Understanding Thermal Mixing, Water Quality, and Algae Dynamics with the Pulsing of Releases from Jordan Reservoir in the Cape Fear River

Description

FINAL SOO will be submitted at time of Request for ProposalsProject Title: Understanding Thermal Mixing, Water Quality, and Algae Dynamics with the Pulsing of Releases from Jordan Reservoir in the Cape Fear River.Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) will be used to identify potentialinvestigators for a project to be funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers (WilmingtonDistrict)-Sustainable Rivers Program. The work involves comprehensive support of researchersin studying pulses and flow prescriptions to aid in basin wide efforts, and USACE relationshipswith water users as well as examining the effectiveness of water releases to achieve the desiredoutcomes while all in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2358 - Research and Development.Approximately $40,000.00 is expected to be available to support this project, for the base period.Additional funding may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to thesuccessful recipient/awardee.Background:The Cape Fear River Basin was added to a nationwide program called The Sustainable RiversProgram (SRP) in 2016. The mission of SRP is to improve the health and life of rivers bychanging water infrastructure operations to restore and protect ecosystems, while maintaining orenhancing other project benefits. The SRP attempts to analyze the effects from dams and usereservoir operations to enhance and manage downstream (and sometimes in lake) ecosystems.The Cape Fear River Basin was chosen for the SRP because of its complex human-ecologyrelationships, the expert stakeholders in the basin, and because the Corps-owned B. EverettJordan Dam (Jordan Dam) has potential to influence fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, andother natural resources. The Cape Fear River Basin contains over two million people (2010census), one-fifth of the state’s population. This includes growing urban areas of Durham,Greensboro, Pittsboro, Fayetteville, Wilmington and other cities, which contribute urban runoffinto the river, but many of which also get a portion of their drinking water from this waterbody.The basin also supports 95 species of recreational fish, 42 rare aquatic species, as well asstreamside habitat containing some of the oldest trees east of the Rocky Mountains; some ofwhich are over 2000 years old (Stahle, 2012).Natural and human environments rely on the Cape Fear River, making its water quality andwater quantity of the utmost importance. There have been multiple harmful algal bloomoutbreaks behind Lock and Dam 1. These algal blooms are harmful to the health of the aquaticecosystem, resulting, at times, in fish kills. The Cape Fear River also has many drinking waterusers, especially near locations of historic algal blooms. The algal blooms impact the treatmentcapacity of the many water supply systems on the Cape Fear River.Note: Must be a non-federal partner in the Piedmont - South Atlantic Coast, ChesapeakeWatershed, or Southern Appalachian Mountains CESU Unit Region.Brief Description of Anticipated Work (Please refer to Statement of Objectives for complete detailed objectives and tasks):This project focuses on the following objectives:I. Understand thermal stratification of the Cape Fear River, especially near Lock and Dam 1,and ideally another location between Jordan Dam and Lock and Dam 3;II. Correlate different flow rates with potential thermal mixing of the water column;III. Track water quality constituents, especially chlorophyll a, as it relates to flow;IV. Relate the Corps’ water management to water quality and investigate the influence ofreleases out of Jordan Reservoir.Period of Performance:The base period of performance is anticipated to be twelve (12) months from date of award. Fouroption periods, extending for 12 months each, are anticipated subject to availability of funds.Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time.Please send responses or direct questions to:Grants SpecialistUSACE Ft. Worth DistrictSandra.justman@usace.army.milGreg BonnellProject ManagerRegional Planning and Environmental CenterU.S. Army Corps of EngineersEmail: Gregory.W.Bonnell@usace.army.milTimeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOI required to be posted on www.Grants.gov for 30 days, prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 27 July 2021.FINAL SOO will be submitted at time of Request for ProposalsPlease review the Full RSOI & SOO Documents referenced to this posting.

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