Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1
1.1 Organization and Terms of Reference ....................................................................1
1.2 Site Location ...........................................................................................................1
1.3 Impoundment Description ......................................................................................1
2.
3.
4.
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................11
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Project Location Map Colstrip Steam Electric Station, Colstrip, Montana
Figure 2 Layout of Plant Area in 2016
Figure 3 Layout of Units 1 & 2 STEP Area in 2016
Figure 4 Layout of Units 3 & 4 EHP Area in 2016
Figure 5 Layout of Plant Area in 2021
Figure 6 Layout of Units 1 & 2 STEP Area in 2021
Figure 7 Layout of Units 3 & 4 EHP Area in 2021
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A Hazard Potential Classification Assessment
Appendix B Stormwater Master Plan Evaluation
Appendix C Technical Memorandum
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Geosyntec Consultants (Geosyntec) has prepared this Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
(Plan) for Talen Montana, LLC (Talen) for the Colstrip Steam Electric Station (CSES) in Colstrip,
Montana. This plan is prepared for compliance with minimum operating criteria of the Federal
Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule. On 17 April 2015, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) published the final rule for disposal of CCR from electric power
utilities under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), contained in
Part 257 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 257 Subpart D), referred to herein
as the CCR Rule. In this Plan, the specific requirements of 257.82(a) for inflow design flood
control systems for CCR surface impoundments are identified and addressed. This Plan was
prepared in compliance with the requirements of 257.82(c)(1).
This Plan was prepared by Ms. Beth Pittaway and Mr. Zichang Li, Ph.D., and reviewed in
accordance with Geosyntecs internal review policy by Mr. Turgay Dabak, Ph.D., P.E., and Ms.
Carrie Pendleton, P.E., all of Geosyntec. Ms. Pendleton is a registered Professional Engineer in
the State of Montana.
1.2
Site Location
CSES is a coal-fired steam electric generating facility partially owned and operated by Talen. The
facility is located in Colstrip, Rosebud County, Montana, approximately 90 miles east of Billings,
Montana. An aerial location map for CSES is shown in Figure 1. The three primary areas of the
CSES are shown on Figures 2 through 4 and include the Plant area, the Unit 1 & 2 Stage-Two
Evaporation Pond (STEP) area, and the Unit 3 & 4 Effluent Holding Pond (EHP) area.
1.3
Impoundment Description
Throughout the history of the site, electricity generation operations at the CSES have produced
CCR that have been managed at on-site surface impoundments. CCR were disposed of as fly ash
at the Stage-One Evaporation Pond area (SOEP)/STEP areas until 2009, and at the EHP area until
2004. CCR in the Plant area have always been disposed as either bottom ash or fly ash slurry, not
paste. Paste plants were constructed at the STEP in 2009 and the EHP in 2004, which after that
time changed the moisture content and consistency of the CCR material disposed in these areas to
a lower moisture-content material that solidifies and strengthens over time.
Currently, scrubber slurry is transferred through pipes to the STEP or EHP paste plant where it is
processed into paste and deposited in the pond for final disposal. Bottom ash that is generated at
the units is dewatered in bottom ash ponds at the Plant area and then transported via truck to the
EHP and disposed in the EHP A Cell area. The ponds at the Plant area also store and treat water
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
that is used in plant operations. Because CSES is a zero discharge operation, the storage and
evaporation functions of the ponds are critical to operations at the facility.
The Units 1 & 2 STEP area contains an emergency spillway located approximately 400 ft north of
the left abutment of the Units 1 & 2 STEP Main Dam. The emergency spillway is a trapezoidal,
uncontrolled, and unlined spillway with a base width of 25 ft, crest elevation of 3,274.6 ft and
2H:1V side slopes. The original purpose of the spillway was to safely pass flood waters from a
100-year flood event followed by a 24-hour probable maximum flood (Bechtel,1979).
CSES must manage water and waste in a manner that complies with the requirements of the CCR
Rule while economically maintaining the continuity and efficiency of overall operations.
Managing hydrologic and hydraulic capacity requirements for CCR surface impoundments is a
key compliance parameter. As the Plant area, STEP and EHP areas will undergo significant
changes throughout the life of facility operations, including the closing and capping of CCR
storage cells, near- and long-term storm drainage improvements must be considered to fulfil the
requirements of the CCR Rule. The CCR units at CSES regulated by the Coal Ash Rule include:
This Plan serves as the initial inflow design flood control system plan, prepared no later than 17
October 2016 per the requirements of 257.82(c)(3)(i). As required in 257.82(c)(4), the owner
or operator must prepare inflow design flood control system plans every five years. Therefore, this
Plan only focuses on the Plant, EHP, and STEP facilities as they exist in 2016 and the updates for
each site as proposed in 2021. Figures 2 through 4 show the existing EHP, STEP, and Plant
facilities in 2016, and the updates for each site as proposed in 2021 are shown in Figures 5
through 7.
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
2.
2.1
Inflow Design Flood Control System (257.82(a)) and Inflow Design Flood Control
System Plan (257.82(c)(1)) Requirements
As described in 257.82(a) of the CCR Rule, an owner or operator of an existing CCR surface
impoundment must design, construct, operate, and maintain an inflow design flood control system
according to the following requirements:
(1) The inflow design flood control system must adequately manage flow into the CCR unit
during and following the peak discharge of the inflow design flood specified in paragraph
(a)(3).
(2) The inflow design flood control system must adequately manage flow from the CCR unit
to collect and control the peak discharge resulting from the inflow design flood specified
in paragraph (a)(3).
(3) The inflow design flood is:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
The CCR Rule preamble (p. 21391) states that, to meet the performance standard of the rule, the
CCR surface impoundment must be designed in consideration of the following:
adequate hydrologic and hydraulic capacity to ensure that rainfall and watershed
characteristics have been accounted for;
hydraulic ratings of all intake structures are adequate and free of obstruction;
Furthermore, the preamble notes that at no point should the inflow design flood exceed the capacity
of a CCR surface impoundment regardless of fluctuations in freeboard, maintenance activities, or
other potential obstructions of the hydraulic and hydrologic capacity of the unit.
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
CCR Rule 257.82(c)(1) requires that the owner or operator prepare initial and periodic inflow
design flood control system plans for the CCR unit. The plan must document how the inflow design
flood control system has been designed and constructed to meet the requirements of this section.
Each plan must be supported by appropriate engineering calculations.
The CCR Rule preamble (p. 21392) states that documentation included in the Plan should include
references and drawings and address the following items:
2.2
characterization of the rainfall abstractions, including but not limited to depression storage
and infiltration in the upstream catchment area;
Sections 3 and 4 of this report present documentation necessary to fulfill the requirements of
257.82(a) and (c)(1). Section 257.82(b) requiring discharge from the CCR unit to be handled in
accordance with the surface water requirements under 257.3-3 are not applicable as CSES is a
zero discharge facility. The table below summarizes the information and documentation required
to be considered for the Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan and the location where it is
presented in this report.
Rule Section
Rule Requirement
257.82(a)(3)
Section 3.1
Section 3.2
Performance Standard
Section 3.3
257.82(c)(1);
Preamble (p. 21392)
Section 3.4
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
3.
CCR Rule 257.82(a) requires that the owner or operator of an existing CCR surface impoundment
design, construct, operate, and maintain an inflow design flood control system capable of
accommodating the prescribed inflow design flood. This demonstration considers the
impoundments described in Section 1.3 of this plan.
3.1
In accordance with CCR Rule 257.82(a)(3), the inflow design flood for CCR surface
impoundments is the probable maximum flood (PMF) for a high hazard potential, the 1,000-year
flood for a significant hazard potential, and the 100-year flood for a low hazard potential . For an
incised CCR surface impoundment the inflow design flood is the 25-year flood.
A Hazard Potential Classification Assessment of the CSES impoundments was prepared in
accordance with CCR Rule 257.73(a)(2) and presented in the Hazard Potential Classification
Assessment of Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Disposal Units at Colstrip Steam Electric
Stations report prepared by Hydrometrics, Inc. dated 07 October 2016 for Talen in Colstrip,
Montana (Appendix A). From this assessment, the CCR units have been assigned the following
inflow design floods:
Unit ID
Hazard Potential
High
PMF
High
PMF
25-year
High
PMF
D Cell
High
PMF
E Cell
High
PMF
A Cell
Significant
1,000-year
B Cell
Significant
1,000-year
C Cell
Significant
1,000-year
D/E Cell
Significant
1,000-year
G Cell
Significant
1,000-year
J Cell
Significant
1,000-year
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
The Stormwater Master Plan Evaluation prepared by DOWL dated 13 August 2015 (DOWL
Report, Appendix B) for Talen evaluates containment at CSES with respect to major storm events.
The technical memorandum entitled Talen Energy CCR Master Plan Stormwater Modeling
prepared by DOWL dated 30 September 2016 (Technical Memorandum, Appendix C) updates the
evaluation for years 2016 and 2021 of the DOWL Report.
In Section 2.0 of the DOWL Report, a precipitation analysis and design storm frequency analysis
for CSES is presented. Precipitation data utilized in the frequency analysis for Colstrip was
developed from a comprehensive statewide frequency analysis completed by DOWL for the
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). This precipitation frequency analysis determined
depth versus frequency relationships for 110 weather stations throughout Montana. As there is not
a weather station in Colstrip with a record greater than 20 years, the rainfall depth was determined
based on an average of the three nearest weather stations, including Lodge Grass (52 miles from
Colstrip to the southwest), Vananda (39 miles from Colstrip to the north-northwest), and Ashland
(24 miles from Colstrip to the southeast).
As discussed in Section 2.1 of the DOWL Report, NOAAs Hydrometeorological (HMR) Report
No. 55A (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hdsc/studies/PMF.html) was used to determine the PMP
depth in Colstrip for different durations. As discussed in Section 2.2 of the DOWL Report, the
1,000-year precipitation depths for different durations were determined using 100-year/1,000-year
ratio calculations from published precipitation intensities on NOAAs Atlas 14 Point Precipitation
Frequency Estimates Data Server for three nearby gages in North Dakota including Rhame,
Marmarth, and Beach within 120 miles of Colstrip, near Montanas eastern state border
(http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/pfds_map_cont.html?bkmrk=nd).
3.2
Because CSES is a zero discharge operation, all stormwater runoff is required to convey fully
to and be contained within each facility and no discharges from the CCR units to the non-facility
area is permitted. Therefore, drainage features to contain stormwater within the CCR units will be
installed and constructed as necessary. Water management at CSES includes plant re-use and
forced evaporation systems.
As presented in the Technical Memorandum (Appendix C), DOWL developed six Autodesk Storm
and Sanitary Analysis (ASSA) models, two models for each of the EHP, STEP, and Plant facilities,
for year 2016 to include existing drainage features and for year 2021 to reflect anticipated
development of future CCR disposal capacity and anticipated CCR disposal at the facility. As
detailed in Section 3.0 of the DOWL Report, ASSA 2014, Version 8.1.46.1 was utilized for the
stormwater modeling.
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
DOWL developed a geographic information system (GIS) for the Plant, EHP, and STEP facilities.
ArcGIS 10.2 for Desktop, Version 10.2.0.3348 was utilized for delineation of drainage basins,
existing and proposed drainage features, and impervious surfaces. Additional GIS components
include geo-referenced as-built construction drawings, aerial imagery, and topographic contour
files generated from a LiDAR survey developed by Aerial Design Data, Survey & Mapping
Consultants.
Section 3.2 of the DOWL Report details the use of the EPA Storm Water Management Model
(SWMM) for hydrologic analysis which included delineation of sub-catchment areas and
simulation of precipitation and consequent generation of runoff. Details of contributing drainage
basins such as area, imperviousness, soil infiltration rates, overland slopes, surface roughness, and
depression storage are also included. The topographic drainage boundaries to the Plant, EHP, and
STEP facilities in 2016 and 2021 are shown in Figures 2 through 4 and in Figure 5 through
7, respectively. The inflow design flood run-on/water enters the ponds as uncontrolled overland
flow. Neither active management techniques nor specifically designed inlet structures are used to
manage surface inflow into the ponds.
Figures contained in Appendix C present a plan view of the basins at the three facilities, illustrating
the surrounding topography, the drainage area contributing to each pond, and the overland flow
directions. The Technical Memorandum presents the results of the modeling for years 2016 and
2021. Attachments to the Technical Memorandum document the ASSA engineering calculations
as required in CCR Rule 257.82(c)(1). Computation results, presented as the starting water
surface elevation (WSEL), peak WSEL, and inflow volume are summarized for each CCR Rule
regulated pond in the following table.
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
Pond
Area
EHP
STEP
Plant
Unit
A Cell
B Cell
C Cell
G Cell
J Cell
D Cell
E Cell
Old Clearwell
1&2 B Flyash Pond
Bottom Ash
CLW
Solids Removal
Cell
1/2
Bottom
Secondary
Ash
Settling CellPond
West
Secondary
Settling CellEast
3/4 Bottom Ash
Clearwell
Secondary Settle
Cell-North
Secondary Settle
3/4
Cell-South
Bottom
Main Plant Sump
Ash
Settling Cell
Pond
Solids Removal
Cell-West
Solids Removal
Cell-East
2016
Starting
Peak
Inflow
WSEL
WSEL
volume
(ft-msl)
(ft-msl)
(cf)
3286.0
3286.38
545,861
3268.0
3268.8
1,110,768
3251.0
3251.52
762,509
3264.0
3264.49
808,156
3262.5
3265.21
2,437,536
3272.0
3272.73
15,657,990
3266.0
3272.85
4,388,027
3261.6
3262.45
339,166
Starting
WSEL
(ft-msl)
3,289.0
3,289.0
-
2021
Peak
WSEL
(ft-msl)
3,289.50
3,289.50
-
Inflow
volume
(cf)
406,075
744,553
-
3262.1
3262.64
46,005
3266.4
3267.09
34,494
3264.8
3265.19
14,154
3263.6
3265.19
56,148
3290.9
3292.21
115,559
3294.6
3295.16
19,827
3293.4
3294.02
32,850
3292.8
3293.32
3,882
3286.0
3287.08
16,178
3300.5
3301.93
50,328
Stormwater evaluations performed by DOWL (2015) concluded that all stormwater runoff is fully
contained within each respective unit and within stormwater detention ponds and natural
depression areas without any off-site discharge during a PMF event. This includes Units 1 & 2
STEP area and the existing emergency spillway. Retention without off-site discharge was also
confirmed for a 100-year storm and 100-year/100-year back-to-back storms.
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
3.3
Performance Standard
The CCR Rule preamble (p. 21391) prescribes several parameters to be considered such that the
inflow design flood control system meets the performance standard. The table below presents
each item to be considered and identifies how it is addressed in this Inflow Design Flood Control
System Plan.
Performance Standard
Consideration
Adequate hydrologic
and hydraulic capacity to
ensure that rainfall and
watershed characteristics
have been accounted for
Assessment
The DOWL Report states that precipitation data utilized in the frequency analysis for
Colstrip was developed from a comprehensive statewide frequency analysis
completed by DOWL for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).
Also, the DOWL Report indicates that contributing drainage areas were delineated in
ArcGIS from topographic contours generated from georeferenced LiDAR survey,
supplemented by field inspections of the area. Proposed basins were delineated based
on phased operation.
As a result, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were performed and DOWL concluded
that with the suggested upgrades, all stormwater runoff generated by the respective
PMF or 1,000-year storm events will be contained within the CCR sites.
There are no intake structures. Drainage ditches are maintained at the facility under a
bi-annual preventative maintenance procedure (PM00015457) to ensure ditches are
clear and free of obstructions. Drainage ditches are designed to adequately convey
stormwater run-off generated by the respective PMF or 1,000-year storm events.
Operating freeboard is
adequate
All Significant Hazard ponds will have at least 1 foot of freeboard and High Hazard
ponds will have at least 3 feet of freeboard provided that the conceptual upgrades
recommended in the DOWL report are implemented within the time frame specified.
There is an existing emergency spillway at the Units 1 & 2 STEP area. However,
stormwater evaluations performed by DOWL (2015) concluded that maximum water
surface elevation during a PMF event and 100-year/100-year back-to-back storms
never reaches the crest elevation of the emergency spillway, therefore, all stormwater
runoff is fully contained within each respective unit and within stormwater detention
ponds and natural depression areas. There are no other spillways and decant structures
in the Units 3 & 4 EHP or Plant areas. Water is managed by plant re-use and forced
evaporation systems. All stormwater runoff is required to convey fully to and be
contained within each facility.
All downstream
hydraulic structures have
adequate capacity
There are no discharges from the EHP, STEP and Plant facilities to downstream
areas. Water is managed by plant re-use and forced evaporation systems.
Based on the assessment of the performance standards, the Inflow Design Flood Control Systems
meet or exceed the minimum requirements of 257.82(a) of the CCR Rule.
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
3.4
This section addresses the documentation required by 257.82(c)(1) and the preamble (p. 21392).
The table below provides the basis and location of the documentation required.
Documentation Requirement
Identification of the design storm
including references and drawings
Assessment
The STEP facilities, Units 1&2 B Flyash Pond, and the Units 1&2
Bottom Ash Pond have been designated as a High Hazard CCR storage
area requiring runoff control for the PMF event. The 3&4 EHP facilities
have been designated as Significant Hazard requiring runoff control for
the 1,000-year storm. Units 3&4 Bottom Ash Pond is an incised unit
requiring runoff control for the 25-year storm.
See Section 3.1 and Appendix B and C.
The selection and basis of the run-off model is discussed in Section 3.1.
There are no intake or decant structures. Water is managed by plant reuse and forced evaporation systems.
Characterization of downstream
hydraulic structures
10
October 2016
Compliance Demonstration
Inflow Design Flood Control System Plan
Colstrip Steam Electric Station
4.
REFERENCES
Bechtel Power Corporation (1979). Second Stage Evaporation Pond Design Report, prepared
for The Montana Power Company and Puget Sound Power and Light Company, December.
Chen-Northern, Inc. (1988a). Phase I Inspection of Units 1 and 2 Stage II Evaporation Pond,
Colstrip, Montana, prepared for The Montana Power Company, 9 December.
DOWL (2015). Stormwater Master Plan Evaluation, Talen Montana, LLC. Facilities, Colstrip,
Montana, 13 August 2015.
DOWL (2016). Talen Energy CCR Master Plan Stormwater Modeling, Technical
Memorandum. Talen Montana, LLC. Facilities, Colstrip, Montana, 30 September 2016.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (2015). Hazardous and Solid Waste
Management System; Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities; Final
Rule. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 257 and 261.
11
October 2016
FIGURES
APPENDIX A
HAZARD POTENTIAL CLASSIFICATION
ASSESSMENT OF COAL COMBUSTION
RESIDUAL (CCR) DISPOSAL UNITS AT
COLSTRIP STEAM ELECTRIC STATIONS
[HYDROMETRICS, 2016]
APPENDIX B
STORMWATER MASTER PLAN EVALUATION
TALEN MONTANA, LLC FACILITIES
COLSTRIP, MONTANA [DOWL 2015]
APPENDIX C
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM FOR TALEN
ENERGY CCR MASTER PLAN STORMWATER
MODELING [DOWL 2016]
FIGURES
BACKGROUND
GOOGLEMAPS (2015)
OCTOBER 2016
MONTANA
SITE LOCATION
NO SCALE
SITE
ME1272
MD16226
COLUMBIA, MARYLAND
TEMPORARY BOTTOM
ASH CONTAINER
Units 3&4 BOTTOM
ASH POND (FULL
WITH CCR)
Explanation
Drainage Ditch
<
Drainage Basins
Overland Flow
105
210
420
630
840
Feet
DOWL (2016). Talen Energy CCR Master Plan Stormwater Modeling, Technical Memorandum. Talen Montana, LLC. Facilities, Colstrip, Montana, 30 September 2016.
Future C-Cell
Cell C
Cell B
Water Storage
Cell A
Cell E
Paste Disposal
Old Clearwell
Water Storage
Cell D
Water Storage
Capped Area
Explanation
Overland Flow
Earthen Channel
<
Pipe
162.5
325
650
975
1,300
Feet
DOWL (2016). Talen Energy CCR Master Plan Stormwater Modeling, Technical Memorandum. Talen Montana, LLC. Facilities, Colstrip, Montana, 30 September 2016.
Cell J
Cell A
Bottom Ash
Disposal
Cell G
Cell B
Water Storage
Cell F
Water Storage
Cell D/E
Cell C
Paste Disposal
Cell H
Water Storage
Explanation
Overland Flow
<
Drainage Ditch
Drainage Basin
210
420
840
1,260
1,680
Feet
DOWL (2016). Talen Energy CCR Master Plan Stormwater Modeling, Technical Memorandum. Talen Montana, LLC. Facilities, Colstrip, Montana, 30 September 2016.
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
Berm Dimensions
3.0 ft. High
5.0 ft. Top Width
3:1 (H:V) Side Slopes
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
)
"
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
New
Stormwater
Pond 2
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
<
New
Stormwater
Pond 1
<