City Proceeds With Safety Improvements at Hydro Facility
July 7, 2010
Federally mandated improvements result in no changes to downstream flows - The City of Tallahassee today announced it has received the formal permit from the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) to begin work on safety improvements needed at the City's C.H. Corn Hydroelectric Facility on Lake Talquin. This permit allows the City to begin construction this fall on improvements to the emergency spillway at the facility.
"This is an important step, and allows us to move ahead on the federal requirement to replace the dam to help ensure the safety for the downstream residents," said Rob McGarrah, acting general manager of the City's Electric Utility. "It also reaffirms our commitment that the amount of water released from the dam will not change from the current standards, which was important to the homeowners."
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is requiring the City to correct a potential safety concern at the facility, specifically with the existing earthen emergency spillway and fuse plug at the dam at the lower end of Lake Talquin. A new concrete spillway will be constructed to replace the older earthen emergency spillway and fuse plug. FERC officials reviewed and accepted the City's proposal as a significant safety improvement. In fact, the safety of downstream areas from high water releases at the dam should be enhanced by the project.
The project as designed and permitted will not result in any change in the level of Lake Talquin upstream from the dam, or any change in downstream flows into the Ochlockonee River. A challenge to the NWFWMD permit was filed earlier this year by several county government jurisdictions but these entities recently withdrew their challenge. Negotiations continue on the recovery of funds expended by the City as part of the challenge.
Construction should begin this fall, after the peak of hurricane season, with project completion set for early summer 2011. As no changes in the Lake Talquin level are anticipated during the construction, the only visible sign of the project to residents and visitors will be the construction activities in the vicinity of the dam.
For more information on the C.H. Corn Hydroelectric Facility, please visit Your Own Utilities online at Talgov.com/YOU.
Contact
Rob McGarrah, Interim General Manager, Electric Utility, 891-5534; or Bill Behenna, Department of Communications, 891-8533
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