2015 California Recreational Releases
During dry years like the persistent drought here in California, American Whitewater believes water should be put to good multi-use down our flowing rivers. Thus, most of the agreements that have been negotiated on hydroelectric projects over the past 15 years have conditions that provide for recreational flows even in critically dry years. American Whitewater has been able to negotiate flows in dry years due to the fact that none of these flows have any impact on downstream consumptive water uses such as farming, manufacturing and city dwelling. There is also limited impact on power generation. Simultaneously, multi-use flows provide recreational dollars for the local communities and beneficial biological effects on rivers that will see sparse flow fluctuations over the next year. So even though the drought continues, paddlers can feel comfortable that water is being put to good multi-use and fortunate that they still have a number of boating opportunities this season.
Here is the California Recreational Flow Schedule for 2015:
South Fork Silver Creek – Ice House Cls IV
10 am – 3 pm
300 cfs
May 2
Mokelumne – Tiger Creek Cls III-IV
10 am – 2 pm
700 cfs
May 15, 17, 23, 25, 30
June 6, 13
10 am – 4 pm
700 cfs
May 23, 30
June 6
North Fork Feather - Rock Creek Cls III-V
9 am – 6 pm
800 cfs Saturday 700 cfs Sunday
July 25 & 26
Aug 22 & 23
Sept 26 & 27 (Don’t’ forget Feather Festival this weekend!)
8 am – 6 pm
1200 cfs
Aug 15 & 16
Sept 12 & 13
8 am – 6 pm
900 cfs
Oct 10 & 11
Oct 24 & 25
Please stay tuned to the American Whitewater Release Calendar as we have seen in the past, these dates can change due to fire or other project operation issues.