SOUTH CAROLINA
ELECTRIC & GAS COMPANY
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
SALUDA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
(FERC NO. 516)
RECREATIONPLAN
FINAL
JULY2009
Prepared by:
SOUTH CAROLINA
ELECTRIC & GAS COMPANY
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
SALUDA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
(FERC NO. 516)
RECREATIONPLAN
FINAL
JULY2009
Prepared by:
SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTRIC & GAS COMPANY
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
SALUDA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
(FERC NO. 516)
RECREATIONPLAN
FINAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1.1Regional Setting
1.2Lake Murray
1.3Lower Saluda River
2.0DATA COLLECTION METHODS
2.12006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessment
2.22007 Saluda Hydro Project Spring Use Addendum
2.32007 Saluda Hydro Project Boating Density Assessment
2.42007 Saluda Hydro Project Downstream Recreation Flow Assessment
3.0SITE DESCRIPTIONS, USE ESTIMATES, BOAT DENSITIES, AND RECREATIONAL FLOW RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1Recreation Site Descriptions
3.1.1Lake Murray
3.1.2Lower Saluda River
3.2Existing and Future Recreation Use Estimates
3.2.1Existing Recreation Use
3.2.2Future Recreation Use
3.2.3Adequacy of Existing Recreation Sites to Accommodate Existing and Potential Future Recreational Use
3.3Boat Densities on Lake Murray
3.4Recreational Flow Recommendations on the Lower Saluda River
4.0CONSULTATION PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY
4.1Standard Process
4.2Standard Process Steps and Questions
4.3Recreation Solution Principles
5.0RECREATION SITE RECOMMENED IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT
5.1Proposed Improvements at Existing Recreation Sites
5.2Proposed Future Recreation Sites
5.3Proposed Development of Future Recreation Sites
5.4Existing Recreation Sites Not Needing Improvements at This Time
5.5Recommended Improvements Not Incorporated at This Time
6.0SCHEDULE AND FUTURE CONSULTATION
6.1Implementation Schedule
6.2Future Consultation Process
7.0OTHER ISSUES ADDRESSED WITHIN THE RECREATION RCG CONSULTATION PROCESS
7.1Minimum Lake Levels for Lake Murray
7.2Protection of Natural/Undeveloped Lands for Public Recreation
7.3Warning System for Rising Water on the Lower Saluda River
7.4Recreational Flow Releases on the Lower Saluda River
7.5Placement and Maintenance of Shoal Markers
7.6Protection of the Trout Fishery in the Lower Saluda River
8.0AS BUILT AND CONCEPT DESIGN DRAWINGS
9.0REFERENCES
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 71: Previous Rule Curve and Proposed Guide Curve for the Saluda Hydroelectric Project
LIST OF TABLES
Table 31: Existing Recreation Sites and Existing Future Recreation Sites at the Saluda Hydro Project (2007)
Table 32: Estimate of Recreation Days for Saluda Hydro Project Existing Recreation Sites (plus Bundrick Island) by Month and Day Type, April 1 through September 30, 2006
Table 33: Estimated Future Recreation Days from Existing Recreation Sites (including Bundrick Island) at the Saluda Hydro Project
Table 61: Schedule of Improvements at Existing Recreation Sites and Development of Proposed Future Recreation Sites
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A:Maps of Existing Recreation Sites, Existing Future Recreation Sites, and Segments of LakeMurray Used for the Boating Density Analysis
Appendix B:Meeting Notes
Appendix C:Recreation Resource Conservation Group Working Documents
Appendix D:Maps of Proposed Future Recreation Sites
Appendix E:Recreation Resource Conservation Group Issue Recommendations
Appendix F:As Built and Concept Design Drawings
1
SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTRIC & GAS COMPANY
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
SALUDA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
(FERC NO. 516)
RECREATIONPLAN
FINAL
1.0PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Saluda Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 516), which includes LakeMurray and portions of the lower SaludaRiver, is an existinghydroelectric facility owned and operated by South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G). The Project is located in Richland, Lexington, Saluda, and Newberry Counties, SC. The Project impounds the 48,000 acre LakeMurray, a popular recreation area for boating and fishing, having numerous public access sites and supporting several popular recreational sport fisheries. The lower SaludaRiver, below the Saluda Dam, supports an active recreational fishery and offers a range of paddling experiences from flat water to whitewater with class II to class V rapids.
1.1Regional Setting
LakeMurray, the lower SaludaRiver, and the four surrounding counties (Richland, Lexington, Saluda, and Newberry) make up one complete tourism region defined as the Capital City/Lake Murray Country region by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT). This region of the state is home to many state, local, and municipal parks which provide a wide range of water and land-based recreation opportunities including hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and angling.
The region surrounding the Saluda Hydro Project includes portions of the SumterNational Forest, SesquicentennialState Park, HarbisonStateForest, and CongareeNational Park. Numerous trails, game management sites, and state heritage preserves are also located in close proximity to the Project. In addition, several regional,county, municipal, and local parks are located within close proximity to the Project or provide access to project waters.
1.2LakeMurray
LakeMurray supports an active recreational fishery and is an important boating resource. The lake is host to numerous national and local fishing tournaments annually, and is stocked with striped bass each spring by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Surplus bluegill and largemouth bass reared at the SCDNR hatcheries are occasionally stocked as well. The lake supports substantial boating activity, which includes power boats, canoes and kayaks, and sail boats. LakeMurray is the site of 6-8 regattas annually (Mead and Hunt, 2002). In addition, the lake is used as a focal point for holiday and tourist events such as the annual Lake Murray Poker Run and the Independence Day celebrations. There are 14 public access sites on LakeMurray owned by SCE&G. All but two, Dreher Island State Recreation Area and Larry L. Koon Boat Landing, are managed by SCE&G.
1.3LowerSaludaRiver
The lower SaludaRiverextends 11 miles from the outflow of the Saluda Dam to its confluence with the Broad River to form the CongareeRiver near downtown Columbia. Approximately 8 miles of the lower SaludaRiveris within the project boundary line (PBL). Similar to the Lake, the lower SaludaRiveralso supports an active recreational fishery. The cold waters of the river support a trout and striped bass fishery and offer a range of paddling experiences from flat water to whitewater with class II to V rapids. Approximately 10 miles of the river, from approximately about one mile downstream of the Dam to the confluence with the Broad River, is are designated by the South Carolina General Assembly (SC Code of Laws Title 49, Chapter 29 South Carolina Scenic Rivers Act) as a StateScenicRiver (SC Legislature, 1989). Segments of both the lower SaludaRiverand the CongareeRiver are also listed on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) by the National Park Service (NPS) as possessing “outstandingly remarkable” natural or cultural values. The lower SaludaRiverfrom the dam to RM 3 is so designated because it “affords scenic wilderness experience in urban areas; diversified flora and fauna” (NPS, 2007). There are threeformal public access sites owned by SCE&G on the lower SaludaRiver and two, SaludaShoalsPark and James R. Metts Landing, are managed by the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) and the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission (LCRAC), respectively.
1
2.0DATA COLLECTION METHODS
As part of the Saluda Hydro Project relicensing process, several studies were undertaken during 2006 and 2007. These studies provide information and support conclusions and recommendations made in this Recreation Plan. A variety of data collection methodologies were employed during the performance of these studies. They included the following: vehicle counts, on-site interviews, literature searches, GIS and spatial analysis, carrying capacity analysis, level logger deployment, and HEC-RAS modeling, among other methods. The following are descriptions of the methodologies employed for each effort.
2.12006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessment
The purpose of the 2006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessment was to evaluate existing and future recreational use, opportunities, and needs for the Saluda Project (Kleinschmidt, 2007a). Specifically, the goals of this study were to characterize existing recreational use of SCE&G’s recreation sites on LakeMurray and the lower SaludaRiver and examine future recreational needs relating to public recreation sites. Primary data collection included site inventories and assessments, counts of vehicles at recreation sites, user surveys, and a waterfowl focus group. Secondary data collection included information from the SCPRT, aerial photographs of boating use on the lake, and available relevant literature. Analyses included current recreation use estimates derived from both vehicle counts and people per vehicle information provided in the user surveys, future recreation use estimates calculated using population growth rates as a proxy for future recreation participation rates, and recreation site capacities using parking as the determinate. Recreation needs to accommodate existing and future use were based on site inventories, conditions, capacity assessments, use estimates and projections, user preferences and opinions, and consultation with relicensing stakeholders.
2.22007 Saluda Hydro Project Spring Use Addendum
In comments received on the draft 2006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessmentdescribed above, the SCPRT, SCDNR, and the Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SRCTU) requested information concerning recreational use during winter/spring (January – May), particularly concerning specific user groups whom they expected to utilize lower Saluda Riversites outside of the sampling frame of the 2006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessment. Therefore, the goals of the 2007 Saluda Hydro Project Spring Use Addendum were to collect additional information concerning spring use on LakeMurray and the lower SaludaRiverand to identify needs of selected recreational user groups for facilities on the lower SaludaRiverto support spring use (Kleinschmidt, 2007b). Primary data collection entailed facilitated meetings and personal interviews of recreationists who use recreation sites on the lower SaludaRiver. Secondary data collection included the 2006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessment, the Lower Saluda Corridor Plan and Update, and other relevant literature. As with the Recreation Assessment, analysis included calculating current recreation use estimates by applying the percent of total annual use attributable to the months of January and May at Dreher Island State Recreation Area and SaludaShoalsPark to LakeMurray and lower SaludaRiverrecreation site use estimates for Memorial Day through September 30, respectively. Future recreation use estimates were calculated using population growth rates as a proxy for future recreation participation rates. Perceptions of site conditions and needs on the lower Saluda Riverwere obtained from a variety of sources including a literature review, trout angler focus group discussions, and on-site interviews.
2.32007 Saluda Hydro Project Boating Density Assessment
The goals of the2007 Saluda Hydro Project Boating Density Assessmentwere to identify the area available for recreational boating on Lake Murray by lake segment, to assess boat densities occurring under normal (weekend) and peak (holiday) use conditions, and to examine whether recreational boating use of Lake Murray is currently above, below, or at a desirable, or optimal, level (Kleinschmidt, 2007c). The methodology employed for this effort was derived from standard accepted practices published in the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (1977) Guidelines for Understanding and Determining Optimum Recreation Carrying Capacityand Management of Aquatic Recreation Resources by Warren and Rea (1989). The data used for this study included an examination of existing aerial photographs (The Louis Berger Group, 2002) of recreational boating at the Project and information collected from the survey research portion of the 2006 Saluda Hydro Project Recreation Assessment. Combined, the information provided the inputs necessary to assess recreational boating densities on LakeMurray.
2.42007 Saluda Hydro Project Downstream Recreation Flow Assessment
The 2007 Saluda Hydro Project Downstream Recreation Flow Assessment examined downstream flows for the lower SaludaRiverfor various types of recreation at different river reaches under different flow conditions (Kleinschmidt, 2008). The goals of the study included characterizing currently available recreation opportunities on the lower SaludaRiver, understanding the “rate of change” of the instream conditions of the lower SaludaRiver at various flows along various river reaches, and identifying potential public safety issues associated with lower SaludaRiverflows. This study undertook a three-phase approach. Phase I involved a literature review and desktop analysis of the recreation opportunities, patterns of use, physical characteristics, and hydrology of the lower SaludaRiver. Phase II involved a focus group, structured surveys and on-site reconnaissance of an expert panel of experienced recreationists to assess existing opportunities and the feasibility and potential quality of particular flow ranges for on-water activities. Phase III involved the deployment of water level data loggers at various predetermined intervals along the lower SaludaRiver. A HEC-RAS model was developed utilizing the level logger data for the purposes of determining maximum stages and rates of change (in feet) for scheduled flow events under simulated operating scenarios.
1
3.0SITE DESCRIPTIONS, USE ESTIMATES, BOAT DENSITIES, AND RECREATIONAL FLOW RECOMMENDATIONS
The following is a summary of the results of the studies related to recreation performed in support of this plan. Detailed results can be found in respective reports (Kleinschmidt, 2007a; 2007b, 2007c; 2008).
3.1Recreation Site Descriptions
As of 2007, within the project boundary, there are approximately 130 public, commercial, and private recreation sites[1] supporting such facilities as boat launches, marinas, boat slips, wet and dry storage, campgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, fishing areas and piers, trails, playgrounds, and other facilities. There are 17 “Existing Recreation Sites” owned by SCE&G that function primarily as lake or river access, providing boat launches, shoreline angling, picnicking, and swimming areas. SCE&G has also set aside 10 additional sites that are designated as “Existing Future Recreation Sites.” One of these “Existing Future Recreation Sites,”BundrickIsland, is currently used by boaters as an informal site; there is no road access to the site. The other nine “Existing Future Recreation Sites” are available to the public, but no facilities or amenities are provided on these sites. Collectively, the “Existing Recreation Sites” provide two designated swimming areas, 19 boat launches or carry-in launches, 19courtesy or fishing piers, and one campground. Restroom facilities are provided at nine of the 20 sites, and picnic tables are provided at 12 sites (Table 31). In addition to these sites, there are two overnight anchoring areas required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) inSouth Carolina Electric & Gas Company, Order 107 FERC ¶ 62,273, 2004 (2004), to be designated as Special Recreation Areas: Two Bird Cove and Hurricane Hole Cove. Also, there are 62 islands on LakeMurray available for public recreation use, including primitive camping. Locations of “Existing Recreation Sites,”“Existing Future Recreation Sites,” private sites, and commercial siteson LakeMurray and the lower SaludaRiver can be found in Appendix A. The following sections concentrate on the 17 “Existing Recreation Sites,” as well as Bundrick Island and two informal access sites on the lower Saluda River that are owned by SCE&G but outside the PBL (Mill Race)[2].
1
Table 31:Existing Recreation Sitesand Existing Future Recreation Sites at the SaludaHydro Project (2007)
Name / Site Number / Type of Facility / Acres / # of Picnic Tables / # of Grills / # of Firepits/Rings / # of Boat Pump Outs / # of Trails / # of Shelters / # of Designated Swimming Areas / # of Stores / # of RV Dumping Stations / # of Potable Water / # of Boat Fuel Pumps / # of Trash Cans / # of Docks / # of Playgrounds / # of Showers / # of Concessions / # of Wet Slips / # of Parking Spaces / # of ADA Spaces / # of Flush Toilets / # of ADA Toilets / # of Portable Toilets / # of RV Sites / # of Cabin Sites / # of Tent Sites / # of Primitive Sites / # of Hard Surfaced Boat Launches / # of Gravel Boat Launches / # of Unimproved Boat Launches / # of Carry-in Launches / Total # of Boat Launch Lanes / # of Courtesy/Fishing Docks / # of ADA Compliant Courtesy/Fishing DocksLAKEMURRAY SITES
Park Site - Lexington Side / 1-01 / Picnic Area / 17.9 / 80 / 45 / 2 / 0 / 27 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 12 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 343 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
Larry L. Koon Boat Landing / 1-02 / Launch Ramp / 1.8 / 4 / 2 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 49 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 1 / 1
ShullIsland / 1-02A / Future / 22.4
ShullIsland / 1-02B / Launch Ramp / 0.4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0
MurrayShores / 1-03 / Launch Ramp / 1.6 / 7 / 3 / 1 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 50 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 1 / 0
River Bend / 1-04 / Launch Ramp / 11.6 / 5 / 1 / 6 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 84 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0
Sunset / 1-05 / Launch Ramp / 2.3 / 1 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 28 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 0
Simpson’s Ferry / 1-05A / Future / 11.6
Rocky Point / 1-06 / Launch Ramp / 1.7 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0
Long Pine / 1-06A / Future / 31.4
Hilton / 1-07 / Launch Ramp / 4.4 / 5 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 37 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 2 / 0
Hilton / 1-07A / Future / 27.9
Dam Site - Irmo Side / 1-08 / Picnic Area/Launch Ramp / 6.8 / 23 / 13 / 3 / 0 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 181 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 / 3 / 1
DreherIslandState Recreation Area / 1-11 / Campground/
Launch Ramp / 348.0 / 219 / 133 / 0 / 2 / 3 / 14 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 1 / 13 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 0 / 30 / 619 / 14 / 22 / 4 / 0 / 97 / 5 / 15 / 5 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 6 / 4 / 4
MacedoniaChurch / 1-12 / Picnic Area / 4.8 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 12 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
HigginsBridge / 1-13 / Launch Ramp / 1.1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0
KempsonBridge / 1-14 / Launch Ramp / 2.9 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 16 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 0
Water Treatment Plant / 1-16 / Future / 4.3
Stone Mountain / 1-17 / Future / 26.5
Cloud’s Creek / 1-18 / Future / 3.0
Big Creek / 1-19 / Future / 22.3
Little Saluda Point / 1-20 / Future / 15.4
BundrickIsland / 1-21 / Future/Informal Site / 87.9 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
LakeMurrayEstatesPark / 1-22 / Launch Ramp / 7.7 / 2 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 22 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 0
Two Bird Covea / 1-23 / Special Recreation Area
Hurricane Hole Cove a / 1-24 / Special Recreation Area
Islands b / Informal / 100.0
LOWER SALUDA RIVER SITES
SaludaShoalsPark / 1-09 / Picnic Area/Launch Ramp / 240.0 / 50 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 4 / 4 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 17 / 0 / 2 / 0 / 1 / 463 / 18 / 6 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1
James R. Metts Landing / 1-10 / Launch Ramp / 1.0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 25 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0
Gardendale / 1-15 / Launch Ramp / 4.7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 40 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0
a SCE&G is proposing to remove the designation of “Special Recreation Area” from these two sites and remove them from the Recreation Plan.
b There are 62 SCE&G-owned islands on LakeMurray that are available for public recreation use, including primitive camping. These islands have not been assigned a Site Number as there is no intention of developing the islands into formal recreation sites.
1
3.1.1LakeMurray
SCE&G owns 14 “Existing Recreation Sites” on LakeMurray and has set aside 62 SCE&G-owned islands in LakeMurray as undeveloped, natural areas that are available for public recreation. Of the 14 “Existing Recreation Sites,” SCE&G operates 12 of them, and leases the remaining two sites, Dreher Island State Recreation Area and Larry L. Koon Boat Landing, to others for use as public recreation areas. With the exception of Dreher Island State Recreation Area and River Bend, all sites are operated for day-use only.