Subject:
Davidson River & Grogan Creek flow gauge assessment
From:
"Scott Loftis" <scott.loftis@ncwildlife.org>
Date:
Fri, 24 Feb 2006 16:41:50 -0500
To:
"'Murry, John'" <murryjk@citcom.net>, "'Ferguson, Jeff'" <ncwrcferguson@isp.com>, "'Dodd, Brady'" <Bdodd@fs.fed.us>, "'Amentt, Melissa'" <maamentt@fs.fed.us>, "'Tarver, Fred'" <fred.tarver@ncmail.net>, "'Stroup, Lorie'" <lstroup@fs.fed.us>
CC:
"'Borawa, Jim'" <borawajc@earthlink.net>, "'Kittel, Carl'" <carl.kittel@ncwildlife.org>

All,

Thanks for everyone's time and input during our initial site assessment for
flow gauge construction on Davidson River and Grogan Creek.

 

Based on our discussions, it was decided that a staff gauge would be more
practical than constructing a "V" notch gauge at either site.  Several
locations for staff gauge placement were considered at each site.  It was
determined that the best location for the staff gauge on the Davidson River
would be just upstream of the intake on the inside portion of the point bar.
Placement of the gauge will be similar on Grogan Creek, just upstream of the
intake, but easily accessible/readable by Commission staff.  

 

Placement of gauges on the weirs had inherent problems, particularly because
the weirs are downstream from the intake structures.  The intakes presented
other problems for gauge placement; such as, hydraulics, especially during
low flows and maximum withdrawal.

 

Davidson River presented more of a hurdle than Grogan Creek.  The most
obvious is the proposed channel modification work, which will affect water
levels.  Second, the crest plate on the weir has been compromised and will
need to be fixed or replaced to maintain a constant water elevation in the
forebay.  These activities will need to be completed before gauge placement
and calibration occurs.  Also, there is a question about the trout buffer
variance requirement on the Davidson River.  Work within the buffer
extending for more than 100 linear feet requires a variance from the
Division of Land Resources.  However, we pulled a tape to get an idea of
channel modification length and it was right at 100 linear feet.  I feel
that we will be able to proceed with the modification without going through
the trout buffer variance request, fortunately.  Thus, we should plan to
proceed with the modification work starting sometime in May or the early
summer.

 

Grogan Creek presented less of a challenge.  Therefore, it was decided to do
it first.  The plan is to acquire the necessary gauge equipment/materials
and perform the placement of this gauge the last week of April (week of
April 24th) and begin calibration shortly thereafter.

 

If I have failed to capture some pertinent aspect of our discussions, please
email your comments to the group.  I will contact folks in April to confirm
the dates for gauge placement on Grogan Creek.  Thanks!

 

 

 

Scott Loftis

NCWRC - Watershed Enhancement Coord.

Old Fish Hatchery

20830 Great Smoky Mtn. Exp.

Waynesville, NC 28786

(828) 452-6191 ext. 26  office

(828) 506-8950  mobile

(828) 452-7772 fax

 


