LIHI Certificate #98 - Weybridge Project, Vermont

项目名称 Weybridge
LIHI 证书编号 98
LIHI 证书期限
 February 6, 2017 – February 5, 2027
所有者 Green Mountain Power Corporation
状态 佛蒙特
地点 Located at river mile 19.5 on Otter Creek in Weybridge and New Haven, Vermont.
装机容量 3.0 MW
平均年发电量 13,846 MWH
设施类型 Daily cycling in normal and low flows; 径流 in high flows
联邦能源管理委员会 不。 P-2731 issued in 2001, expires 07/31/2031

The Weybridge Project is located in the towns of Weybridge and New Haven, in Addison County, Vermont situated at the 头 of a rock-walled gorge where the Otter Creek cascades around a small island. The project forms a compact cluster of buildings and structures around the eastern and western divided falls at the upstream end of the island. Huntington Falls and Beldens developments (part of the Otter Creek Project (LIHI #128)) are located just upstream and Middlebury Lower (LIHI #99) is located upstream of those. The Vergennes Project (LIHI #134) is located approximately 12 miles downstream and is the first 坝 on the river upstream of the confluence with Lake Champlain.

Originally constructed in 1922, the project’s initial west 木制婴儿床 dam was replaced by a concrete dam in 1944/1945. Five years later, the west dam was raised, and the east timber crib dam was also replaced with a concrete dam. A second 发电站 was built, and the original powerhouse was retired in 1951. The project is owned by Green Mountain Power (GMP), the first energy utility certified as a B-Corporation.

The Project includes a concrete 重力坝 30-feet-high and 302.6-feet-long with an integral powerhouse. The dam consists of two 泄洪道: the 150-foot-long west 泄洪道 section, topped with a 6-foot-high hinged steel flashboard, and abutted by a 20-foot-wide and 10-foot-high Tainter gate; and a 116-foot-long east spillway section topped with an automatically inflated rubber weir.

The powerhouse is integral with the dam and has an intake with 3-inch steel racks. There is one vertical Kaplan turbine generator with a capacity of 3.0 MW. A 导流 structure extends from the downstream end of the dam at Rock Island to another small island at the entrance to the 700-foot-long bypass reach channel, and around another island (Wyman Island), reapportioning the flow in the bypassed (west) and tailrace (east) channels. The diversion structure includes a control weir with stop log slots at the downstream end, at the entrance to the west channel. A 15-foot wide by 3.5-foot-high notch in the control weir passes water from the pool formed by the control weir and the diversion structure, downstream into the west channel around Wyman Island.

The project operates as a daily cycling facility during normal and low flow conditions. Cycling is suspended from April 1 to June 15 to protect fish spawning and the project operates in a run-of-river mode when flows exceed its hydraulic capacity. Fluctuations are limited to 3-inches during run-of-river operations and 2-feet otherwise. The project provides a 250-cfs minimum bypass flow when not generating and 125 cfs during generation. Minimum flows are also increased during April and May should the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VANR) notify the project that walleye have been introduced to this river reach to accommodate walleye spawning. This flow regime was developed in consultation with VANR and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Waters within the project reach are designated as Class B and impaired for E. coli, agricultural nutrients, sediment, and PCB contamination. Class B waters are managed to support high quality habitat for aquatic biota, fish, and wildlife as well as waters that exhibit good aesthetic value. VANR has confirmed that the project does not contribute to the listed impairments.

Migratory fish have historically ascended many of Lake Champlain’s tributaries to access spawning waters. Natural populations of Atlantic salmon were 拔除 from the Lake Champlain Basin around 150 years ago. Today, no natural populations of anadromous or catadromous fish are present in project reach. Sections of Otter Creek upstream of the project are a warm-water fishery with northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown trout, and rainbow trout, among others. Below the dam is a mixed warm-water and cool-water fishery. Most species found upstream can be found downstream of the project. Resource agencies have not prescribed any upstream passage facilities for the project. Downstream passage is facilitated by the spillway, Tainter gate, or via the turbine, which requires passage through trashracks with 3-inch clear spacing. Passage is also available over the downstream diversion structure and the flow control weir.

The project lands consist of approximately 140 acres. Surrounding lands are primarily forested upland and pasture/hay areas, with some low intensity housing nearby. Project operations are not expected to cause shoreline erosion concerns and no lands of significant ecological value exist in the project area.

Threatened or endangered species potentially present in the project vicinity include the Indiana Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Hybrid Thread-leaved Pondweed, Riverweed, Fluted-shell Mussel, Creek Heelsplitter, Giant Floater, and Creeping Lovegrass.

Bat species are not expected to be impacted due to the lack of critical habitat in the area. VANR has determined that the project does not impact any of the listed species.

Historic properties in the project area include the project infrastructure which is eligible for listing on the 国家历史遗迹名录. The project operates under a Historic Properties Management Plan, ensuring annual communication with the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation. Additionally, the project must consult with the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation prior to any construction or land disturbing activities.

Recreational resources at the project include two canoe portages and take-out areas as well as a picnic area. Public access is provided free of charge.

合规状态

当前证书中没有针对设施的特定条件。

2025: 未发现任何重大变化或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2024: 未发现任何重大变化或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2023: 未发现任何重大变化或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2022: 未发现任何重大变化或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2021: 未报告任何变更或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2020: The project documented completion of flow verification monitoring for the diversion weir, required every five years. Monitoring confirmed proper functioning of the diversion structure and weir, with bypass flows higher than the 100 cfs target. FERC approved the monitoring report in 2020. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.

2019: 未报告任何变更或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2018: 未报告任何变更或合规问题。根据年度审查，该项目仍然合规。

2017: 当前证书的年度报告尚未生效。

认证历史

2022 年 1 月 1 日： LIHI 证书期限已根据 2022 年 1 月 1 日发布的 LIHI 第 2 版认证手册 2.05 版延长。有关新期限，请参阅上面的设施表。

April 15, 2019: The decision to recertify the Weybridge Hydroelectric Project is final. No appeals were received during the appeal period which closed on April 11, 2019. The new certification term for the Project is from February 6, 2017 through February 5, 2022.

March 12, 2019: On March 11, 2019 the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) preliminarily approved Low Impact Certification for the Weybridge Hydroelectric Project, LIHI Certificate #98 for a new 5-year term. This decision is preliminary pending the 30-day appeal window. Only those who commented on the initial application during the 60-day comment period are eligible to file an appeal. Such appeal needs to include an explanation as to how the Project does not meet the LIHI criteria. Appeal requests can be submitted by email to comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Weybridge Hydroelectric Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420. All requests will be posted to the website.  The applicant will have an opportunity to respond and any response will also be posted. Requests must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on April 11, 2019.  完整的申请和审阅者报告如下。

November 12, 2018: The Weybridge Hydroelectric project has been granted another extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is March 31, 2019.

June 11, 2018: The Weybridge Hydroelectric project has been granted another extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is September 30, 2018.

November 3, 2017: The Weybridge Hydroelectric project has been granted another extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is March 31, 2018.

October 26, 2017: On October 26, 2017, the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) received a complete application from Green Mountain Power for the Low Impact Certification of the Weybridge Hydroelectric Project, located in Webridge and New Haven, VT (FERC 2731). LIHI is seeking public comment on this application. Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think the Weybridge project meets the LIHI Low Impact Certification Criteria. The Weybridge application is subject to review using the Criteria in the LIHI Certification Handbook of 2016.  Please review the program and criteria in LIHI’s 2016 手册 and then review the Project’s 2017 application materials posted below. Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, 鱼道等）将非常有帮助，但所有评论都会被考虑。评论可以通过电子邮件提交给研究所 comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Weybridge Project Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 2, Lexington, MA 02420. The 60 day public comment period begins on October 26, 2017. Comments must be received at the Institute on or before 5 pm Eastern time on December 26, 2017 to be considered. All comments will be posted to the web site and the applicant will have an opportunity to respond.  Any response will also be posted.

2016年12月16日： The Weybridge Hydroelectric project has been granted an extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is November 6, 2017. See extension letter for explanation below.

November 29, 2012: The Weybridge Project has been certified as low impact for a five-year term, effective February 6, 2012 and expiring February 6, 2017.

April 6, 2012: Public comment period on application has closed.

February 6, 2012: Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) has submitted an application for the certification of its Weybridge Hydroelectric Project. Public comment period on application has opened.

认证文件

2017-2019 Recertification

2012 Certification

重要文件