Minutes - 19880719 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i. ~~~ E REPORTS 1. Seven Mile Creek Reservoir Study - Evaluation of Proposed Roller Compacted Dam at Seven Mile Creek (A copy of the complete report is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office and in the Commissioners' Library) Don Cordell, P.E, with Hazen and Sawyer presented the report. He reviewed the summary and conclusion in the report. He explained by using charts the storage volume and how it depends on the drainage area. The report states that phased construction of the dam should be seriously be considered during final. design. However, there is no economic merit to the phased approach. He stated that from a technical and economic perspective development of a new reservoir on the Eno River above McGowan Creek continues to be the most attractive alternative available to the County. Aerial topographic mapping of both Seven Mill Creek and Corporation Lake will soon produce maps to allow for an accurate assessment of reservoir property acquisition requirements. The Board discussed the merits of phasing in the project and the different alternatives. Cordell indicated the cast figures in the report include land acquisition. Other various questions from the board were answered by Cordell. Commissioner Halkiotis stressed cooperation between the County and the Town of Hillsborough in providing the necessary water resources for Orange County residents. Mayor of Hillsborough Fred Cates stated ha had a meeting with Don Cordell and asked that some o£ the wording be changed in the report which was done. While there are differences, he realizes that with phasing in the reservoir, it would be less of a financial burden on the Town of Hillsborough. Commissioner Willhoit asked Cates to provide the Commissioners with a copy of their rate structure and the amount of revenues derived by the sale of water from the Town of Hillsborough and the Orange-Alamance System. Cates indicated he would provide these figures. 2. Eno River Capacity Use Investigation (A copy of this report is in the permanent agenda file and in the Commissioners' Library). John Morris, Director of Water Resources, NRCD reported on the capacity use designation for the Eno River. Two problems an the Eno River is that the present rate of water use is about the same as that which is available during dry years which means there is no significant margin of extra water available for growth and the second problem is that because of the growth in water supply withdraws, the river has been seriously dewatered for long periods of time. Two things need to be done to solve the problem. The first is to find some mare water to meet the increasing needs in Northern Orange County. This could be in the form of new reservoirs or purchasing water from other surrounding counties. The second thing that needs to be done to solve this problem is to fairly allocate the available water in the Eno among those who need to use it and to guarantee that there is an adequate instream release in the Eno to maintain good fish habitat and recreational opportunities and good water quality down stream. A water management plan is needed even if another water source is found. He reiterated the history which Ied to the Ena River Capacity Use Investigation. In the report it was found that conditions on the Eno River meet the statutory description of those circumstances under which a capacity use area can be declared. He described the details of the draft water management plan which includes five (S) main points: 1. The plan will take the available water from the Eno and allocate it among the existing water users.