Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
High flows in the peaking reach decrease usable wading area and can make it
difficult to wade and cross the river while fishing, and thus limit angling opportunities.
At Fords Bar (RM 14) wading area begins to decline more rapidly between 300 and 400
cfs. At Buckeye Bar (RM 4.7) this transition occurs between about 150 to 200 cfs. In
both cases, the amount of wading area declines with increasing flow, until about 800 cfs,
at which point usable area remains relatively constant through 1,500 cfs. The trail
crossing study reports the easy threshold for crossing ranges from about 175 cfs to 275 at
Mammoth Bar Crossing (RM 2.2) and Fords Bar, respectively; the moderate/difficult
threshold ranges from about 375 to 550 cfs. These results differ from results of the
angling study that reported the desirable range of flows is between 300 and 600 cfs.
Other suitability results from the angling study include:
• 400 cfs is about the maximum for stream crossing;
• More experienced anglers may be able to fish at higher flows, with 1,000 cfs
being the about the maximum for skilled, athletic anglers; and
• Between 800 and 1,000 cfs, access, wadeability, and fishability decrease,
leading to lower fishing success.
Recreation events
The Western States Trail is used for two world-class endurance races: the Tevis
Cup Equestrian Ride and the Western States 100-Endurance Run. Both races cross the
Middle Fork American River downstream of Oxbow powerhouse at Ruck-a-Chucky
Recreation Area or Poverty Bar. After crossing, both race routes traverse the south side
of the Middle Fork American River to the confluence of the North Fork American River
where racers cross the river again. The existing license requires PCWA to modify project
operations to the extent possible to reduce flow releases into the Middle Fork American
River downstream of Oxbow powerhouse to facilitate river crossings during these two
races.
Wild and Scenic Rivers
Reclamation identified two segments on the North Fork American River and one
segment on the Middle Fork American River peaking reach as eligible for inclusion in the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Although only a portion of the segment of the
Middle Fork American River is within the project boundary, project operations affect
streamflow in the segment between Oxbow powerhouse to the confluence with the North
Fork American River and the segment that extends downstream of this confluence to the
diversion tunnel intake for the Auburn dam. Suitability studies have not been conducted
and are not planned at this time. Regardless, federal agencies, including Reclamation,
manage the river and the area within 0.25 mile either side of the river to preserve the
values for which the river is considered eligible under the Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Three segments of the Rubicon River, from Hell Hole dam to Ralston afterbay,
were found to be eligible and suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic
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