Region News

Nevada Irrigation District (NID) will be releasing 350 cfs into California's Bear River below Rollins Reservoir on Saturday, and Sunday, November 14 & 15. Releases will also happen from Wednesday to Sunday, November 18 to 22, 2009. NID, with the cooperation of AW, will conduct an "opportunistic flow study" to take advantage of these flows.

Boaters are getting a surprise fall boating season on the NF Feather river in California, due to dam maintainence. Poe Dam to Poe powerhouse section will have flows through November and probably into December. At the same time, a new AW online gauge has just started reporting flows in that same reach.

If you have the day off, can get the day off, have a furlough day or can even call in sick we need boaters at the October 13th EBMUD Board of Directors Meeting where they will vote to certify the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for their Water Supply Management Plan 2040.

Show your support of American Whitewater and your love of the Feather River by volunteering some time at the Festival!

There will be a whitewater release on the Rock Creek Reach of the Feather river this weekend (8/22-23).

A short note regarding summer flows on the Pit River. Releases of about 850 cfs will be happening Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30.

Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill (SB 670) placing a moratorium on suction dredge mining in California. This is a huge victory for paddlers, anglers, and anyone who enjoys California's rivers.

The 19th annual Feather River Festival (CA) will be held during the scheduled releases on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 2009. The fund-raiser event for American Whitewater is hosted by local paddling club, the Chico Paddleheads.

Last summer and fall, and then through the winter and spring, AW worked with Licensees NID and PG&E to conduct "opportunistic flow studies" on numerous reaches within the Yuba Bear Drum Spaulding Relicensing project area. Surveys filled out by boaters are an important part of the "Recreational Flow Study" that is being conducted as part of the Relicensing process (Photo of Canyon Creek by Daniel Brasuell).

The State Legislature has proposed amendments to Senate Bill SB 14 and AB 64 that would allow Hydropower to be imported from out-of-state sources (including Canada and Mexico), as well as change the mega-wattage RPS qualifications for existing Hydropower in both California and out-of-state sources from 30mw to 50mw. AW needs paddlers to write comment letters a.s.a.p.

AW is asking you to make a special effort on a critically urgent matter. Certain members of the legislature and the administration are attempting to pass a combined water bill package through the legislature that will provide for a "water czar" and tens of billions of dollars in fees and bonds to construct a peripheral canal and more dams. We are very concerned as to the implications this may have on the delta.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has written a letter to FERC and the State Water Resources Control Board recommending that the releases on the Pit River, above the Pit 1 Powerhouse, should be canceled this summer. They cite concerns of potential impacts to Shasta Crayfish. American Whitewater was not consulted before making this recommendation and USFWS staff has stated that impacts to recreation was not a consideration. If you wish to boat the Pit this summer or in the future you need to write a letter now!

UPDATE AS OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 27

Boating Study Releases Planned for Middle Yuba, South Fork Yuba and Canyon Creek

American Whitewater is partnering with Nevada Irrigation District (NID) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to identify a preferred range of whitewater boating flows on numerous reaches in the Yuba and Bear watersheds. Information obtained from surveys completed by boaters will help us identify flow preferences for whitewater boating. Flow preferences determined from boater surveys will be used to evaluate possible effects on whitewater boating from Project operation and help define flow needs.

After three years of waiting a new flow schedule for the Cresta reach of the North Fork Feather River has been approved by FERC. This flow shecdule is a result of colaboration between American Whitewater, PG&E and the State and Federal resource agencies. New higher base flows will begin on May 1st.

Last week Senator Feingold (D-WI) reintroduced the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA), S. 787. This legislation will maintain the basic protection for rivers that we all appreciate and likely take for granted through restoring the reach of the Clean Water Act to headwater streams. We would like to thank Senator Feingold for looking out for one of our most basic human needs - clean water. Please call your Senator in the next week and voice your support.

Today, President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Bill into law. This action officially designates 86 new Wild and Scenic Rivers and protects well over 350,000 acres of public lands. American Whitewater actively participated in the development of several of the individual Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River proposals that were part of the Omnibus Bill. We also advocated for the passage of the Omnibus Bill. This is truly a great day for rivers and wild places.

A new dam project is threatening the Mokelumne River. The project will have significant impacts to whitewater resources on the Mokelumne. Boaters need to act now to stop this project.

The DWR will present its first report regarding the research conducted for the proposed whitewater park. The meeting will take place on February 18th at 3:00 p.m. at the Oroville City Council Chambers. Local boaters and businesspeople are encouraged to attend to participate and be involved with the planning and final decision.

Our nation's leaders are currently considering the passage of a large economic stimulus package designed to put people to work and stimulate the economy. All current versions of the package include significant funding for construction and restoration projects on federal lands. American Whitewater has joined forces with other members of the Outdoor Alliance to compile a list of infrastructure projects that are important to the active outdoor recreation community. Please offer your suggestions through our easy online survey.

Yesterday the US Senate passed a bill that, if also passed by the House of Representatives, will protect millions of acres of public land and designate dozens of rivers as Wild and Scenic. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S. 22) is a collection of bipartisan and locally developed land and river protection bills that have been in the works for years. Swift passage in the House is expected, and President Obama may sign the bill into law as early as Tuesday.

This year's Feather River Festival will occur at the September Feather Release. Come on out and enjoy the festivities.

As part of the Yuba/Bear relicensing, Fordyce Creek and Canyon Creek will be flowing at the end of August and in September. Come out and enjoy the flows and help us gather information on these runs.

Come out and support the American River Festival this weekend September 5th -7th. Help raise awareness and for American Whitewater and other great local causes. This event is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family. Support for American Whitewater generated at this event will go to the Larry Berg California River Stewardship Fund.

Shuttle service is now available for the Big Bend run on the North Fork Feather River. Lake Oroville is at its lowest level in years which is uncovering this run that is normally inundated by the Reservoir. AW is looking for your feedback on this new shuttle service.

The health of the Tuolumne River is at risk from a San Francisco proposal to take significantly more water from the River. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is proposing to divert up to 25 million more gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne, enough to fill 1,000 swimming pools, every day.

The Rock Creek release on the Feather River has been postponed again one week because of the new fire in the Feather River Canyon.

Although this has shaped up to be a very dry year, there will be a number of paddling opportunities for boaters to take advantage of here in California.

The Bear River will see flows this weekend as part of the relicensing flow studies for the Yuba/ Bear River Project. Come out and boat the release, fill out an online survey and let us know what you think of the run.

Congratulations to Jeffrey Hatcher for winning the June pair of Smith Optics Sunglasses. With generous support from Smith Optics and Small World Adventures, American Whitewater is hosting a fundraising and membership drive ending on October 1, 2008. Steven Mills from Spring, TX was the winner of the April drawing for a pair of Smith Optics Sunglasses and Susan and Robert Glanville from Boston, NY were the winners of the May drawing.

Help AW protect rivers here in the states and you could win a trip with Small World Adventures in Ecuador. Join or donate to be entered in for the next pair of sunglasses and the trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures. Anyone who joins or renews their AW membership or donates at least $10 to support our river stewardship efforts will be entered in a raffle to a week long trip in Ecuador with Small World Adventures and monthly prizes from Smith Sport Optics.

The Pit 1 reach of the Pit River will have releases again this summer. Many people got on this run for the first time two years ago and found it to be a great class III/ IV run. This years releases will be for one weekend in June, July and August. This year dates are June 21 - 22, July 19 - 20 and August 16 - 17.

Update! The project is anticipated to spill starting Sunday the 16th. Flows are projected to be in the 2000 to 3000 cfs range through March 19th. Look under the River Info menu at the top of this page for the most current release information. Increased Water Flows in March will Help Maintain Pit River Channel and Create Additional Whitewater Boating Opportunity.

American Whitewater and Clif Bar are pleased to announce the 6th annual Clif Bar Flowing Rivers Campaign, pledging $2,500 to American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs for river stewardship work. Funding for this very effective program is provided by Clif Bar. American Whitewater Affiliate Clubs have the opportunity to apply for one of two $1,250 grants. Grants will be distributed to clubs for projects that promote river stewardship, conservation, access and/or safety education on our nation's rivers.

Continuing American Whitewater's quest to restore the Feather River the signing of this agreement makes AW, and our local club affiliate the Chico Paddleheads, the only Non-Government Organization that has participated in all of the Project Relicensing on the Feather River. The signing of the Oroville Settlement represents the culmination of a five year effort for American Whitewater. This agreement will provide access to Bald Rock Canyon and the Big Bend Runs. It also provides for a Whitewater Park Feasibility Study. Read more about this historic agreement.