PG&E urges caution during increased flows for whitewater recreation on Rock Creek reach of the North Fork Feather River
Beware high water on the Feather River.Pacific Gas and Electric Company urges the public to take extra safety precautions as water flows will be higher through the weekend of July 23-24 on a portion of the North Fork Feather River, for whitewater recreation.
During the higher flows this part of the river contains Class III, IV and V rapids, which are only appropriate for skilled paddlers and not appropriate for tubing.
The Rock Creek Reach is the 8.3-mile portion of the North Fork of the Feather River in the Plumas National Forest, between PG&E’s Rock Creek Dam and the Rock Creek Powerhouse near Storrie.
By 9 a.m. Saturday, July 23, flows will be increased to 800 cubic feet-per-second. On Sunday, flows will be at 700 cfs until 2 p.m. when flows will be gradually reduced to the season normal of approximately 300 cfs.
The recreational flows are conducted in cooperation with the American Whitewater organization and the Rock Creek–Cresta Ecological Resource Committee and are usually held four weekends a year in June, July, August and September. No recreational flows were held last month due to dry-year conditions.
Additional recreational flows are scheduled for the weekends of Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 24-25.
PG&E offers the following water safety tips:
- Stay out of cold water. Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.
- Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous. Guided trips for inexperienced paddlers are strongly recommended.
- Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited. Stay out of canals and flumes, which are very dangerous due to slippery sides, sub-surface obstacles, fast moving water and transitions to full tunnels and pipes. For more water safety tips visit: www.pge.com/hydrosafety
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.
