ML20197E001

Forwards Meteorology Input for OL Review Des.Reviews Regional Climatology,Local Meteorology,Severe Weather, Atmospheric Dispersion,Onsite Meteorological Measurements Program & Monitoring

ML20197E001
Person / Time
Site:	Columbia
Issue date:	01/17/1979
From:	Hulman L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Regan W Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
CON-WNP-0869, CON-WNP-869 NUDOCS 7901300010
Download: ML20197E001 (11)

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E MORAhauR FOR: William Regen, Jr., Chief " '

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SUBJECT:

DRAFT (NVIRONENTAL STATEENT IQ ETEOROLOGT -

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PLANT NAME: WPPSS Nuclear Project No. 2 LICENSING STAGE: OL DOCKET NUMBER:

MILESTONE NUMBER: 2 RESPONSIBLE BRANCH: EP8-2 Enclosed is the meteorology input for the Operating License -

Review Draft Environmental Statement for the WPPSS Nuclear . -

Project No. 2. John Goll prepared this summary. ~ '

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Nginal Signed by~

L. G. Ilulman L. G. Hulman. Chief.

Hydrology-Meteorology Branch

, Division of Site Safety and Environmental Analysis .

Enclosure:

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Draft Environmental Statement Input WPPSS Nuclear Project No. 2 Docket No. 50-396 Hydrology-Meteorology Branch - Meteorology 2.4 METEOROLOGY 2.4.1 Regional Climatology The Columbia Basin of western Washington has a mild, dry climate as a result of frequent incursions of maritime polar air from the Pacific Ocean into a basically continental, near-desert-type climatic area. Although maritime polar air masses are predominant over the basin, the air usually loses most of its moisture in ascending the western slopes of the Cascades and is warmed in descending the eastern slopes. Occasionally, continental air penetrates into the basin from the interior of the continent. These continental air masses are responsible for the large annual range of temperatures in the region and also can cause large diurnal temperature ranges. Temperatures of 320Celsius (900 Fahrenheit) or higher may be reached on about 50 days annually over the southeastern Columbia Basin, while 0

temperatures below -180 Celsius (0 Fahrenheit)maybcexpected on four days annually. Temperatures will be below 00 (320 Fahrenheit) on about 120 days each year, and on about 20 of these days the temperature will not rise above the freezing mark. (USDC,1974; USDC, 1976; Stone, et al., 1972). Since the basin is in the

" rain shadow" of the Cascades, rainfall is sparse in the region, averaging only 150 to 200 millimeters (6 to 8 inches) annually.

Annual snowfall averages from about 250 to 500 millimeters (10 to 20 inches) over the basin. Hail may occur one day each

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year, while freezing rain may occur seven days annually.

t9n (Baldwin,1973;WPP$5jUSDC,1974;USDC,1976; Stone,etal.,

1972).

2.3.2 Local Meteorology To assess the local meteorological characteristics of the W'iP-2 site, we evaluated climatological data that have been recorded in the Hanford reservation area since 1912 (Stone, et al.,

1972). Data similar to those recorded at National Weather Service stations have been observed since 1945, with the primary observation station located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of the site. Data are also available from the onsite meteorological measurements program (WPPSS, 1977).

Data from these locations are reasonably representative of conditions expected at the site.

In the site area, average daily maximum and minimum terperatu*es range between 330 and 160 Celsius (920 and 610 Fahrenheit) in July, the warmest month, and between 30 and -6 0 Celsius (370 and 220 Fahrenheit) in January, the coolest month. The extreme maximum temperature recorded was 46 0 Celsius (1150 Fahrenheit)

(July 27,1939); the extreme minimum temperature has been -33 0 Celsius (-270 Fahrenheit)(December 12,1919).

Hanford receives about 160 millimeters (6.3 inches) of rain annually.

November, December, and January are the " wettest" months, totalling an average of 65 millimeters (2.6 inches). For July, August, and September, the combined average is less than 17 millimeters (0.7 inches). The maximum 24-hour rainfall recorded has been 48 millimeters (1.9 inches) (October 1957). Snowfall averages

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330 millimeters (13 inches) per year, with 180 millimeters (7.1 inches) being the greatest snowfall over a 24-hour period (January 1954). Heavy fogs (visibility of 0.4 kilometer (1/4 mile) or less) cccur 24 days annually, with 80 percent of the daily occurrences recorded between November and January.

For the two year pericd of April 1974 thrcugh Narch 1976, the wind-flow over the site, as measured at the 10-meter (33-foot) level of the WPPSS meteorological tower, occurred about E0 percent of the time from the south-and northwest-warc directions.

Figure 2.4-1 shews the directional frecuency of the site vicinity winds. Windswerecalm(windsoeeds less than 0.2 meters per second (0.5 miles per hour)) less than 0.1 percent of the time at the 10-meter (33-foot) level.

2.4.3 Severe Weather Although infrequent, thunderstorms, dust storms, and tcrnacues can affect the site area. Thunderstorms cccur about 10 days anr.ually, predominantly between May and August (Baldwin, 1973; Stone, et al.,

1972). Between 1940 and 1970, dust or blowing dust and sand reduced visibility to under 11 kilometers (seven miles) about 20 hours2.314815e-4 days <br />0.00556 hours <br />3.306878e-5 weeks <br />7.61e-6 months <br /> annually (Orgill and Sehmel,1976). Tornado data reported by Fujita (1976) show that,between 1950 and 1975,22 tornadoes occurred on the flatter terrain east of the Cascades within230 kilometers (143 miles)ofthesite(115,000 square kilometers (45,000 sqJare miles)). Our analysis of these data

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indicate that the expected path area of a tornado in this regionisabout1.2squarekilometers(0.5squaremiles).

UsingthemethodsofThom(1963),wecalculatedarecurrence interval for a tornado at the plant site of about once in 120,000 years. The highest wind speed recorded at elevations representative of the plant site on the Hanford reservation meteorology tower has been a gust to 80 miles / hour (January 11,1972).

(WPPSS,1977) 2.4.4 Atmospheric Dispersion To calculate atmospheric diffusion estimates, we used the joint frequency distributions of wind speed and direction by atmospheric stability class, based on the vertical temperature gradient, collected at the WPPSS site during the period April 1974 to March 1976. The distributions were for wind speeds and direction measuredatthe10-meter (33-foot)levelwiththevertical temperature difference between the 75- and 10-meter (245- and 33-foot) levels. The joint data recovery data for stability and wind was 94 percent. Section 6.2.3 describes the onsite meterological program. (WPPSS,1977)

Using these data we made our own independent estimates of average atmospheric dispersion conditions for the WNP-2 site using our atmospheric dispersion model for long-term releases (Sagendorf and Goll,1976). This model is based on the " Straight-Line Trajectory Model" described in Regulatory Guide 1.111, " Methods for Estimating Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion of Gaseous Effluents in Routine Releases from Light-Water-Cooled Reactors." The calculations

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also include considerations of intermittent releases during more adverse atmospheric dispersion conditions than and indicated by an annual-average calculation4 as a function of total duration of release. As suggested in Regulatory Guide 1.111, we used vertical dispersion parameters developed from atmospheric diffusion data from desert field tests (Yanskey,etal.,1966). We assumed a ground-level release only, and included an estimate of maximum increase in calculated relativeconcentration(X/Q)andrelativedepositon(0/0)due to the spatial and temporal variation of the airflow not considered in the straight-line trajectory model (as discussed in Regulatcry Guide 1.111). Radioactive decay of effluents and depletion of the effluent plume were also considered as described in Regulatory Guide 1.111 Table 5.X lists the //Q and 0/0 values we estimated for specific points of interest.

6.2.3 Onsite Meteorological Measurements prooran The oesite fretcorological measurements program tonsists of a 75-meter (245. foot)towerandanauxiliary2.1-meter (seven-foot) instrumentmast,both760 meters (2500 feet)westoftheWNP-2 facility.

Table 6.2-1 lists the parameters measured and the measurement levels on the tower. Section 6.1.3 of the Enviror, mental Report provides information regarding maintenance, caliuraticns, quality I

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assurance, data handling and processing procedures, and the specific instrumentation used for the onsite program (WPPSS, 1977). This program meets the regulatory position contained in Regulatory Guide 1.23 "Onsite Meteorological Programs."

Additional meteorological measurements are available from the Hanford main meteorological tower (located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of the site) and from a network of remote stations around the Hanford reservation (Stone, et al. 1972).

6.3 OPERATIONAL MONITORING ,

6.3.1 Meteorological Monitoring During plant operation meteorological measurements will be made on the 75-meter (245-foot) tower. Table 6.2-1 lists the parameters to be measured and the measurement levels on the tower. Data from these measurements will be available in the control room. (WPPSS, 1977) i

WPPSS Nuclear Project Fo. 2 DES s

References - Meteorology Section - Sectiops 2.4 and 6.2.3 Baldwin, J. L., 1973: Climates of the United States, U. S.

Department of Cousserce, Environmental Data Service, Washing-ton, D. C.

Fujita, T. T., 1976: Re-Evaluation of the Design Basis Tornado at the HPFL Facility, Richland, Washington. The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

Orgill, M. M., and G. A. Sehmel, 1976: Frequency and Diurnal Variation of Dust Storms in the Contigu6us U. S. A. Atmospheric Environment, Vol.10, pp. 813-825.

Sagendorf, J. F., and J. T. Goll, 1976: NUREG-0324, 10QD0Q, Program for the Meteorological Evaluation of Routine Effluent Releases at Nuclear Power Stations, (DRAFT). U. S. '.iuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Reactor Reactor Reg- -

ulation, Washington, D. C.

Stone, W. A., D. E. Jenne, and J. M. Thorp, 19I2: Climatography i of the Hanford Area. BNWL-1605, Bette11e Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Washington.

Thom, H. C. S., 1963: Tornado Probabilitics. Monthly Weather Review, October-December 1963,,p. 730-736.

U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, 1972: Regulatory Guide 1.23, Onsite Meteorological Progrnas. USNRC Office of Standard Development, Washington, D.'.C. >

U. S. Department of -Counserce, Envircamental Data Service,1976:

Local Climatological Data, Annual Summary with Comparative Data - Yakima, Washington. Naticnal Climatic Center, Asheville, N. C.

U. S. Department.of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,1974: ' Climates of the States. Water Information Center, Inc., Port Washington, N. Y.

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l U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,1976: Regulatory Guide 1.111, Methods for Estimating Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion of Gaseous Effluents in Routine Releases from Light-Water-Cooled Reactors. USNRC Office of Standards Development, Washington, D. C.

Washington Public Power Supply System, 1977: Environmental Report - Operating License Stage, Nuclear Project No. 2. NRC Docket No. 50-396.

Yanskey, G. R., Markee, E. H., and A. P. Richter, 1966: Climato-graphy of the National Reactor Testing Station. IDO-12048, Air Resources Field Research Office, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

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S Figure 2.4-1. DIREC'.'IONAL FREQUENCY OF WIND - WPPSS Site.

Data at 10 meters (33 feet) above ground level, April 1974 through March 1976. Bars show the direction from which the wind blows.

Calms are those winds with hourly average speeds less than 0.2 meters per second (0.5 miles per hour).

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i TABLE 6.2-1 WNP-2 75 HETER (245-F00T)

METEOROLOGICAL TOWER INSTRUMENTATION (Data from this tower were used to evaluate atmospheric dispersion for the WNP-2 site and will be available during plant operation)

Measured Parameter Elevation Above Ground Nkters Feet Wind Direction and Speed 10, 75 33, 245 Dry-bulb temperature 10, 75 33, 245 Dry-bulb temperature gradient 75, 10 245-33 Precipitation 0.9 3

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I Docket No. 50-397

! MEMORAtlDUf: FOR: Wm. H. Regan, Jr., Chief

,' Environmental Projects Branch 2 l FRO.' : Jan A. Norris, Project Manager Environnental Projects Branch 2

SUBJECT:

FORTHC0f!If1G MEETIf;G WITH THE POTEfiTIAL IfiTERVEriORS Ofi THE Wr;P-2 OL APPLICATION i

Date and Time: Friday, January 5, 1979 at 10:00 N Location: Lobby of the Benton Hotel in Portland, Oregon

Purpose:

To meet inforrally with the potential intervenors on the Wl;P-2 OL application in accordance with l P0f'P 204, Rev. 1.

Participants:

NRC l

J. Norris, W. Paton f

l Potential Intervenors f Susan Garrett, Creg Darby, Doreen Nepo?

4:.'d W Y j.sAlisl%.

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Jan A. Norris, Project t'anager Environmental Projects Branch 2 I Division of Site Safety and Environmental Analysis i'

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RFraley, ACRS OPA DCrutchfield JFouchard, PA LSRubenstein

. DBunch WBesaw, PLA SGarrett CDarby DNepom JANorris WPaton, OELD Service List

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DISTRIBUTION DocketsgNVIRON)

DEC 11 1978 EP-2 Reading VAMoore DVassallo l

RDeYoung WPaton Docket fio. 50-397 NRC PDR Local PDR JANorris

!!EHORAflDUf: F0P.: Steve Varga, Chief t.ight Water Reactors Branch fio. 4 FR0ft: L'n. H. Regan, Jr., Chief Environaental Projects Branch 2 SULJECT: I:EETIfiG !!ITil POTEf;TIAL IliTERVEll0RS Ifi llNP-2 CASE This is to confim our. telephone conversation in which I inforned you that Jan A. f: orris, Environmental Project f.:anager for l#:P-2, will not attend the upcoming meeting with the potential intervenors in Portland, Oregon, on December 19, 1970. When the date for that oceting was made fim, we were infomed by the Travel Branch that no reservation could be cade on airlines because of the holiday traffic rush. I r. f; orris will make separate arrangenents to meet with the potential intervenors as soon as practicable.

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Wm. H. Regan, Jr., Chief Environnental Projects Cranch 2 I Division of Site Safety and Environnental Analyst::

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