HomeMy WebLinkAboutTakatz Creek Project Alaska 1968RLIS
TK
1424
.A4
T35
1968
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Stewart l. Udall, Secretary
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
Gus Norwood, Administrator
TAKATZ CREEK PROJECT
ALASKA
Alaska January 1968
fimARY
RIOR
UNITED STATES DEPAR'lMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Stewart L. Udall, Secretary
AFJLJ!iS
Alaska Resources LibrJ-\ :c Information Services
Librarv BuiIUI;H! SUIle: HI
3211 PrOl ide!KT Drive
Anehorago.:, A;'. 99508--1614
;ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
Gus Norwood, Administrator
PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
FOR
TAKATZ CREEK PROJECT, ALASKA
January 1968
ARtIS
'J;~\"a Rcs()urcc~ I. ,him "'-lnl'ormation Services
Libran iluikfill!l. Suite III
321 i Prol'iLlcncc Drive
\nrhnm!!c. AK 99'101'-4614
~l 9 1975
l' if:
/ ((21'
I /1 ,(
-; 3 \
r,' ' /." ,
Location:
Authorit~':
Plan:
SUMMARY SHEETS
TilKATZ CREFK PROJECT, ALASKA
On Takatz Creek on Earanof I~"land and about 21 airline:
miles northeast of Sitka, t.laska.
Act of J\ugust 9, 1:755, (69 Stat. 618) and Appropriation
J\cts authorizinc: expenditures by the Department of the
Interior for engineering and economic investigations,
and for related reports, for the development and utili-
zation of the water resources of Alaska.
Construct a concrete dam on Takatz Creek 205 feet in
height, and a concrete dam in a saddle south of the
right abutment, 63 feet in height. Drill a pressure
tunnel 3,860 feet in length, and construct a surface
penstock 1,010 feet long to convey water to a 20 ,000
kilm~att pm,erplant on Takatz Bay. The vaterways
construction Hould include a tunnel intake, gate shaft,
trashrack, and surge tank. Construct a 115,000-volt
transmission line 28 miles in length from a swi tch:>!ard
near the powerplant to a SUbstation near Sitka.
Project Features
Hydrology
Drainage area, square miles
Annual runoff, average (1946-1963), acre-feet
Annual runoff, maximum (1964), acre-feet
ll,nnual runoff, minimum (1951), acre-feet
Reservoir -Takatz Lake
Elevation of normal full-pool water surface, feet (msl)
Elevation of minimum operating level, feet (msl)
fictive storage capacity, acre-feet
Takatz Creek Dam
Ty~e -Double curvature, thin arch
Height above foundation, feet
Elevation of crest, feet
Thickness at base on plane of centers, feet
Thickness at crest, feet
a
10.6
128,800
159,500
91,800
1,040
900
82,400
205
1,048
17
7
Saddle Dam
Type -Double curvature, thin arch
Height above foundation, feet
Elevation of crest, feet
Thickness at base on plane of centers, feet
Thickness at crest, feet
Pressure Tunnel
Length, feet
Inside diameter, feet
Capacity, cubic feet per second, rated head
Penstock
Length, feet
Inside diameter, feet
Powerplant
Number of units
Installed capacity, kilowatts
Range of gross head
Annual firm energy, kilowatt-hours
Average annual secondary energy, kilowatt-hours
Elevation of turbine discharge nozzles, feet (msl)
Switchyard
Capacity
Transmission Line
Takatz Switchyard to Sitka
Type - H wood-pole, and steel tower
Length, wood-pole section, miles
Length, steel tower section, miles
Voltage, volts
Conductor size
b
63
1,048
10
5
3,860
8.0
328
1,010
5.5
2
20,000
1,02 3.3-88 3.3
97,100,000
9,8:)0,000
16.7
25,600 kva
26
2
115,000
397.5 MCM ACSR
Con~truction Costs (July 1967)
Feature
Production Plant
Takatz Creek and Saddle Dams
Outlet Works
Waterways
Powerplant
Roads
Government Camp
Transmission System
Switchyard
Transmission Line
Substation
Total Estimated Construction Cost
Interest During Construction
Total Investment
Benefit-Cost Ratio (lOO-Year Period)
Annual Benefits
Annual Costs
Ratio
($19,600,000 )
5,230,000
410,000
4,670,000
4,100,000
3,600,000
1,590,000
($ 3,980,000)
420,000
3,060,000
500,000
$23,580,000
1,720,000
$25,300,000
1,352,000
1,039,000
1.30
Average Firm Energy Rate (Excluding operation, maintenance
and replacement costs) 12.42 mills/kwh
c
GOAT LAKE
Mt. Kotlion
Mt. Ba ssie
Bear MI.
tt SEAR LAKE
I In 0 _ ---
SCALE OF MILES
VICINITY MAP
Mf.Furuhelm
KAf'!~'f/lr 7'~ ( V
I ~'·~1~' •
/
/
" ,
~
CANADA
...
TAKATZ CREEK PROJEC
KEY ·MAP
160 0 16() 320 -eo M _M
SCALE OF MI LES
LEGEND
• GAGING STATION (Recordi"o)
l> GAGING STATION (Disco"li"ued)
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
TA KATZ CREEK PROJ ECT-ALASKA
GENERAL MAP
SEPTEMBER 15 1967 1113-908-11
IN REPLY
REFER TO: 700
AIRMAIL
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
P O. BOX !50
JUNEAU. ALASKA gge01
January 23, 1968
Honorable Stewart L. Udall
Secretary of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 20240
Dear Mr. Secretary:
This letter, with its supporting reports, constitutes my proposed
report on the Takatz Creek Project, Alaska. My report has been
prepared under the Act of August 9, 1955 (69 Stat. 618), and sub-
sequent appropriation acts authorizing expenditures for engineering
and economic investigations and related reports on projects for
the conservation, development, and utilization of the water resources
of Alaska.
My report is transmitted as the basis for securing Congressional
authorization of this potential project, an economically justified
and financially feasible development. The Takatz Creek Project
would be a single-purpose, hydroelectric power development which
would make optimum use of the flows of Takatz Creek on Baranof
Island in Southeast Alaska to furnish needed additional power sup-
plies to the Sitka area. Studies of the potential project alterna-
tives have established that Federal construction of the Takatz
Creel\: Project as an initial step in meeting the long-term power
needs of the Sitka area is fully warranted.
The plan of development for the project represents the culmination
of consideration of the project potentialities by several Federal
agencies. A Takatz Creek Project was first reported on by the U.S.
Forest Service in 1924. It was again included in inventory-type
reports by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1949 and the Corps of
Engineers in 1952. The Bureau of Reclamation completed a favorable
reconnaissance report on the project in May 1965, and initiated
feasibility investigations on the project in the fall of 1965, which
have been completed by the Alaska Power Administration (its successor
in Alaska). The detailed feasibility investigations are summarized
in this report. These investigations have been conducted in full
cooperation with the concerned local entities, State agencies, and
other Federal agencies.
The plan of development contemplates the construction of: (1) Takatz
Creek Dam near the outlet of Takatz Lake; (2) Saddle Dam in an aban-
doned outlet channel of the lake; (3) waterways from the lake to the
powerplant, including a lined pressure tunnel, a surge tank, and a
surface penstock; (4) a 2O,OOO~ilowatt, 55 percent plant factor power-
plant near tidewater on Takatz Bay containing two 10,000-kilowatt gen-
erating units; (5) necessary access roads and maintenance facilities
at the project site; and (6) transmission facilities to deliver power
to the municipally-owned Sitka Public Utilities system near Sitka. When
fully loaded, the average annual project generation would be 106,900,000
kilowatt-hours, including 9,800,000 kilowatt-hours of secondary genera-
tion. The plan contemplates installation of both generating units
initially, although the predicted load growth indicates that the second
unit will not becOOle revenue producing until about four years after
first delivery of project power, assumed to be in 1976. Project studies
indicate that this initial installation of both units will result in
lower total project costs than would deferred installation of the second
unit.
Prior to project construction, investigations would be made for
archeological and historical values.
It is proposed that the project be operated and maintained by the Sitka
Public Utilities, under agreement with the Secretary of the Interior,
and that the project be operated by remote control from Sitka; both in
the interest of minimizing project operation and maintenance costs.
On this basis, the Federal project costs would be limited to the costs
of project construction and repayment contract administration.
The appended supporting reports of the other Federal agencies do not
propose any special facilities be included as part of the project con-
struction for water pollution control, recreation, fish and wildlife
purposes, or watershed management. However, in accordance with the
proposals of those reports, the plan of development contemplates that
appropriate measures will be taken to insure and facilitate free public
access to the project area for hunting, fishing and recreation.
The plan contemplates that, in accordance with the prOvisions of a
March 14, 1962 memorandum of agreement between the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of the Army, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
would have responsibility for design and construction of the authorized
project works and the Secretary of the Interior would have responsibility
for operation and maintenance of the project upon completion of construc-
tion and for marketing of the project power. In light of this agreement,
the proposed project plans, estimates, and schedules were reviewed in
detail with the Corps of Engineers and their comments were considered
in the preparation of this report.
The Alaska Power Administration's estimate of the probable construction
costs of the various project features, based on July 1967 prices, is
summarized below:
2
Talmtz Creek and Saddle Dams
Waterways
Powerplant
Access Road
Transmission System
Government Camp
Total Federal project construction cost
$ 5,640,000
4,670,000
4,100,000
3,600,000
3,980,000
.-!.z.29 0 ,000
$23,5 80 ,000
The comparable project installation costs, including interest during
construction but excluding an estimated $98,000 of pre-authorization
costs, would total $25,196,000.
The construction schedule assumes that, following project authoriza-
tion and availability of project fUnds, the first three years would
be devoted to investigations, design, and the preparation of contract
documents, with the first contract to be let in the fourth year. Pro-
ject construction would be completed at the end of the seventh year.
This would permit delivery of project power at the beginning of the
ei gh th year.
As the plan of development contemplates that the costs of operation,
maintenance, and replacements of the project works will be borne by
the Sitka Public utilities, the recurring annual Federal costs would
be limited to those related to repayment contract administration.
These are estimated to total $10,000 annually. The added costs to the
Sitka Public utilities for project operation, maintenance, and replace-
ments were estimated to total $le~,OOO annually.
On the basis of the estimated installation and operation, maintenance,
and replacement costs, a 100-year period of analYSiS, and interest at
3-1/4 percent, the economic costs are estimated to average $1,039,000
annually.
Direct project benefits have been estimated on the basis of the cost
of the most likely alternative source or sources that would provide
an equivalent amount of power at the load center. This was determined
to be municipally-financed diesel-electric units located in Sitka.
The annual costs for providing power fram this source equivalent to
the Takatz Creek Project generation were estimated to average $1,352,000
over a lOO-year period, which is equivalent to about 16.3 mills per
kilowatt-hour for the firm power delivered to the load center. Compari-
son of the evaluated direct benefits to economic costs indicates a
benefit-cost ratio of 1.30 for a 100-year period.
3
The total project construction costs would be allocated to power and
reimbursable with interest. In addition, the Federal costs of contract
administration would be repayable.
Project power supplies have been assumed to be available at the begin-
ning of fiscal year 1976 with both units installed. However, on the
basis of the forecast power requirements, the second unit would not be
required until four years later. Thus the repayment analysis provides
for deferral of assignment of one-half of the investment costs to plant-
in-service until the beginning of the fifth year and accumulation of
simple interest on these deferred costs. It also provides for repayment
with interest at 3.253 percent of all investment costs within 50 years
of when they are assigned to plant-in-service together with payment of
the estimated Federal costs of contract administration. On the basis
of the forecast project power requirements and a secondary energy value
of 6.0 mills per kilowatt-hour, an average rate of 12.42 mills per
kilowatt-hour for firm energy delivered to the Sitka area would provide
revenues equal to the reimbursable Federal costs.
The evaluated operation, maintenance, and replacement costs averaged
about 2.2 mills per kilowatt-hour annually over the payment period.
Thus the total cost to the utilities of project power delivered to the
load center would be about 14.6 mills per kilowatt-hour.
As previously derived, the cost of providing an equivalent amount of
power through construction of municipally-financed diesel-electric units
has been estimated at 16.3 mills per kilowatt-hour. This estimate is
based on current construction costs with interest at 5.0 percent and
assumes no escalation of fuel costs.
On this basis, the cost to the utilities for Takatz Creek Project power
would be slightly less than the costs of power from the most likely
alternative source. The project interests consider that other signifi-
cant benefits also would accrue to the Sitka area from Federal construc-
tion of the Takatz Creek Project. They, therefore, have indicated
"rillingness to enter into a repayment contract which would assure return
to the Federal government of the reimbursable project costs. It is con-
templated that this contract would provide for annual payments based
on forecast project power requirements.
Recommendations
It is recommended that:
(a) The Takatz Creek Project be authorized to be constructed by
the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, and
4
to be operated and maintained by the Secretary of the Interior, sub-
stantially in accordance with the plan set forth in this report, with
such modification of, omissions from, or additions to the works as the
Chief of Engineers and the Administrator of the Alaska Power Adminis-
tration may find proper and necessary for the project purpose.
(b) Negotiation of an appropriate repayment contract by the
Secretary of the Interior with the City of Sitka or other qualified
public body, as contemplated by the plan set forth in this report, be
a pre-requisite to initiation of construction.
(c) Pursuant to the recommendations contained in the Forest
Service Multiple Use Survey Report, Stage I, the designated construc-
tion agency coordinate the final location of the transmission line
and access facilities with the Forest Service. However, upgrading
of maintenance and access roads for the purpose of improved public
access should not be approved if such work increases the costs to be
repaid by the power users.
(d) Additional detailed studies of fish and wildlife resources
affected by the project be conducted as necessary, after the project
is authorized, in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act, 48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.; and such reason-
able modifications in the authorized project facilities be made by
the Secretary of the Interior as he may find appropriate to preserve
and propogate these resources.
(e) Federal land and project waters in the project area be open
to unrestricted use for hunting and fishing, except for sections re-
served for safety, efficient operation, or protection of public pro-
perty.
(f) Leases of Federal land in the project area reserve the right
of free public access for hunting and fishing.
I fUrther recommend that you approve and adopt this report as your
proposed report on the plan of development for the Takatz Creek Pro-
ject, Alaska, and that you authorize me in your behalf to transmit
copies of the report to the State of Alaska, to the Secretary of the
Army, and to the interested Federal agencies for review as required
by the Flood Control Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 887), the Fish and Wildlife
5
Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amendedj 16 U.S.C. 661, et seq~; and
procedures approved by the President on May 15, 1962 (S. Doc. 97, 87th
Congo ).
Respectfully ,
Gus Norwood
Administrator
Approved and Ad~ed: ll\~R' 5 195b
Ci[;;;j'l~9J <X..U.' ~retary of the Interior \
6
A C K NOW LED GEM E N T S
The investigations of the Takatz Creek Project benefited through
the cooperation of local, State, and Federal agencies. Officials of
the City of Sitka and the Sitka Public Utilities were consulted
regarding the project plans and operation and maintenance procedures,
and they provided valuable information on system operation, future
power needs, and all aspects of the area economy.
Throughout the investigation, the interests and views of State
and other Federal agencies were solicited and considered. The Federal
Water Pollution Control Administration, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation,
Fish and Wildlife Service, and the ~t Service reported on their
findings, and their reports are appended hereto.
The Bureau of Reclamation, prior to establishment of the Alaska
Power Administration on June 16, 1967, was responsible for the
initiation and accomplishment of the principal project investigations
on which this report is based. It has furnished various technical
assistance in connection with completion of the project investigations.
The U.S o Army Corps of Engineers reviewed the plans, power esti-
mates, sizing of project features, construction schedules, and cost
estimates for the project. Their comments were considered in the
preparation of this report. Computer operation studies prepared by
the Corps have been included in the report.
Topography, geologic data, and water supply data collected by the
Geological Survey, and climatic information from Environmental Science
Services Administration publications were used extensively in the
investigations. Numerous other agencies and individuals provided
information on resources, economy, and needs of the area.
SUPPORTING REPORTS
Table of Contents
REPORT OF THE ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION ~
CHAPTER I -GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 1
The Project • 1
History of Investigations • • 1
The Power Market Area • • • • 2
Geography. • • 2
History. 3
Sitka. • • • • • 4
Greater Sitka Borough. • 5
Outlying Districts. 6
Climate • 7
CHAPTER II -AREA ECONOMY AND RESOURCES. 8
Mount Edgecumbe • • • 8
Forestry. • 9
Fisheries . • • 11
Mining. • • • 12
Agri cul ture • • • • • 13
Wildlife. • • • • • • • 13
Shipping. • • • • 14
Transportation. • • • 15
Tourism • • • • 15
Financial Conditions. • • 16
CHAPTER III -POWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND. • 18
History of Power Development. • 18
Existing Power Facilities • • • 19
Sitka Public Utilities • • • 19
Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company. 20
Alaska Native Service. • • • • • 20
Sitka Co~d storage Company • • 2~
Sheldon-Jackson Junior College • • 2~
Estimated Power Requirements. • • 21
Project Power Requirements. • • • • • 26
Interim Measures. • • • • 26
Utility Power Costs · • • 27
CHAPTER IV -WATER AND POWER • • • • 29
Drainage Area • • • • • 29
Water Supply. • • • • • 29
Streamflow and Climate Records · • • • 29
Study Period • • • • • • 31
Streamflow Correlations. • • • • • 31
Inf'low to Takatz Lake. • • • 32
Table of Contents (Continued) Page
Water Rights. • • • 32
Reservoir Data. • • 35
Area and Capacity. • • 35
Sediment 35
Reservoir Losses 35
Power Studies 37
Operating Assumptions. 37
Load Characteristics. • 37
Efficiencies. • 38
Power Operation Study. • • 38
Power Capacity • • 38
CHAPTER V -DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND COSTS. • • 41
Geology • • • 41
General. • • 41
Takatz Creek ~ite • • • • 41
Saddle ~ite • 42
Takatz Lake. • • • 43
Tunnel • • 43
Takatz Creek Powerplant. 43
Penstock • 44
Transmission Line. • • 44
Concrete Aggregate • 44
Design and Construction Problems. • 44
Project Works • • • 44
Takatz Creek Dam • • • 47
Saddle Dam • • • 47
Takatz Lake. • 47
Diversion Tunnel • • • 48
Intake Structure • • • 48
Tunnel • • • 48
Gate Shaft • • 49
Surge Tank. • • 49
Penstock • • 49
Takat z Creek Powerp1ant. 49
Switchyard • • • 49
Transmission Line. • 50
Sitka Substation • • 50
Dock and Seaplant Float. 50
Access Road. • 50
Government Camp. • 51
Fish and Wildlife Facilities • 0 • 51
Recreation Facilities. • 51
Right-of-Way and Relocations. • 51
Plan Formulation. • • • 52
i1
Table of Contents (Continued)
Economic Criteria for Plan Formulation •
Hydroelectric Alternatives • • • • • • • • • • • •
Maksoutof River Project • • • •
Green Lake Project ••••••
Diesel-Electric Alternative. • • • •
Analyses of Reservoir Capacity and Project Size. •
Other Analyses • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Effects on Other Potential Developments.
Construction Costs. • • • • • • • • • • •
Construction Schedule • • • • • • • • • • • •
Operation and Maintenance Costs • • • • • • · . Replacement Costs • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CHAPTER VI -ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS • . . .
Economic Analysis • . . . . . . . . . . . Benefits • • • • • • • •
Economic Costs • • • • • •
Benefit-Cost Ratio • • • •
. . . · . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . · . .
Financial Analysis. • • • • • • • •
Repayment Requirements • . . · . . Average Rate and Repayment Study
Repayment Contract • • • • • • •
· . . . . . .
• • • •
CHAPTER VII -REQUIRED FUTURE ACTIONS. · . .
CHAPTER VIII -EXPRESSIONS OF STATE AND LOCAL INTEREST • · .
Tables
No. Title
l------Annual Statistics -Tongass National Forest,
National Forest Commercial Sales • • • • • •
2------Financial Condition of Sitka and Greater Sitka
· . .
52
52
52
54
54
55
57
58
58
59
59
60
63
63
63
64
64
64
64
65
67
68
69
10
Borough, 1965. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 17
3------Sitka Public Utilities -Generating Facilities • •• 20
4------Historic and Projected Annual Power Requirements
for Sitka Area • • • • 0 • • • • • • • • • •• 23
5------Takatz Creek Project Power Requirements. • • • • 26
6------Streamflow Records on Baranof Island • • • • • • •• 30
7------Baranof Island Climatic Data • • • • • • • • • • •• 30
8------Recorded and Computed Runoff, Takatz Creek near
Baranof, acre-feet. • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 33
iii
Table of Contents (Continued)
No. Title
9------Computed Inflow to Takatz Lake • • • • • • • • • •• 34
lO-----~onthly Load Distribution Data • • • • • • • •• 37
ll------Power Operation Study -Annual Summary • • • • • •• 40
12------Summary of Hydroelectric Alternatives. • • • • • •• 53
13------Summary of Analyses of Reservoir Capacity and
Project Size • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 56
14------Summary of Construction Costs. • • • • • • • • • •• 58
15------Takatz Creek Project Preliminary Power System
No.
Average Rate and Repayment Study • • • • • • • • • 66
Control Schedule, PF-2 ••••
Basic Estimate, DC-l Summary.
Drawings
Title
. . .
• • •
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
62
11l3-906-11----General Map ••• Preceding Administrator's Letter
11l3-906-27----Peak Requirements at Load and Supply at Load,
Kilowatts • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . 24
1113-906-28----Energy Requirements at Load and Supply at
Load, Megawatt-Hours. • • • • • • • • • •• 25
1113-906-14----Area-Capacity Data. • • • • • • • • • • • •• 36
1113-906-24----Reservoir and Power Operation • • • • • • •• 39
11l3-906-12----Takatz Creek Works -Plan and Profile. • • • 45
1113-906-13----Dam DeSigns -Plans, Sections, and Elevations 46
Photographs
City of Sitka ••••••••••••••••••• FollOwing 7
Pulp Mill near Sitka • • • .. • •. • • • • • • • • • FollOwing 11
Alaska Ferryliner. • • 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • FollOwing 15
REPORrS OF O'If{ER AGENCIES. • • • • • • • • • • • • FollOwing 69
Letter Report of Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 1
Letter Report of Bureau of Outdoor Recreation • • • • • 1-2
Letter Report of Fish and Wildlife Service. • • • • • • 1-2
Letter from Alaska Department of Fish
and Gam.e • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Following 2
Stage 1 Multiple Use Survey Report of Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture •••••• 0 ••••••• 1-8
iv
CHAPTER I-..QENERAL DESCRIPTION
Southeast Alaska, mountainous in the extreme, includes hundreds
of islands and a narrow strip of mainland between the canadian border
and the innermost tidal courses. Its total land area of about 34,000
square miles is dissected into thousands of segments by the deep salt-
water channels, inlets, and fiords of the Alexander Archipelago.
Baranof Island, with a land area of 1,600 square miles, lies on the
ocean, or west Side, of the Archipelago, and about mid-d1stance. The
Takatz Creek Project and the city of Sitka are on Baranof Island.
The Project
The Takatz Creek Project, the subject of this report, takes its
name from the perennial stream passing through Takatz Lake to tidewater
in Takatz Bay, on the east side of Baranof Island. The relative inac-
cessibility of Takatz Lake limits the opportunities for use of the
project waters to the generation of electrical energy to serve the Sitka
area. This purpose would be accomplished by the construction of a dam
on Takatz Creek and diverting the lake waters through a pressure tunnel
to a powerplant at tidewater. Project power would be transmitted to
Sitka on the west side of Baranof Island by 28 miles of transmission
line. The location of the major features of the project are shown on
the General Map, Drawing No. 1113-5Q6-ll.
The project would not materially affect the fish and wildlife
resources of the area, and water pollution would not be a problem.
History of Investigations
In 1924, J. C. Dart of the Forest Service reported to the Federal
Power Commission on potential waterpower sites in Southeastern Alaska,
including the Takatz Lake site on Takatz Creek. This development is
described in more detail in the 1947 joint report of the Federal Power
Commission and the Forest Service, "water Powers, Southeast Alaska".
The Bureau of Reclamation report, "Alaska, A Reconnaissance Report
on the Potential of Water Resources in the Territory of Alaska for
Irrigation, Power Pr'oduction and Other Beneficial Uses," which was com-
pleted in 1949, and published as House Document 197, 82d Congress, First
Session, in January 1952, included a Takatz Creek Project, based largely
on data compiled by the Federal Power Commission and the Forest Service.
The Corps of Engineers, in its Interim Report No. 1 on Southeast
Alaska, dated February 15, 1952, discussed a similar development on
Takatz Creek.
In 1957, the Conservation Division of the U. So Geological Survey
made a plane-table survey of Ta.katz Lake showing 2O-foot contours on
a scale of 1:24,000. This survey included sounding of the lake fran
which area and capacity curves were prepared. Topography of the lake
was supplemented with topography from. the Sitka A-3 Quadrangle, Alaska,
to prepare the map, IITakatz Creek, Alaska, 1957", showing Takatz Lake,
Takatz Creek, and Ta.katz Bay.
Previous investigations identified six potential powersites on
Baranof Island for furnishing power supplies to the city of Sitka and
environs. These were Baranof, Carbon, Green, Takatz, and Blue Lakes,
and Maksoutof River. The Blue Lake Project was constructed by the
Sitka Public Utilities as a 6,000-kilowatt hydroelectric plant and put
in service in 1961. At that time, it was recognized that an additional
power source, or sources, would soon be needed.
In 1964, the Bureau of Reclamation began an inventory of all poten-
tial hydroelectric developments in Southeast Alaska. The Takatz Creek
Project was among these and was determined to be the most favorable for
supplying the Sitka area with a power supply. This potential project
was reviewed with representatives of the city of Sitka, who requested
that the Bureau of Reclamation expedite its investigation of the project.
Additional reconnaissance grade studies of the project were undertaken
and a favorable reconnaissance report was completed in May 1965. The
findings of this report were then presented to representatives of the
city of Sitka, preliminary to the feasibility investigations summarized
in this report. The plan formulation studies for the Takatz Creek Project
included evaluation of various alternatives, including more detailed
studies of the potential Green Lake and Maksoutof River hydroelectric
proJects.
The Power Market Area
The power market area is synonymous with the Sitka Area, or that
area that could be served by the Sitka Public Utilities System. It
includes the city of Sitka, Japonski Island, and environs accessible
by existing and proposed roads.
Geography
Baranof Island is typical of the majority of islands found in the
Alexander Archipelago. They are extremely mountainous, the highest
2
peaks exceeding an elevation of 6,000 feet. Steep slopes rise abruptly
from the coastline, which is indented by countless fiords, inlets, and
bays. In addition, there are scores of small islets which literally
surround the larger islands. Even the smallest of these, unless washed
over by high tides, is covered by dense forest.
Sitka, about two-thirds of the way up the west coast of Baranof
Island, is the largest city and the center of population in this area.
It is 860 miles northwest of Seattle and 95 miles southwest of Juneau.
The city is protected fram the broad sweep of the Pacific Ocean by
Kruzof Island and the many islets that fill Sitka Sound.
Tak.atz Lake is about 18 miles due east of Sitka, near the east side
of Baranof Island. Takatz Creek flows into Takatz Bay on Chatham Strait.
History
In the year 1741, Alexei Chirikof, a Russian naval captain, dropped
anchor in what is now known as Sitka Sound. This is the first recorded
visit of the white man to the area. Captain Chirikof sent a party
ashore to investigate, and they were never heard of again. In 1775, a
Spanish schooner, only 36 feet in length, under the command of Don
Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, sailed into the broad harbor and dropped
anchor. He anchored in what is now known as lCrestof Bay, about six miles
northwest of Sitka.
Captain Cook, on his Third Voyage of Exploration, passed along the
coast and named the round elevated mountain in the bay Mount Edgecumbe.
The sea otter, a marine animal, was found abundantly in the passages
about Sitka. It was one of the most valuable of the furbearers, but it
is now nearly extinct. In 1799, Alexander Baranof, Manager of the
Shelikof Russian-American Company, established the trading post of Arch-
angel, or Old Sitka, for the purpose of gathering these furs. He secured
a charter fram Emperor Paul, under the name of the Russian-American
Company, that gave the exclusive right to all profits to be derived from
every form of resource in the Russian possessions in America for a period
of 20 years. In 1&:>2, the Thlingi t Indians, known as the Kolosh by the
Russians, destroyed the settlement and killed most of the garrison. Two
years later, Baranof returned from the Russian settlement at Kodiak with
a strong contingent of forces and captured the Indian fort at the present
site of Sitka. Restoration began and soon the town of New Archangel was
established. This was the official name recognized by the Russians, but
the term Sitka was frequently used and later adopted.
The Shelikof Company headquarters was transferred from Kodiak to
Sitka in 1&:>5. Under the guidance of Baranof, Sitka became the leading
3
manufacturing and trading center of the west coast. Here were estab-
lished the first west coast shipbuilding yard, sawmill, flour mill,
and iron and brass foundry.
Gradually increasing disinterest of the Russian government in its
American colony led to the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867.
The area was under military and naval control from Sitka until 1884,
when a civil government for the District of Alaska was organized, and
Sitka became the first capital of the District of Alaska. In 1906,
the seat of government was transferred from historic Sitka to the new
mining metropolis of Juneau, although the actual move was made gradually
over several years.
At the outset of World war II, Alaska's strategic military impor-
tance was realized. A $60,000,000 naval air base and army defense base
was constructed on Japonski Island and three smaller islands in Sitka
harbor. Upon termination of hostilities, the bases were no longer
required for military security, and the bulk of the facilities were
turned over to the Alaska Native Service in 1946. The following year
this installation was officially opened as the Mount Edgecumbe Educa-
tional and Medical center.
Sitka
Sitka was incorporated into a first class city in 1920. It is
the trading center for all of Baranof Island and Chichagof Island to
the north, or that portion of Southeast Alaska extending from Chatham
Strait on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west and from Christian
Sound on the south to Icy Strait on the north.
The city has progressed from its settlement in 1799 as a trading
post, through a succession of Indian skirmishes, to today's modern
city. Its school system starts with kindergarten and extends through
Sheldon Jackson Junior College. The latter, owned and operated by
the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, began oper-
ating in 1880. Sitka also boasts of churches of several denominations,
two radio stations, a television station, and a daily newspaper, besides
all the shops and recreation facilities found in a modern city.
Sitka, because of its historic background, is attractive to many
tourists. Among the attractions are the Sitka National Monument,
Totem Pole Park, and the old Russian buildings. The magnificient old
landmark, St. Michael's Cathedral, constructed in 1848 by the Russians,
was destroyed by fire on January 2, 1966. Plans are underway to have
the Cathedral restored to its original specifications.
Never having been a "boom town", Sitka has not experienced the
large influx and exodus of people which is the typical history of many
Alaskan cities. The greatest percentage increase in population occurred
4
between 1880 and 1890, owing principally to expansion of the fur sealing
trade. With minor fluctuations, the population remained about the same
until shortly before World War II when military activities and interest
in the area brought new inhabitants to Sitka.
In 1959, the Alaska Pulp Company completed a modern pulp mill six
miles east of Sitka that brought in many new people, resulting in expan-
sion of housing and business facilities. Added to this was the construc-
tion of the 6,OOO-kilowatt hydroelectric plant at Blue Lake, completed
in 1961.
As is typical of cities in Southeastern Alaska, Sitka is largely
self-sufficient in business services. Municipal water and electric
energy are supplied by the Sitka Public Utilities. Local and long dis-
tance telephone service is available. The Alaska Steamship Company
makes regular weekly stops in Sitka with freight and mail. Daily air-
line service is provided to Seattle and Anchorage and to Juneau, Annette
Island and Ketchikan, with connections to all other Southeast Alaska
cities. The Alaska Marine Highway, with its ultra-modern ferries,
makes two northbound and two southbound stops each week at Sitka.
The 1965 population of Sitka Corporate Area was 3,725 persons. A
tabulation of recorded population statistics, beginning in 1818, follows:
Year Population Year P~ulation
1818 620 1910 1,039
1825 ~ 1920 1,175
1880 444 19~ 1,056
1890 1,190 1940 1,987
1900 1,396 1950 1,985
1960 3,237
Greater Sitka Borough
Article 10 of the Constitution of the State of Alaska provides for
maximum local self-government with a minimum of government units.
Section 3 of Article 10 states: liThe entire State shall be divided into
Borough~organized or unorganized. They shall be established in a
manner and in according to standards provided by law. The standards
shall include population, geography, economy, transportation and other
factors. Each borough shall embrace an area and population with common
interests to the maximum degree possible. The legislation shall classify
boroughs and prescribe their powers and functions. Methods by which
boroughs may be organized, incorporated, merged, consolidated, reclassi-
fied or dissolved shall be prescribed by law."
5
The Greater Sitka Borough was incorporated as a second-class Borough,
September 30, 1963, and has a Borough Assembly for.m of government. Its
boundaries include all of Baranof and Kruzof Islands, approximately the
southern half of Chichagof Island, and all islands on the western coast
included within the limits of the State of Alaska between the southeast-
erly end of Lisianski Inlet and the extreme southern tip of Baranof Island.
It has an area of about 2,900 square miles and a 1965 population of 7,400
persons. The Takatz Creek Project, the city of Sitka, and the Mount
Edgecumbe complex are within its boundaries.
Port Alexander, on the southeast tip of Baranof Island, is home for
18 persons. Nevertheless, its requirements for mail service, supplies,
and other facilities add to the economic l1fe of Sitka. Its economy is
based principally on fishing, and its income fluctuates from year to year.
There are only 18.3 miles of roads making up the Highway System
about Sitka, and most are along the coastline. They extend six miles
north from the city limits to Old Sitka Harbor in Katlian Bay, and 7.0
miles south of the city to Herring Cove. Plans have been formulated to
connect Japonski Island and Baranof Island by a bridge, a span of about
1,000 feet.
Outlying Districts
Several small to¥rrBare located on the islands in the Sitka area and
outside the Greater Sitka Borough, but are considered to be within the
Sitka trading area. They are accessible from Sitka only by boat or
seaplane.
Hoonah, with a population of 686 at the 1960 census, is about 75
miles north of Sitka on the northeast side of Chichagof Island. Tenakee
Springs, situated on an inlet off the eastern shore of Chichagof Island,
had a 1960 population of 60. Both these towns are closer to Juneau than
to Sitka, but their trade is divided between the two cities.
Pelican, also on Chichagof Island, is about equidistant by air from
Juneau and Sitka. It is considerably closer by boat to Sitka tban to
Juneau, owing to the nature of the two water routes. Pelican is a company
town that came into being in 1938 as a fishing center. The Pelican Cold
Storage plant processes halibut, salmon and black cod in its modern plant.
The latest census recorded a population of 135 at Pelican. Elfin Cove,
with 20 per.manent inhabitants, is 15 miles north of Pelican.
6
Climate
The climate of Baranof Island is cool and wet. Sitka has a July
mean temperature of 54.9° F. and a January mean of 32.2° F., the latter
about the same as that of Denver, Colorado. The coldest temperature
ever recorded in Sitka was .8° F. Coastal areas in this region enjoy
a temperate climate with relatively war.m winters and cool summers.
Average annual precipitation is 89.2 inches, although this varies markedly
with little change in altitude or distance. Average annual snowfall
recorded at Sitka is 47 inches. Winter rains and mild temperatures limit
snow accumulation except in the mountain areas.
The prevailing winds are from the east, and this is reflected in the
climatological records at Baranof, on the east side of the island, and
near Takatz Creek. At Baranof, the average annual precipitation is 152
inches, with an average annual snowfall of 214 inches. The minimum tem-
perature recorded in the 22 years of record was _10° F., and the highest
was 78° F.
Little Port Walter, on the southern tip of Baranof Island, and about
60 miles south of Sitka, has an average annual preCipitation of 220
inches, the highest in the State.
7
The City of Sitka, with Sitka Sound in the background. The Mt. Edgecumbe Education
and Medical Center and the airport on Japonski Island adjoin the city in the·upper
center of the photo. Photo by Alaska Travel DiviSion, 1966.
CHAPTER II --AREA ECONOMY AND RESOURCES
Sitka's economic history is one of successive ups and downs. A
cannery started in 1878 was moved to Cook Inlet after only two years
of operation. Fur sealing provided the community with a major source
of income in the 1880's and 1890's until the herds became so small
that the industry was restricted by the Federal Government in 1903.
The gold rushes to Cook Inlet, the Klondike, and Nome passed through
Sitka, taking many of the local residents with them.
By 1890, Sitka had reached its lowest economic ebb and began its
climb back into Alaskan importance. Establishment of the fishing
industry in the late 1890's gave it a basic economy. When the capital
was moved to Juneau, the loss was eased by the expanding lumbering
industry.
The Mount Edgecumbe installation of the Alaska Native Service,
the pulp mill of the Alaska Pulp Company, the fishing industry, and
tourists constitute the most important sources of base income for
Sitka today.
Mount Edgecumbe
The Mount Edgecumbe Alaska Native Service school and hospital
complex is on Japonski and interconnected islands. It is not to be
confused with the mountain by the same name on Kruzof Island near
the entrance to Sitka Sound. Japonski Island is directly across
Sitka Harbor from Sitka proper and is served by a ferry that operates
almost continuously.
The Mount Edgecumbe complex is a self-contained unit in many
respects and exerts a strong impact on Sitka. The school is a boarding
high school for native students from towns and villages throughout the
State that do not have local high schools. Its present enrollment is
660 students. It is administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A
$13,000,000 program for expansion of the Mount Edgecumbe educational
facilities is planned with a scheduled construction start in the spring
of 1968. During Fiscal Year 1966, there were 135 education positions
in the school and a BIA staff of 150 employees, having a total annual
payroll of $930,563.
The hospital is administered by the Public Health Service of the
Department of Health, and has an average daily patient load of 90.
During Fiscal Year 1966, there were about 200 employees on the Public
Health Service staff at Mount Edgecumbe, and their annual payroll
approximated $1,100,000.
8
Prior to July 11 19661 the Mount Edgecumbe complex was admini-
stered jointly by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Public Health
Service. On that date 1 the Bureau of Indian Affairs took over
administration of the entire complex1 except the hospital. With this
expansion, they estimate their annual payroll at $1,687,690.
The Mount Edgecumbe complex has a dial telephone system, fire
department, central kitchen and dining ha1l1 laundrY1 bus and boat
transportation1 a utilities and maintenance division1 a deep-water
dock 1 and a seaplane ramp.
The Mount Edgecumbe complex is outside of the corporate limits
of the city of Sitka. It had a 1960 population of 1,884 persons,
including employees and their families, and students. The employees
of the institution spend a substantial portion of their annual pay-
roll in Sitka for most of their necessary retail goods and services.
Added to this payroll inccme are expenditures of students 1 hospital
patients and visitors.
Forestry
The Tongass National Forest covers about 73 percent of the land
area of Southeast Alaska1 or about 161000,000 acres. It consists of
a strip along the mainland and 67 islands having land masses of 2,500
acres or more. Four of these islands exceed 1 1000,000 acres in area.
Baranof and Chichagof Islands are two of them. About 65 percent of
the gross land area in the Tongass National Forest is covered by tree
growth. The balance largely lies above timber line and involves high
rugged mountains with perpetual snow and ice fields and glaciers.
Hemlock represents 62 percent of the Tongass National Forest
timbe~with the Sitka spruce comprising the bulk of the remainder.
About half of the commercial timber of the Tongass National Forest
is best suited for the pulp or wood fiber industry. Ninety percent
of the commercial timber is estimated to be within three miles of
tidewater and below elevation 2,000 feet. The many tidewater channels1 with their multitude of fiords, inlets and bays, make access and the
cost of log transportation by water very reasonable.
Prior to 1954, when the Ketchikan Pulp Company began operating,
the timber harvest was almost completely Sitka spruce accessible to
tidewater. These logging operations supplied the many lumber mills
in Southeast Alaska1 the first of which was the water-powered mill
built by the Russian~erican Company at Sitka.
The Forest Service estimates there are 217741000 acres accessi-
ble that contain about 831262 million board feet of commercial ttmber1
9
having an annual a.llowable cut of 824 m1llion board feet. The present
cut averages about 440 m1llion board feet per year. It is predicted
that the annual cut will equal the a.llowable cut by about 1975. The
annual statistics on the National Forest commercial sales are shown
in Table 1.
The Forest Service has divided the Forest into five working units,
with the Sitka Working Circle comprised principally of Baranof, Chicha-
gof, Yakobi, and Kruzof Islands, having a total land area of 2,433,000
acres. The Takatz Creek Project is within this working circle.
Table l-~ual Statistics--To~ass National Forest !I
National Forest Commercial Sales
Volume
Allowable cut MBF Total Value Average Value
Year CUt MBF ~Scaledl ,st!!!'i~e l Per MBF
CY 1920 45,609 $ 78,987 $1.73
CY 1925 53,72 3 93,233 1.74
CY 193) 38 ,517 71,212 1.85
CY 1935 3),454 44,761 1.47
CY 1940 585,520 3),861 46,529 1.51
CY 1945 585,520 58 ,268 89,700 1.54
CY 19~ 585,520 54,435 120,48 3 2.21
CY 1955 851,500 21 3,78 5 491,952 2.3)
FYl960 879,&:>0 314 ,839 723,64 5 2.3)
FY 1965 823,900 424,612 861,543 2.03
Y Appendix, Tiliiber Management Plan, Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Region, 1958-1907.
The percentage of forest volume within the Sitka Working Circle
varies slightly fram the average for the entire Tongass National
Forest. The Forest Service Timber Management Plan for the Sitka Work-
ing Circle estimates that 65 percent of the accessible commercial
forest land area in the Sitka Working Circle is occupied by the hemlock
type. The hemlock--Sitka spruce type--ranks next with 22 percent of
the accessible commercial forest land. The Sitka spruce type represents
eight percent and the Alaska cedar type five percent of the commercial
forest land.
Prior to 1965, the Columbia Lumber Company operated a sawmill in
Sitka with a capacity of 75,000 board feet per 8-hour shift, but it
has ceased operations.
10
In 1956 the Alaska Pulp Company, a Japanese corporation owned by
the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company, negotiated a contract with the
Forest Service for 5.25 billion board feet of timber primarily fram
the Sitka Working Circle. Their modern pulp mill six miles east of
Sitka is capable of producing 14,000 tons of high alpha. dissolving
pulp monthly, for shipment to Japan. This high quality pulp is used
in the manufacture of rayon. The plant employs about 500 workers
who are directly associated with the plant. Of these, only the top
administrators and a few laboratory technicians are Japanese. In
addition, there are about 400 woods workers. The logs are "rafted"
and towed to the mill by tug boat. The Alaska Pulp Company also buys
logs from private land owners throughout Southeast Alaska when avail-
able. It is pertinent that they have purchased logs in Haines and
transported them 215 miles by -water to Sitka.
In 1965, the st. Regis Paper Company negotiated a contract with
the Forest Service for 8.75 billion board feet of lumber. However,
it relinquished its rights under this contract in April 1967. The
contract required that the Company construct a pulp mill in South-
east Alaska, submit its plans to the Forest Service by July 1, 1968,
and have the plant in operation by July 1, 1971. The timber under
this contract is on Admiralty Island and two locations on the main-
land. The city of Sitka vigorously promoted a potential industrial
site in Kat1ian Bay, ten miles north of Sitka, as a good location for
the contemplated pulp mill.
Fisheries
Fishing is the third most important industry of modern Sitka.
Sitka-based boats fish throughout Southeast Alaska. They sometimes
sell their catches in other ports, but boats based in other ports
also sell to buyers within the Sitka area. During the 1965 season,
there were 260 independent vendors issued commercial fishing licenses
at Sitka, representing 528 individual commercial fishing licenses.
There are presently three fish processing plants in Sitka, and
one each at Pelican, Tenakee Springs, and Hoonah. When constructed
in 1913, the Sitka Cold Storage plant -was for the exclusive purpose
of processing halibut, but in 1965, salmon -was the predominant
species, with minor amounts of black cod and king and dungeness crab.
Most fish in the Sitka area are fresh-frozen for Shipment to other
markets. Only a small percentage of fish are canned. The Alaska
Department of Fish and Game reported the wholesale value of salmon
processed by the three plants at Sitka during the 1965 season as
$3,888,000 and $815,933 for all other species.
In addition to the value of fish, wages paid to shore workers in
1965 amounted to $317,516 for the Sitka area proper, and $515,242 for
11
Alaska's second pulp mill, owned by Alaska Lumber and Pulp Campany is located near
Sitka. Product is a high grade alpha-dissolving pulp for textile manufacturing,
primarilY for the Japanese market. Photo by Alaska Travel Division.
the entire Sitka Election District. The average number of employees
in the plants was 44 for Sitka and 52 for the entire area, while the
maximum numbers were 65 and 190, respectively.
Another aspect of the importance of the commercial and salt water
sports fisheries to the Sitka area is the investment in vessels and
gear. There were 319 outboard boats and cruisers, under five ton, reg-
istered as being based at Sitka in 1965. This fleet added to the other
pleasure and commercial fishing boats in the Sitka area runs the total
investment up to several million dollars. Supplying gas and oil, spare
parts, repair services, paint, etc., is a major business in Sitka.
There are marine ways, repair shops, outfitters, and small-boat harbor
facilities devoted exclusively to meeting the needs of this industry.
The two public small-boat harbors within the Sitka area proper
have a combined capacity to berth about 625 boats. The communities
of Pelican, Tenakee, and Hoonah also have small-boat harbors for both
pleasure and cammercial craft.
The future of Sitka's commercial fishing industry is not e~ected
to change materially. The possible increased usage of lesser species
or utilization of different species would probably not be enough to
make an appreciable difference in total annual values.
As the population of the area increases, it is likely that interest
in salt water sports fishing will accelerate. Its economic impact on
the Sitka area is well recognized.
Mining
Chichagof Island has been one of the leading gold-producing areas
in the state in the past. Over $20 ,000 ,000 worth of the metal was
taken between 1905 and 1941, when operations were discontinued. Same
activity has been carried on since 1949, but the operations are of
minor importance. Because of the present high costs of operation, it
is unlikely that gold mining in the Sitka area will be of any great
economic importance at the price of gold now prevailing.
Yakobi Island contains one of the largest known nickel depOSits
in the state. Other nickel-copper deposits are known to exist on
Chichagof and Baranof Islands, but the ore is of low grade. With the
ever increasing demand for these minerals, it is e~ected that recovery
operations will sameday became a reality.
Small deposits of chramite have been reported on the east coast
of Baranof Island. Non-metallics found in the Sitka region include
pumice, pum1cite, gypsum, marble, and clay.
12
Most of these known mineral deposits are located along the coast
where prospecting has been relatively easy. Little is known about the
mineral resources of the interior areas. Further prospecting, using
geophysical and other modern methods, might disclose important deposits
in these unexplored areas.
Agriculture
The Sitka area has almost no potential agricultural land. Prospects
for extensive agricultural development anywhere in Southeast Alaska are
slight, owing to the rugged topography, the shallow and generally acidic
soils, and the wet and cool climate.
A dairy farm near Sitka closed down in 1954 because of the high
cost of operations, as grains, food concentrates, and most of the hay
had to be imported.
Wildlife
The industry for which Sitka was originated now contributes prac-
tically nothing to her income. Baranof established the Russian-American'
capital as a focal point for his fur-gathering activities. Since 1900,
trapping in the Sitka area has decreased in importance to its present
status as a small winter supplement to the income of a few local fisher-
men.
The Sitka area offers a real challenge to the hunter. All of the
larger islands are inhabited by several species of game birds and
animals. Owing to the rugged terrain and dense growth, however, many
a hunter ends the season with an empty larder. The Alaska Department
of Fish and Game reports that approximately 1,050 hunting licenses
were sold in the Sitka area in 1965. Of these, about 500 hunters took
about 1,400 Sitka Blacktail deer from Baranof and Chichagof Islands.
It is estimated that the deer population on the two islands is about
50 ,000. About 200 mountain goats populate Baranof Island, with only
20-)) being harvested this past year. The brown bear population of
the two islands is estimated to be between 1,400 and 1,500. Black bear
do not occur on the islands o The legal sport kill of brown bears in
the Sitka area in 1965 was 27. It is estimated that expenditures by
hunters in the Sitka area during 1965 approximated $125,000. In addi-
tion to big game, ducks, geese, grouse, and ptarmigan are prized game
birds found in all of Southeast Alaska o
13
Shipping
Statistics on waterborne commerce entering and leaving Sitka
Harbor are published in the report "Waterborne Commerce of the United
States, Calendar Year 1963, Part 4," prepared by the Department of
the Army, Corps of Engineers. This report shows that 855,004 short
tons of commodities entered and left Sitka Harbor in 1963. This
freight traffic is in the following categories:
Foreign Traffic
Imports
Exports
428
161,879
Domestic, Coastwise Traffic
Receipts
Shipments
68 3,748
7,192
Domestic Local Traffic
Total
162,307 short tons
690,940 short tons
1,757 short tons
855,004 short tons
Of the exports, 161,875 short tons were wood pulp shipped to
Japan, and the remaining four tons were canned fish and products.
Rafted logs make up 586,626 short tons of the Domestic Coastwise
Receipts, and 4,379 short tons of Domestic Shipments. The Domestic
local freight traffic was entirely fresh fish and products.
Excluding the export of wood pulp and the receipts of rafted
logs, the 1963 freight traffic in Sitka Harbor is compared to other
harbors of Southeast Alaska cities as follows:
Harbor
Sitka
Juneau
Ketchikan
Freight Traffic, short tons
106,503 Y
93,666
385,896 gj
!I Includes 24,997 short tons of sodium hydroxide, or caustic
soda, for the pulp mill.
gj Includes supplies and materials for U.S. Coast Guard.
14
Transportation
The principal carrier of supplies and materials to Sitka is the
Alaska Steamship Company. Its schedule calls for weekly arrivals
from Seattle. On alternate weeks, the routings are to Sitka through
Juneau on their Southeast Alaska schedule and enroute to Kodiak and
Cordova.
Passenger service to Sitka is either by air or water. Alaska
Coastal Airlines serves Sitka from Juneau, Ketchikan and Annette Island.
Connections are made at Juneau and Annette Island with other airlines
for continued travel. With the recently completed Municipal Airport
on Japonski Island, Alaska Airlines has included a stop at Sitka each
way on their daily jet service between Anchorage and Seattle.
One leg of the Alaska Marine Highway System is via Sitka. This
state-owned system has three ferryliners, each with a capacity of 108
automobiles and accommodations for 500 passengers. The southern
terminous connects at Prince Rupert with British Columbia Highway
Route 16, and the British Columbia Ferry System operating between
Prince Rupert and Vancouver Island. The northern terminous connects
at Haines with the Haines Highway and the Alaska Highway. The system
makes vehicular traffic possible to and from Ketchikan, Wrangell,
Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, and Skagway. The present schedule
allows for two weekly trips each way through Sitka.
Tourism
Having been one of the focal points of history, Sitka holds a
fascination for those who are acquainted with its interesting and
colorful past. Many relics of yesteryear have been restored, and
remnants of the Russian era are scattered throughout the area. The
totem poles of the Sitka National Monument and the museum at Sheldon
Jackson Junior College are exceptional pOints of interest. Saint
Michael's Cathedral, dedicated in 1848, and destroyed by fire
January 2, 1966, is to be reconstructed to its original specifications o
It was one of Sitka's most noteworthy attractions.
Outside the city a beautiful panorama of islands, bays, fiords
and waterfalls can be seen and explored by boat, and wilderness trails
unfold the beauty of the inland lakes, rivers, and primeval forests.
For the sportsman, fishing, hunting, hiking, or boating offer an
unlimited agenda.
There are three sets of hot springs on Baranof Island. Modest
accommodations are available at Baranof Bot Springs, on the east coast
15
One of the three luxurious ferryliners of the Alaska Marine Highway, having a capacity
of loB automobiles and accommodations for 500 passengers. Photo by Alaska Travel
Division.
of the island three airline miles south of Takatz Bay. These hot
springs have a very picturesque setting and are well suited to the
operation of a deluxe resort. Goddard Hot Springs, 16 miles south
of Sitka on the western shore of the island on Hot Springs Bay,
were once the basis of a health and recreational resort. They are
now owned by the State and leased to the Alaska Crippled Childrens
Association. A third set of hot springs, at Fish Bay on the northern
end of Baranof Island, has never been developed.
Financial Conditions
The financial conditions of Sitka and the Greater Sitka Borough
are summarized in "Alaska Municipal Directory, 1966", a publication
of the Alaska Municipal League. For the year ending December 31,
1965, Sitka had an indebtedness of 38 0 3 percent of assessed valuation,
and the Borough 7.3 percent. Other data relating to their financial
conditions are summarized in Table 2.
16
Table 2--Financial Conditions of Sitka and Greater
Sitka Borough, 1965
Item
Population
Property Evaluations
Real
Personal
Tax Rate
Real Property
Personal
Sales
Bonded Indebtedness
General Obligation Bonds
Revenue Bonds
City of
Sitka
3,72 5
$16,6 47,95 4
$ 108,21 3
6.5 mills
Combined
2 percent
$ 874,900
$ 5,941,000
Major Annual Revenues last fiscal year
Property Taxes
Sales Tax
State-shared Taxes
Licenses and Permits
Fines and Penalties
Interest
Parking Meters
Sale of Property or Material
Amount of Budget last fiscal year
17
$ 90,023
$ 165,62:>
$ 32 ,104
$ 3,384
$ 14,103
$ 1,32:>
4> 4,8'jl.
$ 6,90 6
$ 508,210
Greater Sitka
Borough
7,qoo
$17,329,653
$ 5,198,975
9.25 mills
9.25 mills
2 percent
$ 1,762,000
o
CHAPTER III--POWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND
The market for power produced by the Takatz
be residential, commercial, and small industrial
area. It would include the city of Sitka, Mount
accessible by the respective roads in the area.
by the Sitka Public Utilities.
History of Power Development
Creek Project would
loads in the Sitka
Edgecumbe, and environs
It is presently served
From 1913 to 1947, power generation for public use at Sitka was
supplied for the most part by a small hydroelectric plant located near
the mouth of Medvetcha River (known as Sawmill Creek since 1930). The
project was constructed in 1913 by the Sitka Wharf and Power Company,
Inc., a private enterprise. The company built a small rock-crib dam
on the river and diverted water to the powerplant through a 42-inch
diameter wood-stave pipe, '1,427 feet in length. A single 160-kilowatt
generator was installed and six miles of 12.47-kilovolt transmission
line built to Sitka.
Repeated flood damage to the project--particularly in the years
1913, 1926, 1936 and 1942--caused frequent outages. Following the
flood of 1936, the 42-inch pipeline was replaced with a new 54-inch
line that passed through a short tunnel. A second 160-kilowatt gen-
erator, purchased second-hand and rebuilt, was installed in the power-
house at this same time.
To guard against the recurring outages of the power supply, the
Sitka Cold Storage Company was forced to seek emergency power fram some
other source. Prior to the 1936 flood and in cooperation with the
power company, the cold storage plant installed two diesel-electric
sets with a total capacity of 385 kilowatts. In 1940 the Sitka Cold
Storage Company acquired full ownership of these diesel units.
In 1941, the City of Sitka formed the Sitka Public Utilities
System and purchased the power facilities owned and operated by the
Sitka Wharf and Power Company. The price, based on appraisal of the
properties at that time, was $200 ,000. The City also installed a
240-kilowatt diesel unit in the cold storage plant to use as standby
for the hydroelectric development.
One of the most damaging floods of the Medvetcha River occurred
in 1942. The intake flume, about 100 feet of pipe, a trestle that
supported the pipe across the river, and a suspension footbridge were
18
washed out, and the powerhouse was flooded to a depth of about eight
feet. The facilities were rehabilitated and operation resumed in late
1943. Part of the dam and pipeline were again damaged by floods, and
the plant was taken out of service in March 1947.
In 1940, the Navy began construction of a 2,950-kilowatt, oil-fired
steamplant at its base on Japonski Island. A submarine cable connecting
the Sitka Public Utilities System with that of the naval base created a
substantial source of standby and emergency power for the utility. Upon
te~ination of World War II, the naval base was abandoned as such, and
most of the facilitie~ including the steamplant, were transferred to the
Alaska Native Service in 1946. The Sitka Public Utilities arranged to
obtain steam-generated power from the plant as a supplement to its own
production. Following shutdown of the Medvetcha River hydroelectric
plant, the Japonski Island steamplant supplied all of the City's power
loads.
As the population expanded and the load requirements grew, the power
available from. Japonski Island (Mount Edgecumbe) was supplemented by
installation of diesel-generating units by the Sitka Public Utilities
in its powerplant north of the city. The installed capacity of that
plant now totals 1,300 kilowatts.
In 1961, the Sitka Public Utilities completed the Blue Lake hydro-
electric plant with a peaking capacity of 6,900 kilowatts. It produces
an estimated 44,000,000 kilowatt-hours of firm energy annually. The
Blue Lake generating plant is only a very short distance from the old
original Medvetcha River plant.
Existing Power Facilities
The existing power facilities in the power market area include
those owned by the city of Sitka, Alaska Native Service, Alaska Lumber
and Pulp Company, Sitka Cold Storage, and Sheldon..Jackson Junior College.
Sitka Public Utilities
The Sitka Public Utilities has 8,200 kilowatts of peaking capacity
in two plants. The Blue Lake hydroelectric plant contains two 3,000-
kilowatt units, and their diesel plant contains four units totaling
1,3)0 kilowatts on a standby basis. The estimated peak system demand
in 1965, excluding the pulp mill, was 5,500 kilowatts, an increase in
demand of about 10 percent over that estimated for 19640 The generating
facilities of the Sitka Public Utilities are summarized in Table 3.
19
Table 3--Sitka Public Utilities -Generating Facilities
CaEacit~ -Kilowatts Annual Firm
Name Energy
Plant ~ Plate -Firm Peaking MWH
Blue Lake Hydro 6,000 6,000 6,~0 44,000
City Diesel 1,3)0 1,3)0 1,):)0 11,000
The utility system is presently supplying about 2,000 kilowatts
to the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company at a dump rate, but essentially
on a demand basis. It will, in all probability, continue to make
this block of power available to them until additional generating
facilities are installed by the pulp company_ The present requirements
of the utility and pulp mill are about equal to the entire capacity of
the Blue Lake powerplant.
Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company
The Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company is the largest power user in
the power market area. Their reqUirements approach 110,000,000 kilo-
watt-hours annually. The major portion of their energy requirements
is generated by its own l5,OOO-kilowatt steamplant. The mill was
originally designed to be self-sufficient in regard to its power
requirements. However, an alteration in the mill process has resulted
in the need for additional power and energy over and above that avail-
able from their existing facilities. They are now planning a $30
million plant expansion to again make the mill self-sufficient in
regard to their power requirements. The mill does not supply power
or energy service to other users.
Alaska Native Service
The installations of the U.S o Navy on Japonski Island included a
diesel-electric system and an oil-fired steamplant for the generation
of electricity and heating service. Although the plant has an aggre-
gate name-plate rating of 2,950 kilowatts, the maximum available power
capacity during heating requirements was only 1,900 kilowatts, because
of insufficient boiler capacity to supply maximum heating and power
loads simultaneously. An agreement between the Sitka Public Utilities
and the Alaska Native Service allowed the Alaska Native Service to
purchase all their power and energy requirements fram the utility after
completion of the Blue Lake plant.
At the present time, Mount Edgecumbe utilizes its steamplant
primarily for heating service. It retains 250 kilowatts of steam
generation in operable condition for standby purposes. A small
emergency diesel unit is also maintained in a standby status at
the hospital.
Sitka Cold storage Caseany
The power requirements of the Sitka Cold Storage Company depend
upon the amount of fish under refrigeration. Their requirements are
estimated at between 800,000 and 1,000,000 kilowatt-hours annually.
The company has used their existing diesel plant to satisfy a portion
of its requirements, but, there is no record of their having generated
any substantial amount since 1955. A 2OO-kilowatt diesel plant is
maintained in a standby status, with all normal requirements being
purchased from the utility. It is assumed that this situation will
continue to prevail.
Sheldon-Jackson Junior College
The College operates a 50-kilowatt hydroelectric plant to satisfy
a portion of its power requirements. This unit is operated in parallel
with the utility system and is interconnected through a 5O-kilovolt-
ampere transformer bank. The College purchases power from the utility
to supply needs in excess of 50 kilowatts. The water supplies from
Indian River utilized for this power production are being considered
for municipal use. This report, therefore, assumes that when power
from the Takatz Creek Project becomes available, this plant will be
retired.
Estimated Power Requirements
The energy sales of Sitka Public Utilities have increased at an
average annual rate of about 7.8 percent over the past 16 years. Annual
load growth during this 16-year period. fluctuated a great deal. The
addition, or deletion, of just one industrial customer during the year
would have drastically affected the load growth for the entire area.
These fluctuations can be correlated with specific events occurring in
the local area. For example, the minus 10 percent load growth in 1954
can be partially attributed to the change in management of Mount Edge-
cumbe, and the decrease in 1966 is due to a fire in the Sitka downtown
area in January that destroyed two churches and 21 places of business.
The sharp increases in 1958, 1959 and 1960 are coincident with the
construction of the pulp mill and power facilities. The next few years
after completion of the mill and powerplant are marked by very much
slower rates of load growtho This could best be explained as a
re-adjustment period. following the construction boom.
21
Records of energy sales have been kept by the utility since 1948,
but are incomplete, and not sufficiently detailed to allow any analysis
b;' class of customer. An examination of the available records indicates
that the period 1955-1965 could be regarded as a t~~icDl period for
the basis of future forecasts, a all indications are favorable to an
cxtcnsi ve and continuinG grovrth for the Sitka area. Reconstruction of
thco business establishments and churches destroyed in the January 1966
fire is well underway. Construetion of the facilities for expansion
of the Mount Edgeculnbe native boarding school is scheduled for initiation
in the spring of 1968. The planned expansion of the Alaska Lumber and
Pu1r Company mill ;'lill result in related new power requirements. It is
anticipated that a new lumber mill and a pl;'-'Vlood plant will SOOn be
constructed in the area. In addition, longer term planning for the area
envisions development of a major industrial development in the Katlian
, area north of the city, as it is favored with a good deep water
harbor, ample industrial Gites, and easil~r developed fresh water supplies.
On the basis of the above, the future load growth in the Sitka area
has 'been estimated at an average annual rate of 10.5 percent, as repre-
sented b,'i the 1955-1965 period. The historic and projected annual G~,-stem
peak capacity and energy requirements are presented in Table 4. These
tabulations, with indicated existing and future facilities, are presented
in graph form on DrBiolings ll13-9J6-27 and l1l3-9J6-28.
22
1sble 4--Historic and Projected Annual Power Requirements
for Sitka Area
Calendar Year
19)0
1951
1952
1953
19)4
1955
19)1)
1957'
1950
1959
1900
1901
1902
1903
19G4
1965
1966 ~/
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
Ener~ (Megawatt-Hours)
6,90 7
7,234
8,344
9,180
8,232
8,935
10,012
10,173
12,0)9
13,787
16,156
16,841
1'7,50'(
19,748
21,821 2/
24,050 -
21,981
24,3 00
26,900
29,700
32,800
36,200
40,000
44,200
48,800
53,900
59,600
65,900
72,800
80,400
88,800
98 ,100
108,~00
119,800
132,400
146,300
161,700
~/ Values through 1966 are historic
~/ Estimated
23
Peak Deman4 (Kilowatts)
1,630
1,700
1,885
2,075
2,020
2,46 5
Not Available
Not Available
2,820
3,170
Not Available
3,500
3,500
Not Available
Not Available
5,500
5,200
5,500
6,100
6,600
7,300
7,900
8,800
9,500
10,500
11,400
12,600
13,700
15,100
16,700
18,400
20,400
22,500
24,900
27,500
30 ,200
33,600
I I I I ,
30
2Cl
Future Diesel
4000 Ki lowatts
10
9 I c I -Existin~gDiesel 1300 Kilowatts ~-7 -6 ----~b
5 / ~-~ >---\
\
4 -3 ~
\
~ Historical Foreca st __ ~ -Demand r Demand I
(1
1960 '1962 11964 11966 11968 119"lO
I , I , ,
II //~! / I iii
~ DIesel Standby iiiJv;t
J
/
"" /
V
/'
/
/'
{'/
'1'''-
",J. or
~
",
,.....
-~
~xjst;ng Blue Lake Hydrc
6900 Ki lowatt.s
, I I
S'
/
/ ,
IIII Ill! 1I I I /
W ~ W
.'
/'
/
/
/!'
// Takatz No.2
9600 KilowattS-
Tokotz No. I
9600 Ki lowotfs
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATIO N
TAKATZ CR EEK PROJECT
PEAK REQUIREMENTS
AT LOAD AND SUPPLY
AT LOAD
I·N KILOWATTS
1'972 11974 11976 11978 11980 11982 11984 11986
FISCAL YEAR
SE PTEMaER 15 1967 1113-906-27
0
0
0 -
M
(/)
a:
:::>
0
J:
I
~
~ «
3: «
C)
w
~
I 15l'l -
100
d'
/ ,,/
'nitio' Generation /'/
at Tokotz ----_ ...... -'\)0 ,,1i'J'
/~
r'/
//
,,)if
("
I
,
I
I
I ---;-~/-t-----------I
I
Tokotz Creek Hydno
93,200 Megowott-
Hours at Load
50r-----~----~----~------+_----~----_4------~,~~--~~----+_----~----~------+_+_--~__; ...... ..-i,.---
10
FISCA L YEA R
UNITED STATES
DEItAIitTMENT OF THE INTIIUO"
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATIO N
67 1113-906-28
Project Power Requirements
The requirements for power produced by the Takatz Creek Project
are the Sitka area requirements presented in Table 4, less the gen-
eration by the Blue Lake hydro plant and allowances of four percent
of the project generation for project station service use and trans-
mission losses. The fiscal year requirements are taken as being the
same as the calendar year requirements, and are shown in Table 5 for
the period beginning in 1976. This is believed to be the earliest
date the Takatz Creek Project power could be available to the Sitka
area.
Table 5--Takatz Creek Project Power Requirements
Fiscal Energy ReqUirements
Year Peak Demands ~Kilowatts 2 ~Me~awatt-Hours2
1976 6,100 17,000
1977 7,200 23,500
1978 8,700 '5),600
1979 10,))0 38 ,400
1980 12, ))0 46,700
1981 14,100 56 ,700
1982 16,))0 67,))0
1983 18,700 79,000
1984 20,000 Y 92,000
1985 20,000 97,100 gj
fI Installed capacity g; Total of firm energy generation
Interim Measures
The Sitka Public utilities recognize the city's need for addi-
tional power supplies, and various alternatives are being studied.
It is assumed that as soon as the expansion of the pulp mill has been
completed, the surplus power now delivered to the mill will be made
available to meet the anticipated growth of the utility load. Exist-
ing powerplants will be fully utilized by 1971 and additional power
will be required by that time.
26
One alternative would be the installation of a third 3,000 kilo-
watt unit in the Blue Lake powerplant. This unit would be capable of
supplying only a limited amount of additional energy, but present load
forecasts indicate that the peaking capacity this alternate would
provide is the more urgently needed. The original plan of the power-
plant included the possible future addition of a third unit, but the
pulp mill has a contract with the City for 50 million gallons of water
per day at penstock pressure, and an agreement would be necessary to
allow further use of this water. With this addition, the maximum
peaking capacity of the Sitka Public Utilities system would be 11,650
kilowatts, considering 115 percent rated hydro capacity, plus existing
diesel units. It is estimated that this would satisfy their peak
power reqUirements through fiscal year 1975, but standby or reserve
capacity would not be available during peak load periods.
The other and more likely alternative is the installation of
additional diesel generating units to supply the peak requirements
necessary during the interim period. This would alleviate the need
for an additional water contract and/or agreement with the pulp mill.
It is estimated that the total additional requirements to just satis-
fy the 1975 fiscal year peak would be about 4,000 kilowatts. With
this addition, the utility's diesel generating capacity would be
5,300 kilowatts at the time of initial Takatz Creek Project operation
(FY 1976). The diesel capacity would then be available as standby
reserve.
Utility Power Costs
The costs of power production are not available for the Sitka
Public Utilities. It is probable, however, that the hydro averages
around 13 mills per kilowatt-hour and the diesel 20 mills or more.
Sitka has a single residential rate schedule and two commercial
rate schedules as follows:
Residential
First 100 kwh @ $0.05 per kwh
Next 200 kwh @ $0.04 per kwh
Next 300 kwh @ $0.03 per kwh
Next 1,000 kwh @ $0.016 per kwh
All additional kwh @ $J.03 per kwh
27
Commercial-Demands less than 50 kva
First 100 kwh @ $0.05 per kwh
Next 2Xl kwh @ $0 .04 per kwh
Next 700 kwh @ $0.035 per kwh
All additional kwh @ $0.03 per kwh
Commercial-Demands not less than 50 kva
Energy Charge
First 50 kwh per kva demand @ $0.03 per kwh
Next 250 kwh per kva demand @ $0 .02 per kwh
All additional kwh per kva demand @ $0.0175 per kwh
Demand Charge
$1.75 per kva of demand
These rates are roughly comparable to those prevailing in other
Southeastern Alaska cities of similar size. The increase in the
residential rate for the last step (all above 1,600 kwh) discourages
large residential use.
28
CHAPTER IV--WATER AND POWER
Water supplies available for power production were determined
using streamflow records for Takatz Creek and for neighboring streams.
Reservoir sedimentation and reservoir losses were found to be negli-
gible. A monthly operation study was prepared to illustrate reservoir
operation, power releases, and project power production. Powerplant
capacity was selected on the basis of the project firm energy capability
and area load characteristics.
Drainage Area
The drainage area above Takatz Creek damsite comprises 10.6 square
miles of rugged, mountainous terrain typical of Southeast Alaska. Much
of the surface is bare rock with the majority of vegetation limited to
the valley floor above the lake. Glaciers and ice fields cover about
2.0 square miles and Takatz Lake, 0.6 square mile. Elevations range
from 905 feet at Takatz Lake to over 4,000 feet at the drainage area
boundary. The mean elevation of the drainage area is 2,482 feet.
water Supply
Streamflow and Climate Records
A recording streamgage has been operated at the mouth of Takatz
Creek since July 1951. In addition, streamflow records are available
for six other streams on Baranof Island, including Sawmill Creek and
Baranof River with drainages adjacent to the Takatz Creek drainage
area, as shown on General Map, Drawing 1113-906.11. The Baranof
Island gaged streams are listed in Table 6, together with drainage
area and period of record for each stream. Runoff records through
Water Year 1964 were analyzed for this report.
29
Table 6--Streamflow Records on Baranof Island
Drainage Unit
Area Period of Record Runoff
Station Square Miles From To AF!mi?/yr.Y
Takatz Creek nr. Baranof 17.5 July 1951 Present 11,400
Baranof River at Baranof 32.0 July 1915 Jan. 1928 9,600
Oct. 1957 Present
Sawmill Creek nr. Sitka 39.0 Sept 192) Dec. 1922 8,700
Feb. 1928 Sept 1942
Oct. 1945 Sept 1957
Green Lake Outlet nr. Sitka 28.4 Sept 1915 Sept 1925 7,500
Coal Creek nr. Baranof 28.5 July 1922 Oct. 1927 12,2)0
(9 months of no record)
Maksoutof River nr. Port 26.0 June 1951 Sept 1956 ll,700
Alexander
Deer Lake Outlet nr. Port 7.4 June 1951 Present 15,))0
Alexander
Y Adjusted to the 1952-1964 period.
Precipitation and temperature data have been collected at various
locations in Sitka for over 100 years, and two climate stations are
now operated in the Sitka area. Climate data have been collected since
1937 at Baranof Warm Springs, three miles to the south of the Takatz
Creek Powerplant site. Significant climate records are also available
at Little Port Walter and Port Alexander, both located near the south-
ern tip of Baranof Island. A summary of the Baranof Island climatic
data is presented in Table 7.
Table 7--Baranof Island Climatic Data
Climatic Data through 1960
Average Years of
Precipi-Annual Average Record
tation Snowfall Temperature (Precipi-
Station Inches Inches Degrees F. tationl
Baranof warm Springs 152 214 41.3 22
Sitka (Mag) 97 47 43.3 99
(FAA) 88 45 44.0 13
Little Port walter 22) 126 43.0 24
Port Alexander 169 79 43.8 10
Unit runoff and distribution of runoff for Takatz Creek, Sawmill
Creek, and Baranof River vary in surprisingly predictable patterns.
Agreement with the precipitation data is shown by the higher runoff
rates for streams on the east side of Baranof Island (Takatz, Baranof,
Coal) and for the streams near the southern end of the island (Deer,
Maksoutof). The higher drainage basins show increased runoff rates
and a marked concentration of summer flow as a result of more severe
climate and greater precipitation at the higher elevations.
Study Period
Good indicators of long-term water supply conditions are available.
The streamflow records are available for Sawmill Creek or Baranof River
for each year since 1916, except for the years 1942-1945. Based upon
the long precipitation record at Sitka, the period covered by stream-
flow records, 1916 to 1964, appears representative of long-term water
supply conditions.
Using annual streamflow correlation, Takatz Creek flows were esti-
mated for the years 1916-1927, 1929-1942, and 1946-1951. Below-average
streamflow 1s indicated for the years 1916-1922 and 1950-1958, with
1951 being the lowest year. The following comparison shows that the
more recent period is critical.
Item
Lowest Year:
Low 3-year Average:
Average for Period:
Takatz Creek Runoff
1916-1922
(7 years)
162 (1920)
174 (20-22)
188 (16-22)
(1,000 AF)
1950-1958
(9 lears)
138 (1951)
166 (50-52)
181 (50-58)
To incorporate the critical period and to insure a full cycle of
reservoir operation, the study period 1946-1964 was selected. The
above-average precipitation during the years 1942-1945 would insure a
full reservoir at the start of this period.
Streamflow Correlations
The Takatz Creek runoff record covers the period July 1951 through
1964. The record was extended back to 1946, the start of the study
period, by correlation with Sawmill Creek flows. Both monthly and annual
correlations were used. The average annual flow for the 1946 to 1964
study period ws found to be 196,700 acre-feet. Minimum and maximum
runoff values were 138,000 acre-feet in 1951 (partly correlated) and
241,500 acre-feet in 1964 (recorded). The monthly and annual recorded
and correlated runoff at the Takatz Creek gaging station are presented
in Table 8.
Inflow to Takatz Lake
The Takatz Creek gaging station has a tributary drainage area of
17.5 square miles with a mean elevation of 2,213 feet. The drainage
area above the damsites is 10.6 square miles or 60 percent of the area
tributary to the gage. The mean elevation of this area is 2,482 feet.
Using elevation-runoff relationships, the annual runoff for the 10.6
square miles tributary to Takatz Lake was found to be 65.3 percent of
that passing the gaging station. On a seasonal baSis, inflow to Takatz
Lake was found to be 49.7 percent of the gaged flow for the November
to April period, 58.2 percent for May and June, and 73.5 percent for
the July to October period.
The computed inflow to Takatz Lake is presented in Table 9. The
monthly flow values were obtained using the gaged Takatz Creek flows
and the seasonal percentages listed above. For the 19-year study
period, the average Takatz Lake inflow was found to be 128,800 acre-
feet. Minimum. and maximum values are 91,800 acre-feet (1951) and
159,500 acre-feet (1964).
Water Rights
The Constitution of the State of Alaska provides that surface and
subsurface wters are reserved to the people for cammon use, except
mineral and medicinal waters, and are subject to appropriation. The
Constitution provides:
Itpriority of appropriation shall give prior right. Except
for public water supply, an appropriation of water shall be
limited to stated purposes and subject to preferences among
beneficial uses, concurrent or otherwise, as prescribed bY,1
law, and to the general reservation of fish and wildlife." !t
The State Legislature passed HE 140, the IIAlaska Water Use Act,"
in its 1966 session, and the measure was signed by the Governor. The
new law is a comprehensive code that assigns to the State's Department
of Natural Resources the responsibility of determining and adjudicating
water rights. In accordance with procedures established by the
f7 Article VIII, Section 13
32
Table 8--Recorded and Computed Runoff of Takat:c; Creek near Baranof
Drainage Area: 17.5 Square Hiles Units: 000 Acre-Feet
Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May ,June July Aug. Sept. Total
1946 37.9 7.3 3.4 3.1 1. r( 2.3 2.7 18.9 31.5 29.4 2}+.1 23.7 186.0
1947 29.2 18.7 2.8 4.6 2.7 9.3 '(.6 20·9 23.8 26.3 25.4 }~5. 7 217.0
1948 23.2 15.0 5.8 9.1 2.3 1.9 2.1 20.5 30.9 36.1 26.8 42.3 21b.0
1949 24.3 19.8 3.2 6.2 2.4 3.7 4.4 17.2 35.9 33.9 27·5 25·5 204.0
1950 33.7 13.3 3.3 1.8 1.5 1.6 2.3 10.4 31.1 35.4 23.8 20.8 179.0
1951 14.1 3.8 1.6 2.1 1.2 1.5 3.8 13.8 27.2 29.9 19.0 20.0 138.0 w 1952 17.8 14.5 3.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 4.8 12.9 23·5 38.5 25.8 37·5 182.1 w
1953 32.6 17.5 7.1 3.5 3.3 4.2 5.4 22.9 33.0 32.6 28.1 29.0 219.2
1954 40.1 14.5 7.9 3.1 0 2.2 2.0 14.6 30.1 26.3 22.0 24.3 194.1
1955 21.1 24.7 13.5 3.9 2.6 2.4 3.2 8.9 22.1 33.9 29·9 27.7 193.9
1956 17.4 6.0 2.3 1.4 1.4 1.5 3.8 16.9 29.9 33.3 37.0 17.8 168.7
1957 16.2 13.3 12.8 4.1 2.2 2.1 3.9 18.5 30.5 27.9 22.4 24.1 178.0
1958 14.4 22.7 4.5 8.0 2.5 3.1 7.0 19.6 31.1 23.3 23.7 16.0 175.9
1959 32.8 13.1 6.8 2.9 2.5 3.9 4.6 17.1 37.1 37.2 28.8 17.8 204.6
1960 16.6 11.1 6.7 3.0 3.7 2.9 5.7 22.9 30.7 38.0 23.5 28.5 193.3
1961 37.5 12.2 12.0 5·2 4.0 5.3 6.4 17.6 42.0 30.9 36.2 21.4 230.7
1962 31. 7 7.2 2.8 4.6 2·5 2.3 7.2 9.6 24.3 28.0 29.6 27.6 177.4
1963 33.2 17.6 21.4 12.0 10·9 4.3 5.3 14.9 21.5 21. 7 17.3 57.7 237.8
1964 57.7 11.0 13.2 6.3 5.0 3.0 5.4 11.8 37.8 39.6 31.6 19.1 241.5
Total 531.5 263.3 134.4 86.1 60.6 58.6 87.6 309.9 574.0 602.2 502·5 526.5 3737.2
Mean 196.7
NOTE: Values prior to July 1951 are correlated.
Table 9--Co~uted Inflow to Takatz Lake
Drainage Area: 10.6 Square Miles Units: 1,000 Acre-Feet
Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Hay June July Aug. Sept. Total
1946 27.8 3.6 1.7 1.5 0.8 1.1 1.3 11.0 18.3 21.6 17.7 17.4 123.8
1947 21.4 9.3 1.4 2.3 1.3 4.6 3.8 12.2 13.8 19.3 18.7 33.6 141.7
1948 17.0 7.4 2.9 4.5 1.1 0.9 1.0 11.9 18.0 26.5 19.7 31.1 142.0
1949 17.9 9.8 1.6 3.1 1.2 1.8 2.2 10.0 20.9 .9 20.2 18.8 132.4
1950 24.8 6.6 1.6 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.1 6.1 18.1 26.0 17.5 15.3 119.5
1951 10.4 1.9 0.8 1.0 0.6 O.'T 1.9 8.0 15.8 22.0 14.0 Ih.7 91.8
1952 13.1 7.2 1.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 2.h r(.5 13.7 28.3 19.0 27.6 122.1
1953 24.0 8.7 3.5 1.7 1.6 2.1 2.7 13.3 19.2 24.0 20.7 21.3 142.8 w 1954 29·5 3.9 1.5 1.1 1.0 8.5 17.5 16.2 ,p-7.2 3·5 19.3 17.9 127.1
1955 15.5 12.3 6.7 1.9 1.3 1.2 1.6 5·2 12.9 24.9 22.0 20.4 .9
1956 12.8 3.0 1.1 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.9 9.8 17.4 24.5 27.2 13.1 112.9
1957 11.9 6.6 6.4 2.0 1.1 1.0 1.9 10.8 17.8 20.5 16.5 .7 114.2
1958 10.6 11.3 2.2 4.0 1.2 1.5 3.5 11.4 18.1 17.1 17.4 11.8 110.1
1959 24.1 6.5 3.4 1.4 1.2 1.9 2.3 9.9 2L6 27.4 21.2 13.1 134.0
1960 12.2 5.5 3.3 1.5 1.8 1.4 2.8 13.3 17.9 26.9 17.3 21.0 124.9
1961 27.6 6.1 6.0 2.6 2.0 2.6 3.2 10.2 24.4 22.7 26.6 15.7 149.7
1962 23.3 3.6 1.4 2.3 1.2 1.1 3.6 5.6 Ih.l 20.6 21.8 21.3 119.9
1963 24.4 8.7 10.6 6.0 5.4 2.1 2.6 8.7 12.5 15.9 12.7 42.5 .1
1964 42.4 5·5 6.6 3.1 2.5 1.5 2.7 0.9 22.0 29.1 23.2 14.0 159·5
(f) .735 .497 .497 .497 .l~97 .497 .497 .582 .582 .735 .735 .735
Total 390.7 130.8 66.7 42.6 29.8 28.6 43.5 180.3 334.0 1+1+1.5 3()9.6 388.3 2446.4
Mean 20.6 6.9 3·5 2.2+ 1.6-1.5 2.3 9.5 17.6 23.2 19. 20.5-128.8
Percent 16.0 5.4 2.7 1.'( 1.2 1.2 1.8 7.4 13.6 18.0 15.1 15.9 100.0
Department of Natural Resources, a water right application for the
Takatz Creek Project was filed with that Department in the name of
the United States Government on May 19, 1967. In turn, permit No.
16 was issued July 5, 1967 to appropriate the entire outflow from
Takatz Lake for the generation of power. In addition, Federal Power
Commission Power Site Classification Order No. PSC221, dated May 14,
1929, reserves the Takatz Creek dam and reservoir sites for power
generation.
Reservoir Data
Area1.ud Capacity
Area and Capacity curves for Takatz Lake were prepared from
reservoir topography obtained by the Geological Survey. The curves
are presented as Drawing 1113-906-14. Normal maximum and minimum
reservoir elevations are 1,040 and 900 feet, respectively. Active
conservation capacity of 82,400 acre-feet would be developed between
these elevations. The invert of the power tunnel intake would be
at elevation 880 feet, which reflects a 2O-foot allowance for ice
cover and minimum head on the intake structure. Inactive capacity
between elevation 880 and 900 feet would be 7,400 acre-feet.
Sediment
There are no sediment data available for Takatz Creek, so evalu-
ation of possible sediment deposition in Takatz Lake was based on
field observations and comparison with sediment studies for other
Alaska streams. From the observations and the comparisons, it is
concluded that lOO-year sediment accumulation will be less than five
percent of the planned active reservoir capacity and that a reservoir
allocation for sediment would not be required.
Sedimentation is not a factor in location of the outlet works
and the power tunnel intake structure.
Reservoir Losses
Geological investigations of the reservoir lead to the conclusion
that seepage will be no problem. Evaporation records in Southeast
Alaska are not available, but the normal high relative humidity, high
percentage of overcast days, and relatively cool climate preclude any
appreciable water loss through evaporation. Estimates of water supply
are based on records of Takatz Creek at the gaging station, and this
record would reflect any past evaporation from Takatz Lake. For these
reasons, reservoir losses may be termed negligible.
35
SURFACE, AREA, ACRES
1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200
1000
.J
en
::E
w > 0
CO cr:
.... 900 w
W
1.1.
~
~ cr: > w .... w
800
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
RESERVOIR CAPACITY, 1000 ACRE.·FEET
Revised January 17, 1968
ELEV. AREA CAPACITY
( Feet) (Acres) ( Ac.-Ft.)
700 243 0
740 281. 10,400
780 304 22,100
820 336 34,900
860 357 48,700
900 378 63,400
905 403 65,400
940 535 82,200
980 612 105,200
1020 703 131,400
106.0 769 160,900
1100 W348 193,200
"'-
,NOTES:
1. Data source, U. S. G. S. TO!109rapIIJ
sheet Takah Creek, Alaska, 1957.
2. Capacity bel_ Elev. 700 not _termined.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
TAKATZ CREEK PROJECT
AREA· CAPACITY DATA
September .15, 1967 1113-906-14
Power Studies
The project was sized using a series of adverse year power studies
to determine firm energy capabilities, and shortcut methods for estima-
ting secondary energy. Subsequently, the Corps of Engineers, Alaska
District Office, as part of its review of the project plans, prepared
operation studies for the selected plan and for several alternate plans,
using the Corps' computer program No. 24159, "Hydropower Capacity and
Regulation -Planning Stage Analysis". These computer analyses provide
complete monthly operation studies for the selected study period and
were utilized in the project evaluations summarized in this report.
Operating Assumptions
The normal maximum and minimum reservoir levels would be 1,040 and
900 feet, respectively. The elevation of the turbine discharge nozzles
would be 16.7 feet. This would allow for a free flOwing tailrace dis-
charge at maximum high tide in Takatz Bay. Thus, the gross head range
would be 1,023.3 to 883.3 feet. Combined tunnel and penstock losses
were found to average less than one percent of the gross head.
Load Characteristics. It is expected that Sitka's future load growth
will follow a pattern similar to that of the larger Southeast Alaska
cities. Load distribution data adopted for the power studies, Table 10,
are based on experienced Ketchikan area loads. Weekly load distribution
data from recent experiences in Juneau were also examined. The annual
load factor of 55 percent is representative for both areas. The weekly
load factors (64 to 68 percent) based on the Juneau hourly data fall
within range of the monthly load factors derived using the Ketchikan data.
The hourly data show a base load component of 40 percent of peak. The
energy during the off-peak hours is a little over 15 percent of total
energy.
Table 10-~onthly Load Distribution Data
Monthly Energy, Monthly Peak,
Month ~ of Annual ~ of Annual
January 9.0 96
February 8.1 89
March 8.4 87
April 7.9 82
May 7.8 81
June 7.4 77
July 7.6 78
August 7.9 eo
September 8.3 eo
October 8.9 86
November 9.0 95
December 9.7 100
Annual 100.0
37
Load Factor
Percent
60
65
62
65
62
65
63
64
70
68
63
63
55
Efficiencies. The hydraulic and mechanical efficiencies used in
the computer studies are expressed as functions of gross head and then
combined into a single head versus efficiency relationship. The result-
ant overall efficiency varies from about 83.5 to 84.5 percent.
Power Operation Study
The reservoir and power operation study included the water years
1946 through 1964 and assumed a full reservoir at the start of the
period. The entire Takatz Lake inflow would be available for power
diversions, as there is no requirement for maintaining a live stream
below Takatz Creek Dam.
The operation study shows the Takatz Creek Project has an annual
firm capability of 97,100,000 kilowatt-hours. In addition, there is
an average of 9,800,000 kilowatt-hours of secondary generation each
year. The reservoir filled 14 years of the 19-year study, with spills
occurring in 9 years.
The study is illustrated graphically on Drawing 1113-906-24, and
the annual sun:mlB.ry is shown as Table 11.
Power Capac! ty
The powerplant capacity must be at least large enough for the project
to carry a proportionate share of the peak load. Using the average firm
generation of 97,100,000 kilowatt-hours per year, and the area annual
load factor of 55 percent, a minimum rated capacity of 20,000 kilowatts
will be required for the Takatz Creek Powerplant. Overload capacity of
15 percent, or 3,000 kilowatts, would be the project's contribution to
system reserve capacity.
40 S pi" s-... ~
-+------+------lRe S e rvoi r I nf low 1000 A. F ---t--------t-------i---+----+----+---
160 r-----~-----r----~----~------~----~----_r----~----~~----~----~--~----~----~---~----~----~----~----~
150 Elev. 1040 Content
140~--+-~--~~--~
I
Top of Conservation Capacity -~~~ ~ r-~~ ----+---+--
145 800 A. F. ___ L ________ _
130
110
100....-----+--+-------+---.-.. -···-++---+-+---+-----a---,I---t--t---/---+---··-+~-~--+---\-4
90
80+-------+--------1
70
-----------...
60~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~----~--~
Generation-KWhr 0 6
10 ~----.------r-----.----~------r-----~--~~~~~~~~~--~r-~~~----~-----.----.---,.----,-----,------r-----,
5+---
o 1946 1947 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1960 1963
CALENDAR YEARS
Revised: JANUARY 17 1968 SEPTEM9ER 19 1967
NOTE:
Operation study by Corps ,
of Engineers program
nu m ber 24159.
"Hydroprower Capacity
and Regulation-Planning
Stage Ana lysis. II
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
TAKATZ
CREEK PROJECT,ALASKA
RESERVOIR
AND
POWER OPERATION
1113-906-24
Year
194G
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
196t~
Hescrvoir Ele',ntions
Feet (HSL)
Maximum :'1iniJrluIn Average
1, 0!~0.00
1,040.00
1,040.00
1,040.00
1,020.40
S)9C .• OO
1,01 5. )~o
1,040.00
1)040.00
1,040.00
l,03().
1,039.03
1, 01.~0.00
1,040.00
1,040.00
1, OL~O.OO
l,G40.00
l,OIW.OO
1,040.00
986.1+]
988.01
979.
983.07
963.37
940.33
900.30
950.
O~0 .,./ i,/.
981.9B
901.35
91"(.
980.25
977.38
97G.1t8
9EYr.71:-
965.18
1,008.65
982.59
1,01C.'(2
1,01 5.77
1,01 5.
1, 01,~.
1,000.97
973.17
955.2h
99(';.37
011.88
1,011!-.
1,001. 92
1,011. 52
1,01 5.37
1,013.60
1,013.32
1 01b.c::i+ , ,/
1,003.04
1,026.58
1,017.03
Average 1,040.00
Avero{(c
Head
(Feet)
1,002.01
999.10
999.20
999.90
98h.30
.1~5
932.;';2
979. ,S5
995·17
998.15
985.20
994. [V!,
998.65
996.92
996.63
1,001.91
986.33
1,009.91
l,OOO.3 h
990.
Ener,:;J ?
IGlH x lC,..J
97,099.3
97,099.3
9",380 .2
9'(,099.3
97,099.3
97,099.3
97,3 GO .2
97,099.3
C)7 noo -:: .r ; , --' ",,',. • ..,./
97, '099. 3
97,3 80.2
97,099.3
97,099.3
97,099.3
97,380 .2
97,099.3
97,099.3
97,099.3
97,3 80 •2
,170 .0
rO',-er
KF
11, GT)
11,0"(9
11,Osn
11,()79
Sec ')ndar~;
Er~erfS,;'
K'i{H x 1
()
o
o
e,58~.r.:
52Lt.
'1',832.
o
o
"", n ,-1 U, 20(,; .,~
8,461.2
l'T,lS6.5
2],999.3
6,h8,(.7
rr, 190. 5
22,469.1
r' -i 1 ·1 '-'.1:'---
Ac.Ft.
o
o
o
108
o
o
o
o
()
1:,17['
r u,
o
43,131
13,
5,532
CHAPTER V--DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND COSTS
The plan of development provides for the construction of a single-
purpose project for the production of electrical energy. Major features
of the project include the main dam, a saddle dam, tunnel, penstock,
powerplant, transmission line, unloading dock, and access road. These
features are shown on Drawing No. 1113-906-11. The plan also includes
the investigation for possible archeological and historical values prior
to construction.
GeoloE'jl
A feasibility-grade geological investigation of the dam, reservoir,
tunnel, and powerplant sites was made by the Bureau of Reclamation and
a geological report prepared summarizing their findings. These investi-
gations included surface reconnaissance as well as foundation explorations
by core drilling. The report is summarized as follows:
General
The east coast of Baranof Island is characterized by east-trending
deeply glaciated valleys, whose lower parts usually form narrow embay-
ments connected to tidewater. The upper part of the valleys are often
occupied by deep lakes, such as Takatz Lake.
Takatz Creek Damsite
Bedrock at the damsite consists of a light gray medium-to-coarse
grained biotite quartz-diorite intrusive rock. The intrusive rock is
very hard, competent, massive and mostly equigranular.
The right abutment consists of a rounded knob of intrusive rock.
The upstream relatively gentle slope from which the ice thrust came
contrasts sharply with the steeper near vertical ice-plucked slope on
the downstream side.
The lake outlet stream channel occupies a narrow talus-filled valley
between the massive steep-walled abutment slopes. The stream channel
ranges in width from 35 to 55 feet and is armored with talus boulders.
Two exploration drill boles revealed talus rock with voids partially
filled to filled with silty fine sand, to depth of 25 feet, underlain
by glacial fluvial silty fine sand to depth of qo and 52 feet. The
diorite bedrock core obtained fram the two exploration drill holes was
excellent rock. Significant gneissic inclusions were encountered in
each hole, but the gneissic rock was of the same hard, competent quality
41
as the surrounding diorite. Jointing was evident in both holes with
only slight indications of weathering and same minor slickensiding
noted along joint planes. Water testing indicated tight conditions
in the bedrock, with no water losses occurring during 5~nute tests
under pressures of 50 and 100 pounds per square inch.
The left abutment area is covered by a thin soil cover with a
thick, heavy brush, spruce and hemlock tree growth. Small outcrops
of bedrock occur and an outcrop approximately 50 feet wide occurs at
stream level immediately above the sharp eastward trending bend of
the outlet stream.
The exploration program was aligned across the valley section of
the outlet channel to intercept this visible bedrock outcrop along the
toe of left abutment slope. This alignment represents the narrowest
topographic section between abutments.
Examination of high altitude aerial photographs of the Takatz Lake
area reveal numerous lineal features that are initially interpreted
as fault scarps. Field inspection, however, reveals that these lineal
features are ice scoured joint sets. Occasional semidetached weakly
conchoidal rock slabs are evident on the massive right abutment slope.
No indications of major faulting were observed.
Two linear features passing through the damsite suggest the possi-
bility of faulting. Above the sharp bend in the outlet stream, the
lineations follow a shallow saddle cut in bedrock along the right abut-
ment. The lineations can be traced across the stream at the bend into
a deep narrow draw that represents an abandoned stream channel now
filled with large angular talus blocks, but evidence of crushing,
shearing, or other major movement was not found.
On the basis of the exploration drill hole water tests, showing
no water losses, and the absence of spring flows from occasional
bedrock exposures observed along the north end of the abandoned channel
course, it is concluded that little or no reservoir seepage loss will
occur along the tight jOints passing through and essentially normal to
the dam axis along the abandoned channel alignment.
Saddle Damsite
A prominent talus-filled saddle separates the right abutment from
the high steep main valley wall. This saddle is part of a linear feature
developed by glacial ice scour along the joint set. Damsite topography
indicates the crest elevation of this saddle at an altitude of 1,020:.
This saddle is also interpreted to be a former high level lake outlet.
A small embayment re-entrant 500 feet upstream from Takatz Lake outlet
42
is connected to the saddle by a small valley. A small lake wi. th water
surface elevation of 985 occurs at head of this valley. Sound competent
diorite bedrock is e~osed as a sill across the small lake outlet between
the saddl.e and Takatz Lake embayment.
For a reservoir having a water surface elevation above 990 feet,
an auxiliary dam is required to prevent reservoir water from passing
through the talus-filled saddle.
Takatz Lake
The reservoir site is a deep glacially scoured rock basin enclosed,
except at the lake outlet, by high mountains composed of hard, competent,
impermeable, granitic-type rock. The lower slopes along Takatz Lake
shoreline are partially covered by talus deposits up to an average ele-
vation of 1,lIOo to 1,500 feet. Above this, the valley walls are steep
to near vertical cliffs. At the upper end of the lake, the valley floor
is a flat delta deposit of fluvioglacial sand, gravel, and cobbles.
Along that part of the lake shore not covered by talus, bedrock is pre-
dOminantly a medium-grained biotite quartz-d1orite.
An examination of the large glacial cirque basin northwest of the
ridge forming the left abutment at the damsite was made to determine if
any significant seepage through open joint systems existed. The eleva-
tion of the cirque basin floor was estimated to be 225 feet below the
water surface of Takatz Lake. Considering the negative water test
results e~erienced during damsite e~loration drilling, and the negli-
gible observed streamflow from the cirque baSin, it was concluded that
the raiSing of Takatz Lake would not develop any significant seepage
through the existing, apparently tight joint systems.
Rockslides into the reservoir could be a serious problem, but there
appear to be no potential slides 'Which would pose threats to the two dams.
However, potential massive slides into the upper reservoir basin will re-
quire dam design considerations relative to overtopping wave action.
TUnnel
The proposed tunnel alignment would pass near the saddl.e through
the right abutment. The alignment penetrates sound diorite rock similar
to that at the damsi te. Some water seepage from joint systems can be
anticipated during tunnel boring, but the tight nature of joint systems
encountered during the foundation e~lorations indicates this should be
of minor nature.
Takatz Creek Powerplant
The powerplant would be situated on a relatively steep forested
slope covered by large angular talus blocks. Core drilling at the site
indicated 16 feet of talus partially filled to filled with silty fine
sand. Hard, competent, medium-to-coarse grain, biotite quartz-diorite
bedrock was found at a depth of about 16 feet.
Penstock
The surface penstock would traverse a near vertical diorite cliff,
with the lower portion in the shallow talus-covered slope. Bedrock is
the same as that found at the powerplant site.
Transmission Line
At elevations below 1,500 feet, the line would traverse heavily
wooded areas, with occasional stretches of muskeg and other swampy
ground. In these areas it is believed that secure foundations can be
found within a reasonable depth. Above elevation 1,500 feet, competent
rock is generally exposed.
Concrete Aggregate
Adequate quantities of concrete aggregate can be obtained from the
glacial fluvial delta deposit of sand, gravel, and cobbles at the head
of Takatz Lake. An alternate source would be by crushing the abundant
supply of large fresh angular talus blocks filling the saddle behind
the right abutment area at the damsite.
Design and Construction Problems
Other than the design and construction problems associated with
the relatively remote location of the project site, no unusual problems
are anticipated~
Although the dam and powerplant sites are only 21 miles east of
Sitka, they are inaccessible except by air or water as there are no
roads in the area. By water, they are about 85 miles from Sitka and
95 miles from Juneau. It would be impracticable to construct an access
road from Sitka. Both Sitka and the project site are on Baranof Island,
but the intervening terrain is steep mountain slopes cut by many fiords,
bays and inlets, and mountain passes are steep and subject to heavy
snowfall.
Project Works
The locations and details of the proposed project works are indicated
on Drawings 1113-9J6-ll, 1113-9J6.12, and 1113-9J6-l3. Project works
are described as follows:
44
ACCESS ROAD ~,
Mox.W.S. EI. 1048-,\
Nor. W.S. EI. 1040~, i
t _
/~-Min. W.S . EI. 900
/ EI. 884
INTAKE STRUCTURE-
Sla.I+60
S to. 4 +75
EI. 1057
GATE STRUCTURE
TAKATZ CREEK DAM -)
Natural W. S . EI. 90'
,
...... ",'
PROFILE THROUGH WATERWAYS
/
100 0 100 200 300 ..... ' ~-'-'...o~,,--__ -,, ___ ~, ___ ,
SCALE OF FEET
ACCESS ROAD -~ •
,J USGS Gaging
... Stollon
":.}'!)\:"':':"': .
".""..", ,,/;-\:;<'
PENSTOCK -.--'---
#~ ... , .. ,
, I
/'\ GOVERNMENT CAMP-
,// \. SURGE TANK
,/'/--POWER TUNNEL
/'-/
" -------GATE STRUCTURE
"\.,
"-SADOLE DAM
1000
I
0"
I
PLAN
1000 2000 3000 , ,
SCALE OF FEET
. .. /;;)
~
.. '
S to. 35 +00
__ -SURGE TANK
DOCK-,
I :
ACCESS
(
/
,
\, _/'----PENSTOCK
\ .
ANCHORS)-_ ',,-
\,
LEGEND
, /_POWERPLANT
Max. operating
T.W. EI. 11.2-, ...,.r-j
//// ;,;/;0 Nonnal W. S. EI. 1040, prapa.ed Takcltz Creek Ret.volr.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA P.QWER ADMINISTRATION
TAKATZ CREEK PROJ ECT-ALASKA
TAKATZ CREEK WORKS
PLAN AND
SEPTEMBER 15, 1967
PRO FI L E
1113-906 -12
Takatz Creek. Dam
The Takatz Creek Dam would be a double curvature, thin-arch, con-
crete structure about 250 feet downstream from the lake outlet. It
would have a maximum height of 205 feet above the lowest foundation
excavation and a crest length of 520 feet. The crest would be at ele-
vation 1,048 feet, and the top of parapet at elevation 1,052. The
thickness at the base on the plane of centers would be 17 feet, and
the thickness at the crest seven feet. An ungated spillway would be
located at the center of the dam with crest elevation at 1,040 feet.
It would have a capacity of 6,800 cubic feet per second at maximum
water surface elevation of 1,048 feet, and would protect against the
inflow design flood of 8,900 cubic feet per second and a 4-day volume
of 20,100 acre-feet. With a plunge pool formed by a natural rock
barrier downstream from the dam, a stilling basin for spillway discharge
would not be necessary.
An outlet works would be provided at elevation 898 feet. It would
consist of a trashrack on the upstream face of the dam, two 4-foot by
4-foot conduits through the dam, and 4-foot by 4-foot gates in a gate-
house on the downstream face of the dam. Two gates would be provided
for each conduit. The downstream gate would be for regulation, and
the upstream gate for emergency closure. Access to the gatehouse would
be provided by a metal walkway on the downstream face of the dam. The
outlets would have a capacity of 710 cubic feet per second at water
surface elevation of 910 feet. The outlet works would be used to
evacuate the reservoir for maintenance work at the power intake structure,
as bypassing water into the creek would not be required.
Saddle Dam
The saddle dam would be approximately 900 feet south of Takatz
Creek. Dam. It would be a double curvature, thin concrete arch structure
with crest elevation at 1,048 feet and top of the parapet at elevation
1,052 feet. It would have a maximum height of 63 feet above the lowest
foundation excavation and a crest length of 350 feet. The thickness
at the base on the plane of centers would be ten feet and the thickness
at the top would be five feet.
Takatz Lake
When full to top of active conservation storage at water surface
elevation of 1,040 feet, Takatz Lake would have an area of 736 acres,
an increase of 333 acres over that of the present Takatz Lake water
surface. This area is mostly bare rock, and vegetation is limited to
a minor amount of brush in the valley floor above the lake and some
trees near the damsite.
The total reservoir capacity of 145,800 acre-feet above elevation
700 feet is allocated as follows:
Purpose
Surcharge
Active Conservation
Dead and Inactive
Elevation
1040-1048
~-1040
700-~
Total reservoir capacity
Capacity
Acre-Feet
5,~
82,400
63,400
1 45,800
The depth of the present Takatz Lake, with water surface elevation
at 905 feet, is 475 feet, and the elevation of the center line of the
outlet is 902 feet.
Diversion Tunnel
A 12-foot diameter, unlined diversion tunnel, 425 feet long, located
in the right abutment, would carry streamflows past the damsite during
construction. The invert at the entrance to the tunnel would be at eleva-
tion 870 feet. The tunnel would pass a 5-year frequency flood having a
peak flow of 3,160 cubic feet per second. A concrete closure structure
would be located at the intake of the tunnel with provisions for stop-
logging when diversion is completed. Permanent closure of the tunnel
would be by a concrete plug located near the axis of the dam.
Intake Structure
The intake for the tunnel would be located 100 feet south of Takatz
Creek Dam. It would be a concrete, box-type structure, having an invert
elevation of 879 feet. An approach channel 40 feet in width and about
165 feet in length would be required.
Tunnel
The power tunnel would be located in the right abutment and would
have a capacity of 328 cubic feet per second at rated head. Its total
length would be 3,860 feet. This would include an 8-foot diameter,
concrete-lined section 3,575 feet in length, and 285-foot long section
with a 66-inch diameter steel penstock imbedded in concrete.
48
Gate Shaft
A gate shaft with a 6-foot by 8-foot roller-mounted emergency gate
and bulkhead service gate would be located 315 feet down the tunnel fram
the intake structure. The shaft would be 15 feet in diameter and con-
crete lined. It would be about 190 feet in height above the tunnel
invert and would surface near the left abutment of the saddle dam and
adjacent to the access road.
Surge Tank
The 8-foot diameter concrete-lined surge tank would be embedded in
the rock of the mountain 480 feet up-tunnel from the beginning of the
exposed penstock. The top would be at elevation 1,055. The tank would
contain normal regulating surges, but water would surge over the top
with emergency shutdowns of the units. Water spilling from the surge
t8nk ,-'ould flow into Takatz Bay via a small stream southeast of the
powf'':'plant.
Penstock
The 66-inch steel penstock would be exposed its entire length of
1,010 feet. Concrete anchors would tie the penstock to the rock slope
of the mountain. Before entering the powerplant, it would bifurcate
into two sections, each 3-1/2 feet in diameter.
Takatz Creek powerplant
The powerplant would be of the indoor type with insulated metal
superstructure walls. It would contain two units each having a capacity
of 10,000 kilowatts operating at an average annual plant factor of 55
percent. The two vertical shaft impulse turbines would each have four
jets, rated at 14,000 horsepower at design head of 886 feet, and have
a speed of 400 revolutions per minute at a discharge of 164 cubic feet
per second. The 10,OOO-kilowatt synchronous generators would be 3-phase,
0.9 power factor, and have a generator voltage of 6,900 volts.
The powerplant would be operated by remote control fram Sitka.
Switchyard
The swi tchyard would be placed on the roof of the powerplant. The
two power transformers would be 3-phase, l2,800.kilovolt ampere, 115
grounded Y/66.4-6.6 kilovolt. There would be one Switching bay, 115,000-
volt, with two horn-gap disconnect switches and one 2-pole automatic
high speed grounding switch.
Transmission Line
The transmission line would be a 115,OOO-volt line with 397.5 MCM
ACSR conductors. Overhead ground wires would not be required. It
would include 26 miles of Type H wood-pole construction, and two miles
of steel-tower construction over the Blue Lake Pass. The steel tower
section would have one set of self-supporting towers for each phase.
The towers would be 170 feet in height, have a 75-foot spacing between
phases, with spans up to 3tOOO feet. The line would cross through the
pass at about elevation 2,~50 feet.
The 75-foot right-of-way would be throqgh fairly heavy forested
area for the entire length of the wood-pole section, and clearing would
be required. The commercial timber would be sold by the Forest Service
and transported to tidewater over the transmission line construction
road. If the timber cannot be sold in this manner, it would be covered
by timber settlement procedures.
The route of the transmission line would be so located to avoid
to the extent possible all existing and potential outdoor recreation
areas.
Sitka Substation
The Sitka Substation would transform the transmission voltage down
to 12,500 volts for delivery to the Sitka Public Utilities. The two
power transformers would be 3-phase, 11,OOO-kilovolt amperes, 110-12.5
grounded Y/7.2 kilovolts. There would be one 115,OOO-volt switching
bay with two horn-gap disconnect switches and one 2-pole automatic high
speed grounding switch. A 12,500-volt switching bay with two horn-gap
disconnect switches would also be provided. In addition, there would
be a 12,500-volt line bay with a 5OO~egavolt ampere oil circuit
breaker.
Dock and Seaplane Float
A deep-water dock and seaplane float would be constructed in a small
bay directly south of Takatz Bay. The dock would be about '3J feet wide
and 250 feet in length and of timber construction. A ramp would be
provided with the seaplane float to allow for the fluctuating tide.
Access Road
Access from the dock to the powerplant would be via a 24-foot wide
crushed rock surface road approximately 1.6 miles long. A 2O-foot wide
crushed rock surface road continues from near the powerplant to Takatz
Creek Dam, a distance of approximntely 2.2 miles. This road would pass
by the saddle dan and the gate shaft. The plan contemplates that access
to the damsites and gate shaft in winter would be by helicopter or snow
mobile.
Government Camp
Under a remote-controlled operation, only two permanent residences
would be required. During the construction phase temporary facilities
would be provided for 70 government employees. A permanent warehouse and
garage, as well a s complete water and sewer systems, would be provided.
Temporary facilities include dOrmitories, mess hall, and administration
building. These facilities would be located near the powerplant.
Fish and Wildlife Facilities
The Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has ascertained that construction
and operation of the project would not affect significantly the fish and
wildlife resources of the area and that the project would not offer
feasible opportunities for the improvement of these resources. Therefore,
facilities for fish and wildlife are not proposed in the project plan.
Recreation Facilities
The existing Takatz Lake does not receive any significant recreational
use, and there is little likelihood that the project would appreciably .
change the recreational potential; therefore, no specific recreational
facilities are proposed.
Right-of-Way and Relocations
All project facilities and most of the transmission line right-of-
way are on lands of the Forest Service. Prior to construction, the
public lands required would be withdrawn. The last two miles of the
transmission line and the Sitka SUbstation are on private lands. Along
the transmission line route there exists;
1. Townsite elimination of 9.46 acres at Baranof.
2. Warm Springs Packing Company site of 5.75 acres at Baranof.
3. Fred Bahovec homesite of 1.13 acres at Baranof.
4. Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company lands at Sawmill Creek.
5. Power transmission line past Heart and Thimbleberry Lakes,
covered by FPC License No. 2230.
51
6. Sitka elimination, which has its eastern boundary near
Thimbleberry Lake.
These areas will be avoided to the extent practical, but it will
be necessary to obtain easements or acquire right-of-way for required
areas outside of the National Forest.
The construction of the Takatz Creek Project would not require the
relocation of any existing facilities.
Plan Formulation
The plan of' development presented in this report evolved through
careful consideration of alternative development schemes, including
review of the most favorable hydroelectric alternatives, and economic
evaluations of various sized Takatz Creek Projects. After a careful
review of' the available alternatives, it was concluded that the pro-
posed Takatz Creek Project represents the most desirable plan for
satisfying the forecast project power requirements.
Economic Criteria for Plan Formulation
The plan formulation followed economic guidelines provided in
S.D. 97, 87th Congress, 2nd Session. The comparative power values
used for plan formulation assume Federal financing with interest at
3.250 percent for both the project and the alternative power sources.
The cost estimates were based on July 1967 prices. Economic costs
for the project and for the alternative sources were compared over
a 100-year period. A comparison of the estimated costs of the Takatz
Creek Project and the most favorable hydroelectric alternatives is
presented in Table 12. In order to provide a conservative appraisal
of the relative merit of the Takatz Creek Project, and in light of
the reconnaissance data on which the designs of the hydroelectric
alternatives were based, the costs of such alternatives were estimated
so as to represent reasonable appraisals of their minimal probable
development costs.
Hydroelectric Alternatives
Maksoutof River Project. This project would be about 40 airline
miles southeast of Sitka, and have an installed capacity of 24,400
kilowatts at 55 percent plant factor. It would reqUire a 64-mile
transmission line that would be constructed below elevation 1,000 feet,
52
Table 12--Summary of Hydroelectric Alternatives
Item
Installed Capacity, kw
Firm Energy Sales, Mw-Hr/Yr
Construction Costs, $1,000
Dams
Waterways
Powerplant
Access Roads
Transmission System
Government Camp
Total
Interest During Construction
Investment Cost
Less Pre-Authorization Costs
Economic Cost
Takatz
Creek
Project
20,000
93,200
$ 5,640
4,670
4,100
3,600
3,9&:>
1,55X)
$23,5&:>
$25,202
Green
Lake
Project
10,700
49,700
$ 6,770
2,160
2,5&:>
2,65X)
1,200
320
$15,7JJ
102 150
$16,8&:>
$16,8&:>
Economic Comparison, lOO-Year Period, 3-1/4 Percent Interest
Annual Costs, $1,000
Equivalent Capital Costs 854 572
OM&R & Administration 185 105
subtotal 1,039 677
Less Secondary Energy
Sales -34 -21
Net to be repaid 1,005 65b
Equivalent Annual Firm
Energy Sales, Mw-Hr &:>,&:>0 46,500
Rate for Firm Energy
Mills per kw-hr 12.4 14.1
53
Maksoutof
River
Project
24,400
110,000
$ 4,220
4,060
4,940
3,5&:>
7,7'3)
1 2 6'3)
$ 26,160
1,2920
$ 28,0&:>
$ 28,0&:>
947
243
1,15X)
-16
1,174
93,000
12.6
and include five major water crossings. Designs and estimates were
based upon a field reconnaissance of the site in June 1967, Geological
Survey l-inch equals l-mile, lOO-foot contour quadrangle sheets, and
detailed topography surveyed in the summer of 1967 by the U,S, Geolog-
ical Survey. These designs and estimates indicate that the unit costs
of firm energy delivered to the Sitka area to satisfy the forecast
power requirements would average about 12.6 mills per kilowatt-hour.
This cost is 0.2 mill higher than the estimated 12.4 mill per kilowatt-
hour cost of the Takatz Creek Project presented in Table 12. The maxi-
mum transmission line elevation of about 1,000 feet for this alternative
is more favorable from the standpoint of wind and ice effects on system
reliability than the Takatz Creek Project transmission line crossing of
Blue Lake Pass at elevation 2,850 feet. However, the Maksoutof River
Project transmission line would be more than twice as long as the Takatz
Creek Project line and would involve major problems of maintenance and
emergency access due to general need to traverse the open ocean in order
to reach the five major water crossings. Also, development of a firm
plan for this alternative would require extensive additional investiga-
tions, including drilling of the dam and powerplant sites. Thus, the
Maksoutof River Project appears less desirable than the Takatz Creek
Project for immediate development, but it could be an appropriate
subsequent development.
Green Lake Project. This project would be about 10 miles southeast
of Sitka and would have an installed capacity of 10,700 kilowatts with
55 percent plant factor. Designs and estimates based upon the available
near-feasibility grade topography indicate that the unit costs of power
delivered to the Sitka area would average about 14.1 mills per kilowatt-
hour. On this basis, this project is not an attractive alternative to
the Takatz Creek Project. However, about two mills of the estimated
unit power costs represent an access road to the project site from near
Herring Cove, which conceivably could be built in the near future for
other purposes. Thus, this project might subsequently merit considera-
tion to meet Sitka area power demands after full loading of the TSkatz
Creek Project is achieved. Also, it would merit fUrther consideration
in any future planning for the MBksoutof River Project in that the
transmission line for the Maksoutof River Project would pass by the
Green Lake Project powerplant site.
Diesel-Electric Alternative
In the absence of Federal construction of the Takatz Creek Project,
the most likely alternative power source would be diesel-electric units
located in Sitka. Fuels other than diesel oil are considered non-
competitive because of transportation costs.
Cost estimates for diesel-electric units as an alternative to the
Takatz Creek Project were based on a 19,200.kilowatt plant having an
54
annual firm generation of 93,200,000 kilowatt-hours when fully loaded.
This is equivalent to the Takatz Creek Project firm capability, less
one percent for station service and three percent for transmission
losses. The estimates assume that the plant would be constructed in
two stages, with 9,600 kilowatts installed in each stage. With fiscal
year 1976 considered as the first full year of operation of the Takatz
Creek Project, the first unit would be installed by that time, and the
second unit would be in operation at the beginning of fiscal year 1980.
The construction cost for such a plant was estimated to be $3,565,000
for the first stage and $2,065,000 for the second stage.
The average cost of fuel delivered to Sitka was considered to be
$0.09 per gallon, with an average energy value of 14.0 kilowatt-hours
per gallon. The low fuel cost assumed utility-owned fuel storage
facilities, no escalation of fuel costs, and use of about 80 percent
PS-300 Bunker oil and 20 percent PS-200 light oil.
The operation, maintenance and replacement costs, including admini-
stration and maintenance of fuel storage facilities, were estimated at
3.99 mills per kilowatt-hour on the basis of recent experience values
in the Juneau area.
The alternative firm energy costs used in the plan formulation
studies were based on the costs of a hypothetical Federally-financed
diesel-electric plant in accordance with established procedures for
project analysis. The unit firm power costs determined on this basis
assumed a usefUl life of 35 years for each unit, 55 percent load factor
operation, and interest at 3-1/4 percent. They were estimated to average
14.0 mills per kilowatt-hour over the lOO-year period of analysis.
Analyses of Reservoir Capacity and Project Size
Table 13 summarizes seven analyses of the effects of variation of
the height of Takatz Creek dam and reservoir drawdown. The project
costs presented in the table are based on the designs and estimates for
the selected project plan. The comparative power values are based on
the forecast project energy requirements, the computed 14.0 mill firm
energy costs of the hypothetical Federally-financed diesel-electric
alternative, and a value of 6.0 mills per kilowatt-hour for non-firm
energy. The latter value is slightly less than the computed fuel
costs of the diesel-electric alternative. The power value estimates
include allowances for line losses and load growth. They assume that
the plants would be in service at the beginning of fiscal year 1976.
They also assume the requirements for secondary energy will increase
at the rate of one million kilowatt-hours per year beginning the second
year after fUll utilization of firm energy.
55
VI
0\
Table 13--Summary of Analyses of Re~:ervoir Capacity and Project Size
Controlled
Reservoir Project Costs
Elevation Installed Ultimate Generation (~lzOOO) Comparative Power Value
Plan {feet} Capacity (kwh x 106 ) 2/ Average ($lzOOO)
Max. Min. (k~T Firm Secondary Investment_ Annual 31 Firm Secondary Total --
1 1,060 9)0 21,400 103.2 5.5 27,080 1,093 1,193 20 1,21 3
1/ 2 -1,040 9)0 2),000 97.1 9.8 25,300 1,032 1,131 34 1,165
3 1,040 860 21,2)0 102.3 5.6 26,360 1,067 1,18 3 21 1,204
4 99) 9)0 17,000 81.8 16.3 22,410 932 977 53 1,030
5 99) 860 18,000 86.5 12.5 23,100 956 1,025 43 1,068
6 99) 830 18,500 89.2 10.8 23,970 98 5 1,053 38 1,091
7 9)5 730 15,750 75.9 12.0 20 880 , 879 916 43 959
f7 Selected plan. Y Includes interest at 3.2 50 percent on construction costs .. lith 3-year preconstruction period and
4-year construction period.
4/ Comparative
Power Value-
Cost Ratio
1.110
1.129
1.128
1.105
1.117
1.108
1.091
11 Includes operation, maintenance and replacement costs based on G'peration by Sitka Pu.hlic Utilities. Computed on
basis of interest at 3.250 and 100-year period.
~ Based on firm energy at 14.0 mills per kwh and secondary energy at 6.0 mills per kwh.
These: analyses confirm that, on the basis of the (:stimated project
cost~; and comparative POVIET values, a project with a maximum controlled
'vater surface at elevation 1,01+0 would have the most favorable povler
value-cost ratio. Comparison of Plans 1, 2 and 3 indicate that selected
plnn reasonably represents optimum development of the site potentials,
but the pr<2construction investigations might properly include further
con:..;idcl'ation of modif;ying the selected plan to provide for controlled
reservoir rc;lcases for power production with pool levels lower than
elevation 900.
Plan 1 is considered to represent essentially full development of
the Takatz Creek damsite. Plans Lt, 5 and 6 represent the maximum con-
trolled reservoir elevations practicable without the Saddle Dam. Plan
7 represents reasonably optimum development without the Takatz Creek
D&~. Computntions of the average firm power rates required for each
plan established that Plans 2 and 3 are also the most favorable from
that standpoint.
Other Analyses
In addition to the plan formulation considerations described pre-
viously, comparative studies were made of alternatives to the tunnel,
surge tank, penstock, powerplant, and transmission lines included in
the plan of development.
The tunnel, surge tank, penstock, and powerplant locations were
selected so as to minimize length and construction costs of the water-
ways. The possible alternative locations involved greater length and,
in zome cases, significant snO"l and rock slide problems. 'The alternate
routes were dropped from consideration upon the field determination
that the selected route was free from the slide problems and entirely
suitable for surface penstock and powerplant structures. Tunnel and
penstock sizes were determined through comparison of incremental costs
and power values.
PO'vlerplant installed capacity was selected on the basis of the
project firm energy potential and experienced load factors in Southeast-
ern Alaska. The adopted capacity would enable the project to carry a
proportionate share of the area's peak loads. The possibility of pro-
viding for future enlargement of the powerplant for peaking pUl~oses
was also considered. However, it was found that incremental costs for
this provision would exceed the costs of providing equivalent peaking
power from diesel-electric units in Sitka.
The selected transmission line route takes advantage of the rela-
tively low elevations and easy access of the Baranof River and Blue
Lake valleys. Transmission voltage and conductor size were optimized
57
by _~ncremental economic onl11yses. Alternnti ve transmi:;sion routes
('o;l:-,lc!cred involved significantly more severe ,,,cather-related accc,;s
and maintenance problems.
J\cce8S facili tier; ror construction and maintcnanc0 of the project
fire map location;} substantiated by field inspection. The d.ock and
:;,~orlan(: :'lont were located outside of Takatz Bay to avoid the lelng
"'hi~h oc'_~urr; in that bay in winter due to the fresh ;'later inflcn,!s from
Ta~Flt z '~reek! RIlc1 the narrm: approach chanr:el to Takatz Bay.
Cc.:m"trt,ction of the preject \\OuLi not preclude tbo;:; ul timatc con-
structio:i of any of the a1 t.(;rnative 1'0',101' dcvelo::;:>mcnt,s consid('rcd.
Con:>truction Costs
'1'h:: construction (;O[,t::; of the prOp'X3e(t l)lan of dcvelcpm~n'~, bas,-"d
et! Jill:.' 1967 prices, are estimateci to total $23,580 ,000. 'l'hey are
2U.lnr..arized on the Basic Estimate DC-l Summary. l'he cm;t of each feature
inc~lucJcs its share of invc:stigations, service fadli tics, desiGns and
Gpccificntiom;, and engineeri:1g and supervision. The construction costs
of' the major features are sunl.'narizcd in Table 11+.
Tabl',:; l4--Sununary of Construction Costs
Feature
TDkatz Creek and Saddle Dams
POIVorplant
f,cc~ss Road
Transmission System
Government Camp
'fotal Project
!7 Includes $98,000 of pre-authorization costs.
:$ 5,640,000
4,670,000
4,100,000
3,600,000
3,980,000
. 1,59=>,000
$23,520 JOOO Y
Construction Schedule
The project will involve no unusual construction problems, and the
weather will permit year-round construction, except in the area of the
dams where weather conditions will limit the work year to about eight
months.
In accordance with the March 1962 agreement between the Secretary
of the Army and the Secretary of the Interior, the Corps of Engineers
would be the construction agency for the project. It is estimated that
the preconstruction and construction periods would total seven years.
The first three years would be devoted to investigations, design, and
the preparation of contract documents, with the first contract to be
let in the fourth year. The project would be completed by the end of
the seventh year, making power available at the beginning of the eighth
year.
The Control Schedule PF-2, at the end of this chapter, indicates
the schedule of funds required each year to construct the project.
Operation and Maintenance Costs
It is proposed that the project be operated by remote control fram
Sitka, by the Sitka Public Utilities. That utility would also be re-
sponsible for all maintenance. Costs to the Federal Government would
be limited to administration.
Facilities would be provided at the powerplant for housing two
employees for minor maintenance and emergency actions. A garage and
warehouse would be provided for the storage of eqUipment and spare
parts. In addition, all facilities required for remote control
operation would be provided.
The construction road along the transmission line would be main-
tained for use by four-wheel drive vehicles o This road would follow
only the wood-pole section. Inspections and maintenance of the steel
tower section over Blue Lake Pass would be by helicopter. As the main-
tenance road is not continuous fram the powerplant to Sitka, a set of
maintenance equipment would be required at each end of the line.
The annual cost of operation and maintenance provides for an in-
crease in personnel of the Sitka Public Utilities and is estimated
to total $155,000. The annual cost to the Federal Government for
administration would be $10,000.
59
The present Blue Lake powerplant of the Sitka Public Utilities
is a fully automatic plant. With that utility assuming the responsi-
bility for project operation and maintenance, it would permit optimum
use of maintenance personnel and equipment. The utility has indicated
a preference that the project be so operated.
Replacement Costs
Under the proposed method of operation, the fund for the annual
provisions for replacements would be the responsibility of the Sitka
Public Utilities. This annual cost, based on the percentage of replace-
able items and the useful life of the facility, and interest at 5.00
percent, is estimated to be $20,000.
0 z
'" z
-:i
•
6
10
"
12
13 ,.
: 15
i ;6
25
26
27
28
29
30
"
32
~
I.EGENO: Type. of Activily
Preconstructlon
ond Other Work Construction , ; x
CLASS
AND PROGRAM ITEM
ACCOUNT
POWER DEVELOPMENT
CONStRUCTION PROCRAM
01.01 Takata: Cr •• k and. Saddle DUI_
n,.~.l ............ .. !~.~.~u Creek Powarplant
D.O! .... T.k.fIit~ Cr*ck. Switch ard
1).02 s 1t'll. .. Slo1bat:at ton
13.03 Takata Cn.k .. Sitk. 11.5 ltv fr.aat.don Line
CL 115 Takata: Cr •• '" Govu._nt Cdlp
TOTAL CQNST'RUCTlOH COST
Cotl_Ud.t~d !!It endltur ••• ad Cradit
Total 2xparttUtur*
Total ObIts_don
Notes
QUA NT IiY
20,000
l45,800
20,000
25,600
22,000
2.
TOTAL FISCAL YEARS
UNIT ESTIMATED TO
TOTAL
~w
.. ),'4Q.OOO
~w 12~370~OOO
KY. 420~OOO
~!! ... ~!?.!.~
H •• l.O60~OOO
.... ! .. !.~~~.! 000
2l. 5&0 ,000
~93.00Q
21~J,42~OOO
.442.000
Recommendeld ~'././
Chid. Dhlaio,. of rroJKt
~-I
BALANCE ESTIMATED 0
TO COMPLETIO z
COMPLETE DATE '" z I. 15
::J
26
26
29
31
"""''''.1 tlnUt nun MARCH 19601 U""'_U' or flU unUUM
A1a*. P .... r .... hahtuU.n
CONTROL SCHEDULE
O ....... Iol'"""'l •• "" .....
• e •• " •• ''''.1111
J .... r' .. "lr~. 1968 AI •• It.
0, ............. .
o on ••
7-1720 Previous (6-65) PROJECT TAKATZ CREEK
Bureau of Reclamation BASIC ESTIMATE DC-I SUMMARY Date of Estimate January 3, 1968 Estimate
Chief Engineer, Bureau of Reclamation Prices as of Julv 1967 Prices as
Office Prepared B and Alaska Power Administration Sheet 1 of 1 sheets of
)-0)-I-LABOR AND MATERIALS AND LABOR BY
1-"" wI-I-Z MATERIALS BY EQUIPMENT BY GOVERNMENT FIELD COST TOTAL SERVICE OTHER TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL CI:"" iLCI: Z;:) FIELD COST FACILITIES COSTS COST COST COST w..( -w ,,(0 DESCRIPTION CONTRACTOR GOVERNMENT FORCES Q...J I-Q.
~u Zo ..JU
wCl: Q.U
COST COST COST PLANT IDENTIFIED IDENTIFIED IDENTIFIED IDENTIFIED PROPERTY IDENTIFIED Q. EQ. ..(
ACCOUNT PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY CLASS PROPERTY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
TAKATZ CREEK PROJECT TOTAL COST J 9.64.5.000 196.000 3,]39,000 23.580.000
01 RESEIlVOIRS ANl1 DAMS 5.6/aO.000
01 TAKATZ CREEK AND SADDLE DAMS 4.700.000 47.000 893.000 .5.640.000
332.2 DAMS 4,700,000 4.700.000
Ol--DAM STRUCTURE (4,360,000)
02--0UTLET WORKS (340.000)
11 POWERPLAMTS--HYDRO 12.370.000
01 TAKATZ CREEK POWERPLA.NT--20.000-kw 10.300.000 103.000 1,961,09L 12 .. 370.000
331 STRth.;TuKr:S AND IKPKOvEKENts 1,480,000 ..... 1,480,900
332.3 WATERWJ.YS 3,890,000 3,890,000
333 WATER WHEElS TURBINES. AND GENERATORS 1,2.50,000 1,250,000
)34 ACCESSORY ELECtRIC EOUIPHENt I-~~ 220.000 280,000 500,000
335 MISCELLANEOUS EOUIPMENT 180,000 ~80.000
336 ROADS AND BRIDGES 3,000,000 3,000.000
13 tRANSMISSION LINES SWITCHYARDS AND SUBSTATIONS 3.910.000
01 TAKATZ CREEK SWITCHYARD·-2000D-kw 350.000 •. 000 66.000 420,000
3~3 STATION EQUIPMENT. ELECTRIC 350,000 350.,000
02 SITKA SUBSTATION--20,OOO.kw 415.000 4.000 81.000 .500.000
352 STRUc.;TUKr:S AND IKPRunnl;N'S 25.000 25.000
353 STATION EQUIPMENT. ELECTRIC 390.000 390.000
03 TAKATZ CREEK··SITKA TRANSMISSION LINE 2.550.000 25.000 48~.000 3.068.000
351 CLW1NG LANDS 580.000 580.000
354 TOWERS AND FIXTURES 470.000 I 470.000
l5~ POLES AND FIXTURES 600.000 600.000
3~6 OVEllHE4P CONDUCTORS AND DEVICES 500,000 500.000
3~9 ROADS AND BRIDGES 400.000 400,000
eL-lS SINIRAL LEDGER ACCOUNT 1.590.000
02 TAKATZ aln. GOVERNKllfT CAHP--r ... u control. 1.330.000 13.000 247.000 1.590.000
with two resident aDloyee.
389.3 CLEARING LANDS 10.000 10.000
390 STRUCTURES AND IMPBOVEKERTS 1 ... 320.000 1,320,000
CHAPT~;R VI--ECONOMIC i\I'ID FINANCIAL ANALY:3!S
The> project would serve a Gintde purpo~>c, production of power, and
all project costs are GO allocated.
ScoDomic Analy::::is
The useful life of the potential project storage "Horks would exceed
100 years. However, because of the difficulty of defining remote future
conditions and the discount of long-deferred values, direct project
benefits and costs were analyzed for a 100-year period.
Benefits
The tangible benefits of Takatz Creek Project would equal the market
costs of similar blocks of firm and secondary energy from the most likely
alternative source or sources. This is considered to be a municipally
financed diesel-electric plant at Sitka, identical to the Federally-
financed diesel-electric alternative discussed previously under "Plan
FormUlation". Its costs, other than for interest, were considered to be
the Game as those of the Federally-financed diesel-electric alternative.
The cost of firm energy delivered was estimated on the basis of interest
at 5.0 percent to average 16.3 mills per kilowatt-hour. As in the Plan
Formulation studies previously discussed, the value of the secondary
energy is estimated at 6,0 mills per kilowatt-hour.
The average rate and repayment study, Table 15, presented subsequently
under "Financial Analysis,1I indicates by years the firm and secondary proj-
ect energy which it is estimated would be delivered to the load center.
With these estimated energy deliveries and on the basis of a present
worth computed with interest at 3.250 percent over a 100-year period, the
annual eouivalents of the firm and secondary power reouirements were
estimated at 8o,80~ megawatt-hours and 5,700 megawatt~hours, respectively.
On this basis theeq~ivalent annual tangible benefits totaled about
$1,352 ,000.
There appear to be no other measurable benefits that would accrue
from the project that would not also accrue to the area if power were
supplied from the alternative source. The above figure is therefore
considered to be a reasonable estimate of total benefits from Takatz
Creek Project.
Economic Costs
The economic COt;ts of concern in evaluation of proJect justifica-
tion include all costs subsequent to project authorization involved in
eeneration and delivery of' the project power to the load center. These
include the Federal costs involved in project construction and admini-
stration plus the costs of project operation, maintenance, and replace-
ment:: which would be assumed by the Sitka Public Utilities.
The costs of project supervision, operation, and maintenance were
estimated on the basis of current prices at $155,000 annually. The
eGtimated replacement costs were estimated to average $20,000 annually
over the 100 -year period of analysi3.
The derivation of annual economic costs of the project is summarized
below:
Total Project Construction Cost
Less Pre-authorization Investigations
Interest During Construction (3.250%)
Federal Installation Cost
Annual Equivalent Cost (100 year, 3.250%)
Annual Operation, Maintenance & Replacement
Cost
Total Annual Costs
Benefit-Cost Ratio
$23,500 ,000
98,000
$23,482,000
1,714,000
$25,196,000
854,000
1 85,000
$ 1,039,000
The ratio of evaluated tangible benefits to estimated total economic
costs is 1.30 as summarized below:
Total annual benefits
Total annual costs
Benefit-cost ratio
Financial Analysis
Repayment Requirements
$ 1,352,000
1.,039,000
1.30
All of the Federal project costs are allocated to power and would
be repayable to the United States. The repayment plan, in accord.ance
with the plan of development, contemplates that the Sitka Public Utili-
ties will assume the full annual operation, maintenance, and replacement
costs. Thus, the repaJ~ent obligation would include only the project
investment cost estimated at $25,300,000 and the Federal cost of project
administration estimated at $10,000 annually. The project investment
costs would consist of $23,580,000 of construction costs and $1,720,000
interest during construction.
64
Average Rate and Repayment ~tudy
The average rate and repayment study summarized in Table 15 con-
templates that payment of the reimbursable project costs would be
with interest at 3.253 percent. It indicates by years the estimated
firm and secondary project energy to be delivered at the load center.
Project power supplies have been assumed to be available at the
beginning of fiscal year 1976 with both units installed. However, on
the basis of the forecast power requirements, the second unit would
not be required until four years later. Thus, Table 15 provides for
deferral of assignment of one-half of the investment costs to plant-
in-service until the beginning of the fifth year and accumulation of
simple interest on these deferred costs as shown below:
Interest Total
Project Deferred Allocated on Deferr,d Allocated
Stage Investment Costs Costs Costs ~ Costs
1 $25,J)0,000 $12,650 ,000 $12,650,000 $12,650 ,000
2 12z650 zOOO 1,650,000 14zJJo zoOO
$25,JJQ,000 $26,950,000
f7 3.253 percent simple interest for 4 years.
As indicated in Table 15, the non-firm (secondary) energy is
assumed to be marketed at 6.0 mills per kilowatt-hour in accordance
with the practices followed in the plan formulation and economic
analysis stUdies.
Table 15 provides for repayment of' all investment costs within
50 years of when they are assigned to plant-in-service, together with
payment of the $10,000 annual Federal costs of project administration
as they occur.
As indicated by Table 15, rates of 12.42 mills per kilowatt-hour
for firm energy and 6.0 mills per kilow'att-hour for secondary energy,
on the basis of the forecast requirements for the project power, would
provide sufficient revenues to satisfy the project repayment reqUirements.
The evaluated operation, maintenance, and replacement costs would
average about 2.2 mills per kilowatt-hour annually over the payment
period. Thus, the total cost over the repayment period of project power
delivered to the load center would likely be about 14.6 mills per
1 2
Year
of Fi.cal
Study Year
0
1 1976
2 1977
3 1978
4 1979
5 1980
6 1981
7 1982
8 1983
9 1984
10 1985
11 1986
12 1987
13 1988
14 1989
15 1990
16 1991
17 1992
18 1993
19 1994
20 1995
21 1996
22 1997
23 1998
24 1999
25 2000
26 2001
27 2002
28 2003
29 2004
30 2005
31 2006
32 2007
33 2006
34 2009
35 2010
36 2011
37 2012
38 2013
39 2014
40 2015
41 2016
42 2017
43 2018
44 2019
45 2020
46 2021
47 2022
48 2023
49 2024
50 2025
51 2026
52 2027
53 2026
54 2029
TOTALS
TABLE 15
TAKATZ CREEK PROJECT
PRELIHINARY POWER SYSTEM AVERAGE RATE AND REPAYMENT STUDY
AVERAGE POWER RATES USED TO COVER REVENUE DEDUCTIONS AND THE RETURN OF COSTS TO BE BORNE BY POWER
3 4 5 6 r 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14
S.le of Electric Enargy
Thou.and. of Kilowatt-Hour. Oper.ting Revenues (SI,OOO) Inve.t .. ent R." • .,......c trom Power R.v.nues
Plant in Service at End of Year
CompouRd lntar •• t Bearing
Net
Contract Revenue.
Tot.l Firm Nonf irm Total Admini.tration Column. C-ercial
Column. Sale" Sales Columns Costs 801.9 Intere.t Electr ic Balanc. to
301.4 12.42 Hills) (6.0 H111.) 601.7 $1,000 $1,000 D.253'%.) Principal Plant be Repaid
Fino Monf ir ..
25 300 12 650
15,600 0 15,600 194 0 194 10 184 412 (228) I 12,878
21,900 21,900 272 272 262 419 (157) 13,035
28,800 28,800 358 358 348 424 ( 76) 25,300 13,lll
36,400 36,400 452 452 442 427 15 26,950 27,392
44 400 44 400 551 551 5~~ 891 (350) 27,742
54,100 54,100 672 672 602 902 (240) 27,982
64,400 64,400 800 800 790 910 (120) 28,102
75,800 75,800 941 941 931 914 17 28,085
88,400 88,400 1,098 1,098 1,088 914 174 27,911
93,200 93 200 1,158 1 158 1,148 908 240 27 ,671
0 93,200 0 1,158 1,148 900 248 27,423
1,000 94,200 6 1,164 1,154 892 262
I
27,161
2,000 95,200 12 1,170 1,160 884 276 26,885
3,000 96,200 18 1,176 1,166 875 291 26,594
4,000 97-,200 24 1 182 1 172 865 307 26 287
5,000 98,200 30 1,188 1,178 855 323 25,964
6,000 99,200 36 1,194 1,184 845 I 339 25,625
7,000 100,200 42 1,200 1,190 834 356 25,269
8,000 101,200 48 1,206 1,196 822 374 24,895
9,000 102 200 54 1. 212 1 202 810 392 24,503
9,500 102,700 57 1,215---1,205 --797 408 24,095
784 421 23,674
770 435 23,239
756 449 22,790
741 464 22 326
726 479 21,862
711 494 21,368
695 510 20,858
679 526 20,332
661 544 19 788
644 561
I
19,227
NOTES: 625 580 18,647
607 598 18,049
Colu .... 13: All construction coats are allocated to Column 18: The project would fully repay itself in 587 618 17,431
production of power. Total project 50 years after the second unit beco .... 567 638 16,793
investment, Including intereat during revenue p<oducing. A 5urp1ui of $159,000 546 659 16,134
construction, would be al fo II0w.: would be earned during tb. 54th year. 525 680 15,454
Feature Total Cost 503 702 14,752
Dam and Saddl. Dam $ 5,640,000 480 725 14,027
Powerp1ant 12,370,000 456 749 13,278
Switchyard 420,000 432 773 12,505
Sitka Sub.tation 500,000 407 798 11,707
Tr.n~l.sion Line 3,060,000 361 824 10,883
General Prop.rty 1 1 590,000 354 851 10,032
Subtotal $23,580,000 326 879 9,153
Inter •• t during Con.truction 1,720,000 298 907 8,246
Total Federal Inve.tment $25,300,000 268 937 7,309
238 967 6,)42
206 99" 5,343
174 1,031 4 312
140 1,065 3,247
106 1,099 2,148
93: 200 1 9:500
'f I ., l'
I
't 't l,t05 I
70 1,135 1,013
102,700 1,158 57 1,215 10 33 1,172 26,950 0
4,623,800 I 368,000 4,991,800 I 57,448 I 2,208
1
59,056 540 59,116 I 31,996 27,120 26,950 0
January 11, 1966
15 16 17 18 19 20
(SI 000)
Si~le Interest Bearina
Allowable Earned
Deferred Unpaid Surplu. Year
R.payment Intereat Balance CUlDUlative Fhcal of
Inveat .. ent D.253'%.) $1,000 $1,000 Year Study
12 650 25--<-300 0
I 412 25,940 0 1976 1
823 26,50B 1977 2
12,650 1,235 26,996 1978 3
0 1,646 27,407 1979 4
0 27 757 1980 5
27 ,997 1981 6
28,117 1982 7
1983 8
1984 9
1965 10
1986 11
1987 12
1988 13
1989 14
1990 15
1991 16
1992 17
1993 18
1994 19
1995 20
1996 21
1997 22
1998 23
1999 24
2000 25
2001 26
I 2002 27
2003 28
2004 29
2005 30
2006 31
2007 32
I I 2008 33
2009 34
2010 35
I 2011 36
2012 37
2013 38
2014 39
2015 40
2016 41
2017 42
2018 43
2019 44
2020 45
2021 46
2022 47
2023 48
28,117 2024 49
15 467 2025 50
15,t67
2026 51
2027 52
0 2028 53
0 0 0 159 2029 54
0 I 0 0 J 159 I
kilowatt-hour. This would be less than the previously estimated 16.3
mill per kilowatt-hour cost of obtaining an equivalent amount of power,
from the most likely project alternative, which is a municipally-
financed diesel-electric plant.
Hepayment Contract
The project interests fully recognize that the estimated unit
power costs of the Takatz Creek Project closely approximate the
estimated unit power costs of a diesel-electric installation located
in Sitka which would furnish power supplies equivalent to the Takatz
Creek Project. However, they consider that the project is an essen-
tial unit in their long range plans for meeting the power needs of
the Sitka area. They, therefore, have expressed willingness to enter
into a repayment contract which would assure return to the United
States of the reimbursable project costs and provide for the Sitka
Pd::.Jlic Utilities to assume operation, maintenance and replacement
of the project works as provided for by the plan of development.
It is contemplated that repayment of the reimbursable project costs
would be through direct annual payments to the United States which
would be based on the forecast project power deliveries.
CHAPTER VII -REQUIRED FUTURE ACTIONS
The investigations on which this report is based have been
conducted in sufficient detail to dete~ine the engineering and
financial feasibility, as well as the economic justification of
the measures proposed under the plan of development. However,
certain additional investigations will be necessary before com-
mencement of construction. These are the normal pre construct ion
activities required to accomplish final plans and specifications.
They will include review of the need for concrete lining of the
power tunnel and surge tank and possible shortening of the access
road to the powerhouse and damsites.
On the basis of the presently available geologic data, it is
considered likely that sound competent rock prevails throughout
the lengths of the power tunnel and surge tank, thus considerable
savings in project costs may be possible through elimination of
the concrete lining.
The plan of development contemplates location of a dock and
seaplane float in the generally ice-free bay just south of Takatz
Bay to allow year-round water access to the powerhouse site. It
also provides for extension of the access road from the powerhouse
site to the damsites. The preconstruction activities will include
dete~ination of the practicability of location of the dock and
seaplane float in Takatz Bay near the powerplant site, and of pro-
viding access to the damsites by construction of a cableway or
other means in lieu of the access road from the powerplant.
The preconstruction activities will also include negotiation
of an appropriate repayment contract with the City of Sitka for
repayment of the reimbursable project costs and for operation, main-
tenance and replacement of the project works as contemplated by the
plan of development.
The preconstruction activities will also consider possibilities
of incorporating an aerial dc transmission system in place of the
conventional ac system contemplated in the current plan. The dc
system would offer an opportunity for increased transmission relia-
bility and may result in scme savings in operation and maintenance
costs.
The Takatz Creek Project may have areas of possible archeological
and historical value. Prior to construction, appropriate investigations,
and if necessary, salvage actions would be made. Funds for conducting
these investigations have been included as project costs.
68
CHAPTER VIII -EXPRESSIONS OF STATE AND LOCAL IN'YJ!:REST
The investigation of the Takatz Creek Project began in 1962 as
part of an inventory of all potential hydroelectric developments in
Southeast Alaska. It appeared to be the most favorable for supplying
the Sitka area with an additional power supply, and on September 21,
1964 at a special meeting, data concerning this potential project was
presented to representatives of the City of Sitka.
Expressions at the September 21, 1964 meeting indicated that the
City of Sitka would favor the Takatz Creek Project. On February 9,
1965, the Council of the City of Sitka passed Resolution No. 420 urging
the Bureau of Reclamation (predecessor of the Alaska Power Administra-
tion) to expedite its investigation of the Takatz Creek Project and
preparation of a report suitable to recommend to Congress Federal devel-
opment of the project, so project power could be available to the City
not later than 1973-1974.
The City of Sitka in December 1965, after review of the favorable
reconnaissance report dated May 1965, again urged that completion of
the actions essential to project authorization and construction be
expedited.
After review of the preliminary draft of this report dated Sept-
ember 1967, which was transmitted to the City of Sitka, other concerned
Federal agencies and the State of Alaska for field level comments, the
City of Sitka by Resolution No. 492 dated December 12, 1967 expressed
its formal endorsement of the plan of development presented herein, and
its intent, when appropriate, to contract for operation and maintenance
of the project works and repayment of the reimbursable project costs
as contemplated by the plan of development.
By letter dated January 10, 1968, the Governor of the State of
Alaska indicated the State's endorsement of the Takatz Creek Project
plan of development presented herein.
Copies of Resolution No. 492 and Governor Hickel's January 10, 1968
letter appear on the following pages.
COP Y
"RESOLUTION NO o 492
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SITKA, ALASKA, ENDORSING
THE TAKATZ CREEK HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT AND THE EXPECTED
COURSE OF ACTION OF THE CITY PERTAINING THERETO
WHEREAS, the City of Sitka, Alaska, has already "peaked-
out" upon occasion with its existing power sources, and;
WHEREAS, the plan of development for the Takatz Creek
Project presented in the report of the Alaska Power Administration
has been examined in some detail,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City
of Sitka, Alaska, as follows:
10 The City of Sitka endorses the plan of development
for the Takatz Creek Project presented in the report of the Alaska
Power Administration.
2. Indicates its desire to contract, when appropriate,
for operation and maintenance of the project works as contemplated
by the plan of development.
3. states its willingness to enter into necessary contract
or contracts, when appropriate, to cover operation and maintenance
of the project works and payment of project costs, both as contem-
plated by the plan of development, and
4. Urges the Alaska Power Administration and the Secre-
tary of the Interior to expedite processing of the report to the
end that authorization and construction of the project as a Federal
development may be accomplished at the earliest practicable dates
and power from the project be available to the city to meet forecast
loads.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Council of the City of Sitka,
Alaska, this 12th day of December, 1967.
ATTEST:
(Signed) Margaret B. Fedoroff
City Clerk"
(Signed) Richard I. Eliason
Mayor
WAI.TER ..J. HICKEL
t;;OVCRNO'"
S TAT E 0 T" A LAS Ii: A
OF'F'ICE OF' THE GDVERND R
JUNEAU
January 10, 1968
;<r. Gus Norwood, Administrator
1\::"aska Power Administration
Department of the Interior
Box 50
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Jear Mr. Norwood:
: have received your preliminary drafts of the Lake
Grace Project and the Takatz Creek Project. The
~evelopment of Alaska is almost entirely dependent
u?on ade~uate power. I endorse and hope that these
projects ~ecome a reality.
7ind attached the comments of the Department of
Xatura::" Resources, the Department of Fish and Game
&nd the Department of Health and Welfare.
i'larm personal r~gards.
Sincerely yours,
Governor
Attachments
FORM FG -1~
'~(\I_ 2-61,
10: I
I Office,of the Governor
ATTN: W. L. Kubley
f,iOM, Ul'ban C. Nelson
Comlnissioner
DEPARDlENT Or: FISH AND GA."lE
FilE NO:
DATE
SUB :ECT;
~
January 3, 1968
Takatz Creek Project
The Department of Fish and Game has been involved since 1964 in investigations
regarding the effects of the Takatz Creek project on the fish and game resources
of the area. In these investigations we have cooperated very closely with the
Branch of River Basins Studies, Bureau of Conunercial Fisheries. The consensus
has been that th'e Takatz Creek proj ect would have a minimal effect on the fish
an~ game resources.
Copies of draft letter reports on the project prepared by the Branch of River
Basin Studies together with the Department of Fish and Game letters of concur-
rence are attached for your information. Also attached is a copy of a depart-
ment letter approving the issuance of a Permit to Appropriate Water to the
Bureau of ~eclamation in conjunction with the Takatz Creek project.
i=ollowing our review of the Alaska Pmver Administration' 5 draft report on the
proj ect", the Department has no further com";lents or observations in addition to
those already made.
FO~M S·\" I~
12',,~M a/~l
~ t, "'11 \ " ~ !~~) [\ f\ ~ ~~"'~ r'i ~ ,,) tl
;;~ ~";.VI.V~~.:·..:~~\;WUrlJ"
,<r .. f J' r" ~ ~ ':, ~. !?';i !: tC::I. rr.',: .... /' ~ \ ',If'.: r: f' 1 ~ '-' ........ \;;.i U Ii V-lj. :. 1,;.,:' ..., .a IObt.!
Department of Health and Welfare
Tv! i
Mr. Dick She;:>herd
O;(ice of the Governor
uecember 19, 1967
;-,\\ .. ;.1: VV. J. Chapman, M. D. SUBJECT, Tilkatz Creei< and Lake Grace
?rojects Co;-nrTI i::;3~O:iCr
We hilve reviewed the preliminary drafts on the above projects
for those features with which this Departrrlent is particularly concerned.
We have no objections to the projects as proposed. However, it should
; " ;JG; .~. t·;ri 0',,:: tr.a t since construction camps of considerable size and
,:::\",,~u.l;ion '-,'.: .:;~ be; f)l"'ovided :Oor each project, comp"Liance rr.ust be made
\:J~ \:--. :")0 ~.") ~',c to of i~ ',!'::;:<2, Construction Safaty Code and the water and
':':-'\":-'~L",iry r0(iW Lr"'::'.-(lt;!C)\:s cC t;-.~:::, u'2;Jart."'Y'lent.
fO~M S ... ·I!
12~.SM 4/61
TO: r Richa~d E. Shepherd
S~ate-Federal Assistance Coordinator
Office of the Governor
""' 1 n'l" \ va e 1'.<1 .... ~ngton <l! I
~ep"'ty Co;nmi::;sioncl\.vv
Dept. of Natural Resources
DATE
SUBJECT:
December .15, 1967
Takatz Creek Project, Alaska
He have perused the Alaska Power Commission report
on 7akatz Creek Project.
Since there are no prior appropriators of water from
Takatz Creek, a permit has been issued by this department for
his project to use all the waters of this stream.
We do not anticipate a higher or better use for this
..l.rea in the foreseeable future. Mining will be insignificant
"nd there will be very little recreational demand.
The use of this water resource for power generation
~s the best use and we, therefore, approve of the project.
OTHER AGENCIES
REPORTS OF OTHER AGENCIES
Letter Report of Federal Ilater Pollution Control . . . . ... . . . .
Letter Rel)Ort of Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.
IJet·t;er Report 0:::' Fish and IJildlife Service
Letter froIn Alaska Department of Fish and
Gl'me. • • • • • • Follo1-r.ing
staGe 1 Hultiple Use SUl"re;yr Report of Forest Service,
I.lcpartment of Aeri culture. • • • • • • • • • • . • •
1
1-2
1-2
2
1-8
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AIlMlNISTRATION
COP Y
UNITED STATES
DEPARTr,1E}lT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL HATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADt{[NISTRATION
1,Ir. George N. Pierce
District Manager
Alaska Hater Laboratory
College, Alaska 99735
Bureau of Reclamation
Alaska District Headquarters
Post Office Box 50
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Dear Mr. Pierce:
September 23, 1966
ulis of~ice has reviewed the information you provided on the
Takatz Creek Project, Baranof Island, in Southeast Alaska.
Our findings confirm your comments in tl~t there is no
projected use of the iiaters either on Takatz Creek or on
the intertidal zone which would be adversely affected by
anticipated changes in temperature regimes due to the location
of the i~take and the fluctuating releases.
Thank you for the opportunity to w"Ork .Ti th you on the pre-
liminary considerations of this project.
Yours truly,
lsi
Elroy K. Day
Director
BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECR&ATION
COP Y
D6427-AL
Memorandum
UNITED STATES
DEPAR'lMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF OUTDOOR REX:RFATION
Pacific Northwest Region
U. S. Court House
Seattle, Washington 98104
January 13, 1967
To: District Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Juneau, Alaska
From: Regional Director, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation,
Pacific Northwest Region, Seattle
Subject: Takatz Creek Project
We are submitting comments on the Takatz Creek Project in accord with
the discussion at the meeting in your office on February 23, 1966, with
your agency, the U. S. Forest Service, Fish and Hi1dlife Service, and
the State of Alaska. We have reviewed reports prepared by the Forest
Service and Fish and Wildlife and base our recommendations largely on
their conclusions.
Conclusions include: (1) Construction of a plant at Takatz Creek to
supply power to the city of Sitka would not be detrimental to recrea-
tion. Takatz Lake receives very little recreational use at present
due to (a) glacial turbidity which restricts productive potential of
fish, (b) sparse number of inhabitants in area, (c) proximity of better
fishing lakes and recreational areas to population center (Sitka), and
(d) inaccessibility.
(2) With the construction of a power plant at Takatz Lake, a trans-
mission line and gravel surfaced maintenance road will be built along
a 75-foot R/H. It is doubtfUl, however, that the central portion of
the road will be constructed because of the precipitous nature of the
terrain in this area. Proposed plans indicate that the maintenance
road will be built from both ends bypassing several of the existing
recreation developments at Thimb1eberry Lake and Sawmill Creek, thus
neither hindering nor encouraging recreation at these locations.
(3) Blue Lake and Baranof Lake both contain good fish popUlations.
Blue Lake, located along the proposed transmission line, already
receives considerable usage by fishermen due to its prOXimity to
Sitka (population, 1960 census, 3,237). The lake is approximately
5-1/2 air miles :['rom Sitka and is currently accessible via the Sitka
Highwa;y and a road leading fram the highwa;y to the lake. It is prob-
able that portions of the transmission road will make both Blue and
Baranof Lakes more accessible to the recreation-minded public.
(4) The construction of a transmission maintenance road will have
little impact on recreation potential at Takatz Lake since sportsmen
currently find fishing more rewarding at other lakes. In all prob-
abili ty J the maintenance road "Ifill lead small numbers of the more
adventurous and rugged sportsmen to seldom-used primi ti ve areas for
hunting and fishing.
He appreciate the opportunity to review your report and those of the
U. S. Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service.
Copies of this memorandum are being fUrnished to the Regional Forester
of the Forest Service and the Regional Director of the Bureau of Com-
mercial Fisheries and the Supervisor of River Basin Planning for the
Bureau of' Commercial Fisheries. Copies are also being fUrnished to
the State Department of Natural Resources.
cc: Regional Forester, FS
Regional Director, BCF
Administrator, River Basin
Planning
CommisSioner, Department
of' Natural Resources
By
Fred J. Overly
Regional Director
Maurice H. Lundy
Acting
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
COP Y
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FISH AND VlILDLIFE SERVICE
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries
Box 2481
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Hr. George N. Pierce
District Manager
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
P. O. Box 2567
J~neau, Alaska 99801
Dear Hr. Pierce:
February 25, 1966
Your letter of February 18, 1966 advised us of selection of the
r,lost desirable plan of development for the Takatz Creek project
as discussed in your May 1965 Reconnaissance Report. The
changes from the plan referred to in our letter report of
February 8, 1966 primarily would involve the construction of a
dam at the outlet of Talcatz Lake and a small saddle dam allmring
nearly complete regulation of the basin.
Construction of the project under this plan of development 'Ylould
not cause any Significant additional impact on fish and wildlife
resources nor would it offer any feasible opportunity for the
imnrovement of the resources. Conclusions reached in our
February 8, 1966 report are therefore not changed. We have
discussed this ,·lith staff members of the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game and have their verbal concurrence.
i'ie appreciate being advised of these changes and hope you will
inforn us if any further changes in project plans are made.
Sincerely yours,
/S/
Harry L. Rietze
Regional Director
COP Y
UNITED STATES
DEPARTHENT OF THE INT:ERIOR
FISH AND w~LDLIFE SERVICE
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries
Box 2481
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Hr. George N. Pierce
District Manager
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
P. O. Box 2567
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Dear Hr. Pierce:
February 8, 1966
This is our report on the Takatz Creek hydroelectric project at Takatz
Bay on Baranof Island and about 21 miles northeast of Sitka, Alaska.
It has been prepared under the authority of' the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 771 et seq.).
We have reviewed the project plans described in your reconnaissance
report on the project dated May 1965. These plans include a pressure
tunnel 5,100 feet long to tap Takatz Lake and a surface penstock 1,400
feet long to convey water to a 15,600 kilowatt power plant located on
the shore of Takatz Bay. We have ascertained that construction and
operation of the project would not affect significantly the fish and
wildlife resources of the area and that the project would not offer
feasible opportunities for the improvement of these resources.
of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have reviewed this
report and they concur with our views as indicated in the attached copy
of a letter from CommiSSioner Walter Kirkness dated January 28, 1966.
Please advise us of any changes made in the project plans so that we
can re-evaluate the effects of the project on fish and wildlife and
prepare a revised report, if necessary.
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed plans.
Attachment
Sincerely yours,
/S/
Harry L. Rietze
Regional Director
COP Y
STATE OF ALASKA vlilliam A. Egan, Governor
Department of Fish and Game
Office of the Commissioner Subport Building--Juneau
January 28, 1966
v~. Harry Rietze, Regional Director
Bureau of Conunercial Fisheries
Box 2481
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Dear Hr. Rietze:
The Department has reviewed the Bureau's draft copy of
a report on the Bureau of Reclamation Takatz Creek hydro-
electric project on Baranof Is:and.
We concur with the Bureau's conclusions with regard to:
1) The affect of the project on fish and
wildlife.
2) The lack of feasible opportunities for the
improvement of these resources.
cc: Parker
Heckart
Sincerely,
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
/S/
Walter Kirkness, Conunissioner
FOREST SERVICE
COP Y
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE
Box 1631
,Tuneau, Alaska 99801
Mr. GeorGe N. Pierce, District Manager
U.S. Bureau of Reclametion
P. O. Box 25G7
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Dcar r·1r. Pierce:
In Reply Refer To
1530 (2100)
Enclosed are three copies of our Stage 1 Multiple Usc S1.lrvey Report
for the proposed Takatz Creek Project.
T.~is stage 1 report is a Regional report and does not necessarily
contain final recommendations or policy decisions. Such recom-
mendations and decisions .. rill be coni~ained in the stage 2 report,
,·rhich '>nll be prepared after your feasibility report has been
completed. The stage 2 report will be reviewed by our Washington
Office and approved by the Chief of the Forest Service.
In spite of the limited nature of the stage 1 report, it should be
a definite help to you in determining the design features that will
be necessary to fullY coordinate the project with National Forest
development and protection. Should you have any questions regarding
any items in the report, w-e "rill be happy to discuss them '>nth you.
i·lore copies of the report can be made available, should you need them.
Enclosures
Sincerely yours,
/S/
W. H. JOHNSON
Regional Forester
MULTIPLE USE SURVEY REPORT
STAGE I
Name of Project: TAKATZ CREEK
Sitka Ranger District, North Tongass National Forest, Alaska Region
Report Submitted by lsI William B. Roberts
Dis trict Ranger
Approval Recommended by lsI Vincent N. Olson
Forest Supervisor
Date;..-..._...;;:2.,/...:...4/i...,;6;;.,;:6 __ _
Date;..-... __ ~2~/...;;:1~1~/6~6~ __ _
Approval Recommended by ~:L/C. /;> 1;/~4:~i Date. __ :_·/_',"""1A;..-...,/'· ..... / .... __
Chief, Brar..ch of Hultiple
Use lit Watershed Hanagement
Report Recommended by -~~l.I.4.L-:;J-~':.::J!~~~-Date.--' . .:;.~+t .... P~/t ..... ~ ......... (. __ · __ _
Regional Fa ester r 7
of Resource Hanagement
Report Approved by ______ ~~~.~~~,~~~~~~~~ __ _
Regi~naCIForester
" I; ,I / " Date __ ... )~. __ ._/ ___ ! ... I.:;.· __ __
TAKATZ CREEK NULTIPLE USE SURVEY REPORT
STAGE I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION 1
II. RECONHENDATIONS 3
III. EVALUATION OF RESOURCE USES AND ACTIVITIES 4
IV. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 7
APPENDIX S
Map Legend
Hap
I. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION
This impact report was prepared without the benefit of an on-the-ground
examination of the proposed transmission route. Available time and winter
snow conditions precluded such an examination.
A. Nature of Proposed Project: Construction of a power project utilizing
water power from Takatz Lake, with a transmission line to Sitka. The
project would consist of a tunnel from Takatz Lake to a power plant at
Takatz Bay and a power transmission line from Takatz Bay to Sitka. At
this time no decision has been made on construction of a dam at Takatz
Lake.
B. Agencx Responsible: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation,
Alaska District Office, Juneau, Alaska.
C. ~~cation and Description: The project is located within the North
Tongass National Forest, Sitka Ranger District, on Baranof Island.
Takatz Lake would be the source of power and the drainage both above
and below the lake would be affected by the project. The transmission
line from Takatz Bay would follow the shoreline to the town of Baranof
in Warm Springs Bay and would be in the Baranof Lake, Blue Lake and
Thimbleberry Creek drainages from the Town of Baranof to the National
Forest boundary near Sitka.
D. ~: Three plans for power production are discussed in the Bureau of
Reclamation reconnaissance report for the project. One plan is to
utilize Takatz Lake as it is with no dam. The normal elevation of the
lake is 905 feet with a surface area of 403 acres. The second plan is
to construct a dam at the outlet, raising the water level to elevation
950 feet and increasing the surface area to about 530 acres. The
third plan is to construct a higher dam, which would raise the water
level to an elevation of 1,000 feet and increase the surface area to
about 650 acres. The project cost estimate in the Bureau of Recla-
mation reconnaissance report is based on the plan that includes no
dam.
With either of the plans, a 5,100 foot concrete lined tunnel, seven
feet in diameter, would be drilled to the 700 foot elevation of the
lake. This tunnel would terminate at a surge tank constructed of
reinforced concrete and embedded within the rock hillside. A pen-
stock of steel pipe five feet in diameter would carry the water 1,400
feet from the surge tank to the powerplant on the shore of Takatz Bay.
A gravel surfaced road is planned from the powerplant to Takatz Lake,
a distance of three miles. A transmission line, 28.4 miles in length,
would be constructed from the powerp1ant to the SUbstation near Sitka.
This would have a 75 foot right-of-way. A maintenance road is planned
2
along the entire length of the transmission line, according to the
reconnaissance report. HO\Olever, discussions with Bureau of Reclamation
officials disclosed that it is likely that this road would be built
from both ends of the transmission line, with the very rugged central
portion of the line not served by road. The transmission line would be
on National Forest land for 24.5 miles.
E. Land Status: All lands involved in the proposed tunnel, penstock, and
powerplant are National Forest. Along the proposed transmission line
route there exists:
1. Townsite elimination of 9.46 acres at Baranof.
2. l-larm Springs Packing Co. site of 5.75 acres at Baranof.
3. Fred Bahovec homesite of 1.13 acres at Baranof.
4. Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company lands at Sawmill Creek.
5. Power transmission line past Heart and Thimb1eberry Lakes, covered
by F.P.C. License #2230.
6. Sitka elimination, which has its eastern boundary near Thimb1eberry
Lake.
Takatz Lake and Creek are covered by U.S.G.S. Power Site Classification
#221. Baranof Lake and its outlet are also covered by P.S.C. #221.
Power Site Classification #188 covers 130 acres to the north of P.S.C.
#221 at Baranof Lake. Blue Lake is covered by Power Site Classifica-
tion #221 and #427.
F. Physical Characteristics of the Area: Takatz Lake is about 1.5 miles
long and 0.4 miles wide. The shores are steep with some flat area at
the inlet stream. The water is turbid and of glaCial origin. The
proposed powerplant location is on a small area at the head of Takatz
Bay.
The proposed transmission line would be built across a variety of terrain.
From Takatz Lake it would run across fairly steep country to the head
of Baranof Lake. It would then f0llow up a relatively flat valley until
it crosses Mt. Bassie. Then it would descend into the Blue Lake drai-
nage. From here the topography varies from flat bottom land to steep
hillSides, talus slopes, and cliffs until the Sitka elimination is
reached. The map in the appendix shows the topography along the pro-
posed location .•
G. Multiple Use Zoning: The current zoning is shown on the map in the
appendix. Major areas affected would be in the Baranof Lake-Warm
3
Springs Bay, Blue Lake-Sawmill Creek and Heart Lake-Thimb1eberry Lake
areas.
H. General Location Hap: See Appendix.
II. RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Recreation and Esthetics
1. The power transmission line and attendant maintenance road should
be located to avoid developed recreation sites at Sawmill Creek
and Thimbleberry Lake. Potential recreation development sites at
Thimbleberry Lake, Heart Lake, the outlet of Blue Lake, and both
ends of Baranof Lake should also be avoided. These areas are shown
as Occupancy Zones on the map in the Appendix.
2. The power transmission line and maintenance road should be screened
from view from the recreation sites mentioned above, to the extent
feasible. They should also be screened from recreationists boating
on Blue Lake, Baranof Lake, and l~arm Springs Bay, to the extent
that this is practical. The topography and vegetation of the
country traversed will make complete screening impractical.
B. Roads
1. Any portions of the transmission line maintenance road that are
accessible from Sitka should be of <l high enough standard to allow
rublic use.
2. The maintenance road and the access road to Takatz Lake should be
constructed in such a manner that soil erosion is minimized. An
erosion control plan will be jointly developed by the Forest Ser-
vice and the construction agency before construction begins. This
plan should cover erosion problems connected with tunnel, penstock,
powerplant, and transmission line construction, in addition to
road construction. Provision will be provided for adequate water
control structures and revegetation of denuded areas, where needed.
C. Timber
1. Timber that must be cut in conjunction with construction of the
maintenance and access roads, transmission line, powerplant, and
penstock will be sold by the Forest Service under commerc:al sale
procedures, if possible. If the timber cannot be sold in this
manner, it will be covered by timber settlement procedures. The
latter case is most likely to apply.
2. The transmission line and maintenance road locations should be
coordinated with possible future ttmber harvest in the areas
traversed, to the extent feasible. The Forest Service will
cooperate in the on-the-ground location of these facilities.
4
3. If planning for this project is later revised to call for construc-
tion of a dam, all timber 4" and over in diameter at breast height
within the reservoir area will be cut and disposed of. Any mer-
chantable timber will be sold by the Forest Service, if possible.
If the timber cannot be sold (which is likely in this case), it
will be covered by timber settlement procedures.
D. Fire
A fire control plan will be developed by the Forest Service and con-
struction agency before construction begins.
E. \.Jildlife
Fish and other wildlife losses as a result of this project are not
expected to be significant. No mitigation measures will be required.
III. EVALUATION OF RESOURCE USES AND ACTIVITIES
A. Outdoor Recreation: Takatz Lake presently receives little or no
recreation use. This use would change little in the future without
this project. Development of the project would probably attract a
few more visitors to the area, particularly if the transmission line
maintenance road extended all the way to Sitka (an unlikely possibility)
and were of a high enough standard to encourage public traffic.
Blue Lake presently receives a considerable amount of use by sport
fishermen. This use can be expected to increase, particularly if
this project is constructed and a transmission line maintenance road
around one side of Blue Lake is available for public use.
EXisting recreation developments within the area that would be affected
by the project include a campground at Sawmill Creek, a Boy Scouts of
America organization site on Thimbleberry Lake, and a cabin at the
southwest end of Baranof Lake. Potential recreation sites include areas
at Thimbleberry Lake, Heart Lake, the outlet of Blue Lake, both ends
of Baranof Lake, and at Manleyville in Warm Springs Bay. This project
will have little impact on these sites, if the transmission line and
maintenance road bypass them and are screened from them, to the extent
feasible. The site at Manleyville is an alternate site in the Recrea-
tion Management Plan and would not have to be avoided, if it proves
difficult to do so.
B. Timber: The proposed project facilities would involve a number of
patches of merchantable-size timber. Some of this is within the Alaska
5
Lumber and Pulp Company sale area, but the timber involved can be with-
drawn from the sale under terms of the contract.
Timbered areas that would be traversed by the transmission line and
maintenance road, along with the powerplant site and penstock area,
would be removed from timber production, if this project is built.
At the same time, the maintenance road, if built to a high enough stan-
dard, would aid in timber management by providing access to stands
currently lacking access. The location of the transmission line and
maintenance road should be planned to avoid conflicts and to compli-
ment timber management as much as possible. For example, these
facilities should traverse near timber stands, but not through small
patches so that they become difficult to harvest. If these facilities
are carefully fitted to the ground, it should be possible to enhance
timber values and detract little from recreation and esthetic values,
without a significant increase in the cost of their construction and
maintenance.
c. Water: Takatz Lake waters are presently receiving no significant use.
Development of this project will put these waters to beneficial use.
A potential for soil erosion will exist in conjunction with construc-
tion of the project facilities. This problem can be minimized by
following an erosion control plan jointly prepared by the Forest Service
and the construction agency before construction begins.
D. Wildlife: Fishery values in the Takatz drainage are very minor. This
project would create no detrimental impact on them. Glacial turbidity
severely restricts the productive potential of the lake and its inlet
streams. An impassable falls at tidewater prevents salmon from using
the outlet stream. The intertidal portion of the stream is not suit-
able for salmon spawning.
Big game species in the Takatz drainage include Sitka blacktailed deer,
brown bear, and mountain goats. The project would have no significant
impact on these.
Baranof Lake and Blue Lake contain good sport fish populations. These
would not be adversely affected by the project, so long as the trans-
mission line and maintenance road construction are carefully supervised
to avoid soil erosion and sedimentation of the lakes and their
tributaries.
Portions of the transmission line maintenance road connected to the
Sitka road system could provide benefits by making new areas acces-
sible to hunters and fishermen, resulting in a better dispersion of
their efforts.
6
E. Minerals: No conflict between this project and mining development
is expected. Access provided by the transmission line maintenance
road would enhance the area for mineral prospecting.
F. Land Occupancies: The non-National Forest lands and other occupied
lands listed earlier under Land Status can be avoided by proper loca-
tion of the transmission line and maintenance road. The same is
true of the existing and potential recreation sites listed under Out-
door Recreation.
A ~lemorandum of Understanding between the Forest Service and Bureau of
Reclamation will be needed to cover the transmission line and main-
tenance road. The other permanent project features will presumably
be covered by a reclamation withdrawal. Any temporary camps or similar
facilities can be covered by special use permit.
G. Fire Control: Fire problems in the proposed project are presently
slight, due to a generally low hazard and a lack of human activity.
Construction of the project would result in an increased hazard due to
temporary slash accumulations. Fire risk would also increase due to
the number of workers involved in the project construction. A fire
control plan will be needed to properly recognize potential fire problems
and minimize the possibility of wildfire occurring.
H. Transportation System: The roads and trails presently existing within
the area that would be affected by the project include a road from the
Sitka Highway to Blue Lake and a trail past Heart and Thimb1eberry
Lakes. Each of these would probably have to be crossed by the trans-
mission line. A minor decrease in esthetic values would result.
The proposed maintenance road along the transmission line would enhance
public travel, if it were built to a high enough standard to permit
such use. The central portion of the transmission line would traverse
some very rugged terrain, with elevations to 3700 feet. Construction
of the maintenance road through this area would be very difficult and
expensive. It is reasonable to expect that later planning will exclude
the maintenance road from this portion of the line.
I. Land Ownership Adjustment: Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company land in the
Sawmill Creek drainage would probably have to be crossed by the trans-
mission line. There is a reservation in the Alaska Lumber & Pulp deed
that provides for future construction of improvements or facilities
across their land.
If it should prove impossible to avoid all of the tracts of private
land in Warm Springs Bay with the transmission line location, rights-
of-way would have to be acquired.
7
IV. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The proposed project is consistent with National Forest management objec-
tives, the ~1ultiple Use Management Guide for the Alaska Region, and the
Sitka District Multiple Use Plan. It would enhance the development and
use of the natural resources of the area affected. Coordination of the
project features with public needs and desires would be necessary to
realize maximum benefits from the project.
APPENDIX
Map Legend
Map (showing Multiple Use Zones
and project features)
(Map not duplicated for this Report)