r 

Bureau of Wastewater facilities Design 

1 Water Quality 

G& 

Analysis Request for Urart SPDES Permit wn

-Chief, Water Quality Evaluation Section fl-da'­

-Chief, Industrial Permits Secfion 

Please indicate if the attached final or inter<m/final effluent 

limitations are compatible with satisfactory maintenance of receiving 

water quality. If not, please indicate what limitations are needed. 

Date: January 14, 1987 

Name Of iCant: Charles Poinr Resource Recovery Facility

Westchester Resco Facility 

Coca tion: Peekskill, N. Y . 

N. Y. Code Number: NY-010-9690 

Receiving Water: Hudson River 

Major Drainage Basin: Lower Hudson Drainage Basin 

BWFD Review Engineer: MU Hao Wang 

Comnents: Attached is the Impingement and Entrainment Study for 

the subject project. 

L 

JAN 1 5 1987 
... 

*.ANDREW P. O’ROURKE 

County Executive 

FRANK T. KEARNEY, P.E. 

Commissioner 

Department of Publlc Work8 

December 29, 1986 

Muhao Wang 

Industrial Waste Water Section 

N.Y. State Department of 

Environmental Conservation 

50 Wolf Road 

Albany, N.Y. 

RE: Charles Point Resource Recovery Facility 

SPDES Permit # NY-010-9690 

Dear Ms. Wang: > -I. 

RECEIVED 

In accordance with the SPDES permit issued for the .Charles Point Resource 

Recovery Facility, enclosed please find the Impingement and Entrainment oLt /qpl

Study performed at the facility’s intake structure. 0 

The chemical analysis requested as part of the permit renewal will be 

submitted shortly under separate cover. 

Very truly yours,? 

Charles F. Miles, Jr. 

Director of Operations 

#

CH:fl 

i 

cc : Jack Issacs 

Cesare Hanf redi 

Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, N.Y. 10601 914-285- ................ 
EA Report RUS41A 

. . ., i. 

-: 

w 

. 

RESULTS OF AND 

1HPINGE)IENT WONITORING STUDIES 

AT TEE WESTCBESPER RESCO PACILTTP 

PEEKSKILL, m YORK 

Prepared for 

Vestchester RESCO 

1 Charles Point 

Peekskill, New York 10566 

L 

Prepared by 

EA Science and Technology

R.D. 2, Gbshen Turnpike

Hiddletownj New York 10940 

A Division of EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. 

October 1986 
CONTENTS 

Page 

1, INTRODUCTION 1-1 

1.1 Study Overviev 1-1 ' 1.2 Site Description 1-1 

1.2.1 Description of the Hudson River in the Peekskill Area 1-1 

1.2.2 Description of the Yestchester RESCO Cooling-Vater

Intake System 1-1 

2. SUHHARY 2-1 

3. HATERIALS AND HETEODS 3-1 

3.1 Field Sampling 3-1 

3.1.1 Entrainment 3-1 

3.1.2 Impingement 3-4 

3.2 Laboratory Procedures 3-6 

3.3 Data Analysis 3-7 

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4-1 

4.1 Characteristics of Entrained Ichthyoplankton 4-1 

4.1.1 Species and Life Stage Composition 4-1 

4.1.2 Seasonal Distribution and Length Frequency of Key Taxa 4-1 

4.2 Comparison so Characteristics of Entrainment at Indian Point 

Generating Station 4-5 

4.2.1 'Species and Life Stage Composition 4-8 

4.2.2 Seasonal Distribution and Length Frequency of Key Taxa 4-8 

4.3 Characteristics of Impinged,*Fish 4-16 

/

4.3.1 Species and Life Stage Composition 4-16 

4.3.2 Seasonal Distribution of Key Taxa 4-16 

4.4 Comparison to Characteristics of Impinged Fish at Indian Point 

Generating Station 4-19 

REFERENCES 

APPENDIX A: COOLING-VATER INTAKE SYSTEM 

APPENDIX B: JOHNSON CYLINDRICAL WE-VIRE SCREENS 

APPENDIX C: SUMMARY OF TAXA AND NUHBERS COLLECTED IN ENTRA1"T AND 

IHPINGEMENT HONITORING STUDIES AT YESTCEESTER RESCO,

HAY 1985 - APRIL 1986 
LIST OF FIGURES (Cont.) 

Number -

Title

4-9 Comparison of daily average densities (A), life stage composition

(B), and estimated length frequency of Atlantic tomcod entrained at 

Vestchester RESCO and Indian Point Generating Station, May - August

1985. 

4-io Seasonal occurrence (A) , species composition (B), and life stage

composition (C) of fish collected in impingement samples at 

Vestchester RESCO, Hay 1985 - April 1986. 

4-11 Density (number per 10 rn 6 3) of bay anchovy (A), Atlantic tomcod (B),

and other fish (C) in impingement samplesat Vestchester RESCO,

Hay 1985 - April 1986. 

..- - 3 

I .

.. . 
LIST OF TABUS 

Number -

Title

3-1 Dates sampled for entrainment and impingement at Westchester RESCO,

Hay 1985 - April 1986. 

4-1 Species composition of pump entrainment samples at Wcstchester RESCO, 

Way 1985 - April 1986, and Indian Point Generating S.tation, 1 Hay - 11 August 1985. 

4-2 Life stage composition of pump entrainment s&ples at Westchester 

RESCO, Hay 1985 - April 1986, and Indian Point Generating Station, 

1 Way - 11 August 1985. 

c 
, ., 

1. INTRODUCTION 

d 

1.1 STUDY OVERVIEW 

This report presents the results of environmental monitoring studies conducted 

at the Uestchester RESCO facility (X.D. No. NY0109690) in Peekskill, New York,

during the period Hay 1985 - April 1986. These studies were stipulated by the 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) as a requirement of Westchester RESCO’s current SPDES Permit. L 

The objectives of the studies vere the identification and enumeration of each 

species and life stage of fish that were entrained and impinged by the cooling 

vater system at the Vestchester RESCO facility. The objectives of the studies 

vere met and, herein, the characteristics of entrained and impinged populations 

are described in terns of their species and life stage composition, seasonal 

distribution and length frequency, and rate of entrainment or impingement at 

the facility. 

1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION 

1.2.1 Description of the Hudson River in the Peekskill Area 

The Westchester RESCO facility is located at Charles Point on the east bank of 

the Hudson River near the Town of Peekskill, New York. Cooling water intake 

structures are submerged in the southern corner of Peekskill Bay, which is 

approximately 70 river kilometers north of the Battery in New York City

(Figures 1-1 and 1-2). The Hudson River has a;surface’width of about 1,500 m 

at Charles Point, and varies considerably in depth. From the shoreline out to 

the edge of the shipping channel (a distance of 250 m), river depths range from 

1 to 8 m below mean sea level. From the edge of the channel across to the west 

bank of the river, depths range from 9 to 20 m below mean sea level. 

Flow rates in this section of the river are controllgd predominantly by the 

tides. Mean tidal flovs are on the order of 4,009 m per second, whereas 

freshwater slows typically range from about 160 m per second in August to 

about 900 m per Second in April (Con Edison 1977a, p. 2-1). 

Seasonal trends in salinity are controlled primarily by freshwater flow, The 

saltfront (0,Ol ppt salinity) generally remains belov Charles Point durigg the 

months of Harch, April, and Xay when treshwater flows of more than 600 m per

second are normally present. During Athe period of low runoff (generally July

through October [Con Edison 1977, TaPle 2-21), the salinity in the vicinity of 

Charles Point increases but may fluctuate rapidly as a function of tidal stage

and height. 

Ambient river temperatures in this area typically range from 0 to 30 C over the 

course of a year (Con Edison 1977, 1984). 

1.2,2 Description of the Westchester RESCO Cooling-Water Intake System 

Vestchester RESCO generates electrical power from the heat of combustion of 

municipal solid waste fuel. The designed generating capacity is 60 MY, and 

the condensers are cooled by a once-through cooling system with a flow rate of 

1-1 
NEW YORK 

Poughkcernic 

Roseton Plant 

(1.200 MW(c)) km 106 

\ 

Westchester RESCO Facility 

60 MWlel Km70 

I 

Lovez Plant 

Figure 1-1. Location of the Westchester RESCO facility on the 

Hudson River Estuary. 
Figure 1-2. Location of the Westchester RESCO facility onPeekskil1 Bay. 
'.55 HGD. The cooling vater intake draws from a water depth of 22 ft at an 

offshore distance of about 800 ft. The cooling water outfall discharges

through a 12-port, 220-ft diffuser located 1,200 ft offshore in 35 ft of vater. 

The cooling water intake structures are Johnson Company cylindrical vee-wire 

screens made of a copper-nickel alloy. Bach screen is approximately 1.4 m long

and 1.4 m in diameter, and there are 4 pairs of screens aounttd on T-stands .P

about 1.5 rn above the river bottom. The screens are oriented parallel to 

ambient currents, and the surface area of each screen is relatively so0 th 

which reduces debris adhesion. The slot opening of the screen mesh is-&$mrn, 9­

and the design through-slot vater velocity is 15 cm/s, vhdch is less than 

ambient current flov past the screen surfaces at flood and ebb tides. The 

screen surfaces are cleaned periodically by an air backwash that dislodges

debris and allows the river currents to carry debris away. Each of the design

features of the Johnson screen (i.e., simple passive design, low intake 

velocity, vee-wire construction, smooth surfaces, and in situ cleaning) are 

rneant to reduce entrainment and impingement of debris and aquatic life 

(UOP, fnc. 1981). The general placement and orientation of the cooling vater 

intake system is depicted in blueprint format in Appendix A, The detail of the 

Johnson cylindrical vee-wire screens is depicted in blueprint format in 

Appendix B. 

1-4 
.. 

Entrainment 

Entrainment vas monitored from Hay 1985 through October 1985, md again during

Harch and April 1986. BA used an Automated Abundance Sampler (AUTOSAH) to 

collect entrained ichthyoplankton samples. During the entire program,

15,287 ichthyoplankton were collected, 93.5 percent of which were bay anchovy. o p

Striped bass vere the second most abundant taxon (4.2 percent), followed by j?f2 cp~f 2,

white perch (0.9 percent) and Atlantic tomcod (0.7 percen,t). Eggs were the 'ii) I) a

most abundant life stage in entrainment samples, accounting for 67.3 percent ~gi' i f? of all organisms, and post yolk-sac larvae accounted for 31.2 percent of the ~ * t organisms entrained. 

Bay anchovy were the dominant taxon in the samples from mid-June through

September 1985. Striped bass, although a distant second in abundance to bay

anchovy, occurred in samples in late Way and early June. Host of the vhite 

perch occurred in samples in late May. Atlantic tomcod were the dominant taxon 

during Harch and April 1986. 

The total length of entrained ichthyoplankton ranged from 2 to 25 mu, although

the modal length was 7 mm for bay anchovy, striped bass, and Atlantic tomcod,

and 4 mm for white perch. 

These characteristics of entrainment abundance at Westchester RESCO (55 MGD 

cooling-water system) vere compared to the same characteristics of entrainment 

abundance at the Indian Point Generating Station (2400 HGD cooling-water

system) in a similar timeframe, for purposes of providing a reasonable interpretive perspective. Species composition at the two power plants vas very

similar, although a greater number of species were collected at Indian Point, 

as would be expected of a more continuous sampling program. Collections at 

both plants were dominated by bay anchovy, vith striped bass, vhite perch, and 

Atlantic tomcod ranking second, third, and fourth, respectively. Life stage

composition was similar. Seasonal patterns of occurrence and density levels of 

bay anchovy and striped bass indicated generally close agreement. 

Temporal occurrence and density of vhite perch were nearly identical at both 

plants in Way, Kut a second peak in abundance at Indian Point in June vas not 

observed at Vestchester RESCO. Distinct differences in entrainment patterns of 

Atlantic tomcod were observed. During the Hay-August 1985 period, for vhich 

Indian Point data are available for kornparison, densities vere highest in Hay

and declined to near zero in June, vhile only two Atlantic tomcod larvae were 

observed at Westchester RESCO. Nos% of the tomcod in WestChester RESCO samples

occurred in Harch and April 1986, when larvae from winter spawning seasons vere 

in the area. 

Life stage composition and length frequencies at the two plants vere similar 

for striped bass, vhereas Vestchester RESCO did not entrain juvenile Atlantic 

tomcod that were observed frequently in Indian Point entrainment mmples. 

2-1 
Impingement 

EA divers, using SCUBA and a custom-designed vacuum apparatus, collected 

samples of fish that vere impinged on the cooling-water intake rcrcens. A 

total of 175 organisms vere collected on 37 impingement dates from Hay 1985 

through April 1986. Similar to entrainment collections, bay rnchovy vas the 

dominant taxon, comprising 70.3 percent of all organisms colltctcd. Atlantic 

tomcod vere second in abundance (25.7 percent), folloved by striped bass 

(1.1 percent), and vhitc perch (0.6 percent). Eggs vere the life stage most 

commonly impinged, accounting for 61.1 percent of all organisms, vhile larvae ' accounted for 33.7 percent of the organisms collected. 

Comparisons of Vestchester RESCO impingement data to impingement data at Indian 

Point is relatively pointless. Only juveniles and older fish are observed-in 

impingement collections at Indian Point, while only three juvenile or &r? 

fish vere observed at Vestchester RESCO. 

2-2 
3. HATERIALS AND HETHODS 

3.1 FIELD SAnPLING 

3.1.1 Entrainment 

Entrainment sampling began in Hay 1985 and continued until 22 October 1985. 

Sampling was discontinued over the vinter, according to a stipulation in the 

scope of work to which NYSDEC agreed, and vas completed during the months of 

March and April 1986 (Table 3-1). EA used an Automated Abundance Sampler 

(AUTOSAW) to collect entrained ichthyoplankton samples. This system has been 

used extensively by EA on the Hudson River and has demonstrated its reliability 

as an automated sampler with minimal maintenance labor required. Six samples 

vere collected on each dat5 specified, and each sample was of 4-hour duration 

and of approximately 220 m volume (approximately 1 percent of flow). 

The primary system components of AUTOSAH consisted of a control and data 

readout panel, a 3-in. diameter electric pump, an inline flowmeter, a 500-urn 

mesh collection net suspended in a barrel, and a sample codend carousel (Figure

3-1) 

The sample was pumped from the inflow of the vet well at rates of approximately

1,000 liters per minute. The exact sampling rate varied vith the flow rate 

through the unit and tide height. The effective sampling velocity at the inlet 

of the 4-in. sampling pipe vas approximately 6.8 ftlsec. 2 - . -

The pumping rate was measured vith an inline Signet magnetic flowmeter. 

A continuous electric signal generated by the flowmeter was translated and 

recorded in the sampler's control circuitrj. The accumulated record of sample

volume was stored in the memory along with the actual pumping time for each 

sample. 

The AUTOSAH collection net had a submerged filtration area of 10.4 square feet,

which, because of its cylindrical rather than conical shape, provided the 

maximum volume per net diameter in order to protect collected organisms from 

net abrasion and extrusion. Samples vere concentrated and preserved vith 

10 percent formalin in labeled codends (sample collection containers) on an 

8-position rotating carousel. 

AUTOSAH vas programmed for a 1-hour-rollection/washdowncycle; that is, sample

flow was pumped through the collecdon chamber for 58 minutes followed by a 

2-minute washdown cycle and preservation of the collection in a codend. (Two

minutes is the shortest duration which can provide efficient vashdovn of the 

collection chamber.) EA has determined that one hour is the optimal collection 

duration with this system, minimizing organism damage due to abrasion or 

decomposition while maximizing the collection times. 

Codends vere positioned on a carousel and the system vas programmed to 

composite four sequential 1-hour collection periods into each codend as a 

sample prior to automatic rotation of the carousel. AUTOSAW vas serviced at 

the beginning and end of each 24-hour sample date. Samples vere transferred to 

labeled jars and preserved vith 10 percent formalin. A sample inventory form 

was completed prior to shipment of samples to the laboratory for analysis. 

3-1 
TABLE 3-1 DATES SAMPLED FOR ENTRAINMENT AND IHPINGEMENT AT 

WESTCHESTER RESCO, HAY 1985 - APRXL 1986 

1985 Entrainment Impingement 1986 Entrainment Impingement 

08 MAY X 11 JAN X 

09 X 18 X 

14 X 06 MAR X 

15 X 07 X 

21 X 15 Xt X 

23 X 20 X 

28 X 26 X 

29 X 27 X 

04 JIM X 30 X 

05 X 03 APR 

10 x 08 x 

11 X 11 

17 X X 14 X 

25 X 19 

26 X 20 X 

02 JUL X 26 X 

09 X 29 X 

16 X 

25 X 

30 X 

05 AUG X -X 

13 'X x 

20 X 

27 X 

03 SEP X 

10 X 

17 X 

24 x 

09 OCT X 

10 . x 

14 X 

21 'X X 

07 NOV X 

28 X 

07 DEC x ;

31 x j 

. 

i 
M

E 

.rl 

rlP

B 

m 

0) U

E 

m 

=oE

3 

P 

m 

h 
Sample identification information (serial number, site, date, time, station, 

gear code), sample duration, and sample volume vere recorded for each 4-hour 

sample on a standard entrainment abundance data form. Water chemistry

(temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity) vas recorded at the beginning and 

at the end of each 24-hour sampling period. In addition, daily plant flov 

rates vere obtained from the plant operating logs. 

3.1.2 Impingement fl 

As previously discussed, the cooling vater intake system is located approximately 800 ft from the facility shoreline at a depth of 22 ft. The 3ohnson 

Company cylindrical screens are positioned in four pairs on T-stands, as 

depicted in Appendix A. There is little clearance betveen the screen cylinders

and the intake piping in places, and there is practically no visibility in and 

around the intake system at the bottom of the Hudson River. The facility uses 

an air pulse backwash to clean detritus from the eight individual screens as 

often as necessary to prevent any significant head loss through the intake 

pipes to the river water circulation pumps. This air backwash (cleaning) takes 

place once every several hours when the detrital load in the river is light,

and as often as once every one-half hour vhen the detrital load in the river is 

heavy. Furthermore, certain veather conditions, erg., heavy rains, higher than 

normal tidal fluctuations, and extreme cold, result in dangerous working

(i.e., boating, SCUBA diving) conditions on the Hudson River. 

In order to collect a representative sample of the fish that were impinged on 

the intake screens, the sampling program vas designed vith a certain amount of 

flexibility to account for varying environmental and operating conditions. 

Impingement samples vere collected by SCUBA divers using a custom-designed 

vacuum apparatus, as no other collection method could ensure that an intake 

screen was completely cleaned. It vas stipulated in the scope of work that EA,

Westchester RESCO, and NYSDEC vould keep one another informed of any and all 

environmental or operating conditions that vould interfere with regularly

scheduled attempts to collect samples of detritus and fish from the intake 

screens. L 

Impingement sampling began in May 1985 and continued on a regular basis through

April 1986, except for the mid-vinter period of late January and February, vhen 

ice conditions did not allov sampling (Table 3-1). 

A custom-designed vacuum apparatus ionsisting of a curved cleaning head (Figure

3-2), a flexible hose, and a boat-younted pump vere used .by divers to collect 

all impinged material from intake screens. As this material vas vacuumed up to 

the boat, which was anchored just above the screen modules, it was filtered 

through a cylindrical ichthyoplankton net of 500-um mesh in a barrel (Figure

3-3); this system was similar to that used in the AUTOSIUI for entrainment 

sampling. Detritus, fish, and ichthyoplankton were vashed from the collection 

netlbarrel into a labeled sample container. Samples vere preserved in 10 percent formalin and Rose Bengal dye and transported to the laboratory for further 

processing. Each screen module had its entire surface area cleaned once during 

a sampling period, and the total collection from each screen vas held and processed separate from that of every other screen, so that distinct data sets 

vere compiled. All eight screens vere sampled each veek during the first month 

3-4 
. -

Figure 3-2. Vrcum head cleaner for Johnson screen water 

intake system. 
t 

m 

E ' 3 

e 

rp

c 

c 

rc 

E 0

+ 

U 

w 

0, 

I t P 

0,c

'1' B 

h 

.. 
‘of the project, and this effort vas reduced to four screens thereafter. The 

particular screens and the order in which they vere sampled were selected each 

week by stratified (only one screen per pair), random (computer generated

random sequence) design to account for variation in rates of detrital accumulation on individual screens. 

Standardized field data sheets were completed during each sampling period to 

record time of initiation and completion of each screen, duration of sample

collection, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and all pertinent

observations of weather and river conditions, and plant operations. 

The divers tested the efficiency of the vacuum apparatus before the impingement

sampling program began by vacuuming brightly colored plastic beads (which are 

routinely used in entrainment studies to simulate striped bass eggs) from the 

screens. Under routine field sampling conditions, divers took three vials of 

beads down to the intake screens and opened each one up in front of a screen. 

A total of 300 beads vere released and 276 were collected by the vacuum 

apparatus. Some of the beads were not impinged on the screen surface at all,

and simply floated avay in the river current. The divers were able to see the 

surface of the screen vel1 enough during the test (and often later in the 

program) to observe Gammarus svimming from one location on the screen to 

another without beinginto the system, and it was apparent that the beads 

would not stay in the same location or even on the screen surface for very

long. Divers were also able to see the colored beads that did stay on the 

surface of the screen (for a time) being picked up by the vacuum as they were 

encountered. The test indicated that the vacuum apparatus vould overcome the 

suction of the cooling-vater intake system, and remove objects from the surface 

of the screens. The vacuum apparatus and test results were described to NYSDEC 

in Hay 1985 and the impingement sampling routine was established. 

3.2 LABORATORY PROCEDURES 

Entrainment and impingement samples vere sorted by fully trained personnel

using a magnifying illuminator and all ichthyoplankton were removed. 

Ichthyoplankton identification was accomplished through a rigorous training 

program, reference to pertinent literature and type specimens, and examination 

by highly experienced personnel. Identification vas made to the lowest 

practical taxon by life stage. A subsample of 25 randomly selected individuals 

were selected for each life stage and taxa. Each selected organism vas 

carefully measured to the nearest 0.1 am using a calibrated occular micrometer. 

If less than 25 organisms were presjht for a particular taxon and life stage,

all were measured. Ouality control (QC) on sorting and identification was 

designed to guarantee an average gutgoing quality limit (AOOL) of 90 percent.

Separate QC was implemented for sorting and identification. The QC plan used 

for all sorting and identification of ichthyoplankton was the Continuous 

Sampling Plan (CSP-1). This involved the complete reprocessing of the first 

10 completed samples. Subsequently, one out of every 10 completed samples vas 

selected and reprocessed. If any reprocessed sample vas found to exceed the 

10 percent error rate, a minimum of 10 additional samples vere reprocessed

until 10 consecutive samples were below the 10 percent error rate. All OC 

checks were performed by trained personnel and supervised by the laboratory 

manager 

3-7 
* 3.3 DATA ANALYSIS 

* Daily average densities (number per 1,000 m3 ) used to describe stasonal abundance patterns vere calculated for each life stage of selected taxa: bay anchovy, striped bass, vhite perch, and Atlantic tomcod. These daily average

densities were determined by dividing the total number of each taxonllife stage 

category collected by the total volume of water sampled for each sample date 

(noon on the starting date to noon on the following date): 

- t - %x 1,000 

j 

vhere 

- = daily average density for taxonllife stage i - sample count for taxon/life stage i in sample j

'ij = volume for sample j. 

Estimated length frequencies for each taxon were calculated by weighing the 

length frequency of measured fish for each collection by the number of fish 

collected, then summing the estimated frequencies across all collections. This 

procedure produces an unbiased estimate of the length frequency of all the fish 

entrained for each taxon. 

Impinggmgnt data were also summarized on a daily average density basis (number 

per 10 m ). For impingement, the sample volumes (v ) vere defined to be the 

estimated volumes drawn through the sampled screen kom the time of the last 

previous screen backwash to the time of sample collection. Total plant flows 

for the collection periods, supplied by Uestchester RESCO, were used to produce

the estimated sample volumes by the equation: 

vhere L 

- volume dram through screen j

&j I: total volume drawn through the coo ing system from time of last 

previous backvash until corp'pletion of sampling.

d - elapsed time from last pretious backvash until completion of sampling

dJ = elapsed time from the prtyious backwash until sample j. 

3-8 
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

4 1 CHARACTERISTICS OF ENTRAINED ICETHYOPLANRTON 

4.1.1 Species and Life Stage Composition 

Entrainment vas monitored from Hay 1985 through October 1985 and again during

March and April 1986. The summer entrainment period lasting from aid-Hay

through September, contained the highest degsities of ichthyoplankton, vith 

peak daily average densities of 5,198 per m in mid-July.* Peak denfjity during

the spring entrainment period in krch and April vas 98 per 1,000 m (Figure

4-1A) 

During the Entrainment Honitoring Program, ~15,287ichthyoplankton vere 

collected. Bay anchovy vas by far the dominant taxon, comprising 93.5 percent

of the total. Striped bass vere the second most abundant taxon (4.2 percent),

folloved by white perch (0.9 percent), Atlantic tomcod (0.7 percent), and all 

other taxa the remaining 0.7 percent (Figure 4-18), A complete list of all 

taxa collected is given in Appendix C. 

Eggs vere the most common life stage in entrainment samples, accounting for 

67.3 percent of all organisms (Figure 4-1C). Post yolk-sac larvae vere second 

in abundance (31.2 percent), folloved by yolk-sac larvae (1.3 percent), and 

juveniles (0.1 percent). A fev organisms (0.2 percent) could not be classified 

to life stage. 

4.1.2 Seasonal Distribution and Length Frequency of Key Taxa 

4.1.2.1 Bay Anchovy 

Bay anchovy accounted for 93.5 percent of all organisms collected and vere the 

dominant taxon in the samples from mid-June through Septgmber. Tvo peaks in 

abundance occurreg during the summer: 5,171 per 1,000 m in mid-July, and 

2,601 per 1,000 m in late August (Figure 4-2A). Eggs vere the most abundant 

life stage throughout the entire period of occurrence, consistent vith the prolonged spawning season for bay anchovy. Overall, eggs vere 71.6 percent of all 

bay anchovy col5ectcd (Figure 4-2B). Yolk-sac larvae vere collected vith relative infrequency and comprised only 0.7 percent of the total. Post yolk-sac

larvae accounted for the remaining 27.S percent of the total and, similar to 

eggs, vere present throughout the period of bay anchovy abundance. 4 

Entrained bay anchovy larvae ranged' from 2 to 25 total length vith a mode of 

7 mm (Figure 4-2C). Larvae largerithan 15 m vere relatively infrequent in the 

samples. 

4.1.2.2 Striped Bass 

Striped bass, although second in abundance to bay anchovy, accounted for only

641 organisms (4.2 percent of the total). Striped bass vere most common in 

late Hay and early June (Figure 4-3A) with a peak density of 329 per 1,000 m 

4-1 
Figure 4-1. Seasonal occurrence (A), species composition (B) , and 

life stage composition (C) for ichthyoplankton entrained 

at Wesrchester RESCO, May 1985 - April 1986. 
TABLE 4-1 SPECIES COHPOSITION OF PUXP ENTRAINXENT SAMPLES AT 

VESTCEESTER RESCO, HAY 1985 - APRIL 1986, AND 

INDIAN POINT GENERATING STATION, 1 HAY - 11 AUGUST 1985 

Taxon Vestchester RESCO Indian Point“) 

Bay anchovy 

Striped bass 

White perch 

Atlantic tomcod 

Horone sp. 

Unidentified 

Other 

Number of taxa 

(a) NAI i986a. . . .. 

93 5% 88.3% 

’ 4.2% 3.3% 

0.9% 1.9% 

0.7% 1.7% . 

(0.1% 0.9% 

0.1% 2.5% 

0.3% 1.4% 

17 36 

_. . .. 

c 
TABLE 4-2 LIFE STAGE COMPOSITION OF PUHP BNTRAINHENT SAMPLES AT 

VESTCHESTER RESCO, HAY 1985 - APRIL 1986, AND 

INDIAN POINT GENERATING STATION, 1 HAY - 11 AUGUST 1985 

Life Stage Uestchester RESCO Indian Point(') 

Egg 67.3% 41 6% 

.. Yolk-sac larvae 1.3% 0.1% 

Post yolk-sac larvae 31.2% ' 52.7% 

Juvenile <o.1% 2.4% 

Unidentified 0.2% 3.2% 

(a) NAI 1986a. 

-

.. ..... . I. 

c 

i 
Post yolk-sac larvae accounted for 98 percent of all striped bass collected 

vith 

4-3B)

yolk-sac larvae contributing 1.4 percent and eggs 0.6 percent (Figure 

Entrained striped bass ranged from 4 to 13 am total length with a modal length

of 7 mm (Figure 4-3C) 

4.1.2.3 Vhite Perch 

Vhite perch vere the third most abundant taxon and accounted for 132 organisms.

Although they occurred in samples from Xay through September, most vhite perch 

were collected on only two sampligg dates (Figure 4-4A). Daily average density

ranged from 34 and 67 per 1,000 m on 21 and 28 May, respectively, to 3 or less 

on all other dates they vere collected. Only two life stages vere collected: 

post yolk-sac larvae (97.7 percent), and yolk-sac larvae (2.3 percent) (Figure

4-4B). Entrained white perch ranged from 3 to 12 mm total length with a mode 

of 4 mm (Figure 4-4C). Approximately 95 percent vere less than 7 mu. 

4.1.2.4 Atlantic Tomcod 

Atlantic tomcod, vhich contributed 113 organisms, were present on the first 

sample date in Hay, and all dates in March and April, vgen they vere the dominant taxon (Figure 4-SA). Peak density (98 per 1,000 m ) occurred on the first 

sampling date in Xarch. 

Yolk-sac larvae were the dominant life stage and comprised 69 percent of all 

tomcod collected (Figure 4-5B). Post yolk-sac larvae contributed 12.4 percent,

and 18.6 percent could not be identified to life stage. The gut region of 

larval tomcod is easily damaged during the collection process. Since the 

yolk-sac, if it is still present, is in the gut region, a relatively high

proportion of individuals cannot be classified to yolk-sac or post yolk-sac

larvae. The unclassified individuals, however, occurred primarily in early

Xarch, prior to any definite post-yolk sac larvae, and it is therefore likely

that they vere yolk-sac larvae. 

Total length of-entrained Atlantic tomcod ranged from 6 to 20 mm vith a mode of 

7 mm (Figure 4-5C). 

4.2 COMPARISON TO CWCTERISTICS OF ENTRAINMENT AT INDIAN POINT 

GENERATING STATION 

The Indian Point Generating Statio" is a nuclear power plant located approximately 1 km downriver from Vestchyter RESCO, also on the east bank of the 

Eudson River. Indian Point comprises two operating units; Unit 2, owned and 

operated by Consolidated Edison Company of New Pork, Inc,, and Unit 3, owned 

and operated by New York Power Authority. The cooling systems for the Indian 

Point station use Hudson River vater on a once-through basis. The intakes are 

located at the shoreline and extend from the vater surface to the bottom, a 

depth of approximately 9 m. Traveling screens at 11 of the 12 circulating

vater intakes have 0.95-cm square mesh and the remaining Ristroph-type screen 

has 0.63- x 1.25-cm3mesh. The 12 circulating vater pumps art each capable of 

pumping up to 530 m /min (140,000 gpm) vhich produce an average Intake velocity

of approximately 0.26 dsec (0.84 fps). 

4-5 
-- 

8 

lYlMCLC MTC 

a. LIFE STAGE COMPOSITION 

*¶ -I 7t.m~~ ! 

C. ESTlMATED LENGTH FREQUENCY 

IOTU LtNOTn Cmm> 

Figure 4-2. Seasonal occurrence (A), life stage co~pps&.t,&on_ (B) , and 

estimated length frequency (C) fo,r.6ay ---_anchovy-)entrained __.."<.._+l at Westchester RESCO, May 1985 - April 1886. 
f3. LIFE STAGE COIVIPOSITION 

700 

BOO 

no0 

400 

000 

aoo 

100 

0 

Figure 4-3. Seasonal occurrence (A), life stage composition (B), and 

estimated length frequency (C) for striped bass entrained 

at Westchester RESCO, May 1985 - April 1986. 
Entrainment abundance studies have been conducted at the Indian Point I~ Generating Station since the early 1970s; thus, a large database is available 

for description of the regional ichthyofauna that could be expected to appear

in Vestchester RESCO entrainment samples. Although the studies have demonstrated certain consistent patterns in entrainment across years, species

composition, timing of occurrence, and level of abundance can change

appreciably with large scale environmental factors such as vater temperature

and freshwater flow (EA 1985). Por this reason, data from Vestchester RESCO 

entrainment vere compared only to the 1985 data collcctcd,at Indian Point from 

1 Hay through 11 August (NAI 1986a); thus, differences in entrainment data 

between the two plants can be more directly related to the differences in the 

intake structures (location, mesh, and velocity) withollt being confounded by

annual variations. 

Three characteristics of selected entrained taxa were selected for comparison.

These are temporal abundance pattern, life stage composition, and length

frequency. 

4.2.1 Species and Life Stage Composition 

Species composition at the tvo power plants vas very similar (Table 4-1)

although a greater number of species vere collected at Indian Point. The 

continuous sampling program at Indian Point vould be expected to capture more 

infrequently occurring taxa than the weekly sampling at Vestchester RESCO. 

Collections at both plants vere dominated by bay anchovy, with striped bass,

white perch, and Atlantic tomcod ranking second, third, and fourth. 

On a life stage basis, entrainment samples from Westchester RESCO were dominated by eggs (67.3 percent) and post yolk-sac larvae (31.2 percent) (Table 

4-2). Indian Point samples, in contrast, vere composed of primarily post

yolk-sac larvae (52.7 percent) and eggs (41.6 percent). These differences in 

life stage composition are explained when comparisons across plants are made 

on a species basis. 

4.2.2 Seasonal Distribution and Length Frequency of Key Taxa 

4.2.2.1 Ba? Anchovy 

Seasonal patterns of occurrence and density levels of bay anchovy in 

Westchester RESCO snd Indian Point e,ptrainment samples indicated generally

close agreement between the two sam ling programs (Figure 4-6A). Daily averagg

densities were similar except for 1t July, vhen a density of 5,198 per 1,000 m 

occurred atjPestchester RESCO compdred to a density at Indian Point of 2,116 

per 1,000 m (NAI 1986a), and during 30 July and 5 August when Vestchester 

RESCO densities were lower than Indian Point densities. On the two later 

dates, samples were composed almost entirely of post yolk-sac larvae; no eggs 

vere collected at Indian Point and very few at Vestchester RESCO. 

The life stage compositions at the 'two plants reflects the differences observed 

in the density data. Indian Point had a higher contribution from post yolk-sac

larvae and a lover contribution from eggs (Pigure 4-6B). Mether these differences are the result of real differences In vulnerability to tntrainment at the 

tvo plants or arise from differences in the intensity and scheduling of 

sampling cannot be determined at present. 

4-8 
LIFE STAGE COMPOSITION - - . .. __..- -.-. ..- ~ ..- _. . .. -- . . -' '7 __ 

.: $0 

0 

Figure 

C. ESTIMATED LENGTH FREQUENCY 

0 

/ 

4-4. Seasonal occurrence (A), life stage composition (B) , and 

estimated length frequency (C) for white perch entrained 

at Westchesrer RESCO, May 1985 - April 1986. 
100 

no 

DO 

70 

a0 

-0 

40 

SO 

10 

io 

0 

C. ESTIMATED LENGTH FREQUENCY 

mo ­

mo - ­ 70 - f

i 

a0 - i I DO- ' i

@ 40 - I 

I 

00 - i 

10 ­

10 ­

0'. , , , , , , ,I

I o 3 I o 4 7 30 ii is is 14 9. 10 97 1. ia -8% 8s asad *a 1lr0 

Figure 4-5. Seasonal occurrence (A), life stage composition (B) , and 

estimated length frequency (C) for Atlantic tomcod entrained 

at Westchester RESCO, May 1985 - April 1986. 
J INDUN COIHT I I 

4 i !/’ 

3. LIFE STAGE COMPARISOP4 

DOR 

70% 

*om 

BOR 

*OR 

SOI 

loll 

1OR 

01 

L 

Figure 4-6. Comparison of daily average densities (A) and life stage 

composition (B) of bay anchovy entrained at Westchester 

RESCO and Indian Point Generating Station, May - August 1985. 

I 
'* Length composition of entrained bay anchovy vere not compared due to potential 

bias from differences in degree of subsampling for this taxon in the two 

sampling programs. 

4.2.2.2 Striped Bass 

Temporal pattern and densities of striped bass also agreed vel1 between the two 

pover rtations. Densities vere gentrally similar vith the3cxception of 28 May

when Vestchester ltESCOjdensity was higher (329 per 1,000 ia ) than at Indian 

Point (190 per 1,OOO m ). This difference, however, could be due to the lack 

of exact temporal overlap in sampling effort. Vestchester RESCO samples cover 

the period from noon on the sample date to noon the folloving day vhile Indian 

Point samples cover all 24 hours on one calendar date) and the rapid changes in 

density that vere occurring at the time (Figure 4-7A). 

Life stage composition at the two plants was nearly identical vith post

yolk-sac larvae being dominant (Figure 4-7B). 

Length frequency distributions were also similar, hovever, Vestchester RESCO 

samples had more larvae in the 6- to 8-m range vhile 10-14 am larvae were 

relatively more common at Indian Point (Figure 4-7C). 

4.2.2.3 Vhite Perch 

Temporal occurrence and density of white perch were nearly identical at both 

plants in Hay, but a second peak in abundance at Indian Point in June was not 

observed at VestChester RESCO (Figure 4-8A). After mid-June, densities of 

white perch were very lov at both plants. 

Life stage composition was also similar in that post-yolk-sac larvae were 

dominant at both power plants, however, a small contribution vas observed for 

eggs at Indian Point and for yolk-sac larvae at Vestchester RESCO (Figure

4-8B) 0 

Length frequencies at the two plants vere distinctly different for vhite perch

(Figure 4-8C). Larvae from 3 to 6 pull dominated the Vestchester RESCO entrainment samples, but at Indian Point the length distribution vas distinctly

bimodal. The larger vhite perch larvae in the Indian Point samples occurred 

primarily during the June peak in abundance (NU 1986a) that was not seen at 

Vestchestcr RESCO. 4 

4.2.2.4 Atlantic tomcod 

Atlantic tomcod exhibited the most distinct differences in entrainment patterns

betveen the tvo stations. During the Hay - August period vhen Indian Paint 

data are available for comparison, post yolk-sac larvae and primarlly juvenile

tomcod were entrained at Indian Point (NAI 1986a). Densities vare highest in 

early Xay and declined to near zero by June (Figure 4-9A). During the Hay - August period, only tvo Atlantic tomcod (both post yolk-sac larvae) vere 

observed in Vestchester RESCO entrainment samples. Host tomcod in Yestchester 

RESCO samples occurred in March and April (Figure 4-SA) vhul larvae from the 

winter spawning season were in the area. 

4-12 
----- 

1 . A. SEASONAL DEb Sl-rf COh PAR1S0N 

1.0 -( x yI.cITowcmwtncmco 

so0 1 

SBO -

4

- A I 

? INDIAN COlNT 

moo /\ v 1.0 ­ io0 7 

10 ­

e. LIFE STACE COMPARISON 

OOII - I 

-0ox ---.-- --I- ---.-

*ox - -0% - fox -

10% ­ 1 a%.-

SO% - son ­ 10% ­ -lNDUN CO;M 

OI ' , 

e001 T.L ML JW UNID 

Ur'L WAOL 

C. LENGTH FREQUENCY COtvlPARtSON 

c oo -

am - I 10 ­

1. ­

10 ­

8 ­

0-4 0 

1_ 

1s 

G14 

­

1D 10 I7 IB 

Figure 4-7. Comparison of daily average densities (A), life stage 

composition (B), and estimated length frequency (C) of 

striped bass entrained at Westchester RESCO and Indian 

Point Generating Station, May - August 1985. 
A. SEASONAL DENSITY COMPARISON 

eo0 ------ --_I_­

5.0 ­ 100 

370 

1.0 

-

- INDIAN POINT -1

I S40 * 

*so -*

- /" 

i 9-0 a 

!! 100 1 

00 - ! 

707' I 00 - t '$ I 

OMAI14UYal MAYIOMAY 4JUN 11JUNfJUH ¶UUN UUL OJUL l WUL PIWUWOJUL-0 

WPU aAm 

-*on --__..---_- ... 

**OR ­ too1 ­ mest - -OR ­ 7Ol ­ oon ­ mou ­ 4oR - son -

INDIAN COlffT 

a 

Figure 4-9. Comparison of daily average densities (A), life stage 

composition (B), and estimated length frequency (C) of 

Atlantic tomcod entrained at Westchester RESCO and Indian 

Point Generating Station, May - August 1985. 
. . -, , . 

Life stage composition vas nearly entirely juveniles at Indian Point and 

entirely larvae at Uestchester RESCO (Figure 4-9B). 

Length compositions also reflected the differences in observed life stage

entrainment with much larger fish observed at Indian Point. It must be noted 

that the real difference in tntraiment of Atlantic tomcod occurs during the 

summer months vhen juvenile fish are entrained at Indian Point but not at 

Vestchcster RESCO (Figure 4-9C). Data to compare tomcod entrainment during

March and April are not presently available. L 

4.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPINGED FISH 

4.3.1 Species and Life Stage Composition ' 

A total of 175 organisms vere collected on 37 impingement collection dates from 

Hay 1985 through April 1986. The temporal pattern of occurrence indicgted

extremely patchy distribution with densitieg in excess of 100 per 10 m on only

five occasions. Peak density (1,184 per 10 m ) occurred in Harch (Figure

4-10A) but three separate high density collections occurred during the summer 

Similar to entrainment collections, bay anchovy was the dominant taxon 

comprising 70.3 percent of all organisms collected (Figure 4-1OB). Atlantic 

tomcod were second in abundance (25.7 percent), followed by striped bass 

(1.1 percent), vhite perch (0.6 percent), and others (2.2 percent). 

Eggs (bay anchovy) were the life stage most commonly impinged, accounting for 

61.1 percent of all organisms (Figure 4-1OC). Post yolk-sac larvae, also 

primarily bay anchovy, vere second most abundant (14.3 percent), followed by

yolk-sac larvae (3.4 percent), and juveniles (1.7 percent). Organisms that 

could not be identified to life stage accounted for 19.4 percent of the total. 

These were entirely Atlantic tomcod larvae that could not be definitely

classified as yolk-sac or post yolk-sac. 

4.3.2 Seasonal Distribution of Key Taxa 

Temporal distruution of key species in impingement samples vas similar to the 

distribution in entrainment samples, vhich is to be expected since the same 

life stages were captured in both programs. Bay anchovy, primarily eggs, vere 

observed during the summer months (Figure 4-llA). The dates of relatively high

anchovy egg abundance in impingement.samples (2 July, 25 July, and 13 August)

correspond to periods of high entraeent densities, however, the impingement

densities are approximately three orders of magnitude lower than entrainment 

densities. / 

Atlantic tomcod impingement abundance also correspond temporally vith 

entrainment patterns, however, impingement densities were approximately tvo 

orders of magnitude lover than entrainment densities. 

Other taxa, including vhite perch and stripe$ bass, vere observed primarily in 

Hay and early June at densities of 20 per 10 m or less, also far below 

concurrent entrainment densities. 

4-16 
--- 

--- 

.. r .. . 

.. . 

I . . 1 . 

. 

*.a 

1.9 

t 

0.. 

0.8 

0.7 

0. 

0.8 

0.4 

0.S 

0.0 

0.9 

0 

A- SfCASONAL OCCURRENCE 

B. SPECIES COMPOSITION 

C. LIFE STAGE COMPOSITION 

980 

990 

9 00 

mo 

.O 

70 

e0 

80 

40 

SO 

80 

90 

0 

Figure 4-10. Seasonal occurrence (A), species composition (B), and life 

stage composition (C) of fish collected in impingement 

samples at Westchester RESCO, May 1985 - April 1986. 
0.m 

0.. 

0.7 

0.. 

0.8 

0.4 

0.a 

0.t 

0.9 

0 

JUN JUL AVO *tC OCT NW DLC 4AN PCa MAR APR 

WPUC MTE 

S. ATLANTIC TOMCOD 

9.2 L-----, - . . - - DrJLY AVCRAOL DtNSllV -.-. .. _I__._ ~ ---_- ... . ­ 3.9 ­

9 ­

0.. ­ 0.. ­ 0.7 ­ 0.. ­ 0.D ­ 0.4 ­ 0.5 ­ 0.t ­ o.* -

C. OTHERS 

I.0 - MlLl AMMO. DLNWTV ... . _-,. ... . . '-7 

a4o ­ oao - - IO0 ­ 900 ­ 9SO ­ 940 - *so ­ 900 ­ 00 ­ a0 - i 

40 -

Figure 4-11. Density (number per 106 m3) of bay anchovy (A), Atlantic 

tomcod (B), and other fish (C) in impingement samples at 

Westchester RESCO, May 1985 - April 1986. 
. 4*4 COMPARISON TO CEARACTERISTICS OF IMPINGED FISH AT INDIAN POINT 

GENERATING STATION 

Comparisons of Uestchester RESCO impingement data to impingement data at Indian 

Point Generating Station can be conducted, however, since only juveniles and 

older fish are observed in impingement collections at Indian Point, juvenile

data from Vestchester RESCO must be used for the comparison. During the 

sampling program, only 3 juvenile fish were observed at VestChester RESCO,

2 Atlantic tomcod in nay, and 1 northern pipefish in August. Therefore, the 

average observed iepjngement rate at Vestchester RESCO fbr tiny 1985 vas 6 fish 

(juveniles2 ger 10 m . At Indian Point, the average rate was apgrgximately

200 per 10 m in nay 1985 and rose to approximately 1,400 per 10 m in December 

1985 (NAI 1986b). Further attempts to compare impingement at the two plants is 

pointless since impingement of juvenile and older fish was not observed at 

Vestchester RESCO. 

c 

4-19 
REFERENCES 

Consolidated Edison Company of New Pork, Inc. (Con Edison). 1977. Indian 

Point Unit No. 2, Indian Point Unit No. 3. Near Field Effects of 

Once-Through Cooling System Operation on Eudson River Biota. Consolidated 

Edison Company of New York, Inc. and Power Authority of the State of 

New York. July. 

Con Edison. 1984. Eudson River Ecological Study in the Area of Indian Point. 

1981 Annual Report. Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc, and Power 

Authority of the State of New York. 

EA Science and Technology, A Division of EA Engineering, Science, and 

Technology, Inc. 1985. Indian Point Generating Station Entrainment 

Abundance and Outage Evaluation. 1984 Annual Report. Prepared for 

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. and Nev York Power Authority. 

Normandeau Associates, Inc. (NAI). 1986a. Indian Point Generating Station 

Entrainment Abundance Program. 1985 Annual Report. Prepared for 

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. and New York Power Authority. 

NAI. 1986b. Hudson River Ecological Study in the Area of.Indian Point. 

1985 Annual Report. Prepared for Consolidated Edison Company of New York,

Inc. and New York Pover Authority. 

UOP, Inc. 1981. Johnson Surface Water Intake Screens. Johnson Division. 

St. Paul, Minnesota. 

e 

c 

r 
APPENDIX B 

JOHNSON CYLINDRICAL VEE-KRE SCREENS 

. 
, .. . 

APPENDIX c 

SUHKARY OF TAXA AND NUMBERS COLL3CTED IN ENTRAf"T 

AND IHPINGEHENT MONITORING STUDIES AT VESTCHESTER RESCO, 

HAY 1985 - APRIL 1986 

r 

c 

# 

i 
TABLE: C-1 SUHHARY OF TAXA AND NWBERS COLLECTED IN ENl'UINnEKT AND IHPINCEt!ENT 

MONITORING STUDIES AT YESTCHESTER RESCO, MY 1985 - APRIt 1986 

. Tsxon 

Bay anchovy

Striped bass 

Yhitt perch

Hotone sp.

mic tomcod 

Hogchoker

Vcakfish 

Northern pipefish 

Alosa sp.

Tesselated darter 

Cottidae (sculpihs)

B bo sis sip. (minnow) 

*des 

Summer flounder 

Sunfishes 

American eel 

Rainbov smelt 

Number Collected 

Entrainment Impingement 

14,300 

64 1 

132 

6 

113 

26 

10 

9 

9 

5 

6 

4 

3 

1 

1 _-

Unidentified 6 mutilated -18 -2 

Total 15,287 175 

,\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

\ 

1 L