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Study shows little impact from 3rd reactor
Study concludes that third reactor at North Anna won't harm rivers downstream from dam, or ecology, recreation in Lake Anna
Date published: 10/31/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN If Dominion power adds a third nuclear reactor at North Anna Power Station, it would have little impact on on Lake Anna ecology and rivers downstream, according to the latest environmental study. And plans to raise the lake level by three inches would not affect wetlands or the use of docks and boat ramps, the study also found. The review was conducted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality as part of its mandate to protect water quality in the state's coastal zone. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Department of Conservation were also involved. The study began in March 2007, with the final report released this week. Fifteen target species of fish and invertebrates were studied on 70 miles of stream along the North Anna and Pamunkey rivers, from Lake Anna dam to the U.S. 360 bridge in Hanover County. There were 27 sample locations under three flow conditions. The study found both positive and negative impacts in the North Anna River, depending upon the aquatic species and life stages. Minimal habitat loss was predicted along the study area, with slight gains for species in the Pamunkey River. On Lake Anna, three scenarios were reviewed: existing conditions with Units 1 and 2 operating and the lake full at 250 feet above sea level; adding Unit 3 with the lake at 250 feet; and adding Unit 3 with the lake at 250.25 feet. The second scenario had the greatest impact on fish. The study found that the third scenario would maintain lake water above existing conditions 75 percent of the time, "and better protect river aquatic habitat and recreation, particularly during dry periods." Water levels in the lake, along with lake temperatures, have been a key concern for residents and environmental groups as Dominion seeks approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for Unit 3. Units 1 and 2 draw millions of gallons of water daily from Lake Anna for cooling. In times of drought, that has been an issue, though during most of the year, Dominion must release at lest 40 cubic feet of water per second over the dam. When the lake level drops below 248 feet, the release can be reduced to Dominion plans a hybrid wet-dry cooling system for Unit 3 that would use only a fraction of the water consumed by Units 1 and 2. Dominion says that when water elevations in the lake are greater than 250 feet, it would consider increasing flow to improve recreational paddling on the North Anna River each weekend during June and/or July, as requested by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Date published: 10/31/2009
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