A Viable South Fork American River Shuttle -- Myth or Reality?

Posted for Theresa L. Simsiman

Over the past year the El Dorado County River Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) and other river community members have tossed around the elusive idea of a South Fork American River Shuttle program. Elusive in the fact that creating a viable shuttle would require more than just one single entity. In fact it was apparent from the beginning, that an affordable & convenient shuttle program could not succeed without the combined efforts of the community. Thankfully, we have a great SFA community to do just that — succeed!

250 total participants responded to the the SFA Shuttle Survey posted on surveymonkey.com last January. Using the survey results from the first 100 respondents a community meeting was called and a general plan was put together:

• WHO — Dan Crandall and The River Store


• WHAT — A shuttle for river recreation & Coloma/Lotus Community at $5/person including kayak etc & $20/raft using 2 vans with equipment trailers to run on weekends & one weekday


• WHERE — The South Fork American River Corridor


• WHEN — Test runs in July, full Service runs in August, September, October 2008 & May, June 2009 — based on the county fiscal year


• HOW — A grant proposal for AB2766 funding administered by the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and additional matching funds requested from the River Trust Fund through RMAC

Long story short — The River Store Shuttle proposal was chosen to be recommended to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) for funding. This means we have one final hurdle which is approval of AQMD AB2766 funding by the Board of Supervisors during a meeting in June. If you would like to show your support of The River Store SFA Shuttle to the El Dorado County BOS, please email me your name, address & phone number and I will include it in a letter to be presented at this meeting — jericah@earthlink.net

Now for the long story — The El Dorado County AQMD grant is the key component of the plan, in other words, without these funds a viable shuttle program would go no where. This particular grant was established by AB2766 and is funded through DMV surcharges. It has been distributed in the past to programs like the American River Music Festival shuttle and the Apple Hill shuttle. Every year the El Dorado County AQMD requests AB2766 proposals & rewards a grant based on a point system that rates the proposals ability to lower emissions. In this case it proved to be challenging because traffic from river recreation, alone, did not lower emissions enough to give us the points needed to compete with other requests.

Luckily for us, other community members stepped in to provide a solution. Martin Harris, Vice President & Landowner Representative to RMAC, abstained from the River Trust Fund vote in order to help pursue the shuttle program with an interest in expanding it for other community members like Coloma/Lotus youth. And Mindy Jackson, El Dorado County Transit Director, also expressed interest in the hopes of integrating county service & possibly assisting with some version to reach neighboring communities Cool and Georgetown. After a few conversations they offered up the "if it where a big fat snake it would bite you" solution ... fill the empty return runs of the river shuttle with community transit or what is fondly referred to as "dead head" transit. In one fell swoop the ridership would double and increase the proposal's points for lowering emissions.

Finally armed with a decent amount of points, matching funds from the River Trust Fund approved by RMAC and letters of support from BLM, State Parks, El Dorado County Transit, El Dorado County Airports Parks & Grounds Division and the Coloma Lotus Chamber of Commerce a grant proposal was submitted for consideration to AQMD on behalf of The River Store Shuttle to provide service for river recreation & the community resulting in what is detailed above.

In closing I would like to acknowledge some of the community folks who gave of their time & advice to help move a myth into reality:

• RMAC members — Hilde Schweitzer, Martin Harris, Tim Lasko, Marilyn Tahl, Dave Martinez, Steve Liles & Bill Deitchman
• Bill Center
• Chuck Seidler
• "Bronco Bob" Hunden
• Gary Johnson
• BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner — Jeff Horn
• El Dorado County Transit Director — Mindy Jackson
• El Dorado County AQMD Air Quality Engineer — Carolyn Craig
• El Dorado County River Recreation Supervisor — Noah Rucker Triplett
• El Dorado County Sheriff — Brian Schaub
• Coloma Lotus Chamber of Commerce President — Marjorie Sanborn
• Coloma Lotus Chamber of Commerce Vice President — Sara Schwartz Kendall

Hoping to hear from the river community once more!

Sincerely,
Theresa L. Simsiman
(916) 835-1460

Paddle with the Pros

Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, 2008, there will be a series of kayak races and an outdoor BBQ dinner party on the beautiful South Fork of the American River, all to benefit First Descents, a kayak and outdoor experience for Young Adults with Cancer.

The "Paddle with the Pros" event will feature a boatercross race, men's and women's downriver races, a free roll clinic, a class III+ Poker Race, and an after-party with the pros featuring a dinner, video premiere and raffle. Amateur paddlers will rub shoulders with some of the true legends of the sport, including Brad Ludden, Eric Jackson, Corey Nielsen and members of the Jackson Kayak Team. Don't worry, they won't be racing — they'll just be there to wreak a little havoc on the water while the amateurs compete in class II boatercross and downriver races and a Class III+ poker race.

The event will benefit a program founded in 2001 by Ludden to empower young adult cancer survivors through kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and other outdoor activities. Additional event information and registration forms are available at Paddle with the Pros.

Can you help answer these questions?

Lately we've received a bunch of emails from folks with questions about the American River, and unfortunately we can't answer some of them. We're hoping you might be able to help. If you can answer any of these questions, please post your answer as a comment, or use our contact form to provide a private response. Thanks!!

1. From Leslie: My co-worker and I are looking into some historic information, and have come across a letter of one of her relatives by the name of A.D. Smead who is describing a time in 1849 where he and others in his party came over the Sierra Nevadas to Old Weavertown then down to Shingle Springs were they left the road and went to Moccasin river where they first mined for gold with rockers hollowed out of round logs. We are interested in finding out more about the Moccasin River and if it has changed names, and about Old Weavertown and where it was located.


2. From Craig: Is there any shuttle service available for the South Fork these days?


3. From Rich: I was wondering if someone could tell me if there is public boat or kayak access to the Chili Bar Reservoir below the White Rock Powerhouse?


4. From Fentress: Your website mentions that there are more deaths on the "Lower American" than on the 3 forks. Can you provide me with the number of deaths occurring in past years on each fork and on the Lower American? Alternatively or conjunctively, can you refer me to any agencies (name and telephone number) who keep records on the number of deaths?
   
   Similarly, I'd like to know about injuries common to going down each of the forks. I wanted to know if any records are kept regarding various types and frequencies of injury. I was also wondering the differences in kayaking, canoeing, and rafting with respect to deaths and injuries. Which is safest and, conversely, least safe? Are any records kept regarding this?

Thanks to Betty Sederquist for letting us use her picture of poppies on the South Fork of the American.

Great resource for hikers

We recently discovered Russell Towle's blog, North Fork of the American River, "Accounts of explorations in the Great American Canyon, Placer County's Yosemite." As Russell says,

It is my philosophy that the old trails of the North Fork need to be known, not unknown. The North Fork of the American River--its wildness, its beautiful scenery, its historic trails and mining ditches and prehistoric sites--deserves every kind of protection and preservation. But this protection and preservation is hardly possible if no one knows the great canyon, and its great old trails.

Russell has done his part. In over 100 posts over several years, he tells stories of his hikes in the North Fork canyons. He talks of wildlife, goemorphology, trails, and conservation politics. Interspersed with the stories are maps and trail logistics. Highly recommended!

Outside Magazine recognizes local instructors

Congratulations to DeReimer Adventure Kayaking, named in the February 2008 issue of Outside Magazine as the best place to learn whitewater kayaking. Owners and master instructors Phil and Mary DeReimer make their home in Lotus, and are available for instruction when they are not leading trips in Ecuador, Bhutan and other exotic locations. They teach out of Mother Lode River Center on the South Fork of the American River. See the DeReimer Adventure Kayaking website for more information.

American River Whitewater Assured for 2008!

Thanks to Scott Underwood of Mother Lode River Trips for this snowpack report and 2008 whitewater outlook.

Those of you who have visited Lake Tahoe recently know that something exciting is happening in the Sierras. Whether you were chaining up and crawling along in traffic, hunkered down waiting out a blizzard, sliding over a slope, or like my Dog Charlie, just sitting enjoying it, snow is happening up here! For those of us who are anticipating the spring thaw, the recent snow survey just pegged the water content at 125% of normal. It is going to be a great season for whitewater somewhere on the American River in 2008.

The North, South and Middle Forks of the American River all benefit from one of the heaviest annual snowfalls in the Sierras. Blue Canyon, their primary watershed, averages among the highest annual precipitations in John Muir's "Range of Light." Combine this with a system of large reservoirs on the South and Middle Forks of the American and you have the most reliable source of whitewater fun on the West Coast.

In 2006 the Sacramento Municipal Utility District finished a re-licensing process on its Upper American River Project (UARP) on the South Fork that made recreational flows a mandated priority for the first time. What this means is that the snow we are currently enjoying is more than sufficient to provide reliable, exciting flows on the South Fork from Memorial Day to Labor Day—guaranteed! This will be true most years in the fifty-year duration of this license.

The Middle Fork of the American also has a large upstream reservoir, Oxbow, which will also provide reliable flows if the current trends continue. I would be willing to bet a lot on it being a great season, but unlike the South Fork, there is no formal agreement that guarantees it. We will have to wait a bit longer to be absolutely certain.

The North Fork of the American has no reservoirs upstream of the whitewater runs. The melt on the North Fork is notoriously fickle and anyone betting heavily on the outcome now should probably stay away from the gaming tables. Nevertheless, all indications are this river will have a good season too.

What about the other rivers in the Sierra? They need to be addressed on a river-by-river basis depending on the location of their drainage, whether there are large upstream reservoirs or not, etc. Suffice it to say that if the snow keeps falling, it stays cold and the pineapple express doesn't show up—it looks good.

So if you are interested in boating on the Forks of the American this spring and summer, Mother Nature has just refilled your prescription of aqua-Prozac. Make sure your gear is ready, or call an outfitter to book your reservations, the rate limiting factor is not likely to be water this season!

Scott Underwood, Mother Lode River Trips

South Fork Shuttle Survey

Members of the El Dorado County River Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) & local interested parties are exploring the idea of developing a shuttle program for the South Fork of the American River.

In order to determine the feasibility of such a venture, they are asking for your input. Make sure your voice is heard! Please take the time to answer a few questions in their survey.

thanks to Theresa Simsiman

Job Opportunity for River Advocate in Coloma

The Foothills Water Network seeks a part-time Project Assistant to support the Coordinator in restoring aquatic health and recreational benefits to the Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers. The Project Assistant will work from home and attend meetings at the Foothills Water Network office in Coloma, and in Auburn. Responsibilities include: organize workshops, events and group forums; manage financial information; collect and organize information relevant to relicensing including: economics, hydrology, science, and recreation; draft and edit agendas, emails, letters, memos, and reports; communicate with water agencies, consultants, resources agencies, and conservation groups; manage the Foothills Water Network’s information systems by developing outreach materials and updating and maintaining website and database; prepare program materials and progress reports; other duties as assigned.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, strong interpersonal communication, telephone, and writing skills, experience organizing events, knowledge of water resource issues, knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Power Point, Adobe Photoshop and Internet, ability to communicate professionally with a variety of stakeholders, including local conservation leaders, statewide advocates, local government staff and elected officials, and a professional organized approach to work. Successful candidates will have the ability to lay out work tasks, ability to focus on his/her own work, complete tasks on time and with high quality, and the ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities. Candidates should be highly motivated, positive in disposition and integrity, with a personal commitment to rivers, and have a sense of humor.

This position has a flexible schedule, approximately 10 hours per week and pays $15 - $17 per hour, commensurate with experience. The Project Assistant reports to the Foothills Water Network Coordinator and is a contract position for six months, with a potential for extension. This position will start as soon as possible.

The Foothills Water Network is a non-profit interbasin environmental forum dedicated to facilitating information-sharing and conservation strategies with the overall intent of restoring aquatic ecosystem health and water quality in the Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers.

This position is now open and the application process will start immediately. Applications will be accepted through February 12th but interviews will be arranged with qualified candidates as soon as possible. Email a 1-2 page cover letter and resume to julie@foothillswaternetwork.org . Telephone: 530-622-8497. Click here for more about this nonprofit.

Holiday Spirit at The River Store

The River Store is selling top quality Noble and Douglas Fir Christmas trees, fresh wreaths, pine cones, mistletoe and fresh fir and cedar boughs for your decorating ideas. Selling trees is a new service offered by the River Store; owners Dan and Colleen wanted to be more involved in the local holiday season and to provide an alternative for local folks to save gas, time and money by staying close to home. There will be extra weekday evening hours in addition to the regular Friday-Sunday hours to accommodate those coming home from work. You can always call Dan at 530-333-9115 to meet them at a special time, or call the store at 530-626-3435. They also offer fireproofing, tree stand set-up, and delivery as well, so take advantage of their service or just stop by to get some free cookies and hot spiced cider or chocolate, and browse the large selection of river related sale items. A portion of the sale of these trees will benefit paraplegic local Kelley Kalafatich, for more information go to Kelley.

Help those less privileged with a holiday food donation. The River Store is a donation/drop off location benefiting the El Dorado Food Bank, come by during store hours to make donations.

Please sign today for flows on Slab Creek!

We received a message from Hilde Schweitzer regarding a push to get scheduled, boatable flows on the Slab Creek run. This run is downstream of Slab Creek Reservoir on the upper South Fork of the American River drainage, above Chili Bar. Here is what she is asking. (See the thread at boof.com for more information.)

Many of you know about the comments we are submitting to FERC and it is not feasible for everyone to write their own comments and submit it in time. We have decided to submit a group letter so everyone who wants to can sign on.

There is more info at boof.com and if you want to add your name to the list, please do so by Thurs night (Nov 8) or Friday morning latest. Michael Picker has agreed to do all this. The boof thread tells how to sign up.

We are trying to get a broad nation-wide interest shown so please pass this on to friends who are interested in paddling a newly watered section of the American River in the future on a regular basis.

Thanks and if you have any specific questions, get in touch. Hope you all are well and paddling somewhere!

hilde

The American River Flows Free Again!

The American River near Auburn is flowing free for the first time in 40 years after local agencies closed the tunnel and rebuilt the riverbed around the Auburn Dam site. Since it is likely that the Auburn Dam will never be built (after years of controversy and $400 million dollars) government agencies have returned the river to its original bed, with a few manmade improvements paddlers will love. An architecturally designed permanent river bottom – a series of pools lined with stone embedded in concrete – will create a swirling stretch of class III rapids as long as the water is up, according to the agencies that spent $30 million to restore the riverbed. Because of the attraction, the designers also created a concrete "portage" path alongside the river where paddlers can easily portage their kayak, canoe or raft, perhaps to carry it back for another ride down the rapids.

Boaters accessing this newly opened recreation area will likely put in at the confluence and take out at Rattlesnake Bar, 6 miles downstram, flows permitting. Although the stretch does not rival the exciting class IV and V stretches on the upriver forks of the Middle and North American, this mellow stretch will be perfect for families, paddling instruction, and anyone looking for a scenic, mellow river trip. According to Bill Center, former El Dorado County Superviser, owner of Camp Lotus, and longtime paddler, "It really does open up a sweet section of the river."

The restoration work also included a water-pumping station on the riverbank that will serve 55,000 homes a year for the Placer County Water Agency. Builders created a chute alongside the left bank that will channel a stream into the pump station. The $30 million price tag for the entire river restoration work includes the high cost of the pumping station.

Boaters could begin using this stretch of river as early as next spring, although there are some challenges faced by Auburn State Parks and Recreation Department regarding parking. Jay Galloway, Park Superintendent, expects to hold hearings and invite public comment on the revised recreation plan sometime next spring. Stay tuned so your voice can be heard. For more information, click Friends of the River article, or Sacramento Bee article. Photo courtesy PARC.

American River Canyon Hikes- Our New Favorite Book!

Boaters, hikers, equestrians, and shuttle bunnies alike will appreciate the newly revised: American River Canyon Hikes: Practical Guides to Trails in the Canyons of the North and Middle Forks American River. In its fourth printing, this book presents 24 trails in well researched detail, with trail length, difficulty, slope elevations and trail profiles, as well as parking and trailhead information. Hikers will enjoy reading about significant points of natural and historic interest chronicled in the book. The book is full of interesting tidbits such as the Foresthill Bridge's height, which at 730 feet, makes it the tallest bridge in California.

Hiking along the American River canyons is a year round enjoyment, but particularly so now that fall is here. The deciduous oaks turn yellow and drop their leaves and the earth is wet and green from the most recent rainfall. This book is available at REI and other local retailers. For more details about the book and hiking in the American River Canyons check out http://www.canyonkeepers.org/.