Initial Study Report

Alaska Energy Authority
Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project

Issued by Alaska Energy Authority, 2014-2015.

The overview and Parts A, B, and C of each section are dated: June 2014.

The supplemental information (Part D of each section and the overview) is dated: November 2015.

Assigned SuWa Number 223.


 

LINKS VIA ARLIS DOCUMENT SERVER:

Study Plan SectionInitial Study Report
-- Cover letter for the June 2014 distribution of the overview and Parts A, B, and C of each section

Title of cover letter:   Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, Project No. 14241-000; Filing and distribution of Initial Study Report.

-- Cover letter for the November 2015 distribution containing Part D of each section

Title of cover letter:   Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 14241-000; Initial Study Report Part D: supplemental information to June 2014 Initial Study Report.

-- Initial Study Report overview

Overview to the June 2014 distribution of Parts A, B, and C of each section.

-- Overview of Initial Study Report Part D: supplemental information to June 2014 Initial Study Report

Overview to the November 2015 distribution of Part D of each section.

4.5 Geology and soils characterization study

5.5 Baseline water quality study

5.6 Water quality modeling study

5.7 Mercury assessment and potential for bioaccumulation study

6.5 Geomorphology study

6.6 Fluvial geomorphology modeling below Watana Dam study

7.5 Groundwater study

7.6 Ice processes in the Susitna River study

7.7 Glacier and runoff changes study

8.5 Fish and aquatics instream flow study

8.6 Riparian instream flow study

9.5 Study of fish distribution and abundance in the upper Susitna River

9.6 Study of fish distribution and abundance in the middle and lower Susitna River study

9.7 Salmon escapement study

9.8 River productivity study

9.9 Characterization and mapping of aquatic habitats

*   Appendix A was replaced by SuWa 265.   Appendices C and D were replaced by SuWa 266.   Click here to see the webpage listing these errata documents.

9.10 The future Watana reservoir fish community and risk of entrainment study

9.11 Study of fish passage feasibility at Watana Dam

9.12 Study of fish passage barriers in the middle and upper Susitna River and Susitna tributaries

9.13 Aquatic resources study within the access alignment, transmission alignment, and construction area

9.14 Genetic baseline study for selected fish species

9.15 Analysis of fish harvest in and downstream of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project area

9.16 Eulachon run timing, distribution, and spawning in the Susitna River

9.17 Cook Inlet beluga whale study

10.5 Moose distribution, abundance, movements, productivity, and survival

10.6 Caribou distribution, abundance, movements, productivity, and survival

10.7 Dall's sheep distribution and abundance

10.8 Distribution, abundance, and habitat use by large carnivores

10.9 Wolverine distribution, abundance, and habitat occupancy

10.10 Terrestrial furbearer abundance and habitat use

10.11 Aquatic furbearer abundance and habitat use

10.12 Small mammal species composition and habitat use

10.13 Bat distribution and habitat use

10.14 Surveys of eagles and other raptors

10.15 Waterbird migration, breeding, and habitat use study

  • Part A.   Sections 1-6, 8-10
  • Part A.   Appendices A - S
    • Appendix A.   Documentation of consultation among AEA, ABR, USFWS, and ADF&G regarding radar and visual migration sampling protocols proposed in the RSP, February 21-March 22, 2013
    • Appendix B.   Numbers of waterbirds by species observed during spring and fall migration surveys, 2013
    • Appendix C.   Abundance and percentages of birds recorded during diurnal audio-visual observations in spring and fall 2013
    • Appendix D.   Flight lines for swans observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix E.   Flight lines for waterfowl (except swans) observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix F.   Flight lines for eagles observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix G.   Flight lines for raptors raptors (except eagles) observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix H.   Flight lines for sandhill cranes observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix I.   Flight lines for shorebirds observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix J.   Flight lines for loons and larids observed during spring diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix K.   Flight lines for swans observed during fall diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix L.   Flight lines for waterfowl (except swans) observed during fall diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix M.   Flight lines for eagles observed during fall diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix N.   Flight lines for raptors (except eagles) observed during fall diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix O.   Flight lines for sandhill cranes observed during fall diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix P.   Flight lines for loons and larids observed during fall diurnal visual surveys
    • Appendix Q.   Relative abundance and peak dates of occurrence of avian species groups from selected Alaska spring migration studies
    • Appendix R.   Relative abundance and peak dates of occurrence of avian species groups from selected Alaska fall migration studies
    • Appendix S.   Flight altitudes of avian species from visual observations during selected Alaska migration studies
  • Part B.   Supplemental information (and errata) to Part A (February 3, 2014 Draft Initial Study Report)
    • Supplemental information
    • Appendix T.   Summary of 2013 avian migration studies for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
  • Part C.   Executive summary and Section 7
  • Part D.   Supplemental information to June 2014 Initial Study Report

10.16 Landbird and shorebird migration, breeding, and habitat use

10.17 Population ecology of willow ptarmigan in Game Management Unit 13

10.18 Wood frog occupancy and habitat use

10.19 Evaluation of wildlife habitat use

10.20 Wildlife harvest analysis

11.5 Vegetation and wildlife habitat mapping study in the upper and middle Susitna basin

11.6 Riparian vegetation study downstream of the proposed Susitna-Watana Dam

11.7 Wetland mapping study in the upper and middle Susitna basin

11.8 Rare plant study

11.9 Invasive plant study

12.5 Recreation resources study

12.6 Aesthetic resources study

12.7 River recreation flow and access study

13.5 Cultural resources study

13.6 Paleontological resources study

14.5 Subsistence resources study

15.5 Regional economic evaluation study

15.6 Social conditions and public goods and services study

15.7 Transportation resources study

15.8 Health impact assessment study

15.9 Air quality study

16.5 Probable maximum flood (PMF) study

16.6 Site-specific seismic hazard study