Overview

Boott Hydropower, LLC (Boott) owns and operates the Lowell Hydroelectric project (FERC No. 2790), which is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The current operating license for the Lowell Project was issued on May 1, 1973 and expires on April 30, 2023. Boott will file its application with FERC for a new license for continued project operation no later than April 30, 2021. As part of this relicensing process, Boott is conducting a series of resource studies to enable FERC to prepare its environmental review document and develop a new operating license.

Location

The Project is located on the Merrimack River in the City of Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with an impoundment extending into Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.

Project Components

Documents

May 2022

Updated – Whitewater Boating and Access Study Report

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May 2022

UPDATED – Recreation and Aesthetics Study Report

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May 2022

INITIAL – Whitewater Boating and Access Study

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December 2021

USR Meeting Summary

A summary of the November 16, 2021 Updated Study Report meeting between Boott and FERC Staff.

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November 2021

UPDATED - Supplemental Historically Significant Waterpower Equipment Study

This report presents the results of the Historically Significant Waterpower Equipment Study.

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November 2021

UPDATED - Water Level & Flow Effects on Historic Resources Study Report

This study assess the potential effect of water level fluctuations within the headpond, Northern Canal, and Pawtucket Canal.

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November 2021

UPDATED - 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Study Report

This study evaluates the flow field conditions that exist in and around the Lowell Project's fish passage facilities.

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November 2021

UPDATED - Fish Passage Survival Study

This study evaluates the potential survival of fish passing downstream through the E.L. Field turbines.

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November 2021

UPDATED - Instream Flow Habitat Assessment Study

This study evaluates study methodologies used to assess the flow:habitat relationship for target fish species and life stages in the Bypassed Reach & evaluate the zone of passage assessment.

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November 2021

UPDATED - Lowell Resources Study Report

This study evaluates the current ownership of resources within the canal system and existing Project Boundary.

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March 2021

Revised ISR Meeting Presentation

The presentation from the March 11, 2021 virtual Revised ISR meeting between Boott and FERC Staff.

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February 2021

Revised Initial Study Report Cover Letter

Read the Cover Letter to the Initial Study Report.

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February 2021

Operation Analysis of the Lowell Canal Study

This study evaluates the operations of the Project's canal system.

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February 2021

Recreation and Aesthetics Study Report

This study documents and evaluates the recreation resources and recreational activities that occur in the Project area.

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February 2021

Technical Report for the Fish Assemblage Study

This study evaluates the fish assemblage areas affected by the Lowell Project, specifically the impoundment and bypassed reach.

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+ 2020 Documents

December 2020

Lowell Cover Letter DLA

Read the Lowell Cover Letter DLA.

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December 2020

Lowell Draft License Application Vol I of II

Read the first section of the Draft License Application.

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December 2020

Lowell Draft License Application Vol II of II Part 1

Read the second section of the Draft License Application.

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December 2020

Lowell Draft License Application Vol II of II Part 2

Read the third section of the Draft License Application.

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October 2020

Whitewater Safety Plan

Read the Whitewater Boating and Access Study Safety Plan and please provide your COVID-19 Screening Form as directed.

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September 2020

Fish Assemblage Appendix F

The results of the Fish Assemblage Report filed with the Commission on September 30, 2020.

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September 2020

Revised ISR Compiled

Boott filed the Revised ISR with the Commission on September 30, 2020, in accordance with the Revised Process Plan and Schedule.

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June 2020

The Commission’s Revised Process Plan and Schedule

On June 12, 2020, the Commission issued a Revised Process Plan and Schedule and Determination on Requests for Study Modifications for the Lowell Hydroelectric Project. The Revised Process Plan and Schedule in this document is currently the effective schedule.

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March 2020

Initial Study Report: Meeting Presentation

A presentation of the available study results and any proposals to modify the study plans in light of the progress of studies and data collected.

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February 2020

Initial Study Report

Studies and information gathering activities per the Study Plan Determination are presented in this document.

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+ 2019 Documents

March 2019

Study Plan Determination

Approval for the revised Study Plan

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January 2019

Revised Study Plan

A revision to the September 2018 Proposed Study Plan

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+ 2018 Documents

September 2018

Proposed Study Plan

A proposed plan for 13 studies related to fish and aquatic resources, recreation, aesthetics, historic resources, operation of the Lowell canal, and land ownership.

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September 2018

Scoping Document 2

This document describes the proposed action and alternatives, the environmental analysis process we will follow to prepare the EA, and a revised list of issues to be addressed in the EA.

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June 2018

Scoping Document 1

A preliminary review of the environmental issues to be addressed in our EA is contained in Scoping Document 1.

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April 2018

Pre-Application Document

The PAD provides a description of the Project and existing and reasonably available information relevant to the Project.

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April 2018

Notice of Intent

Notice of Intent to file an application for a new hydro relicense.

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CONTACT

Jillian Lawrence
4747 Bethesda Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

jlawrence@hullstreetenergy.com
(856) 906-0180