`
`February 14, 2024
`
`
`Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`888 First Street N.E.
`Washington, DC 20426
`
`Subject: Preliminary Permit Application – Saylorville Dam
`
`
`
`Dear Secretary Bose:
`
`On behalf of Kram Hydro 4, LLC, please find enclosed a completed preliminary permit application for
`the Saylorville Dam Hydroelectric Project.
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC has developed the application according to 18 CFR Section 4.32 of the
`Commission’s regulations.
`
`If you have any questions regarding this submission, please do not hesitate to contact me.
`
`Sincerely,
`
`
`
`
`Pamela Niditch
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`pamela@conifer-infra.com
`570-560-0205
`
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`Saylorville Dam Hydroelectric Project
`
`
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`
`Application for Preliminary Permit
`Before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`
`Submitted to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`888 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20426
`
`
`
`Prepared by:
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`Applicant Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B
`PMB 50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
`February 2024
`
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`Statement of Application:
`
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC hereby applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a
`preliminary permit for the proposed Saylorville Hydroelectric Project, as described in the
`attached exhibits. The Applicant may secure and maintain priority of licensing for the project
`under Part 1 of the Federal Power Act while obtaining the data and performing the required
`actions to determine the project's feasibility and support an application for the license.
`
`1. Location of the proposed Project:
`
`
`State:
`Counties:
`Township or nearby town:
`Body of Water:
`
`Iowa
`Polk
`Des Moines, Iowa
`Des Moines River
`
`
`2. The exact name, business address, and telephone number of the Applicant are:
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B
`PMB 50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`Phone: 772-418-2705
`
`The exact name, address, and telephone number of persons authorized to act as agent for
`the Applicant in this application are:
`
`Pamela Niditch, Kram Hydro 4, LLC / Pamela@conifer-infra.com / 570-560-0205
`Kristen Fan, Kram Hydro 4, LLC / Kristen@ conifer-infra.com / 772-418-2705
`Mitchell Athey, Kram Hydro 4, LLC/ Mathey@conifer-infra.com / 979-204-5550
`
`
`
`
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`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B
`PMB 50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
`3. Preference under Section 7(a) of the Federal Power Act
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC is a domestic limited liability company and does not claim a
`preference under section 7(a) of the Federal Power Act.
`
`
`4. Term of Permit
`
`The proposed term of the requested permit is 48 months.
`
`5. Existing Dams or Other Project Facilities
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`The project will use the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Saylorville Lock and
`Dam Structure. The owner of the existing lock and dam is the United States of America. The
`project facilities are under the jurisdiction of the USACE, Rock Island District. The address for
`the USACE local office is:
`
`U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
`U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island
`Clock Tower Building
`1500 Rock Island Drive
`Rock Island, IL 61201
`
`Information Required by 18 C.F.R. § 4.32
`
`1) Identify every person, citizen, association of citizens, domestic corporation, municipality,
`or state that has or intends to obtain and will maintain any proprietary right necessary to
`construct, operate, or maintain the project:
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC is the only entity that intends to obtain proprietary rights necessary to
`construct, operate, or maintain the proposed project. It will maintain those rights for the 48-
`month permit term.
`
`2) Identify:
`a) Every county in which any part of the project, and any Federal facilities that would be
`used by the project, would be located:
`
`The project would span the Des Moines River and is in the following county:
`
`
`Polk County
`Polk County Administration Building
`111 Court Avenue
`Des Moines, IA 50309-2298
`
`b) Cities, towns, or similar subdivisions of 5,000 or more people within a 15-mile radius of
`the project dam and cities, towns, or similar subdivisions in which any part of the
`project, and any federal facilities that would be used by the project, would be located:
`
`City of Johnson
`6221 Merle Hay Road
`Johnston, IA 50131
`
`City of Des Moines
`400 Robert D. Ray Drive
`Des Moines, IA 50309
`
`City of Grimes
`101 North Harvey Street
`Grimes, IA 50111
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`City of Urbandale
`3600 86th Street
`Urbandale, IA 50322
`
`City of Clive
`1900 N.W. 114th Street
`Clive, IA 50325
`
`Waukee
`230 West Hickman Road
`Waukee, IA 50263
`
`West Des Moines
`4200 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265
`West Des Moines, IA 50265
`
`Pleasant Hill
`5160 Maple Drive, Suite A
`Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
`
`City of Norwalk
`705 North Avenue
`Norwalk, IA 50211
`
`Altoona
`900 Venbury Dr Suite A,
`Altoona, IA 50009
`
`c) Irrigation districts, drainage districts, or similar political subdivisions including federal
`facilities that would be used or located within the project area:
`
`
`There are no irrigation districts, drainage districts, or similar special-purpose political
`subdivisions in any part of the project or any Federal facilities that would be used by
`the project, nor any that own, operate, maintain, or use any project facilities, or any
`Federal facilities, that would be used by the project that we are aware of.
`
`d) Every other political subdivision in the project area that would likely be interested in or
`affected by the application:
`
`
`Proposed project is located in the third Congressional District of Iowa
`
`Representative Zach Nunn
`400 Locust Street
`Suite 250
`Des Moines, IA 50309
`Phone: (515) 400-8180
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`Senator
`
`Charles E Grassley
`135 Hart Senate Office Building
`Washington, D.C. 20510
`PHONE: (202) 224-3744
`
`Joni Ernst
`111 Seventh Avenue SE
`Suite 480
`Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
`PHONE: (319) 365-4504
`
`
`e) All Indian tribes that may be affected by the project:
`
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC has identified the following Indian Tribes that may potentially have
`an interest or be affected by the project using publicly available information and data
`contained in the FERC e-library:
`
`Apache Tribe of Oklahoma
`Durell Cooper
`511 East Colorado
`Anadarko, OK 73005
`
`Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
`Amy Scott
`335588 E 750 Rd, Perkins,
`OK - 74059-3268
`
`Iowa Tribe of Kansas and
`Nebraska
`Lance Foster
`3345 Thrasher Rd., White
`Cloud, KS - 66094
`
`Menominee Indian Tribe of
`Wisconsin
`Gena Kakkak
`W2908 Tribal Office Loop,
`Keshena, WI - 54135
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`Sac & Fox Tribe of the
`Mississippi in Iowa
`Johnathan Buffalo
`349 Meskwaki Road, Tama,
`IA - 52339
`
`Sac & Fox Nation,
`Oklahoma
`Don Abney
`920883 S. Highway 99
`Building A, Stroud, OK -
`74079
`Prairie Island Indian
`Community in the State of
`Minnesota
`Johnny Johnson
`5636 Sturgeon Lake Road,
`Welch, MN - 55089
`
`Sac & Fox Nation of
`Missouri in Kansas and
`Nebraska
`Tiauna Carnes
`305 North Main Street,
`Reserve, KS - 66434
`Santee Sioux Nation of
`Nebraska
`Misty Frazier
`425 Frazier Avenue N. Suite
`2
`Niobrara, NE 68760
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`
`BEFORE THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
`APPLICATION FOR PRELMIINARY PERMIT
`
`
`
`SECTION 4.32 (A) VERIFICATION STATEMENT
`
`This Application for Preliminary Permit is executed in the State of New York, County of New York, by:
`
`Pamela Niditch, Partner
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B
`PMB 50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
`being duly sworn, depose(s) and say(s) that the contents of this application are true to the best
`of her knowledge or belief.
`
`The undersigned applicant has signed the Application this ______ day of February 2024.
`
`---------------------------------
`Pamela Niditch, Partner
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`
`On this __________day of February 2024, I certify that Pamela Niditch before me, the
`undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared, proved to me through satisfactory evidence
`of identification, which was a Pennsylvania Driver's License, to be the person whose name
`appears on the attached document in my presence.
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`----------------------------------
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`14
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`14th
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`Notarized remotely online using communication technology via Proof.
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`Information Required by 18 C.F.R. § 4.81(b)
`
`
`SECTION 4.81 (b) EXHIBIT 1 – GENERAL DESCRIPTION
`
`1) General Configuration and Information
`
`The proposed hydroelectric project will be located at the existing Saylorville Dam located
`~11 miles upstream of Des Moines, Iowa. It is located on the Des Moines, River. The
`construction of the existing dam was completed in 1977 with the main purpose of flood
`control. The Project will utilize the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dam
`and will provide a new source of renewable energy to the region.
`
`The existing Saylorville Dam (the dam) is an earthen dam and over a mile long with a
`maximum height of 125 feet. The spillway structure consists of a concrete barrier wall with a
`concrete paved chute and side walls. The spillway allows water to flow over the top of the
`barrier wall during extremely high lake levels. The dam outlet works consist of a concrete-
`lined tunnel 22 feet in diameter and 500 feet in length, which empties into an outlet chute
`and stilling basin at the downstream toe of the dam. The control structure is located at the
`upstream end of the conduit and houses three gates having the capability to release a
`maximum outflow of 21,000 cubic feet of water per second.
`
`The following table presents its primary physical elements:
`
`
`Year Placed in Service
`Location
`Water Body
`
`River Mile
`
`Latitude
`Longitude
`Overall Length
`Maximum Height
`Crest Width
`Storage Capacity:
`
`September 1977
`Des Moines, Iowa
`Des Moines River
`213.7 miles above the mouth of
`the Des Moines River
`41°42′14″N
`93°40′56″W
`6,750 ft.
`125 ft.
`44 ft.
` 73,600 acre-ft.
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`There are no existing hydroelectric facilities at the proposed project site.
`
`The site's proposed development involves constructing a new 10 MW hydropower
`facility on the Western side of the Saylorville Dam. The Project will consist of the
`following major elements:
`
`Existing Dam: The existing USACE facility contains three hydraulically
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`operated service gates having the capability to release a
`maximum outflow of 21,000 cubic feet of water per second. The
`main purpose of the dam is flood control.
`
`Proposed Intake: The proposed intake channel will be located and constructed
`on the west bank of the existing dam intake approach channel.
`The intake will measure approximately 90 feet by 30 feet.
`Powerhouse trash racks will prevent large debris from entering
`the turbine system. It will also contain two vertical slide gates to
`admit water to the new penstock.
`
`Penstock: A new steel penstock will be required measuring approximately
`20 feet in diameter and 2,100 feet in length that will extend from
`the intake to the new powerhouse.
`
`Powerhouse: The proposed powerhouse will be reinforced concrete,
`approximately 70 ft. by 120 ft. in plan, and will be constructed
`downstream from the dam. The powerhouse will contain two
`identical Kaplan pit turbine generators with a combined net
`power capacity of 10.0MW. The powerhouse will contain
`controls and ancillary electrical and mechanical systems, and
`erection space.
`
`Tailrace Channel: There is an existing side channel downstream (about half a
`mile) of the dam. It will be used to convey flows back to the Des
`Moines River downstream of the current dam’s discharge
`channel. No new tailrace is proposed – if necessary and post
`further engineering work, the channel may be deepened and/or
`rip-rap will be installed.
`
`Transmission: A new ~7,000 foot 3-phase overhead transmission will connect the
`substation to the grid. It is likely at this time that the proposed project
`would interconnect into an existing distribution system.
`
`Substation: A new 13.8 kVa substation will be located adjacent to the project
`powerhouse.
`
`Access Roads: Access for all field surveys will be via existing roads. There will
`be approximately 1000 feet of new road constructed to access the
`powerhouse and substation.
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`Turbine-Generators: Two (2) identical pit turbine-generators, with a total capacity of
`10.0MW will be installed in the new powerhouse.
`
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`2) Reservoirs
`
`The Saylorville Lake has a conservation pool level of 836-feet and occupies approximately
`11.5% of the lake's total storage capacity. The conservation pool consists of approximately
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`73,600 acre feet of water that must be maintained for authorized project purposes to include
`providing state-contracted water supply. At full flood-pool elevation of 890-feet, Saylorville
`Lake has 16,100 surface acres and stores 641,000 acre-feet of water for a distance of 54
`miles upstream from the dam.
`
`The proposed project will operate in a strictly run-of-river mode, in accordance with the
`USACE Rock Island District’s operational and management guidelines.
`
`
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`3) Transmission Lines
`
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`A new 13.8 kV overhead transmission line that is a ~7,000 foot 3-phase overhead transmission
`line will connect the substation to the grid. It is likely at this time that the proposed project would
`interconnect into an existing distribution system. MidAmerican Energy is the electric utility
`serving the project area.
`
`4) Generation Data
`
`Two horizontal pit Kaplan turbine generators will be installed in the powerhouse. Each
`turbine will be direct-connected to identical 3-phase, 60-cycle synchronous, 13.8 kV
`generators. The combined installed capacity of the generating equipment will be
`10.0MW. Each turbine will have adjustable pitch propeller blades and adjustable
`wicket gates. This will ensure Project safety and provide for safe emergency
`shutdown. The upstream will permit dewatering of the units for maintenance service.
`
`The estimated annual energy output is 52 GWh. The hydraulic head used for
`estimating capacity and energy output is 40 feet. The project will utilize newly
`manufactured turbines and generators.
`
`5) Lands within the United States
`
`The Saylorville Dam Hydroelectric Project is located completely on Federal property
`controlled by the USACE. Lands of the United States, included in the project
`boundary, have been identified on a completed land description form (FERC Form
`587) attached to this filing. Approximately 1.5 acres of land will be needed for the
`intake, powerhouse, and ancillary facilities.
`
`6) Development, Conservation, and Utilization of Water Resource
`
`The Saylorville Hydroelectric Project involves the environmentally responsible, low
`impact development and utilization of a currently unused renewable energy source
`that will provide a clean source of electrical energy to help meet the region's energy
`capacity needs. The project design will provide baseload energy generation; a
`valuable asset providing reliable renewable energy. These projects will be especially
`valuable in replacing energy that was previously provided by coal power plants in the
`region that have retired, or will be retiring within the next decade.
`
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`BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
`APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PERMIT
`
` SAYLORVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`
`SECTION 4.81 (c) EXHIBIT 2 – DESCRIPTION OF STUDIES
`
`1) General Description of Proposed Studies
`
`Upon issuance of a Preliminary Permit, Kram Hydro 4, LLC proposes to conduct the
`studies, as detailed below, to determine the ultimate feasibility of the Project as well
`as in preparation for application of the License.
`
`a) Information Review: The applicant will compile and review publicly available
`general information. This effort will include engineering and "as-built" records
`from the original construction of the existing dam, local survey data, utility
`distribution and transmission data, and materials submitted to FERC from earlier
`development initiatives. The applicant will also review existing studies and
`surveys concerning the dam structure, the upstream pool, and the waterway's
`reach.
`
`b) Hydrologic Studies: Publicly available USGS and USACE gaging station record
`data will be used to develop detailed daily streamflow forecasts at the project
`site. USACE operational information for the gates will be incorporated to
`determine actual flows available for generation. Historic USACE data records for
`upper and lower pool elevations and field data will be gathered and used to
`develop head data for the proposed turbine location. The applicant will use a
`combination of flow and stage data to model hydraulics and support energy
`production calculations.
`
`c) Develop and Review Alternatives: Project layout and sizing alternatives will be
`developed and evaluated to minimize environmental impacts, maximize financial
`project viability, and otherwise select the optimal project to ensure the best
`possible use of resources.
`
`d) Preliminary Engineering and Design: The applicant will incorporate information
`generated in prior studies into an optimized design suitable for a definitive
`estimate of project cost and feasibility.
`
`e) Energy Generation and Cost Estimates: The flow and head data created in
`Task (b) coupled with the selected project design alternatives from Tasks (c) and
`(d) will allow modeling of project energy generation. The applicant team will
`determine the daily forecast energy generation with typical, wet, and dry year-
`generation estimates. Initial budgetary development and construction costs will
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`be developed. The applicant will define a permitting and construction schedule.
`
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`f) Feasibility Analysis: The previous work will be compiled into a final feasibility
`analysis and data gathered on then-current and forecast wholesale power prices,
`financing costs, and O&M costs to determine the economic feasibility of the
`project. If the feasibility analysis result is positive, activities g-j will occur during
`the remaining preliminary permit term to support the Licensing and development
`of the project.
`
`If the results of the feasibility analysis determine the applicant should progress
`the Project further, the following activities would take place during the remainder
`of the Preliminary Permit term to support the Licensing and development of the
`Project:
`
`
`
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`g) Informal Stakeholder Consultation and Discussion
`h) Develop Notice of Intent (NOI)
`i) Develop Pre-Application Document (PAD)
`j) Begin Scoping Activities
`
`It is anticipated that tasks (a) through (f) will be completed within 18 months of
`the permit issuance. Tasks (g) through (j), if undertaken, will be performed
`during the remainder of the Preliminary Permit term.
`
`k) New Roads to be Constructed
`
`Access for all field surveys will be via existing roads. No new roads are required to
`conduct the above studies.
`
`2) Study Costs
`
`a) Estimated Cost of Studies: The applicant estimates the total cost for
`completing tasks (a) through (f) at $100,000. The applicant estimates the cost will
`not exceed $750,000 if tasks (g) through (j) are undertaken.
`
`b) Statement of Expected Sources of Financing: The applicant will finance the
`studies.
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`
`
`BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
`APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PERMIT
`
`SAYLORVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`
`SECTION 4.81 (d) EXHIBIT 3 – MAPS
`
`The attached figures contain maps displaying the relevant project parameters as
`described:
`
`1) General Location of Proposed Project: Figure 1 shows the Project Vicinity of the
`proposed project on the Des Moines River. The project is located approximately 10
`miles from Des Moines, Iowa.
`
`2) Project Features: Figures 3 and 4 show the relative locations and physical
`interrelationships of the principal project features identified in the general
`description.
`
`3) Proposed Boundary: The proposed Project Boundary is shown in Figure 4 –
`Project Boundary. In accordance with Section 4.81(b)(1) the map includes the U.S.
`Army Corps of Engineers Saylorville Dam impoundment. However, the
`impoundment is excluded from the project boundary.
`
`4) National Wild and Scenic River System: The proposed Project Boundary does
`not include any areas that are known to be designated for study or included in the
`National Wild and Scenic River System and therefore no figures are included
`detailing such.
`
`5) Wilderness Areas: The proposed Project Boundary does not include any areas
`that are known to be designated for study or designated as a Wilderness Area and
`therefore no figures are included detailing such.
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`SAYLORVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
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`FIGURE 1 – PROJECT VICINITY
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`
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`Project Vicinity
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`Saylorville Lake
`
`10 miles to Des Moines, Iowa
`
`FIGURE 1
`PROJECT VICINITY
`
`SAYLORVILLE
` HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`
`
`
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`
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`
`01/05/24
`
`PEN
`
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B PMB
`50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
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`SAYLORVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
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`FIGURE 2 – PROJECT LOCATION
`
`Project
`Location
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`PROJECT LOCATION
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`
`02/07/24
`
`SAYLORVILLE
` HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`
`PEN
`
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B PMB
`50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
`Project Location
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`SAYLORVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
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`FIGURE 3 – PROJECT FEATURES
`
`
`
`Water
`Flow
`
`Intake
`
`Existing
`Dam
`
`Interconnection
`Point
`
`Power Canal
`
`Accessible Road to
`Site
`
`Project Location
`
`Substation
`
`Powerhouse
`
`Tailrace
`
`FIGURE 3
`PROJECT FEATURES
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`
`02/08/24
`
`SAYLORVILLE
` HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`
`PEN
`
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B PMB
`50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
`Project Location
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`SAYLORVILLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
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`FIGURE 4 – PROJECT BOUNDARY
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`Project Boundary
`
`Existing
`Dam
`
`Layout Map
`
`FIGURE 4
`PROJECT BOUNDARY
`
`Kram Hydro 4, LLC
`
`SAYLORVILLE
` HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`
`PEN
`
`12333 Sowden Rd Ste B PMB
`50808
`Houston, Texas 77080-2059
`
`
`
`02/08/24
`
`
`
`Project Location
`Project Location
`
`Project Location Project Location
`
`17
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`

`

`Form FERC-587
`OMB No. 1902-0145
`(Expires 12/31/2024)
`
`LAND DESCRIPTION
`
`Non-Public Land States
`(and Non-Rectangular Survey System Lands in Public Land States)
`
`1. STATE
`
`2. FERC PROJECT NO. ____________________
`
`3. FEDERAL RESERVATION: Saylorville Dam___________________________________________
`
`4. FEDERAL LAND HOLDING AGENCY: __________________________________
`
`5. Counties: _________________________________________________________
`
`6. Check one:
` License
`______Preliminary Permit
`
`Check one:
`
` Pending
` Issued
`
`If preliminary permit is issued, give expiration date:
`
`7. Federal Tract(s) Identification
`
`8. Exhibit Sheet Number(s) or Letter(s)
`
`
`
`
`
`9. contact's name
`
`telephone no. (
`
` )
`
`date submitted
`
` _
`
` _
`
`This information is necessary for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to discharge its responsibilities under
`Section 24 of the Federal Power Act.
`
`IOWA
`
`U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
`
`Polk County
`
`x
`
`x
`
`N/A
`
`Pamela Niditch
`
`570-560-0205
`
`2/14/2024
`
`Exhibit 3 - Project Location and Project Layout
`
`Transmission Line: Federal tracts, if any, to be determined during proposed studies
`
`Saylorville Dam at approximate lat/lon: 41°42′14″N / 93°40′56″W
`
`