vegetation landscape surrounding the Trojan plant shows early effects of seasonal change.
Throughout Flight 92-003, the effects of seasonal change may be seen across the varying land uses and vegetative characteristics surrounding the Trojan l
facility.
Beginning with Flightline 1, this seasonal transition takes place in the immediate surroundings near the town of Goble.
l The wetlands surrounding Goble and Highway 30 currently appear dark tan on true color photography and light tan on CIR, indicating reduced signs of photosynthetic growth when compared to July photography.
On the color images taken in July, the wetland regions appeared vibrant green throughout the landscape, representing the greatest amount of photosynthetic activity j
throughout the year.
The deciduous and coniferous tree species located.throughout the study area, in general, appear to be healthy, appearing; red and l
pink on CIR filn.
However, the reflectances of the' tree species are not as vibrant as those documented in the July reports, I
another sign of seasonal variation.
Many of the smaller l
broadleaf trees in the Trojan park area appear.in a variety of orange, yellow, and white tones on the CIR photography.
These i
trees, mainly fruit trees, maples, and alders, also appear yellow and red on true color photography indicating early signs of senescence.
i III-19
The quarries west, southwest, and northwest of Goble do not appear to be active at the time of photography.
A condensation plume, blowing in a northeasterly direction, indicates the current operation of the Power Plant at the time of this overflight.
The wetland region northwest of the Trojan facility and west of Prescott continues to show signs of photosynthetic activity.
In July photography, diminished water levels and summer heat led to the increase in wetland stresses, distinguished by the characteristic tan colors within the photography.
Currently, the wetland areas appear green with a few tan mottles, indicating localized patches of stress, possibly due to lack of water or higher elevations.
Water levels within the channels west or Prescott are now returning to near March 1992 levels.
Many of the pastures north and south of Trojan look relatively healthy and evenly groomed, with few signs of stress, due to the recent hay harvests throughout the area.
The large sandbar originally noticed in Flightline 2 of the July 1992 low altitude photography has continued to accumulate and increase in size.
The sandbar development was missed in the september low altitude, so development comparisons must be made through the use of the medium altitude imagery.
Flight 92-003 reveals the development of an additional sandbar, north of the bar documented in July 1992.
Between March and September 1992, the sandbar has increased approximately 13 times its original size.
Prior to the 1992 photography, the sandbar development was virtually unnoticeable.
The beginning of Flightline 2 displays views of the eastern portion of the City of Rainier, where a small area of trees appear to have been cleared since the July 1992 photography.
The area, approximately 11 acres in size appears olive green on CIR and brown on true color photography.
Immediately south of Rainier begins an extensive zone of timber harvest activity.
Within this region, several stages of forest management,are observed.
Numerous large clearcuts, at one time defoliated and sprayed to remove broadleaf vegetation, show little conifer regrowth.
The sprayed areas appear olive green l
(CIR) and brown on true color photography.
Areas of defoliated and sprayed vegetation are easily identified among the contrasting neighboring patches of healthy tree species.
l l
A small patch of coniferous trees has been harvested adjacent to a farm about.76 mile north of the Neer Cemetery analysis site.
This area, harvested since the July 1992 photos, appears dark green on CIR photography, indicative of an area sprayed to selectively defoliate broadleaf vegetation.
III-20
f Many pastures southwest of the Trojan plant appear pink-tan (CIR) and tan (true color), indicating moderately healthy pastures.
These recently harvested fields contain muttled white patches along the boundaries of the pastures, symbolizing stressed vegetation and poor land use management.
The ponds east of the substation immediately west of the main Goble quarry have dense vegetative growth, most likely due to lowered water levels during the summer months.
The large clearcut south of Nicoli Road, about 2.2 miles southwest of the Trojan plant, continues to be harvested.
since July 1992, approximately 50 acres have been harvested.
A harvest buffer was left along a riparian zone that flows through the harvest site.
The total size of the clearcut has increased from approximately 230 acres in March 1992 to approximately 330 acres in September 1992.
The 53 acres harvested between the months of March and July show no significant vegetation regrowth.
l Low Altitude Photocraphy Coverage of the low altitude photography begins with Flightline 1 over Carrolls Channel and the northeastern extent of Cottonwood Island.
Water in the channel near the barge dock is still visible on the imagery, even though it is presently at lower levels than observed in the July 1992 photography.
A narrow channel of water, approximately 16 feet in width, penetrates midway through the channel.
There is virtually no water present in the southern extent of the channel.
The vegetation on Cottonwood Island is currently at much lower levels of photosynthetic activity than previously viewed in the July photography.
The cottonwood, ash, willow, and alder tree species appear significantly lighter in color.
Several trees exhibit bright white colors (CIR) and light green (true color) indicating that many of the trees are entering the preliminary phases of senescence.
Summer stresses and seasonal change are also visible within the open grasslands of cottonwood Island.
Much of the grasses appear tan and white on CIR and brown on true color photography representing areas of minimal photosynthetic growth.
A vehicle is visible on the southwest shore of Cottonwood Island, suggesting continued use of the island for recreational purposes.
Three vehicles are present on the Prescott beach area, indicating the beach is also used for recreational activities.
Many of the broadleaf tree species throughout the Prescott environment are experiencing preliminary seasonal transformations.
They appear light in color, pink and green on CIR and true color photography.
Many of the ornamental tree III-21
species found in the Prescott region appear vibrant orange and yellow (CIR) and red on true color.
The vegetation throughout the hill site appears to remain in healthy condition.
Seasonal change and the use of CIR photography eliminates much of the difficulty in accurately differentiating between coniferous and deciduous tree populations.
Many of the smaller broadleaf trees found throughout the hill site are identified by the red and yellow tones on the true color photography.
The grass bordering the northeastern extent of the Trojan facility is not well maintained, as indicated by the dull yellow and white colors on the true color photography.
However, the grass areas toward the western end of the plant are exhibiting signs of high photosynthetic growth.
This trend of well-maintained grass is interrupted under the power transmission lines that extend west of the plant.
The area under the power lines is not currently irrigated.
The inlet in the southern most Trojan pond is showing mottled signs of drought stress.
The edge of the inlet closest to the pond water appears to be healthy as indicated by the green (true color) and red (CIR) tones; however, toward the central and eastern most portion of the inlet appear signs of stress, as revealed by the multiple tan and white patches.
Vehicle tracks, observed in the eastern extent of the inlet, have caused disruption of vegetative growth.
Several large individual oak and maple trees within the pond area are exhibiting signs of seasonal change.
The striations in the lawn south of the employee parking lot are not as visible as was documented in the previous photography.
The large circular shape within the lawn identified in the July 1992 flight is no longer visible.
The wetlands west of Highway 30 appear to be in rather healthy condition as indicated by green tones on true color and pink on CIR photography.
A large pasture immediately north of the Neer Cemetery analysis site appears tan (CIR) and brown (true color), indicating continued poor land management practices.
The Neer Cemetery site appears to be in healthier condition than viewed in earlier photography.
Previously, the Cemetery site exhibited signs of poor health, with the grasses appearing tan in color.
Now the grasses seem to be more photosynthetically active, as indicated by pink (CIR) and light green tones on the true color photography.
III-22
Many broadleaf trees surrounding the substation west of the main Goble quarry currently indicate seasonal foliar change.
Scenes from Flightline 2 reveal the distinct seasonal foliar changes present adjccent to Highway 30 about 2.5 miles south of Goble.
The region still exhibits signs of healthy growth; however, the vegetation is not as photosynthetically active as previously identified in the July CIR photography.
About 2.1 miles south of the Trojan facility, an area approximately three acres in size appears to have been recently defoliated since the July 1992 photography.
The area once indicated high levels of broadleaf regeneration but now exhibits yellow and white tones on CIR and brown tones on true color photography.
l The wetlands adjacent to the southern portion of the Trojan ponds south of the facility appear to have greatly reduced photosynthetic activity, most likely due to drought stress.
Heavy algae growth is observed throughout the pond immediately north of the plant.
Not quite as dominating as in the July photography, the algae growth now appears dark maroon to brown / black on CIR and brown on true color.
Loose material, most evident on the CIR photography, appears to flow with the wind movements across the water.
The fine pink-colored material, possibly pollen, creates observable swirled patterns throughout the pond environment.
Much of the landscape from the north of Trojan ponds to just south of the City of Rainier, and west of Highway 30, becomes a zone of continuous timber harvest activity.
Much of the large clearcuts have been sprayed and defoliated.
Much of the vegetation present in these disturbed areas consists of regenerating fir, maple, alder, and blackberry brambles.
Scene 1 of Flightline 3 begins immediately over the Trojan reactor and hill analysis site and continues to follow the power transmission lines to the west, away from the plant.
The landscape consists of dense coniferous vegetation exhibiting moderately high photosynthetic levels mottled with periodic individual deciduous trees.
The mottled trees are easily identified due to the white (CIR) colors caused by seasonal foliar transformations.
Immediately west and east of Neer City Road about three miles west of the cooling tower are healthy Douglas fir plantations that are contoured with the landscape in a southeast aspect.
Several large pastures in the Walker road vicinity, about four miles west of Trojan, exhibit extreme signs of poor land management revealed by the abundant tan and white tones.
III-23
.e on Flightline 4, a small clearcut adjacent to a farm immediately east of Feer City Road currently appears green (CIR) and brown (true color).
A large clearcut sprayed and defoliated between March and July 1992 shows virtually no photosynthetic activity.
The trees in the visitors center parking lot appear vibrant yellow on CIR and red on true color photography, indicating
/-
normal seasonal variation of landscape broadleaf tree varieties.
III-24
Image Scanning, Enhancement, and Analysis Scanninc and Dicital Conversion Photographs from all three seasonal overflights were scanned and converted to a digital format using the Eikonix Scanner.
As suggested in the previous monitoring report, medium altitude photography was acquired over the Trojan Plant site in all three seasons.
Photographs from these medium altitude flights provided synoptic views of the vegetation in the vicinity of the Plant site and were especially valuable when converted to digital image files.
Normal low level photography was also scanned for each of the permanent monitoring sites, providing a detailed check of conditions of the vegetation at these sites.
Digital files for multiple color separations were generated for each photograph scanned.
Imace Enhancement Two digital techniques were used to enhance the vegetation conditions.
The first was spectral ratioing; creating normalized difference of vegetation index (NDVI) images.
The second was a test of unsupervised classification procedures.
Unsupervised classification methods utilize patterns in the digital data files to identify groups of pixels in the photograph that have similar spectral response patterns.
NDVI Imaae Analysis Very simply, an NDVI image is the normalized ratio of the amount of near infrared and visible red light reflected from the surface.
Numerous studies have shown a strong relationship between NDVI values and vegetation characteristics.
A complete discussion of NDVI and our methodology for creating these images.
from scanned aerial photography is available in the 1990 Trojan monitoring report.
NDVI images offer several advantages for analyzing vegetation conditions.
The process of creating a normalized ratio significantly reduces the influence of shadows, and NDVI has been linked to the primary productivity of vegetation, the medium altitude photography provided an opportunity to compare response patterns in a number of vegetation types across a single digital image.
There was a high correlation between the predicted temporal patterns and the patterns seen in the progression of seasonal NDVI images.
Differentiation between conifer and deciduous III-25
vegetation was good in the March images.
Coniferous vegetation appears to have high NDVI values in the March imagery; most deciduous vegetation in the March NDVI images show very low values.
Areas of reduced NDVI values found in the July images appear to correspond with the location of conifer trees.
This may be an indication of reduced summer growth in the conifer trees or may perhaps reflect limited soil moisture with associated stress response.
The first opportunity to examine medium scale photographs over the Plant site in all three seasons was 1992.
NDVI images of the hill adjacent to the Plant site were created for all three overflights.
These scenes were also used for the test of unsupervised classification as an image analysis tool.
Seasonal changes in vegetation response are plainly seen.
Marsh and aquatic vegetation is very limited in the early spring scene.
In July, marsh vegetation is well developed and aquatic vegetation has developed to the point that open water is no longer visible in the pond just south of Prescott Causeway.
In September, marsh vegetation still shows strong NDVI response, but the aquatic vegetation has declined and areas of open water again appear in the pond.
The seasonal comparison of forest vegetation on the relatively undisturbed hill site and in cut over areas adjacent to Highway 30 are of particular note.
In the spring, the conifers of the hill site are predominately displayed as " green."
indicating higher photosynthetic activity.
Lower NDVI values concentrated on the northeast slope indicate pre-foliar broadleaf vegetation.
The disturbed areas west of Highway 30 show very low NDVI values and evidence of extensive disturbance from timber harvesting and access road building.
In the mid-summer scenes, NDVI values for both the hill and the more disturbed site previously mentioned are very similar.
Significantly, the patterns of reduced NDVI on the southwest aspect of the hill, noted in 1990 and 1991 are again observed.
However, these same patterns are not observed in March or September.
Close inspection of the photographs tend to support a conclusion that the patterns of reduced NDVI observed in summer scenes from 1990-1991 and 1992 are likely the result of southwest solar aspect and drought-induced moisture stress.
These stress factors are further enhanced by superficial geology and microtopography as previously suggest in 1990 and 1991.
Unsupervised Classification The objective of the unsupervised classification is to categorize all pixels in an image into groups based solely on statistical patterns.
This process uses an algorithm that examines pixels in an image and aggregates them into a nember of classes based on III-26
the " natural" groupings or clusters present in the image values.
Logically, those values within a given cover type should oe clustered together in a spectral class.
These spectral classes are based solely on the natural statistical groupings in the image values, and the identity of these classes is unknown until further information is gathered about the site.
Unsupervised Classification Procedure in IDRISI The unsupervised classification process in the geographic information and image analysis software used in this research (IDRISI) requires three steps:
creation of a composite image, clustering of the composite image, and interpretation of the classified image.
The composite image was created using the blue, green, and red color separations of scanned images of the Plant site.
Composite l
images were created for March, July, and September to show spatial and temporal changes which occur during the year.
The composite images were then clustered to produce spectral classes of the image.
The cluster analysis has two options of classification:
broad or fine.
The broad classification gives a general picture of the spectral classes of the image.
On the other hand, the fine classification provides for more detail in the spectral classes of the image.
Both classification schemes were tested to see which analysis process produced the highest information resolution for the imagery.
This cluster analysis uses a three-dimensional histogram approach, with the red, green, and blue scanned images as the spectral dimension.
Once the histogram peaks are identified, all other pixels are assigned to the nearest neighboring peak.
These groups of pixels then represent spectral classes.
Six classified images of the Plant site were used for interpretation.
A total of 24 spectral classes were clustered in the March imagery, 29 spectral classes in the July imagery, and 31 spectral classes for the September imagery.
This seasonal progressien of complexity in spectral differences is expected as vegetation emerges, natures, and finally begins seasonal foliar change.
Unsupervised Classification Results The March classified image shows considerable differences in the water to the west of the Plant.
These differences appear to be caused by the turbidity or sedimentation of the water.
The hill site to the north of the Plant shows homogeneity of spectral classes.
The differences between the deciduous and coniferous vegetation is apparent in the March image, but only two classes are observed in the area, indicating relatively little disturbance of the forest vegetation.
The island in the III-27
a southwesterly pond shows the effects of seasonality.
The brighter spectral responses are probably due to the flowering of ornamental trees on the island.
This is in contrast to the reduced spectral reflectance of the dead grasses.
The July classified image shows an increase in spectral classes in the rectangular pond to the west of the Plant.
Strong northerly wind is indicated by the condensation plume dispersion direction from northwest to southeast.
The increase in spectral classes is due to wind-induced surface roughness.
Homogeneity of spectral classes is observed on the hill site north of the Plant.
In addition, linear topographic shadows appear on this classified image.
These shadows appear to be caused by the topographic relief from tall trees on the hill site.
It is important to note that these shadow effects are removed by comparative spectral ratioing by the NDVI classification.
In contrast, considerable disturbance can be seen to the north of the hill site in Prescott.
These patterns are caused by development in this area and the removal and disturbance of the natural vegetation.
The September classified image once again shows the wind effects on the water in the rectangular pond to the west of the Plant.
However, the patterns have been reduced and changed in direction from southwesterly.
In addition, power line reflectance can be seen in the water.
Further indications of disturbance can also be seen to the west of Highway 30, where timber harvest practices have affected the conifer forest.
A large number of different spectral classes are observed here, indicting wide differences in the reflectance of ground and vegetation surfaces.
Linear topographic shadowing is again visible on the hill site north of the Plant.
An increase in shadow effect is probably caused by the lower incidence angle of the sun.
In addition, increases in l
the number of spectral classes occur in September, indicating the l
changing foliar characteristics of the deciduous vegetation.
III-28
Conclusions Medium altitude, medium scale photography for all three overflights was extremely useful as an analysis tool for identifying vegetation patterns.
The larger scene area made it possible to compare different vegetation co== unities across a single scene.
Photography at this scale also promoted the identification and comparison of land management patterns.
The NDVI analysis was useful in assessing relative vegetative health and patterns of seasonal folia change.
Unsupervised classification showed promise as a tool to aid in pattern recognition based on the clustering of both spectral and textural similarities.
Combining the NDVI and unsupervised classification analysis allowed us to more thoroughly interpret the vegetation l
and associated environmental characteristics across the hill site adjacent to the Power Plant.
This season's analysis produced further evidence that reduced NDVI patterns seen in the July imagery from 1990 and 1991 are a recult of natural local conditions.
These conditions are likely related to protracted seasonal noisture stress and unrelated to Power Plant operation.
Overall, this statistical analysis of selected photographic scenes supports and verifies visual photographic interpretation conclusions for 1992 that the factors most responsible for observable environmental change in the vicinity of the Trojan Power Plant are related to natural microclinatic conditions, to human settlement, and to timber harvest practices.
III-29
2.
INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS Observations of unusual flora and fauna or unusual events that could result in significant environmental impact are documented to assess possible causal relationships between the observed event and Trojan operation and to co= ply with OAR 345-26-060.
Examples of noteworthy observations would include presence of threatened or endangered species, plant or animal disease outbreaks, excessive bird mortality, fish kills, and unanticipated emergency discharges of wastewater or chemical substances.
Ground surveys to document the occurrence of various natural phenomena or impacts related to Trojan operation were made on foot and from vehicle on the Plant site proper and in the vicinity of Swan Lake, Carr Slough, Neer.Teek, Reflection Pond, Recreation Lake, and Columb10 River (Figure III-2).
Sightings of common and unusual species or events were noted.
During 1992, no unusual environmental occurrences were noted that could be attributed to Trojan Plant operation.
Several species of waterfowl continue to winter on the Recreation Lake and Swan Lake and a variety of other waterfowl and birds can be seen visiting the area.
Bird species observed throughout the year are noted in Table III-2.
Bird sightings of interest in 1992 included the Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Canvasback, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Green-backed Heron, Virginia Rail, Greater Yellowlegs, and Purple Martin.
Mammals observed in the area in 1992 included Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Nutria (Myocastor covous), Beaver (Castor canadensis), Muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), and California Ground Squirrel (Citellus beechevi).
Operation of the Plant had no apparent adverse impact on terrestrial and aquatic environs in the vicinity of the Plant.
III-30
. q b ~
~
(Carr Slough) 9 Swan Lake I
l l
j
}
c f
t:
1 i
j l
I au Reflection pond TroFy ant t
i I
f r
j l
U Cooling Tower I
l sta
'i i
S 1
Recreation Lake
,,5 k
I
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sta 2
[
f Neer Cr.
T W
0 Wetland t
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f e
fsta8}
i Columbia River i
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- Figure III-2 Incidental Observation Survey Area
[
Table III-2 MONTHLY BIRD SPECIES OBSERVATIONS, 1992 H_a r Apr May Jun Jul Auo Sep Oct Hoy
.Dec i
Species Jan Feb a
I American Coot X
X X
X X
American Crow X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X American Goldfinch X
X X
X X
X American' Robin X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X American Wigeon X
X X
X X
X Bald Eagle X
X X
Barn Swallow X
X X
X X
Belted' Kingfisher X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X Bewick's Wren X
Black-capped Chickadee X
X X
X X
X X
Black-headed Grosbeak X
Brewer's Blackbird X
X X
X X
X Brown-headed Cowbird X
X Bufflehead X
Bushtit X
X California Quail X
Canada Goose X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X Canvasback X
Cinnamon Teal X
X Cedar _ Waxwing.
X X
X X
X Cliff Swallow X
X X
X X
Common Goldeneye X
Common Herganser X
X X
X X
Common.Yellowthroat X
X X
X X
X Dark-eyed Junco X
X X
X X
X X
X Double-crested Cormorant X
X X
X X
Downy Woodpecker X
European Starling X
X X
X-X X
X X
X X
X X
Gadwall X
X Glaucous-winged Gull Great Blue Heron X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
Greater Yellowlegs X
X Green-backed Heron X
X X
X Green-winged Teal X
Hooded Herganser X
X X
X House Finch X
X X
House Sparrow X
X House Wren X
Killdeer X
.X X
X X
X
'X X
X e
III-32
i Table III-2 (con't)
Species Jan Feb H
Apr play Jun Jul Au_q Sep Oct Nov pec E
Mallard X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X Marsh Wren X
X X
X Northern Flicker X
X X
X X
X X
X Northern Oriole X
Northern Pintail X
X X
X Northern Shoveler X
Olive-sided Flycatcher X
Osprey X
Pied-billed Grebe X
X X
X X
Purple Finch X
X X
Purple Martin X
X Red-tailed Hawk X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X Red-winged Blackbird X
X X
X X
X X
X Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
X X
X Rufous Hummingbird X
Rufous-sided Towhee X
X X
X X
X X
Scrub Jay X
X X
X X
X X
X X
Song Sparrow X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X
X Spotted Sandpiper X
X Stellers Jay X
X X
X Swainson's Thrush X
X X
X Tree Swallow X
Tundra Swan X
X X
X Turkey Vulture X
X X
Varied Thrush X
X X
X X
Violet-green Swallow X
X X
X X
X Virginia Rail X
Warbling Vireo X
Western Flycatcher X
Western Wood Peewee X
White-crowned Sparrow X
X X
X Wilson's Warbler X
X X
Wood Duck X
X X
X Yellow Warbler X
X X
X Yellow-rumped Warbler X
X III-33 4
7
P f
f Section IV I
i P
Recreation Lake a
Aquatic Program 1
?
f
)
i s
t i
.i SECTION IV o
RECREATION LAKE AQUATIC PROGRAM 1.
RECREATION LAKE FISH r
Fish populations in the Recreation Lake are sampled to determine species present, their relative abundance, and their general y
condition.
Data obtained are used to determine possible impacts of discharges into the lake resulting from plant activities and to provide reference materials for future management programs.
r This program complies with OAR 346-26-060.
In 1992, sixty-three fish representing nine species were gillnetted from the lake.
Four species were present in the May sample and seven species in October.
Bluegill and White Crappie constituted the majority of the fish sampled, while other
" recreational" species included Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow perch. (Table IV-1)
Since sampling began in 1974, l
seventeen species of fish have been collected from the lake.(Table IV-2)
From external and body cavity examination, all of the fish l
appeared to be healthy with no apparent parasites or diseases.
}
Condition factors (K = Wx100/L^3) of individual species were within normal ranges.
l Recreation Lake catch data since 1974 indicate a naturally
. fluctuating total fish population (Figure IV-1).
After initial peak production of fish in the 1970's, species diversity and total population numbers stabilized. Gill net catches in the 1980's and 90's exhibited propitious proportions of warm-water fish species, mainly Perch, Crappie, Bass, Bluegill, and Bullheads (catfish).
Successful spawning and self-sustaining i
populations of these species are evident by the various age classes represented.
A large number of Carp reside in the lake but are seldom captured in the small mesh gill nets. If they were specifically targeted with appropriate sampling gear, it is likely they would greatly dominate the catch.
Large numbers of Carp in a small impoundment such as the Recreation Lake often limits the abundance of other fish. In order to increase numbers of the desirable species currently inhabiting the reservoir, elimination or periodic i
reduction of the Carp population would be necessary along with improvement of existing habitat.
Trojan Plant activities in 1992 had no apparent impact on fish populations of the Recreation Lake.
L IV-1 i
l l
(
i Table IV-1 i
Recreation Lake Gill Net Catch, Number and Percent,1992 l
Date Species Number Percent 5/14/92*
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) 2 33 l
l Squawfish (Ptychocheilus creconensis) 1 17 s
Largemouth Bass (Microoterus salmoides) 1 17 Yellow Bullhead (Ictalurus natalis) 2 33 i
8 TOTAL
- net vandalized-incomplete sample 10/27/92 Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) 32 58 Black Crappie (Pomoxis nicromaculatus) 1 2
f Common Carp (Cvorinug caroio) 4 7
Yellow Bullhead (Ictalurus natalis) 5 9
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) 2 4
White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) 9 16 Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) 2 4
55 t
TOTAL IV-2 1
/
I k
i l
Table IV-2 l
i i
Common and scientific names of Ssh collected i
from the Recreation Lake,1974 through 1992.
i i
Family Common Name Scientific Name l
P Salmonidae Rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri f
Cutthroat trout Salmo clarki Catostomidae Largescale sucker Catostomus macrocheilus Cyprinidae Common carp Cyprinus carpio Goldfish Carassius auratus Peamouth chub Mylocheilus caurinus f
Northern squawfish Ptychocheilus oregonensis l
Centrarchidae Warmouth Lepomis gulosis i
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus j
White crappie Pomoxis annularis Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Ictaluridae Yellow bullhead Ictalurus natalis Brown bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus l
l Black bullhead Ictalurus melas Percidae Yellow perch Perca flavescens l
Cottidae Prickly sculpin Cottus asper l
t IV-3 l
l
?
j
_. )
i l
i i
l RECREATION LAKE FISH Figure IV-1 Catch Per Ef fort l
(Yearly mean) l l
Number fish /hr (gill net)-
25 l
20 15 i
10 5
j E
0 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 Year Perch,Crapple, Bass, Bluegill O
IV-4
.~.
r *
- i 2.
BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES In compliance with OAR 345-26-060, benthic organisms in the recreation lake area are sampled to describe their composition and relative abundance.
Unusual fluctuations in species composition and/or total l
population densities will be viewed as possible indications of plant or site-related activities and general water quality.
Quantification of invertebrates was obtained from a full ponar (2 liter / sample) of substrate for each replicate.
Substrate at both stations consisted mainly of mud, clay, silt, and some detritus.
Sampling depths at Station 1 were from 3.5 - 5 meters and at Station 2 from 4 - 5.5 meters.
Benthic density and physical-chemical data from the two sampling sites are included in Tables IV-3 & 4.
i Three taxa of benthic invertebrates were collected in 1992; Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, and Culicidae. Other organisms previously reported from the lake include Planaria, Nematoda, Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Collembola, and Amphipoda.
Location of grab samples and composition of substrate influence the number of taxa obtained.
Sampling stations 1 and 2, however, are representative of the main lake.
The greatest diversity of organisms occur where Near Creek enters the lake, depositing allochthonous materials in the substrate of that relatively small area.
Total mean densities were comparable to those of previous years and showed normal seasonal fluctuations.
Annual density comparisons of 1
these organisms show no unusual changes in abundance or taxa composition since 1987.(Figures IV-2 & 3).
Chironomidae and Oligochaeta were again the dominant organisms occurring in the substrate throughout the year.
Similar to previous years, densities at Station 2 were consistently greater than at Station 1.
]
I Physical-chemical data obtained during 1992 were within expected
{
ranges.
Temperatures ranged from 4.7'C in December to 21.2*C in July.
Conductivity and pH values were typical, ranging from 101 to 140 i
ymhos/cm and from 7.1 to 8.1, respectively.
Typically low Recreation I
Lake secchi disk readings ranged from 25 cm in September to 130 cm in January.
Yearly mean values of parameters measured in 1992 were comparable to those of previous years. (Table IV-5) i No plant-re' lated operations occurred which would have affected water quality of the lake in 1992 nor the structure of the benthic community.
Normal fluctuations in densities and composition of invertebrates were exhibited and can be related to naturally occurring seasonal and yearly changes in the aquatic environment and to sampling
{
bias.
I J
l IV-5
1 l
Table IV-3 i
i i
Recreation Lake Benthic Invertebrate Data,1992
[
t Date Taxa Station 1 Station 2 Number /sq.m Number /sq.m January Chironomidae 424 967 Oligochaeta 87 130 Culicidae 22 22 j
Total Mean 533 1119 Density I
March Chironomidae 130 348 Oligochaeta 163 239 l
Culicidae 32 65 l
I Total Mean 325 652 Density May Chironomidae 152 282 i
Oligochaeta 32 174 Culicidae 22 0
Total Mean 206 456 l
Density July Chironomidae 65 196 Oligochaeta 32 32 Total Mean Density-97 228 f
September Chironomidae 76 141 Oligochaeta 217 43 Culicidae 22 65 Total Mean 315 249 Density December Chironomidae 467 402 t
Oligochaeta 32 22 Culicidae 217 250 Total Mean 716 674 Density i
IV-6
e,
)
- Table IV-4 D
Recreation Lake Subsurface Chemical Data,1992 Date Parameter Station 1 Station 2 January pH 7.4 7.4 Temperature 5.8 5.8 Conductivity 120 123 Secchi 120 130 l
i March pH 7.4 7.3 Temperature 13.8 14.0 Conductivity 105 108 Secchi 90 90 May pH 7.2 7.1 Temperature 17.5 17.2 Conductivity 129 117 Secchi 70 70 t
July pH 7.2 7.2 Temperature 21.2 21.2 Conductivity 101 102 Secchi 40 40 September pH 8.1 8.1 Temperature 17.9 17.9
[
Conductivity 132 132 Secchi 25 25 l
December pH 7.3 8.0 Temperature 4.8 4.7 Conductivity 140 137 Secchi 75 70 Temperature = Ca Conductivity = pmhos/cm Secchi = cm F
I IV-7
s >
t Figure IV-2 BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES Total Mean Density 4
1992 t
M station 1 E station 2 Number / m*2 1200-1000 -
.,,./
800-O 4
J Januar y March May Jaly September December i
MONTH l
2 a
a F1gure ]V-3 BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES RECREATION LAKE
=
j Yscrly Density Compertsons 2000 1500-l000-N i
500-kh\\\\
-.- \\\\
h\\\\1 \\
)
l 0--
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1002 YEAR l
i E Cullcidae E Chironomidae t "I 011gochaeta l
l
- Grectest mean sample den:lty j
l
Table IV-5 RECREATION LAKE PIIYSICAL / CHEMICAL DATA 1987 - 1992 Parameter Station 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 Mean 1992 87-91 Temperature 1
16.4 14.1 14.6 15.0 13.5 14.7 13.5 C'
2 15.2 13.8 14.2 14.9 13.4 14.3 13.5 pli 1
7.8 7.7 8.2 8.0 8.0 7.9 7.4 2
7.8 7.7 7.6 8.2 8.1 7.9 7.5 Conductivity 1
144 132 117 125 117 127 121 gmhos/cm 2
138 120 110 119 116 121 120 IV-9
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Section V I
e e
4 1
=
r References l
I I
L
?
l 9
I
1 4
I SECTION V REFERENCES t
I i
American Public Health Association.
1981.
Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 15th ed.
Atomic Energy Commission.
1973.
Final environmental statement related to operation of Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Docket No. 50-344.
l BEAK Consultants Incorporated.
1975.
Preoperational ecological l
monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1974.
BEAK Consultants Incorporated.
1976.
Preoperational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1975.
BEAK Consultants Incorporated.
1977.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1976.
BEAK Consultants Incorporated and Portland General Electric
[
Company.
1978.
Operational ecological mon.itoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1977.
- Bertrand, G. A.
and J. M.
Scott.
1979.
Checklist of the birds of Oregon, 3rd ed.
OSU Bookstore, Inc.
17 pp.
- Bond, C.
1973.
Keys to Oregon freshwater fishes.
Tech. Bull.
No. 58.
Oregon State University, Corvallis.
Brower, J.
E.
and J. H.
Zar.
1977.
Field and laboratory methods for general ecology.
W.
C.
Brown Co.
Dubuque, Iowa.
194 pp.
- Coutant, C.
C.,
and C.
D.
Becker.
1968.
Information on timing and abundance of fishes near Prescott, Oregon important to the r
commercial or sport fisheries of the Columbia River.
A report to Portland General Electric Company from Pacific Northwest Laboratories, a division of Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, Washington.
i Cummins, K. W.,
and R. W. Merritt.
1978.
Aquatic insects of North America.
Kendall/ Hunt Publishing Co.,
Dubuque, Iowa.
144 i
PP-EPA, 1974.
Methods for chemical analysis of water and wastes.
1974. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Method Development and Quality Assurance Research Laboratory.
National Environmental Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
I t
i
o 1
i Highsmith, R. M.
1968.
Water in R. M. Highsmith, ed., Atlas of the Pacific Northwest resources and development.
Oregon State University Press, 4th ed.
l
- Pennak, R.
W.
1953.
Freshwater invertebrates of the United
[
States.
The Ronald Press, New York.
769.pp.
i Portland General Electric Company.
1979.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1978.
Portland General Electric Company.
1980.
Operational ecological I
monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1979.
I Portland General Electric Company.
1981.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1980.
Portland General Electric Company.
1982.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report l
for 1981.
Portland General Electric Company.
1983.
Operational ecological i
i monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report I
for 1982.
Portland General Electric Company.
1984.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1983.
Portland General Electric Company.
1985.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1984.
Portland General Electric Company.
1986.
Operational ecological l
monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1985.
1 Portland General Electric Company.
1987.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1986.
Portland General Electric Company.
1988.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1987.
Portland General Electric Company.
1989.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1988.
Portland General Electric Company.
1990.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report l
for 1989.
j i
. c -t
~
[
Portland General Electric Company. 1991.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1990.
Portland General Electric Company. 1992.
Operational ecological monitoring program for the Trojan Nuclear Plant.
Annual report for 1991.
- Raven, P.
H., Ray Everet and Helena Curtis.
1976.
Biology of plants.
Worth Publishers Inc., New York.
l Ward, H. and G. Whipple.
1959.
Freshwater biology, 2nd ed.-
l John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
1248 pp.
Wetzel, R.
G.
1975.
Limnology.
W. B.
Saunders, Philadelphia.
400 pp.
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