Potential Bear River Releases

Grace,ID

Releases in the Class IV(V) Black Canyon of the Bear will begin in 2008 based on negotiations between AW, pacificorp, and other stakeholders. Release volumes will depend on inflow. The boating season is the first Thursday after April 1 through July 15. Within the Boater Season, all Saturdays and Sundays are potentially available for whitewater releases with the exception of the Memorial Day Weekend. When releases occur they will be from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Within the Whitewater Season, releases will happen when available as inflow or on scheduled days until a total of up to 16 days of whitewater releases have occurred or the July 15 date has passed. To facilitate a ramp rate study, three scheduled releases will happen during the whitewater season (4/20, 6/1, 7/13). Whitewater Releases Dependent on Inflow to Grace (13 days maximum) are dependent on inflow to Grace being equal to or greater than 700 cfs. Inflow to Grace shall be equal to inflow to Soda Reservoir on that day minus irrigation deliveries to Last Chance Canal Company and Bench B Canal, and minus leakage from the Grace facilities. These flows are forecasted up to seven days in advance at: http://www.pacificorp.com/hydro_hiws/BelowGraceDamFlow.html. Boaters may also call the Flow Phone at 1-800-547-1501 to get information on the next four potential whitewater release dates and the forecasted flows for the upcoming weekend. The forecasts reported on the website and flow phone take into account irrigation water deliveries and the best knowledge available to PacifiCorp concerning the activities of the canal companies. This forecast will be updated as information is obtained; boaters are encouraged to check the website or flow phone daily as calls for, or turn back of irrigation water, equipment issues or energy emergencies can change the forecasted or actual flows below Grace Dam at anytime.

Site:

Black Canyon of the Bear River. Grace, ID<br />

Issue:

The relicensing of the dams on the Bear River was a project that spanned a decade. AW volunteer Charlie Vincent played the lead roll in negotiating these releases, with support from staff. negotiations resulted in up to 16 releases each year, plus a dam removal downstream, better base flows, and funding for land conservation.