Middle Fork American River Project Recreation Resources Technical Working Group Meeting

1. Middle Fork American River ProjectRecreation ResourcesTechnical Working Group Meeting November 17, 2009

2. REC 4 – Bypass Reach Whitewater Boating Flow Studies

3. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Overview of Flow Study Proposal • Handout #1 – Revised Whitewater Boating Flow Study Proposal – Bypass Reaches (July 23, 2009) • Proposal included comments provided by Foothills Water Network. • Proposal was discussed at August 3, 2009 Recreation TWG meeting.

4. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Overview of Flow Study Proposal • Rubicon River – Ellicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay • Type: Single flow study • Timing: During spill or high flow runoff event (2009-2010) • Target flow range: 500 to 800 cfs at Ellicott Bridge • REC TWG participants suggested shooting for a flow closer to 800 cfs, if possible. • Flow study could be 1 or 2 days, as determined by the study team. • REC TWG participants indicated the study would require 2 days.

5. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Overview of Flow Study Proposal • Middle Fork American River – Middle Fork Interbay Dam to Ralston Afterbay • Type: Controlled single flow study • Timing: Spring 2010 prior to May 15 or immediately after the cessation of spill, if spill extends beyond May 15, 2010. • Target flow range: 450 to 550 cfs as measured at the gage just below Middle Fork Interbay Dam.

6. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Overview of Flow Study Proposal • Middle Fork American River – French Meadows Dam to Middle Fork Interbay • Type: Controlled single flow study • Timing: Spring – early summer 2010. • REC TWG participants discussed June. • Target flow range: To be determined by boating study team in consultation with PCWA and Recreation TWG. • REC TWG participants agreed to a maximum target flow of 250 cfs as measured at the top of the reach.

7. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Logistics and Implementation Process • Handout #2 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies Proposed Implementation Process • Focuses on Rubicon River – Ellicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay because this study will likely occur first. • A similar implementation process and schedule will be developed for the Middle Fork American River WW boating studies.

8. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Logistics and Implementation Process • Handout #2 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies Proposed Implementation Process • Review Handout

9. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Draft Study Forms • Handout #3 – Draft Boater Profile Form • Review Handout

10. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Draft Study Forms • Handout #4 – Draft Single Flow Evaluation Form • Review Handout

11. REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies • Draft Study Forms • Handout #5 – Post-Run Discussion Questions • Review Handout

12. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities Technical Study Report (TSR)

13. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • REC 3 – TSR Status • Draft report will be distributed in November 2009. • Three month review and comment period due to holidays. • Comments due in February 2010.

14. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • REC 3 – TSP Objectives • Characterize existing recreation opportunities at Project reservoirs. • Characterize the relationship between reservoir water surface elevation (WSE) and current and future Project reservoir-based recreation opportunities (activities and experience). • Characterize existing and future reservoir WSE-related operational constraints. • Identify access and safety concerns at Project reservoirs. • Develop information regarding reservoir-based recreation user conflicts at Project reservoirs.

15. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Study Area • Hell Hole Reservoir • French Meadows Reservoir • Ralston Afterbay • Reservoir inundation area associated with the Hell Hole Reservoir Seasonal Storage Increase.

16. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Study Approach • Characterized reservoir-based recreation opportunities using a combination of: • Existing information; • Hydrologic data; • Facility diagrams available from PCWA and/or developed as part of relicensing studies; and • GIS-based maps developed by PCWA.

17. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Study Approach • Existing information was supplemented with information developed through three other studies: • LAND 3 – Emergency Action and Public Safety TSP • PCWA’s public health and safety measures. • Emergency response incidents. • REC 1 – Recreation Use and Facilities TSP • Facility descriptions and condition. • Boat ramp/reservoir use. • REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Surveys TSP • Reservoir opportunities and activities. • Visitor responses regarding reservoir WSE and facilities.

18. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Recreation Opportunities • Characterized existing recreation opportunities by reservoir and by type of activity. • Characterized future reservoir-related recreation demand with respect to recreation trends information. • Characterized reservoir based recreation opportunities at various WSE’s using REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey Results.

19. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Reservoir Levels • Summarized daily historical WSE data for Hell Hole and French Meadows Reservoirs by water year type. • Summarized daily and hourly WSEs at Ralston Afterbay. • Summarized existing and future reservoir WSE-related operational constraints or requirements.

20. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Reservoir Levels • Identified the design and functional reservoir elevation range for each boat ramp. • Characterized the functionality of recreation support facilities and recreation opportunities over a range of WSE. • Existing conditions. • Future WSE associated with Hell Hole Seasonal Storage Increase.

21. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Access • Identified and documented access points, type of access and associated Project support facilities. • Includes condition assessment conducted as part of REC 1 – Recreation Use and Facilities TSP.

22. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Safety Conditions • Identified and documented existing programs and measures aimed at protecting public health and safety. • Reviewed records and consulted with USDA-FS to identify safety concerns at Project recreation facilities. • Reviewed and summarized records maintained by the FERC regarding the occurrence of accidents at MFP reservoirs.

23. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • User Conflicts • Used REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey results to: • Identify potential reservoir-based recreational user conflicts. • Identify factors that contribute to reservoir user conflicts.

24. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Recreation Opportunities • Report provides brief overview of the recreation opportunities and facilities at Hell Hole Reservoir, French Meadows Reservoirs, and Ralston Afterbay. • Specific information about reservoir-based recreation opportunities, activities, and associated support facilities is presented in subsequent sections of the report, organized by reservoir.

25. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Recreation Trends • Existing information was used to generally describe trends in outdoor recreation and future participation rates as compared to population projections. • Outdoor recreation trends information and population projections will be used along with recreation use data to estimate potential future use of Project recreation facilities. • Results of this effort will be presented in the REC 1 – TSR.

26. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Recreation Trends • Data suggests participation rates in the types of outdoor recreation activities that occur at the MFP reservoirs will decline over time. • For example, data developed by the USWFS shows that the number of anglers in California decreased between 1996 and 2006. • Between 1996 and 2001, the number of anglers decreased about 10 percent. • Between 2001 and 2006, the number of anglers decreased another 29 percent.

27. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Recreation Trends • On the other hand, population rates in California are expected to increase substantially over the next 40 years. • The majority of people who recreate in the Hell Hole Reservoir, French Meadows Reservoir, and Ralston Afterbay areas primarily reside in Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado counties. • The total population for these three counties combined is expected to increase by 63% between 2010 and 2050. • The rate of increase in the population will likely offset the decreases in outdoor recreation participation rates. • Recreation use levels can be expected to increase over time, but not at the same rate as the increase in population.

28. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Recreation Opportunities • Report first describes recreation opportunities that are available in the Hell Hole Reservoir and, and identifies associated support facilities. • Map REC 3-1 (pdf)

29. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Recreation Activities • REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey results were used to identify primary recreation activities. • Q-12 of Section A-1 asked respondents to identify the (one) main activity they participated in during their trip. • 152 people provided valid responses to this question. • Sixty people (39.5%) identified “reservoir fishing” as their primary activity; • Forty-three people (28.3%) identified “camping in a developed site” as their primary activity; and • All other responses were ≤ 5.9%.

30. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Reservoir Fishing • REC 2 – Reservoir Angler Survey results were used to characterize fishing at Hell Hole Reservoir. • A total of 112 people intercepted in the Hell Hole Reservoir area completed Section A-7 (Fishing) of the survey form. • A total of 451 fish were caught by the survey participants. • Most people (51.9%) caught Kokanee. • Other species included brown trout, rainbow trout, and lake trout. • All Section A-7 survey results are summarized in Tables. • Detailed methods and results are presented in the REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey TSR.

31. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Camping at Developed Sites • Camping is available at three developed campgrounds in the Hell Hole Reservoir area: • Big Meadows Campground • Hell Hole Campground • Upper Hell Hole Campground • These campgrounds will be described in detail in the REC 1 – Recreation Use and Facilities TSR. • Boat-in Access to Upper Hell Hole Campground is discussed in the REC 3 – TSR.

32. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Reservoir Boating • Based on the REC 2 - Recreation Visitor Surveys results, people do not appear to visit Hell Hole Reservoir primarily to boat. Instead, visitors utilize boats to fish. • Question 4 of Section A-6 asked the survey respondents who participated in boating activities to identify the type of boat they used. • A total of 46 people answered this question. • 67.4% (31 people) used a fishing boat. • 23.9% (11 people) used non-power boats (i.e. canoe, kayak, row boat, raft). • 6.5% (3 people) used personal watercraft. • 4.3% (2 people) used ski boats.

33. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Reservoir Levels

34. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Historical Water Surface Elevations • Report describes typical operation of MFP and Hell Hole Reservoir. • Historical hydrologic data (1975 – 2007) were used to describe WSEs at Hell Hole Reservoir by water year type. • “Box and Whisker” plots for each reservoir are included in appendices. • Hydrographs showing average daily WSE by month by water year type are included in appendices. • The historic WSE data were used to evaluate the effect of WSE on recreation opportunities and boat ramp functionality.

35. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Historical Water Surface Elevations Box and Whisker Plot showing Median, Quartile, Minimum, and Maximum WSEs by Month (WYs 1975–2007).

36. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Historical Water Surface Elevations Average Daily WSE at Hell Hole Reservoir by Month for all Water Year Types Combined (WYs 1975–2007).

37. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Existing and Future Operational Constraints • Report describes operational constraints, including FERC minimum storage requirements.

38. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Design and Functional Elevation of Existing Boat Ramps • Report describes design and functional elevation range of Hell Hole Boat Ramp. • Aerial view of Hell Hole Boat Ramp and associated support facilities is shown on Map. • Photographs showing the boat ramp at various water levels are included in Appendix.

39. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Hell Hole Boat Ramp • Map REC 3-2 – Hell Hole Boat Ramp and Associated Parking Areas (pdf)

40. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir WSE = 4,581 ft WSE = 4,583 ft WSE = 4,536 ft

41. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Hell Hole Boat Ramp • Approximately 1,000 feet long and about 25 feet wide. • Constructed of concrete. • Generally “U” shaped, widened in the apex of the U to provide a low water turn around area. • Designed to be functional at a wide range of water levels. • The top of the ramp is at an elevation of 4,640 feet, the same elevation as the top of the Hell Hole Dam spillway crest. • The lower end of the ramp terminates at an elevation of 4,530 feet.

42. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Hell Hole Boat Ramp • The historic hydrologic data were evaluated to determine how often WSE declines to below the bottom of Hell Hole Boat Ramp (4,530 feet). • Results are discussed by water year type.

43. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Hell Hole Boat Ramp • Examples: • Typically, reservoir levels are at their lowest in winter, increase through June, stabilize, and then gradually decrease through the summer and fall. • Wet water years - WSE is always above 4,530 feet. • Above normal and below normal water years – A WSE of 4,530 feet is typically reached by March or April. The WSE remains above 4,530 through the entire summer recreation period. • Dry and critically dry water years - A WSE of 4,530 feet is typically reached by the middle of April. The WSE remains above 4,530 through mid-to-late August.

44. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Reservoir-based Recreation Opportunities relative to WSE • The REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey results did not identify any issues related to WSE at Hell Hole Reservoir. • Survey participants were asked whether their recreation experience was negatively affected by reservoir water surface level. • Sixty one people who recreated at Hell Hole Reservoir answered this question. • Four people (6.6%) said that their recreation experience was negatively affected by water surface level. • None provided a comment explaining their answer.

45. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Reservoir-based Recreation Opportunities relative to WSE • Survey participants were also asked to rate a variety of factors related to WSE using an acceptability scale. • 71.4% (50 of 70 people) said shoreline access is acceptable. • 79.4% (54 of 68 people) said adequacy of water depths is acceptable. • 80.3% (53 of 66 people) said presence of debris or obstacles is acceptable. • All of the survey responses regarding WSE were compared to the actual WSE on the day the surveys were conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between recreation experience and WSE. • No relationship or pattern relative to WSE was evident.

46. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Upper Hell Hole Campground • Accessing Upper Hell Hole Campground requires navigating through a natural constriction in the reservoir called “the Narrows”.

47. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Upper Hell Hole Campground • Map REC 3-3 – Recreation Facilities and Areas in the Immediate Vicinity of Hell Hole Reservoir (pdf)

48. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Navigating the Narrows • The Narrows was visited throughout the summer of 2008 to determine the WSE at which it is no longer navigable. • The Narrows was navigable throughout the summer. • As WSEs recede, navigation becomes more difficult due to the presence of shallow bedrock outcrops and boulders. • Continuing up the reservoir after passing the Narrows becomes more challenging as water levels recede due to shallow water depths. • At a WSE of 4,530 feet it is possible to navigate through the Narrows. However, it is not possible to continue up the reservoir due to shallow water depths.

49. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Accessing Upper Hell Hole Campground • Boat-in access requires mooring along the shoreline and hiking upslope to the campground. • At maximum operating WSE the nearest camp site is about 75 feet from the shoreline. • As water depth decreases, the walk between a mooring point and the campground becomes longer. • At a WSE of 4,600 feet the nearest campsite is about 200 feet from the shoreline.

50. REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR • Example Results – Hell Hole Reservoir • Accessing Upper Hell Hole Campground • Map REC 3-4 – Reservoir Levels in Relation to Upper Hell Hole Campground (pdf)