CLEAR Report to UMRA, November 2, 2019
Cheat Lake Environment & Recreation Association to the Upper Monongahela River Association
1. Ownership of Lake Lynn Generation
and Cheat Lake -- It was announced on October 8th that Ontario Power
Generation (OPG) has finalized the acquisition of Cube Hydro Partners and Helix
Partners, collectively known as Cube Hydro, an owner and operator of small and
medium hydropower facilities, from Squared Capital. Now Cube Hydro and Eagle Creek will represent
the United States hydro platform of OPG.
Note: Cheat Lake and the Lake
Lynn Dam are operated as Lake Lynn Generation, the second largest of the eight
projects of Cube Hydro.
2. Lake Lynn Relicensing -- On October 25th the
notice was published in the Dominion Post, namely “Intent to File License
Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of the
Traditional Licensing Process” by Lake Lynn Generation. A public information meeting is required by
FERC and has been set for 10 am on December 12th at the Cheat Lake
Fire Hall. CLEAR believes that the Dam
owner should provide an on-site recreation office to promote and manage
recreation on Cheat Lake. The practice
over the years has been for recreation planning, management and trouble shooting
provided by off-site personnel. Licensing can be for 30 to 50 years.
3. Drought incident
-- In late September and early October, a drought condition prevailed over
the Cheat River watershed such that the river flowrate was insufficient to
maintain the Lake level above 868 ft above sea level. Warnings were sent to the
Marinas and the public that low levels could affect dock and boat removals
prior to October 31st, the end of the normal boating season. Dam
outflows were continued to maintain river oxygen levels below the dam at 5 or
above. The Lake level fell to approximately 866, down two feet below normal
pool height. Some boaters and dock owners experienced difficulties on lake
removal activities. Planning is underway
to perform a dredging operation in the Sunset Beach cove lagoon this winter or
early spring.
4. CLEAR boat – CLEAR owns a 24 foot pontoon boat for
operations on Cheat Lake. This was used during the late summer to removal
plastic barrels and other debris from the Lake.
5. The South Trail washout which occurred in late June of
this year resulted in the closure of the South Trail. Two or more culverts were inadequate to carry
the heavy rain flow and large gaps were created around the existing drain
ducts. Planning is underway to determine
the potential for repeat events so that repairs and upgrades will be adequate.
6. Cheat Lake Swimming Beach -- The swimming beach on Cheat
Lake was opened on 2011 and has grown in popularity. CLEAR proposes to expand
the beach to include the area between the existing beach and the day-use boat
docks. A separate dog beach is also recommend.
Fecal coliform pollution can be a problem a few days after heavy rain
storms.
7. Buzzard Run – The Cheat Lake Rotary Club has adopted a
project to create a public access point to the Cheat River at Buzzard Run, a
very small stream near the intersection of Tyrone Road and Snake Hill Road.
8. Cheat Lake Water Quality
-- The water quality in the Cheat River and Cheat Lake have been quite
good for the past few years. The River
of Promise program of the Friends of the Cheat and other organizations and
agencies continues activities to prevent or treat acid mine drainage into the
River. A major water treatment plant was
built and dedicated this summer at the mouth of Muddy Creek. This project includes a pipeline to move
polluted water from near its source to the treatment plant. The Cheat Lake River and Cheat Lake water
general show a TDS level below 200 microsiemens/cm.
(Rowlesburg is seeking to
install a treatment facility for their raw sewage outflow.)
9. Mon River Water Quality
-- The Monongahela River water as monitored by the USGS metering station
at the Pt. Marion Dam shows TDS levels consistently above 200 microsiemens/cm.
This measure is frequently above 300 and now is running above 400. Historic
data shows higher levels in the autumn months each year. The trends and risks for the Mon River water
quality are not promising.
Duane G. Nichols, CLEAR
330 Dream Catcher Circle
Morgantown, WV 26508
Duane330@aol.com