USACE Grant for Research on Thermal Mixing, Water Quality, and Algae Dynamics in the Cape Fear River

FINAL SOO will be submitted at time of Request for Proposals

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

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) will be used to identify potential

investigators for a project to be funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Wilmington

District)-Sustainable Rivers Program. The work involves comprehensive support of researchers

in studying pulses and flow prescriptions to aid in basin wide efforts, and USACE relationships

with water users as well as examining the effectiveness of water releases to achieve the desired

outcomes while all in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 2358 – Research and Development.

Approximately $40,000.00 is expected to be available to support this project, for the base period.

Additional funding may be available for follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the

successful recipient/awardee.

Background:

The Cape Fear River Basin was added to a nationwide program called The Sustainable Rivers

Program (SRP) in 2016. The mission of SRP is to improve the health and life of rivers by

changing water infrastructure operations to restore and protect ecosystems, while maintaining or

enhancing other project benefits. The SRP attempts to analyze the effects from dams and use

reservoir operations to enhance and manage downstream (and sometimes in lake) ecosystems.

The Cape Fear River Basin was chosen for the SRP because of its complex human-ecology

relationships, the expert stakeholders in the basin, and because the Corps-owned B. Everett

Jordan Dam (Jordan Dam) has potential to influence fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and

other natural resources. The Cape Fear River Basin contains over two million people (2010

census), one-fifth of the state’s population. This includes growing urban areas of Durham,

Greensboro, Pittsboro, Fayetteville, Wilmington and other cities, which contribute urban runoff

into the river, but many of which also get a portion of their drinking water from this waterbody.

The basin also supports 95 species of recreational fish, 42 rare aquatic species, as well as

streamside habitat containing some of the oldest trees east of the Rocky Mountains; some of

which are over 2000 years old (Stahle, 2012).

Natural and human environments rely on the Cape Fear River, making its water quality and

water quantity of the utmost importance. There have been multiple harmful algal bloom

outbreaks behind Lock and Dam 1. These algal blooms are harmful to the health of the aquatic

ecosystem, resulting, at times, in fish kills. The Cape Fear River also has many drinking water

users, especially near locations of historic algal blooms. The algal blooms impact the treatment

capacity of the many water supply systems on the Cape Fear River.

Note: Must be a non-federal partner in the Piedmont – South Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake

Watershed, or Southern Appalachian Mountains CESU Unit Region.

Brief Description of Anticipated Work (Please refer to Statement of Objectives for complete detailed objectives and tasks):

This project focuses on the following objectives:

I. Understand thermal stratification of the Cape Fear River, especially near Lock and Dam 1,

and ideally another location between Jordan Dam and Lock and Dam 3;

II. Correlate different flow rates with potential thermal mixing of the water column;

III. Track water quality constituents, especially chlorophyll a, as it relates to flow;

IV. Relate the Corps’ water management to water quality and investigate the influence of

releases out of Jordan Reservoir.

Period of Performance:

The base period of performance is anticipated to be twelve (12) months from date of award. Four

option periods, extending for 12 months each, are anticipated subject to availability of funds.

Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time.

Please send responses or direct questions to:

Grants Specialist

USACE Ft. Worth District

Sandra.justman@usace.army.mil

Greg Bonnell

Project Manager

Regional Planning and Environmental Center

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Email: Gregory.W.Bonnell@usace.army.mil

Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOI required to be posted on www.Grants.gov for 30 days, prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 27 July 2021.

FINAL SOO will be submitted at time of Request for Proposals

Please review the Full RSOI & SOO Documents referenced to this posting.