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Recreation Study and Stream Crossing Evaluation in Placer County

This technical working group meeting discusses completed recreation activities and summarises proposed stream crossings for the Middle Fork American River Project.

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Recreation Study and Stream Crossing Evaluation in Placer County

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  1. Placer County Water Agency Middle Fork American River Project (FERC No. 2079) Recreation Technical Working Group Meeting May 29, 2008

  2. Recreation Study Activities Completed Since the Last TWG • One year of recreation vehicle counts concluded on May 18, 2008 • Recreation Visitor Surveys initiated on May 24, 2008 (Memorial Day weekend) • Recreation visitor surveys will continue through Labor Day weekend • Conducted three Focus Group Sessions • Whitewater Boating • Trail User/Stream Crossing • Angler 2

  3. Focus Groups 3

  4. Trail User/Stream Crossing Focus Group • Conducted session on Monday evening, May 12, 2008 • Session was attended by 13 people affiliated with the following activities: • Horseback riding (7) • Mountain biking (3) • Hiking/Running (3) 4

  5. Trail User/Stream CrossingFocus Group Summary • Identified and discussed 8 potential stream crossings • 1 stream crossing on the Rubicon River • 4 stream crossings on the Middle Fork American River between Oxbow Powerhouse and the Confluence • 3 stream crossings on the North Fork American River between the Confluence and Oregon Bar • The focus group did not identify any stream crossings on the following river reaches • Middle Fork American River between French Meadows Reservoir and Ralston Afterbay • Duncan Creek • Long Canyon 5

  6. Rubicon River • Nevada Point Trail Crossing • Located on the Rubicon River, about 5 miles upstream of the confluence of the Rubicon River and Long Canyon Creek • Formerly a foot bridge that was washed out by high flow • Bridge was located along the Nevada Point trail, which connects Nevada Point Road on the northeast side of the river to Road 13N66 on the southwest side of the river 6

  7. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow PH to Confluence • Ford’s Bar • Located at RM 14 on the Middle Fork American River, at the mouth of Otter Creek • Formerly used as an equestrian crossing • No longer regularly used by equestrians due to changes in stream morphology • Connects the Roanoke Trail on the south side of the river to a private, gated road on the north side of the river 7

  8. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow PH to Confluence • Ruck-a-Chucky • Located at RM 9 on the Middle Fork American River • Site of the old Greenwood Bridge • Connects Drivers Flat Road (also the WST in this location) on the north side of the river to Sliger Mine Road on the south side of the river • Crossing for Western States 100 Endurance Run • Sometimes used by bikers • Not currently used by equestrians due to boulders, rocky substrate, and deep center channel 8

  9. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow PH to Confluence • Poverty Bar • Located at RM 6.5 on the Middle Fork American River • Connects the American River Trail on the south side of the river and the Western States and Butcher Ranch Road Trails on the north side of the river • Crossing for the Tevis Cup Endurance Ride • Not used for the WS 100 Endurance Run • Not used by bikers because mountain biking on the trails in this area is prohibited 9

  10. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow PH to Confluence • Mammoth Bar • Located at RM3 on the Middle Fork American River • Connects the Mammoth Bar OHV area trails on the north side of the river and the Quarry Road Trail on the south side of the river • Formerly used by horseback riders as a crossing but no longer used due to the presence of OHV area • Bikers can use this crossing but it is not heavily used because bikers do not want to use the Quarry Trail • Potential alternative crossing during the Tevis Cup endurance ride 10

  11. North Fork American RiverConfluence to Oregon Bar • No Hands Bridge • Located on the North Fork American River, just downstream of its confluence with the Middle Fork American River • Existing Historic bridge • Bridge is located on the Western States Trail 11

  12. North Fork American RiverConfluence to Oregon Bar • Coffer Dam • Located on the North Fork American River, adjacent to the site of the old Auburn Coffer Dam • Located along the Auburn to Cool Trail • Previously used as a crossing when the river was routed through the Coffer Dam tunnel • This crossing can no longer be used now that the tunnel has been closed and the water has been rerouted back into the river channel • The river banks were graded and armored with rip rap so the banks are now too steep for horses 12

  13. North Fork American RiverConfluence to Oregon Bar • Oregon Bar Trail Crossing • Located at RM 15.5 on the North Fork of the American River • Connects the Pioneer Trail on the north side of the river an unnamed trail on the south side of the river, which connects to the Olmstead Loop • Used by horseback riders year-round when flow is low enough • Hikers and runners don’t use this crossing • Mountain biking is prohibited in this area 13

  14. Summary of Information Developed throughTrail User/Stream Crossing Focus Group and Flow Studies Proposed by PCWA • Table Handout 14

  15. Ideas Identified by the Focus Group • Reconstruct Nevada Point Crossing foot bridge • Reconstruct the Greenwood Bridge at Ruck-a-Chucky • Create a crossing at the Coffer Dam site • Install staff gages near crossings at Ruck-a-Chucky, Poverty Bar and Oregon Bar • Provide user-friendly flow information 15

  16. Whitewater Boating Focus Group • Conducted session on Wednesday evening, April 23, 2008 • Session was attended by 10 people affiliated with the following activities: • Private boaters (3) • Commercial outfitters (4) • Anglers (3) 16

  17. Whitewater Boating Focus Group Summary • Identified and discussed 7 runs • 2 runs on the Rubicon River • 1 run on the Middle Fork American River between Middle Fork Interbay and Ralston Afterbay • 3 runs on the Middle Fork American River between Oxbow Powerhouse and the Confluence • 1 run on the North Fork American River between the Confluence and Oregon Bar • None of the focus group participants had any experience on the following river reaches: • Middle Fork American River between French Meadows Reservoir and Middle Fork Interbay • Duncan Creek • Long Canyon 17

  18. Upper Rubicon River • Access • Hike in put in located at RM 25 • Take out at Ellicott Bridge or can continue to Ralston Afterbay • Road access is often affected by snow when boatable flows are present • Description • 4 mile run from RM 25 to Ellicott Bridge • 24mile run from RM 25 to Ralston Afterbay • Class V • Boated when Hell Hole Reservoir spills • Flow Estimates • Minimum of 400 to 500 cfs, Maximum of 1,200 to 1,500 cfs • Safety Considerations • Remote wilderness • Lack of flow information 18

  19. Lower Rubicon River • Access • Put in located at Ellicott Bridge • Take out at Ralston Afterbay • Alternative take out located at confluence of Long Canyon Creek and Rubicon River • Road access to put in is often restricted by snow when boatable flows are present • Description • 24 mile run from Ellicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay • Class V • Considered an excellent 2-day wilderness run • Typically boated when Hell Hole Reservoir spills • Flow Estimates • Minimum of 400 to 600 cfs, Maximum of 1,200 to 2,000 cfs • Safety Considerations • Remote wilderness • Lack of flow information 19

  20. Middle Fork American RiverMiddle Fork Interbay to Ralston Afterbay • Access • Put in located at the end of Middle Fork Interbay Road • Take out located at the Ralston Picnic Area Car Top Boat Ramp • Road access to put in is often restricted by snow when boatable flows are present • Description • 9 mile run • Class IV-V for kayaks (5-6 class V drops) • Class V for small rafts (13-14 foot max) • 2 day run with rafts, 1 day run with kayaks • 8-10 portages for rafts, no mandatory portages for kayaks • Considered a good bedrock, pool drop run for kayaks • FlowEstimates • Minimum of 300 to 400 cfs, Maximum of 800 cfs for both kayaks and rafts • SafetyConsiderations • Remoteness • Technical portages • Lack of flow information 20

  21. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky • Access • Put in located at Indian Bar Rafter Put-in (Oxbow PH) • Take out at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (boat ramp) • Alternative put-ins and take outs available • Description • 15 mile run • Class IV • 1 mandatory portage at Ruck-a-Chucky rapid • Primarily boated by commercial outfitters in summer and early fall • Flow Estimates • Minimum of 600 cfs, Maximum of 3,000 cfs for rafts and kayaks • Fishing from boats occurs before flows increase 21

  22. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky (continued) • Safety Considerations • Tunnel Chute and Ruck-a-Chucky rapids, especially for boaters unfamiliar with river • Conflicts with Other Users • Conflicts between State Parks and commercial boaters regarding regulations • Congestion at the Ruck-a-Chucky portage due to portaging during commercial trips • Conflicts between different user groups using Drivers Flat Road • Conflicts between boaters and private property at Tunnel Chute • Conflicts between anglers and boaters • Conflicts with other users at Ruck-a-Chucky (drinking, dogs off leash, shooting) • Vandalism at Ruck-a-Chucky day use area 22

  23. Middle Fork American RiverRuck-a-Chucky to Mammoth Bar • Access • Put in located at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (boat ramp) • Take out located at Mammoth Bar • Alternative take out at Confluence, but requires portaging around Murderer’s Bar • Description • 7 mile run • Class II+ • Good run for novice boaters, family rafting, and instructional boating • Flow Estimates • Minimum of 800 cfs, Maximum of 1,200 cfs for kayaks and canoes • Any flow is okay for more skilled boaters • Flow releases from Oxbow PH typically arrive in the afternoon 23

  24. Middle Fork American RiverRuck-a-Chucky to Mammoth Bar (continued) • Safety Considerations • Potential hazard area just below Cherokee Bar, when flow is low, Channel is constricted and boaters end up in trees on river right • Rebar and debris (old bridges, mining debris) • Overrunning the take-out and ending up in Murderer’s Bar • Conflicts with Other Users • Conflicts with other users at Mammoth Bar, especially during OHV special events 24

  25. Middle Fork American RiverMammoth Bar to Confluence • Access • Put in located at Mammoth Bar • Take out located at Confluence (several options) • Easy access and short run for people with limited time • Description • 2.3 mile run • Class II+, III- with one Class V rapid (Murderer’s Bar) • Used in the past for instructional boating • Flow Estimates • Minimum of 400 cfs , Maximum of 15,000+ cfs for all watercraft • Flow releases from Oxbow PH arrive in the afternoon 25

  26. Middle Fork American RiverMammoth Bar to Confluence (continued) • Safety Considerations • Potential to be swept into Murderer’s Bar Rapid • Portage around Murderer’s Bar Rapid is long and difficult • Conflicts with Other Users • Conflicts with other users at Mammoth Bar, especially during OHV special events 26

  27. North Fork American RiverConfluence to Oregon Bar • Access • Put in at the Confluence (several options) • Take out at Birdsall River Access in China Bar Recreation Area • Alternative take out at Oregon Bar River Access in China Bar Recreation Area • Alternative take out at Rattlesnake Bar on Folsom Reservoir • Description • 3.5mile run to Birdsall River Access • 5 mile run to Oregon Bar River Access • Class II+, III- • Potential for instructional boating, family rafting, inner tubing, park and play river use • Flow Estimates • Minimum of 300 cfs, Maximum of 15,000+ cfs for all watercraft • 100 cfs minimum for inner tubes and kayaks • Flow releases from Oxbow PH arrive in afternoon 27

  28. North Fork American RiverConfluence to Oregon Bar (continued) • Safety Considerations • Traffic and congestion at put-in • Potentially the pump station at higher flows • Debris at old Highway 49 Bridge • Missing the take out at Oregon Bar River Access • Potential Conflicts • Other river users (boogie boarders, inner tubers, etc.) 28

  29. Summary of Information Developed through Whitewater Boating Focus Group and Flow Studies Proposed by PCWA • Table Handout 29

  30. Ideas Identified by the Focus Group • Construct a better portage around Murderer’s Bar Rapid • Construct a put-in below Murderer’s Bar Rapid • Improve the put-in/take out at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area and at Mammoth Bar for disabled access • Provide better flow information that accounts for travel time from Oxbow Powerhouse • Change timing of flows so that flows are available at downstream locations earlier in the day 30

  31. Angling Focus Group • Conducted session on Tuesday evening, May 20, 2008 • Session was attended by 8 anglers 31

  32. Angling Focus GroupSummary • Characterized fishing opportunities on the following rivers • Long Canyon • Duncan Creek • Rubicon River • Middle Fork American River, French Meadows Reservoir to Middle Fork Interbay • North Fork American River • The focus group did not have any experience regarding fishing on: • Middle Fork American River between Middle Fork Interbay and Ralston Afterbay 32

  33. Duncan Creek • Access • Robinson Flat Road to FR 96, which crosses Duncan Creek downstream of Duncan Creek Diversion Dam • Unpaved roads 96.52 provides access to Duncan Creek Diversion Dam area • Unpaved road 96.54 provides access to Duncan Creek about 4 miles downstream of diversion dam • Access is limited by snow during the winter and early spring • Characterization and Quality • Mostly fly fishers • Good fishing for brown trout in the fall • Similar to Rubicon River but smaller fish • Flow-Related Effects on Fishing • Spring fishery - Fishing success declines as flows recede and water warms • No problem fishing or wading under typical flow conditions 33

  34. Long Canyon • Access • FR 2 and FR 22 provide paved access to confluence of North and South Fork Long Canyon • FR 23 and 13N65 provide access to Long Canyon at Ramsey Crossing • Trail access to Long Canyon from 13N65 • 14N25G and 13N66 provide 4WD road access to confluence of Long Canyon and Rubicon River • Access limited by snow during the winter and early spring • Characterization and Quality • Spinning and fly fishing • Predominantly rainbow trout • Flow-related Effects on Fishing • Flow is adequate and fairly stableRemains fishable as flows decrease through summer 34

  35. Rubicon RiverHell Hole to Ellicott Bridge • Access • Accessible via Hunters Trail, Parsley Bar Trail, Deer Creek Trail, South Fork Trail, and FR 2 at Ellicott Bridge • Some trail segments are difficult to find or are not well maintained • Access is limited by snow during winter and early spring • Characterization and Quality • Combination bank and wade fishing • Generally more spinning and bait fishing near Ellicott bridge • More fly fishing farther away from access point • Predominantly rainbow trout • Fish size has declined in the last 10-12 years • Good opportunity for remote camping/fishing experience 35

  36. Rubicon RiverHell Hole to Ellicott Bridge (continued) • Flow-related Effects on Fishing • Typical summer time flow is easy to fish • Flows usually decrease to fishable levels by the time the area is accessible • Flow looks the same throughout the summer 36

  37. Rubicon RiverEllicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay • Access • Accessible via FR 2 at Ellicott Bridge, Slide Point Trail, Lawyer Trail, Nevada Point Trail, 13N66 and 14N25G, and FR 23 upstream of Ralston Afterbay • Middle part of reach is inaccessible • Access to and near Ellicott Bridge is limited by snow during winter and early spring • The lower portion of this reach can be accessed earlier in the season due to lower elevations • Characterization and Quality • Spin and fly fishing • Combination bank and wade fishing • Predominantly rainbow and brown trout • Sometimes catch big suckers • Generally more spinning and bait fishing near Ellicott bridge • More fly fishing farther away from Ellicott bridge • Fish size has declined since 1997 • Good opportunity for remote camping/fishing experience 37

  38. Rubicon RiverEllicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay (continued) • Flow-related Effects on Fishing • Typical summer time flow is easy to fish • Flows usually decrease to fishable levels by the time the area is accessible • Flow looks the same throughout the summer • High spring flows can preclude ability to walk the stream bank or cross the river 38

  39. Middle Fork American RiverFrench Meadows Dam to Middle Fork Interbay • Access • Accessible via FR 96 and FR 22 at French Meadows Dam, Middle Fork Interbay Road • Middle part of reach is inaccessible • Access is limited by snow during winter and early spring • Characterization and Quality • Spin and fly fishing • Have to wet wade to fish area below French Meadows Dam • Predominantly brown trout • Flow-related Effects on Fishing • High spring flows can preclude ability to wet wade the stream • Must fish after high flows recede 39

  40. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky • Access • Primary access is available at Indian Bar Rafter Put-in and at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (Driver’s Flat Road) • Additional access is available via various private and public access roads and trails • Mixture of public and private land limits access to some areas • Long distance between public access points also limits access to some areas • Accessible year round • Characterization and Quality • Spin, bait, and fly fishing • Wade, boat and bank fishing • Predominantly brown and rainbow trout, with brown trout increasing downstream of Cache Rock • Mandatory portage around Ruck-a-Chucky rapid limits use by boat fisherman 40

  41. Middle Fork American RiverOxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky (continued) • Flow-related Effects on Fishing • Fishing quality is good at high and low flows • Fishing success declines as flow changes during ramping, and for about an hour after ramping • Potential to be stranded on opposite side of river due to increase in flow 41

  42. Middle Fork and North Fork American RiverRuck-a-Chucky to Oregon Bar • Access • Primary access is available at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (Driver’s Flat Road), Mammoth Bar, Confluence area, and China Bar Day Use Area • Access to China Bar Day Use Area is limited to weekends • Additional access is available via various public access roads and trails • Characterization and Quality • Spin, bait, and fly fishing • Wade, boat and bank fishing • Predominantly brown trout • More variety of fish compared to upstream reach • Fewer trout compared to upstream reach but good brown trout fishing in the fall • “Not great fishing” but proximity to town provides nearby angling opportunities 42

  43. Middle Fork and North Fork American RiverRuck-a-Chucky to Oregon Bar (continued) • Flow-related Effects on Fishing • Fishing quality is good at high and low flows • Can fish at fairly low flows in this reach • Fishing success declines as flow changes during ramping, and for about an hour after ramping • Potential to be stranded on opposite side of river due to increase in flow 43

  44. Ideas Identified by the Focus Group • Plow road to Ellicott Bridge to provide earlier access to Rubicon River • Provide toilet at Ellicott Bridge • Improve trail signage • Construct a better portage around Murderer’s Bar Rapid • Provide better flow information that accounts for travel time from Oxbow PH • Modify ramping schedule to improve angling 44

  45. Summary of Information Developed through Angler Focus Group • Table 45

  46. Angler Flow Studies • Recommendation • Address flow-related issues by analyzing ramping conditions in peaking reach • Rationale • Bypass Reaches • Focus group reported that fishing quality is good at flows that are present when area is accessible • Peaking Reach • Focus group reported that fishing quality is good at all flow levels in the peaking reach • Flow-related effects on fishing is associated with ramping in the peaking reach (during ramping and for about 1 hour after) • Proposed Approach • Characterize frequency, timing and duration of ramping in the peaking reach under current Project operations

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