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t . <br /> $ <br /> i • <br /> i <br /> 5 <br /> --. 1 <br /> over a 40 year period lasting 135, 118 and 92 days and 16 <br /> periods of 92 days or less. AlternakiMaei assumes that <br /> t . <br /> restrictions on withdrawal would begin to be imposed at 2.21 <br /> mgd (the 60% level) and that a lower instream flow require- <br /> k.- <br /> --- went would be used than what the state has recommended. This <br /> instreaffi flow amount is the 7Q10 below Lake Ben Johnson, <br /> 14 unadjusted by the amount of water withdrawals. Alternatives <br /> . . . . <br /> 2, 6 and,7 show further variation. The atb AitmilAtimg <br /> projects a withdrawal amount without water purchases by <br /> =:= . owAm. This may or may not be possible. while the increased <br /> water . Supply capacity available from Cane Creek by the <br /> temporary impoundment (an estimated 2.3 mgd which is over and <br /> about University Lake's 3 mgd and .5 one-time supply at the <br /> stone qdarry) is an important and long awaited step in water . <br /> 1 <br /> -- resources development for Orange County it is limited and <br /> • will not eliminate the potential for water supply shortage <br /> under extreme or protracted drought conditions. The WASP. is <br /> '-; <br /> faced with the same dilemma as utilities in the central <br /> portion :of the County. Until the permanent reservoir on Cane <br /> Creek is completed (projected for 1989) or another <br /> ?. . significant source(s) of supply is added, water supply <br /> capacity in the Orange will remain a limited resource and <br /> 4 should be treated accordingly. <br /> t . <br /> Alternative 9 assumes that (a) optimum withdrawal could • <br /> be made, (b) all, supplies are fully utilizable, (c) lake•levels at Orange and Ben Johnson are raised through use of <br /> flashboards, (d) expenditures would be made to overcome <br /> , facility constraints, and (e) that all three reservoirs are <br /> operated t. t i."pd system by a single reservoir operator <br /> ' with authority and capability to manage the system. <br /> Corporation rake and Lake Pen Johnson would be kept at <br /> approximately 3 feet below the dams (would necessitate <br /> lowering the shaft and raising the pumps at Ben Johnson and <br /> installing a gravity bypass at Corporation Lake) to capture <br /> flow from their drainage areas. Lake Orange would be kept <br /> • for reserve. - There would, moreover, be a water purchase <br /> agreement in place with Mebane or Burlington to activate as <br /> drought Conditions worsen. Lake Orange would be in normal • <br /> - . <br /> state 894 percent of the time. There would be 17 crisis <br /> periods I,(i.e. water level at or below 20%) lasting 112 days, <br /> i 58 days,■ 44 days and 14 others lasting 44 days or less. <br /> I The findings reveal that when current and alternative <br /> withdrawal/conservation/instream flow combinations are <br /> applied against the historic flow data the river and its <br /> reservoirs are at capacity. Variation in the combinations <br /> present different levels of risk for incurring a water <br /> shortage, of undetermined duration. The existing water <br /> supply is inadequate to meet the existing demand of <br /> 'withdrawal under the current contractual situation. Were . <br /> CWASAtol be able to discontinue its water purchase contract <br /> it would: take only a small amount of growth in water use to - <br /> again exbeed the capacity of the river and existing reser- <br /> voirs. Crowth above the stated withdrawal rates can make all <br /> alternatives subject to failure. <br /> I <br /> The ! County, its municipalities and water utilities are <br /> now subject to several provisions of State law applicable to <br />