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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
normal and above normal water years, it would maintain boating opportunities available
during wet water years. Boating opportunities between French Meadows dam and
Middle Fork interbay are not currently available and would not be available in the drier
years if the project were operated under PCWA’s proposed instream flows because flows
would exceed the suitable boating flow range during May and June due to the cumulative
effect of pulse flows that would be released from French Meadows reservoir and Duncan
Creek. PCWA’s proposed instream flows would increase boating opportunities on the
Middle Fork American River between Middle Fork interbay to Ralston afterbay during
above normal and wet water years compared to the existing condition; boating
opportunities are not currently available during the drier years, and PCWA’s proposed
instream flows would not change this condition. Additional boating opportunities that
PCWA’s proposed instream flows would provide in the bypassed reach would be further
increased by other proposed measures including providing real-time flow, pulse and spill
information. Flows specified in the agency conditions and recommendations (Alternative
1) would provide the same increase in boating opportunities on the bypassed reaches that
PCWA’s proposal would provide.
PCWA’s proposed flow schedule for the peaking reach is properly focused on
providing conditions to support Wild and Scenic River outstandingly remarkable values
including whitewater boating, Western States Trail, and the fishery. PCWA proposes to
formalize its currently voluntary commitment with a release schedule that would provide
800 to 1,000 cfs for 3 to 4 hours a day on various weekends and weekdays between June
and September. Operating the project under PCWA’s flow schedule would maintain
existing commercial boating opportunities on the peaking reach (Tunnel Chute Run) and
maintain or increase boating opportunities for private boaters on the three runs in the
peaking reach (Mammoth Bar Run, Murderer’s Bar Run, Confluence Run) that have
lower difficulty in wet and above normal water years. Under PCWA’s proposal,
beginning on the first Saturday preceding Memorial Day through Labor Day in wet and
above normal years, an 800 cfs flow at the confluence of the North Fork American River
would be released at the Oxbow powerhouse 3 hours earlier than under existing
conditions. This early release would provide flow at the downstream runs earlier in the
day, which would increase whitewater boating opportunities overall.
The release schedule PCWA proposes would maintain or enhance boating
opportunities in the peaking reach as compared to the existing conditions. The greatest
improvement would be the certainty created by the formalization of the schedule as a
condition of a new license to provide flows that would, in turn, ensure the outstandingly
remarkable value for whitewater boating in the reach would be maintained or improved.
Flows recommended and specified by the agencies in the peaking reach would be,
in general, higher than PCWA’s proposed flows, and the schedule is more detailed to
maintain trail crossing opportunities and accommodate commercial and private boating
use. Implementing the flows specified by the agencies would maintain existing
commercial boating opportunities on the peaking reach (Tunnel Chute Run), maintain
boating opportunities for private boaters on the Mammoth Bar Run, decrease
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