Project Background
In May 1997, Niagara of Wisconsin Paper Corporation received a new license (Project No. 2536-009) for the continued operation of the 9.1-megawatt (MW) Little Quinnesec Falls Project on the Menominee River. Operation of this project affects whitewater recreation directly downstream of the dam on the Pier’s Gorge section of the Menominee River which is a dependable class III/IV playboating run through much of the year. It has been the site of the Hoofer Outing Club’s Whitewater Rodeo.
The Little Quinnesec Falls Project has historically generated an annual average of 69.6 GWh of power. Project power has been and continues to be used at Niagara’s paper and pulp processing and manufacturing facilities where the project provides approximately 20% of the energy needs. Surplus power is sold to Wisconsin Electric Power Company. The project consists of a 24-foot-high, 278-foot-long, concrete gravity dam; forebay; a reservoir with a surface area of 370 acres; six generating units with a total capacity of 9.1 MW which are contained in a structure that houses non-project paper and pulp processing equipment; and electrical transmission facilities.
Niagara historically operated the project in a peaking mode, producing power preferentially at periods of greatest demand. This had an impact on whitewater recreation as flows were typically dropped through the weekend when water was stored for use during the week when power demand is greater.
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program assisted us in advocating for whitewater recreational interests as requirements for the new license were discussed. Local AW volunteers participated in a flow during 1993 and enjoyed the mother of all shuttles when Niagara provided a flatbed semi truck for this purpose.
Project Requirements
A significant outcome of the reclicensing process was the recognition of whitewater boating as an important recreational activity on the Menominee River. To protect weekend whitewater boating activities downstream of the project, operating conditions were changed so that Niagara must refill the reservoir on a daily basis whenever river inflows are sufficient. In addition, weekend operation will not vary from weekday operation when inflow to the project is available for continued peaking operation. This operating requirement is intended to prevent the gradual drawdown of the reservoir pool over a series of weekdays, which would then require refilling the reservoir pool during weekends, leading to reduced downstream flows on the weekends. This requirement significantly improves weekend boating opportunities through Pier’s Gorge on weekends. In addition, the minimum instream flow requirement is now 1000 cfs or project inflow, whichever is less.
Niagara is required to maintain the existing real-time USGS gauge downstream of the dam (providing flows for the Pier’s Gorge run). In addition, hotline (715.251.8230) has been established to provide public recreational users with project operation information on a 24 hours a day basis.
Development of a new recreational access site downstream of the dam that will serve as a put-in to the Pier’s Gorge was also a project requirement. The site includes a carry-in boat put-in, a boat launch, a changing facility and barrier-free toilet, barrier-free trash receptacles, and a parking area with designated barrier-free parking spaces. Directional signs from major highways to this facility and other recreation sites within project boundaries has also been included as a license requirement.