Bear River Volunteer Recognition and New Releases!

AW is pleased to announce the schedule for new whitewater pulse flows on the Black Canyon of the Bear River in Southeastern Idaho.  At the same time we would like to recognize the volunteer largely responsible for these releases.  We gratefully nominate Charlie Vincent as April’s AW Volunteer of the Month.  Charlie has been American Whitewater’s primary representative on the Bear River for many years, and has spent countless days in meetings on our behalf.  Thanks Charlie!

The Bear River is a Class IV(V) whitewater run that flows through a scenic basalt canyon cut deeply into a large agricultural valley.  The river has been dewatered for decades by a combination of irrigation withdrawals and a hydropower dam which bypasses water around the Black Canyon.  Dam relicensing negotiations secured new base flows, land conservation funding, a dam removal, and up to 16 whitewater pulse flows each year.  After several years of monitoring base flows, 2008 will mark the beginning of 27 years of whitewater pulse flows.

For the next three years the pulse flows will be closely monitored for environmental benefits and/or impacts.  Paddlers will likely notice, and be asked to assist with, ecological monitoring efforts. Three releases will be guaranteed for the ecological monitoring on 4/20, 6/1, and 7/13. 

Up to 13 additional releases will be provided between April 1 and July 15, from 10 am to 4 pm, on Saturdays and Sundays on which there is sufficient inflow to the project (700 cfs) on the morning of the release.  Inflow is determined by a combination of natural flows minus irrigation demands (which can exceed 600cfs).  PacifiCorp will update a 7 Day Forecast of "Estimated Future Daily Peak Flows" on a daily basis that will predict whether or not a whitewater pulse flow is anticipated based on all available information, including regular contact with the irrigation ditch operators. Note that the Forecast is for flow in the bypassed Canyon so weekday flows will not represent inflow – paddlers should only pay attention to weekend days.  If weekend flows are forecasted to be over 700, then PacifiCorps is predicting a release will occur.  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.

These forecasts are a good faith estimate and not a guarantee that any releases will occur as or when forecasted. PacifiCorp needs to be clear that “operational considerations, mechanical failure, irrigation deliveries, human error, energy emergencies, or system safety concerns could require changes to forecasts, actual flow or schedule with little or no notice.”  With that said, forecasts made on Thursday or Friday have a very high likelihood of accurately reflecting the flow conditions for the following weekend. Boaters are encouraged to check the hourly flows, forecasts and Flow Phone frequently. The Flow Phone and Seven Day Forecast are not updated on Saturday or Sunday.

If and when 16 releases have been provided in a given year, releases will cease for that year.  In summary, paddlers interested in paddling the Black Canyon of the Bear should:

1. Have solid Class IV+ skills on low water releases and solid Class V skills at high water releases.

2. Learn more about the run through friends and the AW journal and website.  We recommend the article Amazing Grace, by Rich Bowers. Please recognize that few people have paddled this section of river in recent years, and hazards may not be known or obvious. Be Safe – and Have Fun. 

3. Have a strong self sufficient team and appropriate equipment.

4. Plan on attending one of three guaranteed releases each year.

5. Regularly check the 7 Day Forecast and Flowphone the week prior to potential release dates between April 1 and July 15 (all weekends excluding memorial day weekend).

6. Make the preliminary call on whether or not to head to the Bear on the Thursday prior to a potential release, and then make the final call on Friday.

7. Remember that once 16 days of releases are provided – there will be no more (we’ll keep you posted on our calender and Bear River page.