HomeMy WebLinkAboutS Memorandum of Understanding Supporting Voluntary & Temporary Revisions to Eno River Flow Management Practices for the West Fork Eno Reservoir and Lake Orange MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SUPPORTING VOLUNTARY&TEMPORARY REVISIONS TO ENO
RIVER FLOW MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR THE WEST FORK ENO RESERVOIR AND LAKE ORANGE
The Town of Hillsborough and Orange County agree to modify our current practices for management of
the Eno River flow through the Hillsborough USGS stream gauge. These modifications are made
primarily in consideration of the concerns of property owners/residents along the shoreline of Lake
Orange, Lake Orange Incorporated,and recreational users of Lake Orange,who desire Lake Orange to be
maintained at a level no lower than 24 inches below full,to the extent possible. It is noted that the
Town of Hillsborough is not required to take these steps; however,the town is is giving up a portion of
its water capacity to be a good partner to Lake Orange stakeholders in good faith.
Between the months of April and October each year that this agreement is active:
• The Town of Hillsborough agrees to provide the required instream flow requirement at the
Hillsborough Gauge that is currently required from Lake Orange(varies,based on the Lake
Orange water level),as well as the water usage requirements of the Town of Hillsborough,
Orange-Alamance Water System,and Piedmont Minerals through releases from the West Fork
Eno Reservoir(WFER).
• Orange County agrees to provide the required instream flow requirement at the Hillsborough
Gauge that is currently required from the WFER(1.0 cubic feet per second)through releases
from Lake Orange.
The goal of these management modifications is to maintain Lake Orange water levels within 24 inches
from full pool(615')during the months of April through October each year. This is the primary period
for recreation within Lake Orange. Compliance with this agreement is contingent upon adequate
seasonal water supplies available to fulfill the demands of the water users that are part of the Voluntary
Capacity Use Agreement.
This agreement shall have an initial term through December 2015. It is anticipated that the Town of
Hillsborough will begin construction of Phase 2 of the West Fork Eno Reservoir in 2016(or shortly
thereafter). During construction,this modification to the Eno River flow management will not be
possible. Reinstatement of these management practices may be considered upon completion of
construction of WFER Phase 2.
If,at any time,for any reason,either the Town of Hillsborough or Orange County decides to withdraw
from this agreement,the management practices set forth in the Voluntary Capacity Use Agreement
(Table 1-Eno River Water Management Plan,current revision)shall be reinstated. The Voluntary
Capacity Use Agreement remains the legal plan of record.
TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH ORANGE COUNTY
W V .&f �� j-�5L
Kenneth P.Keel,PE,Town Engineer Kevin Lindley,PE,Staff Engineer
(Staff manager of WFER releases) (Staff manager of Lake Orange releases)
Date: t/ q Date: ( �