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VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTBEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY, BURKE COUNTY,GEORGIA FROM JANUARY, 1977, THROUGH DECEMBER, 1978

OPERATING LICENSE STAGE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTTECHNICAL DOCUMENT

J. WAYNE WILTZPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

GEORGIA POWER COMPANYENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS CENTER

OCTOBER, 1982

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

INTRODUCTION

METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCES

TABLES

FIGURES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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LIST OF TABLES

1. Family, Scientific, and Common Names of Fishes Collected 7in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

2. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in January, 91977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

3. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in February, 101977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

4. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in March, 111977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

5. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in May, 121977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

6. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in June, 131977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

7. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in August, 141977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

8. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in September, 151977 , in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

9. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in November, 161977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

10. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in December, 171977, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

11. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in March, 181978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

12. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in June, 191978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

13. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in September, 201978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

14. Species and Number of Individuals Collected in December, 211978, in the Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

15. Species and Total Number of Individuals Collected in 1977 22by Month

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LIST OF TABLES

CONTINUED

16. Species and Total Number of Individuals Collected in 1978by Month

17. Percent Composition of Game and Commercial Species

18. Percent Composition of Non-Game and Non-Commercial Species

19. Percent Composition of Each Family of Fishes Collected

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20. Biomass and Percent Composition of Game and Commercial and 27Non-Game and Non-Commercial Species Collected in theBeaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

21. Mean Lengths in Millimeters with the Range in Parenthesis 29for Each Species for the Beaverdam Creek Resident FishStudy

22. Range of Physicochemical Data for Each Station for the 33Beaverdam Creek Resident Fish Study

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Beaverdam Creek is located approximately six miles north-northwest ofGirard, Burke County, Georgia. The creek is approximately six miles inlength and flows east-northeast to its confluence with the SavannahRiver at approximate river mile 148.4. Daniels Branch, a creek approximately five miles in length, flows southeast and High Head Creek, approximately one mile in length, flows northeast with both joining BeaverdamCreek in Telfair Pond (figure 1). Telfair Pond originated with thedamming of Beaverdam Creek below the confluence of the three creeks.

METHODS

Six permanent stations were selected to monitor drainage from the twoconstruction debris basins (figure 1). Stations 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 werelocated in Beaverdam Creek downstream from Telfair Pond. Stations 6.0,7.0, and 8.0 were in Daniels Branch upstream from Telfair Pond. Descriptions of each sampling station are given below:

Station 3.0: Beaverdam Creek approximately 1.5 miles upstream fromthe Savannah River. The stream substrate was composedof sand with scattered areas of detritus.

Station 3.5: Beaverdam Creek approximately 1.6 miles upstream fromthe Savannah River and immediately upstream from Station3.0. Stream substrate was composed of sand and detritus.

Station 4.0: Beaverdam Creek approximately 1.6 miles upstream fromthe Savannah River and immediately upstream from Station3.0. Station 4.0 was in a tributary connecting sedimentretention basin #1 with Beaverdam Creek. Stream substratewas composed of sand.

Station 6.0: Daniels Branch approximately 0.4 miles upstream fromTelfair Pond. The station was below the confluence ofDaniels Branch and a small stream draining sedimentretention basin #2. It was also located immediately below Ebenezer Church Road. Stream substrate was composedof sand, gravel, and a few scattered areas of detritus.

Station 7.0: Daniels Branch approximately 0.5 miles upstream fromTelfair Pond. The station was above the confluence ofDaniels Branch and the small stream draining sedimentretention basin #2. Stream substrate consisted of sandand detritus.

Station 8.0: Daniels Branch approximately 0.5 miles upstream fromTelfair Pond and immediately below Station 7.0. Station8.0 was in a tributary connecting sediment retention basin#2 with Daniels Branch. Stream substrate was composed ofsand.

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Nine surveys were conducted in 1977 at approximately six-week intervals.The surveys were conducted in January, February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December. On completion, the data wereanalyzed; and because of the large number of individuals collected forsome species, it was decided to reduce the sampling frequency frommonthly to quarterly for 1978. It was felt that enough data were collected in 1977 and sampling pressure could cause damage to the populationin the creek if the original sampling frequency was continued. The surveys for 1978 were conducted in March, June, September, and December.

Fish were sampled with a Smith-Root Model VIII-A backpack electrofisherand a l7-foot seine with a 1/16-inch mesh. Specimens were preserved inten percent formalin and transported to the Environmental Center inDecatur, Georgia, for identification and enumeration. Dissolved oxygenconcentration, conductivity, pH, and air and water temperatures weremeasured at the time of sampling to study possible changes in waterchemistry.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The family, scientific, and common names of fishes collected during theBeaverdam Creek resident fish study are given in table 1. A total of2435 individuals and 39 species were collected during the study (tables2 through 14). The blackbanded darter (Percina nigrofasciata), redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), andtessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) were most frequently collectedin 1977 (table 15). Blackbanded darter, dusky shiner (Notropis cummingsae), speckled madtom (Noturus leptacanthus), and mosquitofish (Gambusiaaffinis) were most frequently collected in 1978 (table 16). The easternmudminnow (Umbra pygmaea), rosyface chub (Hybopsis rubrifrons), speckledmadtom, creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), spotted sucker (Minytremamelanops), snail bullhead (Ictalurus brunneus), flat bullhead (Ictalurusplatycephalus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), redear sunfish (Lepomismicrolophus), and swamp darter (Etheostoma fusiformes) were collectedonly once during the entire study. Game and commercial species, listedin table 17, comprised 20.8 percent of the total number of individualscollected with bluegill making up the largest portion (12.4 percent).Table 18 showed that dusky shiner composed the greatest portion of thenon-game and non-commercial species with 40.3 percent of the total numberof individuals. Twelve families of fishes were represented with thefamily Cyprinidae constituting 47.3 percent of the total number of individuals collected. The family Centrarchidae were next, comprising 19.3percent (table 19). The biomass of the game and commercial speciescomprised 59.8 percent of the total biomass, as shown on table 20, withbluegill contributing 20.2 percent. American eel (AngUilla rostrata)made up 6.8 percent of the non-game and non-commercial species biomasswhich totaled 41.8 percent of the total biomass.

The greater biomass of the game and commercial species was due to thesize of the species as adults compared to the size of the non-game and

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non-commercial species as adults. Range and mean lengths are given intable 21 for each species according to each sample.

Dissolved oxygen concentrations were well within the limits for warmwater species of ft~1' a minimum of 4.0 mg/l and a daily average of5 mg/l for Georgia (table 22). The limits for pH are 6.0 to 8.5 forGeorgia. Stations 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 7.0, and 8.0 were below the minimumduring parts of 1977 (table 22). This was attributed to organic decomposition and the release of acids from vegett5ron. This was a normaloccurrence in swampy terrain according to Reid. The pH at Station6.0 was 9.0 in August, 1977, which could have been a normal occurrenceor pH meter malfunction. The data from table 2t l,how5d that the watertemperatures did not exceed the limit of 32.2 C (90 F). The rangeof specific conductance in inland freshwaters supportin~81 diversefish fauna was between 150 to 500 micromhos/cm at 25 C. The datashowed that the specific conductance in the creek was relatively lowand never exceeded the maximum of 500 micromhos/cm. The highestrecorded conductivity was 349 micromhos/cm at Station 8.0.

The effects of siltation on aquatic organisms are numerous and varied.Increased suspended sediment decreases the amount of available sunlightnecessary for photosynthesis. Reduction of plant life (primary producers)will upset the energy flow or food chain in the environment, causing adecrease in the aquatic population. Elevated water temperatures mayresult due to heat absorbed by ~~, sediment. The effects previouslymentioned, according to Cairns, are of little importance since thefollowing effects are more direct and the action more acute. Oxygendepletion usually occurs due to organic decomposition, that reduces theavailable oxygen necessary for metabolic processes. Depending on streamconditions, low dissolved oxygen may have a drastic effect on aquaticorganisms resulting in a population decrease with only tolerant speciesremaining. Changes in pH can affect organisms such as fish directly byreducing the protective mucous layer on the gills and body. The gillsfunction in respiration and excretion of nitrogenous waste and chloride.Breakdown of the mucous layer of the body allows for bacterial and viralinfections. Silt also has a direct abrasive action on the gills. Heavysiltation can cause changes in spawning areas, damage to fish eggs, andpossible increase in osmotic pressure due to an increase in dissolvedsalts.

In November, 1977, nearby transmission line right-of-way constructionand off-site independent logging operations caused an increase in turbidityat Stations 7.0 and 8.0. Tree limbs and debris were scattered throughoutthe creek at Station 7.0, making sample collection impossible at certaintimes. Grass was planted on the right-of-way and a rip-rap and hay balebarrier constructed above Station 8.0. These techniques have proven tobe effective in decreasing turbidity. Initially, the creek bed at Station8.0 was shallow with very little suitable habitat for fish. After construction of the barrier, the creek deepened and additional species werecollected due to more suitable habitat.

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As a result of the well-drained sandy soil, turbidity and run~off decreasedquickly after heavy rainfalls. A diverse fish population was present inthe creek as indicated from the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Siltation was not a factor influencing the resident fish population inBeaverdam Creek. Turbidity and run-off decreased quickly after heavyrainfall because of the well-drained sandy soil. An increase in turbidity was noted at Stations 7.0 and 8.0 1n November, 1977, caused bytransmission line right-of-way construction by Georgia Power Companyand logging operations by an independent logger on property adjacent tocompany property. Grass was planted on the right-of-way and a rip-rapand hay bale barrier was constructed at Station 8.0. This proved to beeffective in decreasing turbidity.

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REFERENCES

1. Environmental Protection Division, Water Quality Monitoring Datafor Georgia Streams, Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta,Georgia, 1981.

2. Patrick, R., Caiins, J. Jr., and Roback, S. S., "An EcosystematicStudy of the Fauna and Flora of the Savannah River," Proceedingsof the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 118, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, pp 109-407, 1967.

3. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Summary of Studieson the Savannah River 1951-1970 for E. I. DuPont DeNemours andCompany, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, 1970.

4. Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Summary Reports ofSavannah River Cursary Surveys for E. I. DuPont DeNemours andCompany 1961-1972, 1974, and 1977, Academy of Natural Sciences ofPhiladelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1978.

5. Matthews, R. A., Biological Surveys on the Savannah River in theVicinity of the Savannah River Plant (1951-1976), E. I. DuPontDeNemours and Company, Savannah River Laboratory, Aiken, SouthCarolina, 1982.

6. United States Atomic Energy Commission, Environmental StatementRelated to the Proposed Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2,3, and 4, Parts 6 and 11, Washington, D.C., 1974.

7. Reid, G. K., Ecology of Inland Waters and Estuaries, Reinhold BookCorporation, New York, New York, p 375, 1961.

8. Ellis, M. M., Westfall, B. A., and Ellis, M. D., Determination ofWater Quality, u.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Report 9, p 122, 1946.

9. Cairns, J., Jr., Suspended Solids Standards for the Protection ofAquatic Organisms, Purdue University Engineering Bulletin, p 129,1967.

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TABLE I (PAGE I OF 2)

FAMILY t SCIENTIFIC t AND COMMON NAMES OF FISHESCOLLECTED IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY

Scientific Name

AnguillidaeAnguilla rostrata

UmbridaeUmbra pygmaea

EsocidaeEsox americanusEsox nigerEsox spp.

CyprinidaeHybopsis rubrifronsNocomis leptocephalusNotemigonus crysoleucasNotropis chalybaeusNotropis cummingsaeNotropis lutipinnisNotropis petersoniSemotilus atromaculatus

CatostomidaeErimyzon oblongusMinytrema melanops

IctaluridaeIctalurus brunneusIctalurus natalisIctalurus nebulosusIctalurus platycephalusNoturus gyrinusNoturus ins ignisNoturus leptacanthus

AphredoderidaeAphredoderus sayanus

CyprinodontidaeFundulus lineolatus

PoeciliidaeGambusia affinis

AtherinidaeLabidesthes sicculus

CentrarchidaeEnneacanthus gloriosusLepomis auritusLepomis cyanellusLepomis gulosusLepomis macrochirus

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Common Name

American eel

Eastern mudminnow

Redfin pickerelChain pickerel

Rosyface chubBluehead chubGolden shinerIroncolor shinerDusky shinerYellowfin shinerCoastal shinerCreek chub

Creek chubsuckerSpotted sucker

Snail bullheadYellow bullheadBrown bullheadFlat bullheadTadpole madtomMargined madtomSpeckled madtom

Pirate perch

Lined topminnow

Mosquito fish

Brook silverside

Bluespotted sunfishRedbreast sunfishGreen sunfishWarmouthBluegill

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TABLE 1 (PAGE 2 OF 2)

Scientific Name

Lepomis marginatusLepomis microlophusLepomis punctatusMicropterus salmoidesPomoxis nigromaculatus

PercidaeEtheostoma fricksiumEtheostoma fusiformeEtheostoma olmstediPercina nigrofasciataPercidae (juvenile)

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Common Name

Dollar sunfishRedear sunfishSpotted sunfishLargemouth bassBlack crappie

Savannah darterSwamp darterTessellated darterBlackbanded darter

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TABLE 2

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN J&~ARY,

1977, IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY

StationsSpecies 4.0 3.5 3.0 6.0 8.0 7.0 Totals

Esox spp- (j uvenile) (a) 1 (a) 1Notropis chalybaeus 2 2Notropis cummingsae 11 11Notropis 1utipinnis 4 1 1 6Notropis petersoni 6 6Icta1urus nebulosus 1 1Noturus gyrinus 1 1Noturus leptacanthus 1 2 3Gambusia affinis 4 2 1 2 9Lepomis auritus 1 1Lepomis macrochirus 1 11 5 17Etheostoma olmstedi 2 2 1 5Percina nigrofasciata 1 1 2

Totals 12 26- 0 17 0 10 65

a. No samples taken at Stations 3.0 and 8.0 in January, 1977 •

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TABLE 3

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN FEBRUARY.1977 , IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 2 (a) 2Notemigonus crysoleucas 1 1Notropis cummingsae 3 13 16Notroeis petersoni 1 1Noturus gyrinus 1 1Noturus leptacanthus 3 1 2 2 1 9Aphredoderus sayanus 1 1 4 6Gambusia affinis 6 2 2 10Labidesthes sicculus 1 1Lepomis auritus 3 4 7Lepomis gulosus 1 1Lepomis macrochirus 2 15 4 21Lepomis punctatus 1 1Etheostoma fricksium 3 1 4Etheostoma olmstedi 2 1 3 1 7Perc ina nigrofasciata 2 4 1 7

Totals 14 8 34 32 0 7 95

a. No samples taken at Station 8.0 in February, 1977 .

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TABLE 4

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN MARCH,1977 , IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 8 3 11Umbra pygmaea 1 1Esox americanus 1 2 3Esox niger 1 1Notropis cha1ybaeus 1 1Notropis cummingsae 2 2Notropis lutipinnis 2 2Ictalurus brunneus 1 1Noturus gyrinus 1 1Noturus insignis 1 1Noturus leptacanthus 3 3Aphredoderus sayanus 1 2 1 4Fundulus lineolatus 1 1Gambusia affinis 5 1 6Lepomis auritus 13 2 15Lepomis macrochirus 4 1 35 1 41Etheostoma fricksium 1 1Etheostoma olmstedi 1 - 1Percina nigrofasciata 1 1

Totals 31 11 8 6 37 4 97

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TABLE 5

SPECIES &~D NU~rnER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN MAY,1977, IN THE BEA\~RDAH CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 1 3 4Esox niger 1 1Ictalurus nata1is 2 2Noturus gyrinus 1 1 2Noturus ins ignis 1 1 2Noturus 1eptacanthus 1 1 3 1 6Aphredoderus sayanus 1 2 3Gambusia affinis 1 1Lepomis auritus 5 2 7Lepomis cyane11us 1 1Lepomis gu10sus 1 1Lepomis macrochirus 1 2 1 4Lepomis punctatus 1 2 3Micropterus sa1moides 1 1Etheostoma fricksium 1 2 2 5Etheostoma olmstedi 1 1 4 6Percina nigrofasciata 1 1 1 3

Totals 9 6 19 11 3 4 52

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SPECIES A.~D NUNBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN JUNE.1977 • IN THE BEAVERDA}l CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 5 5Eso" niger 1 1Notropis chalybaeus 1 1Notropis cummingsae 7 68 (a) (a) 75Notropis petersoni 3 1 4Erimyzon oblongus 1 1Ictalurus nebulosus 1 1Noturus leptacanthus 1 2 1 4Aphredoderus savanus 1 1 2Gambusia affinis 1 1Labidesthes sicculus 1 1Lepomis auritus 4 1 1 6Lepomis macrochirus 1 1Lepomis punctatus 1 1Micropterus sa1moides 5 5Etheostoma fricksium 1 2 3Etheostoma olmstedi 3 2 19 24Percina nigrofasciata 4 . 27 31Percidae (j uvenile) 1 1

Totals 11 9 19 129 a a 168

a. No samples taken at Stations 8.0 and 7.0 in June, 1977 , becauseof electro fisher malfunction and because of low water and detritis -seining was impossible.

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TABLE 7

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN AUGUST,1977, IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 2 3 1 6Esox americanus 2 2 1 5Esox niger 1 1Hybopsis rubrifrons 1 1Notemigonus cryso1eucas 2 2Notropis cha1ybaeus 1 1 2Notropis cummingsae 2 6 1 238 247Notropis petersoni 6 6Icta1urus nebu10sus 1 1 2Noturus ins ignis 1 1Noturus 1eptacanthus 3 1 4Aphredoderus sayanus 2 2 1 3 8Gambusia affinis 2 4 14 11 31Labidesthes siccu1us 3 3Lepomis auritus 5 6 2 4 17Lepomis gu10sus 1 1Lepomis macrochirus 1 21 5 27Lepomis punctatus 1 1 1 3Micropterus sa1moides 3 1 4Etheostoma fricksium 1 1 2 1 5Etheostoma olmstedi 3 2 3 8Percina nigrofasciata 2 3 6 11

Totals 24 22 18 285 16 30 395

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TABLE 8

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN SEPTEMBER.1977. IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 1 5 6 1 13Notropis cummingsae 17 5 310 1 333Notropis 1utipinnis 14 14Notropis petersoni 8 8Noturus gyrinus 1 1Noturus insignis 1 1Noturus 1eptacanthus 2 1 4 7Aphredoderus sayanus 1 1 1 3Fundulus lineolatus 2 2Gambusia affinis 3 7 12 4 75 4 105Labidesthes siccu1us 4 4Lepomis auritus 5 2 4 2 13Lepomis gu10sus 1 1 2Lepomis macrochirus 1 4 7 12Lepomis punctatus 1 1 2Micropterus sa1moides 1 1Etheostoma olmstedi 3 1 2 1 7Percina nigrofasciata 4 2 3 4 13

Totals 45 19 39 332 77 29 541

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TABLE 9

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN NOVEMBER.1977. IN THE BEAVERDA}l CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 2 3 3 8Esox americanus 1 1Esox niger 1 1Notropis chalybaeus 1 1Notropis cummingsae 70 70Notropis 1utipinnis 1 6 7Notropis petersoni 5 7 12Minytrema me1anops 1 1Ictalurus platycepha1us 1 1Noturus insignis 1 1Noturus 1eptacanthus 4 4 1 9Aphredoderus sayanus 4 1 ·1 3 9Fundulus 1ineo1atus 2 2Gambusia affinis 2 1 34 4 41Enneacanthus gloriosus 1 1Lepomis auritus 1 4 3 4 12Lepomis gu10sus 4 4Lepomis macrochirus 1 3 1 104 5 114Lepomis marginatus 2 2Lepomis punctatus 1 3 4Micropterus sa1moides 5 5Etheostoma fricksium 1 5 6Etheostoma olmstedi 1 2 2 5 3 13Perc ina nigrofasciata 2 15 17

Totals 19 13 96 161 34 19 342

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TABLE 10

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN DECEMBER,1977, IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 1 1Notropis cummingsae 1 6 2 (a) (a) 9Notropis petersoni 2 3 5Aphredoderus sayanus 1 1 ?Labidesthes siccu1us 3 3Lepomis auritus 2 1 3Lepomis macrochirus 13 1 14Micropterus sa1moides 1 1Etheostoma fricksium 2 2Etheostoma olmsted! 1 1Percina nigrofasciata 2 2 4

Totals 21 2 14 8 0 0 45

a. No samples taken at Stations 8.0 and 7.0 in December, 1977 •

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TABLE 11

SPECIES AND NU~rnER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN ~~CH.

1978. IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata 5 5Esox niger 2 '1..Esox spp. (j uvenile) 1 1Nocomis leptocephalus 2 2Notemigonus cryso1eucas 35 35Notropis cummingsae 38 7 33 78Notropis 1utipinnis 26 -. 26Notropis petersoni 8 8Erirnyzon ob1ongus 4 2 6Icta1urus brunneus 1 1Noturus gyrinus 1 1 2Noturus insignis 3 3Noturus 1eptacanthus 1 9 10 20Aphredoderus sayanus 1 1 5 6 4 17Fundulus 1ineo1atus 1 1Gambusia affinis 1 12 13Labidesthes siccu1us 1 1Enneacanthus gloriosus 1 1Lepomis auritus 2 15 17Lepomis gu10sus 2 2Lepornis macrochirus 20 1 4 5 30Lepornis rnarginatus 1 1Lepomis rnicro1ophus 6 6Lepomis punctatus 1 4 5Micropterus sa1rnoides 2 2Pomoxis nigromacu1atus 1 1Etheostoma fricksium 1 1 2 4Etheostoma fusiformes 1 1 2Etheostoma olmstedi 2 2 4 2 10Percina nigrofasciata 2 10 9 19 40

Totals 26 17 82 124 13 80 342

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TABLE 12

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN JUNE,1978, IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH SrUDY


Anguilla rostrata 5 5Esox americanus 1 1 3 1 6Notropis cha1ybaeus 1 1Notropis cummingsae 3 11 1 15Notropis petersoni 1 1Semoti1us atromacu1atus 3 3Icta1urus nata1is 2 2Noturus gyrinus 1 1Noturus insignis 1 1Noturus 1eptacanthus 1 1 4 7 13Aphredoderus sayanus 1 4 5 13 2 25Gambusia affinis 2 3 2 7Enneacanthus gloriosus 1 1Lepomis auritus 1 1 2Lepomis macrochirus 5 3 5 13Lepomis punctatus 3 3Micropterus sa1moides 1 1Etheostoma fricksium 1 1Etheostoma olmstedi 1 4 5Perc ina nigrofasciata 2 2 2 1 7

Totals 5 10 26 34 32 6 113

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TABLE 13

SPECIES AND ~mER OF I~~IVIDUALS COLLECTED IN SEPTEMBER,1978, IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


Anguilla rostrata (a) 3 (a) (a) 3Notropis curnmingsae 118 118Notropis 1utipinnis 1 10 11Noturus 1eptacanthus 4 4Aphredoderus sayanus 1 1Gambusia affinis 2 2 4Labidesthes siccu!us 3 3Lepomis macrochirus 3 5 8Micropterus sa1moides 1 1Percina nigrofasciata 11 11

Totals 11 0 3 150 0 0 164

a. No samples taken at Stations 3.5, 8.0, and 7.0 in September, 1978,because of an e1ectrofisher malfunction and because of low waterand detritus seining was impossible.

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TABLE 14

SPECIES AND NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN DECEMBER,1978, IN THE BEAVERDA}1 CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY


~ americanus 1 (a) (a) (a) (a) 1 ....Notropis cummingsae 3 4 7Notropis lutipinnis 1 1Noturus 1eptacanthus 2 2Gambusia affinis 1 1Etheostoma olmstedi 3 3Percina nigrofasciata 1 1

Totals 12 4 0 ° ° 0 16

-a. No samples taken at Stations 3.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 7.0 in December,1978, because of electrofisher malfunction and because of lowwater and detritus seining was impossible. -

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TABLE 15

SPECIES AND TOTAL NU}lBER OF INDIVIDUALSCOLLECTED IN 1977 BY MONTH

MonthSpecies 1/77 2/77 3/77 5/77 6/77 8/77 9/77 11/77 12/77

Anguilla rostrata 2 11 4 5 6 13 8 1Umbra pygmaea 1Esox americanus 3 5 1Esox niger 1 1 1 1 1Esox spp , (j uvenile) 1Hybopsis rubrifrons 1Notemigonus cryso1eucas 1 2Notropis cha1ybaeus 2 1 1 2 1Notropis cummingsae 11 16 2 75 247 333 70 9Notropis 1utipinnis 6 2 14 7Notropis petersoni 6 1 4 6 8 12 5Erimyzon ob1ongus 1Minytrema me1anops 1Icta1urus brunneus 1Icta1urus nata1is 2Icta1urus nebu10sus 1 1 2Icta1urus p1atycepha1us 1Noturus gyrinus 1 1 1 2. 1Noturus insignis 1 2 1 1 1Noturus leptacanthus 3 9 3 6 4 4 7 9Aphredoderus sayanus 6 4 3 2 8 3 9 2Fundulus 1ineo1atus 1 2 2Gambusia affinis 9 10 6 1 1 31 105 41Labidesthes sicculus 1 1 3 4 3Enneacanthus gloriosus 1Lepomis aurit us 1 7 15 7 6 17 13 13 3Lepomis cyane11us 1Lepomis gu10sus 1 1 1 2 4Lepomis macrochirus 17 21 41 4 1 27 12 114 14Lepomis marginatus 2Lepomis punctatus 1 3 1 3 2 4Micropterus sa1moides 1 5 4 1 5 1Etheostoma fricksium 4 1 5 3 5 6 2Etheostoma olmstedi 5 7 1 6 24 8 7 13 1Percina nigrofasciata 2 7 1 3 31 11 13 17 4Percidae (j uvenile) 1

Totals 65 95 97 52 168 395 541 342 45

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TABLE 16

SPECIES AND TOTAL NUHBER OF INDIVIDUALS COLLECTED IN 1978BY MONTH WITH 1977/1978 TOTAL NU}ffiER PER SPECIES

Month TotalSpecies 3/78 6/78 9/78 12/78 1977 /1978

Anguilla rostrata 5 5 3 63~pygmaea 1Esox americanus 6 1 16~niger 2 7Esox spp. (j uvenile) 1 2Hybopsis rubrifrons 1Nocomis leptocephalus 2 2Notemigonus crysoleucas 35 38Notropis chalybaeus 1 8Notropis cummingsae 78 15 118 7 981Notropis lutipinnis 26 11 1 67Notropis petersoni 8 1 51Semotilus atromaculatus 3 3Erimyzon oblongus 6 7Minytrema melanops 1Ictalurus brunneus 1 2Ictalurus natalis 2 4Ictalurus nebulosus 4 -Ictalurus p1atycepha1us 1Noturus gyrinus 2 1 9Noturus insignis 3 1 10Noturus 1eptacanthus 20 13 4 2 84Aphredoderus sayanus 17 25 1 80Fundulus 1ineo1atus 1 6Gambusia affinis 13 7 4 1 229Labidesthes sicculus 1 3 16Enneacanthus gloriosus 1 1 3Lepomis auritus 17 2 100Lepomis cyanellus 1Lepomis gul.osus 2 11Lepomis macrochirus 30 13 8 302Lepomis marginatus 1 3 ,,"Lepomis microlophus 6 6Lepomis punctatus 5 3 22Micropterus sa1moides 2 1 1 21Pomoxis nigromaculatus 1 1Etheostoma fricksium 4 1 31Etheostoma fusiformes 2 2Etheostoma olmsted! 10 5 3 90 -Percina nigrofasciata 40 7 11 1 148Percidae (juvenile) 1

Totals 342 113 164 16 2435

23

VEGP - OLSER

TABLE 17

PERCENT COMPOSITION OF GAME AND COMMERCIAL SPECIES

Species

Lepomis macrochirusLepomis auritusLepomis punctatusMicropterus salmoidesEsox americanusLepomis gu10susEsox nigerLepomis micro1ophusIcta1urus natalisIcta1urus nebu10susIcta1urus brunneusLepomis marginatusEsox spp. (j uvenile)iepOmis cyanellusPomoxis nigromaculatusIcta1urus platycephalus

Total

a. Trace

24

PercentComposition

12.44.10.90.90.70.50.30.20.20.20.10.1

°rta)TT

20.7

VEGP - OLSER

TABLE 18

PERCENT COMPOSITION OF NON-GAME ANDNON-COMMERCIAL SPECIES

Species

Notropis cummingsaeGambusia affinisPercina nigrofasciataEtheostoma olmstediNoturus 1eptacanthusAphredoderus sayanusAnguilla rostrataNotropis 1utipinnisNotropis petersoniNotemigonus cryso1eucasEtheostoma fricksiumLabidesthes siccu1usNoturus gyrinusNoturus insignisErimyzon ob1ongusNotropis cha1ybaeusFundulus 1ineo1atusNocomis leptocephalusSemoti1us atromacu1atusEnneacanthus gloriosusEtheostoma fusiformesUmbra pygmaeaHybopsis rubrifronsMlnytrema me1anopsPercidae (juvenile)

Total

a. Trace

25

PercentComposition

40.39.46.13.73.43.32.82.82.11.61.30.70.40.40.30.30.20.10.10.1O~ta)

TTT

79.5

--

VEGP - OLSER

TABLE 19

PERCENT COMPOSITION OF EACH FAMILYOF FISHES COLLECTED

Family

CyprinidaeCentrarchidaePercidaePoeciliidaeIcta1uridaeAphredoderidaeAnguillidaeEsocidaeAtherinidaeCatostomidaeCyprinodontidaeUmbridae

a. Trace

26

PercentComposition

47.319.311.29.44.73.32.81.10.70.3

°ita)

VEGP - OLSER


BIOMASS AND PERCENT COMPOSITION OF GAME ANDCOMMERCIAL AND NON-GAME AND NON-COMMERCIAL SPECIES

COLLECTED IN THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY

Game andCommercial Species

Lepomis macrochirusLepomis auritusIctalurus natalisLepomis punctatusLepomis gulosusEsox americanusIctalurus brunneusMicropterus salmoidesEsox nigerLepomis microlophusIctalurus platycephalusLepomis marginatusPomoxis nigromaculatusLepomis cyanellusIctalurus nebulosusEsox s pp , (juvenile)Total

Non-game andNon-commercial Species

Anguilla rostrataAphredoderus sayanusErimyzon oblongusPercina nigrofasciataNotropis cummingsaeNoturus leptacanthusEtheostoma olmstediNotropis petersoniNotemigonus crysoleucasNocomis leptocephalusGambusia affinisNoturus insignisEtheostoma fricksiumNotropis lutipinnisNoturus gyrinusSemotilus atromaculatusLabidesthes sicculusMinytrema melanopsEnneacanthus gloriosus

27

Biomass(Grams)

1085.9868.1285.7240.1201.2167.4

94.677.952.725.419.818.83.53.02.60.7

Biomass(Grams)

363.4323.4285.9217.3159.5144.0105.395.992.886.772.661.046.042.741.222.213 .512.511.9

PercentComposition

20.216.25.34.53.73.11.81.51.00.50.4

°T~a)TTT

58.7

PercentComposition

6.86.05.34.03.02.72.01.81.81.61.41.10.90.80.80.40.30.20.2

-

Game andCommercial Species

Umbra pygmaeaFundulus lineolatusNotropis chalybaeusEtheostoma fusiformesHYbopsis rubrifronsPercidae (juvenile)Total

a. Trace

VEGP - OLSER


Biomass(Grams)

7.56.92.91.91.20.1

28

PercentComposition

0.10.1

TTTT

41.3

VEGP - OLSER


HEAN LENGTHS IN mlLIHETERS WITH THE RANGE IN PARENTHESIS FOREACH SPECIES FOR THE BEAVERDAH CREEK RESIDENT rISH STUDY

MonthsSpecies 1/77 2/77 3/77 5/77 6/77 8/77 9/77 nui 12/77 3/78 6/78 6/78

Anguilla r os t rara 167.5 157.0 148.8 139.5 216.0 189.9 171.0 210.0(158- (145- (110- (139- (145- (137- (125-177) 169) 205) 140) 303) 270) 245)

Umbra pygmaea 82.0

Esox americanus 46.7 129.0 120.0 85.7 126.0(40- 000- (58-59) 190) 102)

N ~ niger 160.0 72.0 66.0 85.0 136.0 135.0\0

Esox spp. (j uvend l e) 22.0 38.0

Hybopsis rubrifrons 44.0

Nocomis leptocephalus 143.0(133-153)

No temigonus cryso1eucas 91.2 100.5 90.0(100- (82-101) 100)

Notropis cha Lybaeus 21. 5 42.0 58.0 27.0 42.0 48.0(21- (25-22) 29)

Notropls cummingsae 41.0 32.8 39.5 44.7 36.0 35.0 36.7 36.9 40.6 45.8 34.7(35- (19- (39- (16- (28- 07- (29- (30- (35- ()9- (20-46) 45) 40) 57) 52) 51) 43) 44) 45) 50) 43)

Notropis Lu t Lp i.nn Ls 33.6 48.0 47.7 46.4 50.0 46.0(26- (43- (20- oo- ()9-38) 53) 58) 68) 61)

VEGP - OLSER


MonthsSpecies 1/77 2/77 3/77 5/77 6/77 8/77 9/77 10/77 12/77 3/78 6/78 6/78

No tropis peterson! 57.2 53.0 60.8 51.8 53.1 59.0 58.0 60.4 61.0(50- (58- (40- (49-' (48- (50- (53-63) 65) 66) 59) 69) 62) 68)

Semotilus atromacu1atus 70.0(28-93)

Erimyzon ob1ongus 235.0 100.3(88-117)

Minytrema me1anops 110.0

Ictalurus brunneus 195.0 62.0w0 Icta1urus nata l i s 192.5 134.0

(185- (126-200) 142)

Ictalurus nebulosus 32.0 19.0 31.0(16-46)

Ictalurus p1atycepha1us 124.0

Noturus gyrinus 68.0 82.0 73.0 32.5 31.0 110.0 65.0(16-49)

No t urus ins ignis 99.0 56.5 110.0 48.0 109.0 60.7 70.0(56- (45-57) 90)

Noturus Lep t acan t hus 50.0 47.1 70.0 52.5 43.0 43.3 54.9 49.7 43.0 61.2 67.0(35- (29- (56- (44- (18- (17- (29- 00- (32- (4/;- (51-58) 88) 81) 80) 68) 72) 75) 71) 60) 87) 83)

VEGP - OLSER


MonthsSpecies 1/77 2/77 3/77 5/77 6/77 8/77 9/77 10/77 12/77 3/78 6/78 6/78

Aphredoderu5 sayanus 60.8 71.8 39.3 70.6 61.3 71.0 69.0 73.5 54.5 69.9(43- (59- (18- (69- (27- (57- (43- (69- (48- (19-83) 90) 72) 72) 77) 82) 90) 78) 55) 82)

Fundulus lineolatus 41.0 38.5 54.5 53.0(35- (47-42) 62)

Gambusia affinis 30.2 30.2 30.7 41.0 47.0 27.3 29.1 28.3 32.0 27.9 37.0(16- (23- (29- 05- (14- (16- (13-42) 46) 35) 46) 50) 49) 43)

Labidesthes sicculus 69.0 74.0 50.7 53.3 56.3 40.0(50- (43- (53-52) 59) 58)

"" Enneacanthus gloriosus 61.0 67.0 48.0.....

Lepomis auritus 73.0 65.3 72.7 91.7 77.7 89.2 81.9 64.8 89.5 64.5 81.0(33- (37- (62- (53- (57- (42- (42- (89- (42- (72-83) 94) 150) 109) 133) 109) 87) 90) 87) 90)

Lepomis cyane11us 54.0

Lepornis gulosus 190.0 44.0 43.0 67.5 70.0(56-76)

Lepomis macrochirus 74.8 75.1 72.5 55.5 62.0 66.3 80.3 67.6 41.6 39.9 67.2(48- (48- (33- (47- (34- (32- (36- (23- (30- (47-120) 96} 105) 65) 120) 137) 94) 50) 52) 98)

Lepomis marginatus 72.0 72.0(70-74)

Lepomis microlophus 62.8(38-95)

VEGP - OLSER


MonthsSpedes 1/77 2/77 3/77 5/77 6/77 8/77 9/77 10/77 12/77 3/78 6/78 6/78

Lepomis punetatus 57.6 64.0 92.0 122.3 90.5 56.5 53.5 82.7(53- (76- (72- (49- (28- (75-

75) 136) n)9) 68) 73) 90)Hie rop te rU6 sa1moides 49.0 44.6 51.8 90.4 65.0

(39- (46- (60-49) 59) 126)

Pomoxis nigromaeu1atus 75.0

Etheostoma frieksium 49.8 57.0 37.0 35.0 38.4 47.0 59.0 55.8 55.0(47- (19- (18- (22- (43- (50- (53-60) 59) 66) 62) 51) 68) 58)

Etheostoma fusiformes 47.5... (47-N 48)

Etheostoma olmstedi 45.4 52.0 45.0 39.8 30.5 43.4 52.6 57.7 46.0 57.0 47.0 64.0(41- (39- (26- (19- (18- (41- (43- (54- (26- (43-48) 90) 64) 52) 59) 71) 83) 60) 62) 75)

Pereina nigrofaseiata 58.5 56.1 65.0 72.7 39.6 49.5 58.6 56.1 59.5 57.2 65.1 69.0(54- (34- (65- (18- (33- (34- (40- (46- (26- (43-63) 78) 79) 100) 76) 94) 81) 70) 95) 88)

Pereidae (juvenile) 12.0

VEGP - OLSER

TABLE 22

RANGE OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL DATA FOR EACH STATIONFOR THE BEAVERDAM CREEK RESIDENT FISH STUDY

Parameters Range

Station 3.0Air Temperature (C) 0.0 to 30.0Water Temperature (C) 2.5 to 26.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (mg/l) 6.8 to 12.0pH 5.5 to 7.6Conductivity (micromhosl cm) 25.0 to 95.0

Station 3.5Air Temperature 0.0 to 30.0Water Temperature 2.5 to 27.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 6.7 to 11.8pH 5.9 to 7.7Conductivity 25.0 to 150.0




Station 8.0Air Temperature 7.0 to 30.2Water Temperature 5.5 to 29.0Dissolved Oxygen Concentration 5.6 to 12 .8pH 5.7 to 7.7Conductivity 20.0 to 349.0

33

PLANT SITE

DANIELS BRANCH

" I\ II I

\ ," ,,', ~"l

",~ ,"< "'----.. .11"---" " ,.".... r

" I

'''', ".... ,' ...

BEAVERDAM CREEK

• SAMPLING STATIONS~--- ROADS

SAVANNAH RIVER

SEDIMENT RETENTION BASIN #2

SEDIMENT RETENTION BASIN #1

BEAVERDAM CREEK

\' ...

" ....3.0 " ,,

........ ,

TELFAIR POND

HIGH HEAD CREEK

...,,'- ' .......

....... _---

433-9

Georgia Power .\VOGTLEELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTUNIT 1 ANO UNIT 2

34

STATION LOCATIONS FOR THE RESIDENT FISHSTUDY IN BEAVERDAM CREEK AND DANIELS

FIGURE 1

VEGP - OLSER

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Station Locations for the Resident Fish Study inBeaverdam Creek and Daniels Branch

iv

34

VEGP - OLSER

INTRODUCTION

Construction of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) began inJune, 1974, and was discontinued in September, 1974, as a result ofunfavorable economic conditions. Construction resumed in January,1977, with excavation activities beginning in February. The plant siteis approximately 3169 acres and located in Burke County, on the southwestside of the Savannah River, the natural boundary between Georgia andSouth Carolina. The site is at river mile 150.9 across from the SavannahRiver Plant (SRP) operated by E. I. DuPont DeNemours and Company for theU.S. Department of Energy. The plant site is approximately 26 milessouth-southeast of Augusta, Georgia. The site is located in the coastalplain which is characterized by sandy or sandy loam soil with rollinghills and mixed pine-hardwood association. Since the onset of construction, approximately 1391 acres of the site have been cleared for plantconstruction.

The original plans proposed a generating plant consisting of four units,but construction of two units has been cancelled. The plant will employtwo pressurized water reactors producing 1160 MW each. Unit 1 is scheduled to go into service in March, 1987, and Unit 2 in September, 1988.The exhaust steam will be cooled by a closed-cycle cooling system employing natural draft cooling towers using make-up water from the Savannah River. Low volume waste and blowdown from both cooling towers willultimately be discharged back into the river.

The Savannah River below Augusta, Georgia, and above the VEGP sitereceives wastewater discharges from municipalities and industries thatadd organic wastes, nutrients, metals, and other trace conttYfnants.Stream classification near the VEGP is listed as ItFishing." The rivernear the plant site is typical of large southeastern coastal plain riversexcept that a dredged channel is maintained by the Corps of Engineers forbarge traffic. The biological community of the river is similar to thatof other large southeastern rivers but has been affected by man's influence on the river. The impoundment of the river above Augusta, Georgia,has reduced the transport of sediments and allochthonous particulateorganic materials, and the dredging of the channel has reduced thenatural shallow areas and backwaters that would normally support a diverseflora and fauna. Studies on the Savannah River flora and fauna have be~2

conducted periodically since 1951 and were d~3rt!Td in Patrick'(5J al., )Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and Matthews.

Georgia Power Company was required by the Plant Vogtle Final Envt6~nmental

Statement, issued by the United States Atomic Energy Commission, to complete the'requirement that sampling stations in Beaverdam Creek be established to evaluate the effects on the resident stream fauna of sedimententering the stream from the silt and sediment retention basins. A studybegan in January, 1977, and ended in December, 1978.

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