PG&E is relicensingmultiple projects on the Middle Fork and South Fork of the StanislausRiver. American Whitewater is activelyinvolved in the relicense proceedings. Because the runs on the Middle and South Stanislaus are remote little isknown about current use or the influence of the respective hydro projects onwhitewater opportunities. AmericanWhitewater has advocated a sequential approach to determine which river reacheswarrant further study in the relicense. PG&E has hired a consultant to gather additional information fromthe whitewater community regarding use of the respective reaches.

These reaches are fromKennedy Meadows (Middle Fork) and Strawberry (South

Fork) down to NewMelones Reservoir.  The objective is to identify the reaches in theproject vicinity with whitewater opportunities and determine how the projectsaffect those opportunities.  PG&E is using a format of interviewingboaters with questions about when they’ve taken their trips, what reaches wereboated and how enjoyable their trips were.  You will also be asked toassess the class of run, what you think a range of boatable flows might be,kinds of boats used, and if flow information is available.  You will beasked what kind of improvements boaters can suggest in terms of flows,information and access.  The interview takes about 1/2 hour. PG&E will set up a phone interview withanyone interested at a convenient time for them on their dime. 

 

If you have boated or areknowledgeable of the Middle and South Stanislaus, please contact Carol Efird.

 

Carol Efird

Recreation Specialist

Duke Engineering andServices

phone (916) 561-4597

fax (916) 564-4203

emailcjefird@dukeengineering.com

 

Whitewater runs listed inwhitewater guidebooks affected by project operations (see Holbek and Stanley,1988) Note, this is not a comprehensive list runs on the Middle and South ForkStanislaus. If you know of more thenprovide your input to Carol:

 

Middle Fork of the Stanislaus

Dardanelles Run(p. 144)

Donnells Run (p. 146)

Sand Bar FlatRun (p. 147)

Mt. Knight Run(p. 148)

 

South Fork Stanislaus

Strawberry Run (p. 151)