Update from Nimbus Whitewater: Remove the weir at Nimbus Dam and (probably not soon) build a play wave near Hazel Avenue?

The US Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) has been considering removing the old and costly weir that obstructs the lower American River just below the Nimbus Dam. (That’s a ways above San Juan). If BuRec removes the weir, Nimbus Whitewater has studied the potential for building a play wave at the site of the weir. The results will be convenient, but probably not spectacular, depending on the design and the varied river flows at the site.

BuRec and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) have issued their draft Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS/DEIR). To read or download the document, go to http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_pro...roject_ID=5216. The selection of an alternative doesn’t authorize a play spot, but removing the weir makes a future plan possible.

You can submit written comments until November 30th, 2010 and there are two open-house sessions set for November 4th; the first from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm and the second from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Both the sessions will be at the CSUS Aquatic Center at 1901 Hazel Avenue (right next to the Nimbus Dam along Hiway 50).

For other ways to participate, see What You Can Do below.

Detail:

The environmental document looks at three different alternatives:

a. Alternative 1 would remove the weir and open the river to navigation, and replace the existing fish ladder with a new “fish passageway.” NOTE: The plan doesn’t study or authorize a play wave or whitewater features in the river, but removing the weir allows discussion, engineering studies and possible construction of a play wave at the former location of the instream weir. We’ll still have to lobby the County of Sacramento to remove an ordinance that bans boating within 1,000 feet of Nimbus Dam. Alternative 1 costs an estimated $6.5 million. (CDFG is looking at some sub-alternatives related to limits on fishing to prevent spread of the New Zealand mudsnail. Clean those boats…)

b. Alternative 2 replaces the existing weir with a new and stronger structure structure just upstream. This alternative costs an estimated 12 million and is not fun.

c. The No Action Alternative (the third alternative) keeps the existing weir in place, but costs about $1 million per year (this figure comes from past comments from BuRec staff to author).

BuRec prefers Alternative 1, as does Nimbus Whitewater.

Background:

This has been a slow process, and started after the floods of 1997.

In the early years of this millennium, Nimbus Whitewater worked to have an Olympic slalom course designed and built at the Nimbus Dam as part of San Francisco’s bid for the Olympics. BuRec’s plans to remove the weir came up during those discussions. After SF dropped out, we looked at the potential for a play spot at the site of the weir, including some hydrologic studies. The studies found potential for a wave there, but didn’t include engineering. BuRec has been open to recreational opportunities if the weir has removed, but will study the play wave only after that final decision is made. The Draft EIR is an important step.


What you can do:

1. Become a member of Nimbus Whitewater an informal, unincorporated association advocating for whitewater recreation opportunities at Nimbus Dam.

2. Feel free to send your own comments on the Draft DEIR/DEIS. Email to Dave Robinson at BuREC at HatchPass@usbr.gov and to Joe Johnson of CDFG at jrjohnson@dfg.ca.gov. Again, the deadline for written comments is November 30th. Look at the discussion regarding recreation in the Executive Summary (page ES-7); identification of the potential for leaving a portion of the weir in place to create a whitewater structure (page 1-11), and description of opportunity for a play wave at the site of the weir if removed (page 3-31.)

3. Attend the open house sessions on November 4th.

Nimbus Whitewater comments:

Mr. David Robinson,
US Department of the Interior
Bureau of Reclamation
Mid-Pacific Regional Office
7794 Folsom Dam Road
Folsom, CA 95630

Mr. Joe Johnson,
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Nimbus Whitewater Comments on Nimbus Hatchery Fish Passage Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

Nimbus Whitewater is an informal association of recreational advocates whose members support additional whitewater kayaking opportunities along the lower American River. In the past, we’ve discussed the potential for a whitewater play spot if the Nimbus fish weir is removed, and down river whitewater boating access for kayaks and canoes along the re-opened sections of the lower American newly accessible if the weir-obstructions are removed.

We favor Alternative 1 on account of the improved recreational access, but are currently silent on the two alternatives (1A and 1C) proposed for study and comment by the California Department of Fish and Game. We understand that the decision to select Alternative 1 does not by itself create any additional access for paddle watercraft, but is an important first step to opening this section of the river.

s/

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Michael Picker