Initial Study Report Whitewater Boating

Transcription

1 Initial Study Report Whitewater Boating Prospect No. 3 Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. P-2337 PacifiCorp May 2015 South Fork of the Rogue River, 2007 Reproduced with permission from Peter Gandesbery, 12/10/2013

2 Methods Results Needs Conclusions Recommendations Overview South Fork of the Rogue River, 2007 Reproduced with permission from Peter Gandesbery, 12/10/2013

3 Project Study Area (PSA)

4 Methods Employed Level 1 Desktop Analysis consistent with Whittaker, Shelby, & Gangemi (2005) Literature reviews, hydrology summary, structured interviews Hydrology Analysis Compared impaired versus unimpaired (potential) flows WY 1990 to WY 2013 USGS Gage No (0.3 miles below diversion dam) Use and Demand Analysis May 20, 2014 Stakeholder Meeting To identify acceptable recreation flows, boater access, and potential boating needs within the Project Study Area Whitewater Boating Survey Questionnaire Needs Analysis Project effect comparisons Determination of the need to advance to Level 2 studies

5 Results - Hydrology 450 Flows, River Mile Q (CFS) UNIMPAIRED FLOWS IMPAIRED FLOWS 0 1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec Existing Q at Bridge Unimpaired Q at Bridge

6 Results Stakeholder Meeting & Survey Questionnaire Stakeholder Meeting (May 20, 2014) Contacted members of American Whitewater and Southern Oregon Water Dogs Two attendees Survey Questionnaire Sent to 44 whitewater boaters Resulted in 10 participants Contacted 29 commercial guides or outfitters Resulted in 14 verbal responses

7 Results Participant Self Rating Expert (Class V) Advanced (Class IV) Intermediate (Class III) Novice (Class II) Novice Intermediate Advanced Expert (Class II) (Class III) (Class IV) (Class V) Participant Self Rating No. of Participant Votes

8 Results Whitewater Classification Class VI Class V Class IV Class III Class II Class I Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V Class VI Whitewater Difficulty Poll No. of Participant Votes

9 Boating Obstacles Participant No. Rock Hits No. Boat Stops No. Boat Drags No. Boat Portages

10 Results Minimum & Optimum Flows 400 cfs 350 cfs 300 cfs Flow 250 cfs 200 cfs 150 cfs cfs 200 cfs 250 cfs 300 cfs 350 cfs 400 cfs Suggested Optimum Flows Suggested Minimum Flows No.of Participant Votes

11 Flows, River Mile OPTIMUM FLOW 300 Q (CFS) MINIMUM FLOW Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec Existing Q at Bridge Unimpaired Q at Bridge Minimum Boating Flows Optimum Flows

12 Results Recreational Access River Mile Tax lot No. Owner Name - North Bank Owner Name - South Bank E2400 Tristar Southwest Oregon TI E Plum Creek Timberlands LP E2600 Tristar Southwest Oregon TI E Plum Creek Timberlands LP E1500 Tristar Southwest Oregon TI E Uram Forests LLC E1300 Tristar Southwest Oregon TI E Indian Hill LLC E700 Tristar Southwest Oregon TI E900 USA (U.S. DOI- BLM) USA (U.S. DOI- BLM) E Juniper Properties LLC Juniper Properties LLC E USA (U.S. DOI-BLM) USA (U.S. DOI-BLM) E USA (U.S. DOI-BLM) USA (U.S. DOI-BLM)

13 Results Alternate Boating Opportunities Nearby the PSA Publish Literature Soggy Sneakers: A Paddler s Guide to Oregon Rivers, p Paddling Oregon, p.269 Wild and Scenic Rivers of America, p.218 & 219 Summary of Nearby Opportunities The North Fork Rogue River Takilma Gorge is mentioned as a Class IV+ with flows year-round between 400 to 500 cfs. Length is 3.8 miles with a gradient of 38 fpm. The North Fork Rogue River Bridge Campground to North Fork Reservoir is listed as a Class III or possibly Class IV with year-round flows between 400 to 2,000 cfs. Length of the run is listed as 5 miles with a 40 fpm gradient. The North Fork Rogue River Mill Creek Falls to Lost Creek Lake is listed as a Class IV+ with seasonal (snowmelt) flows ranging from 500 to 1,000 cfs. The length is listed as three miles with a gradient of 94 fpm. The Middle Fork Rogue River Butte Falls Road to Lost Creek Lake is considered by this publication to be a Class V. The Middle Fork boasts a 6 mile run with flows ranging from 400 to 800 cfs during the rainy season or early spring during snowmelt. This reach is rated at an 88 fpm gradient. This published reference provides an overview of recreational paddling on the Rogue River. Running the North Fork from the North Fork Reservoir to Lost Creek Lake is mainly discussed as a run for expert paddlers who should expect Class IV+ waters. A quick mention of the Middle Fork Rogue River lists that this run contains obstacles like logs, brush, steep gradients, unportagable rapids, and plenty of pinning potential. The Rogue River is described in detail. The river difficulty is mentioned as upper, not run; lower, Class III with 2 Class IV rapids. This reference focuses primarily on the whitewater opportunities on the lower Rogue River (below William Jess Dam operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) where there is 55 mi of whitewater boating. available to the recreationalist above and below the wild & scenic section of the Rogue River.

14 Needs Project Effects on Recreation Flow Project operates in run-ofriver mode creating dependence on seasonal flows, rainfall, and accretions Using minimum boatable flow criteria of 200 cfs Impaired boatable days 31 (April 29 May 29) Unimpaired boatable days 116 (February 21 June 16) Using optimal boatable flow criteria of 350 cfs Unimpaired boatable days 31 (April 29 May 29) Q (CFS) Existing Q at Bridge Minimum Boating Flows OPTIMUM FLOW MINIMUM FLOW Unimpaired Q at Bridge Optimum Flows

15 Needs PSA Recreational Access Few Put-In or Take-Out locations as PSA is bounded primarily by private land owners to the north and south Remote region Steep, canyon geomorphology Few public roads Respondents main access point Butte Falls Prospect Road Bridge

16 Needs Potential Improvements & Flow Information Put-In or Take-Out location improvements are restricted by privately held lands to the north and south along the majority of the PSA Flow Information Add accretions to USGS gage flow data and incorporate Middle Fork confluence flows Use Dreamflows website to summarize PSA flows South Fork of the Rogue River, 2007 Reproduced with permission from Peter Gandesbery, 12/10/2013

17 Needs Recreation Opportunities Diminished or curtailed electric generation would only benefit a small number of skilled boaters who would boat the PSA when other quality boating opportunities are available in the region Importance of flow-dependent recreation opportunities Short boating window for minimum and optimum flows High skill level required Uncertainty of woody debris in channel Geomorphology of the PSA restricts put-in and take-out locations PSA is bounded by private property Nearby availability of highly accessible and equally challenging whitewater boating

18 Conclusions High level of skill required to boat the PSA limits the pool of potential boaters for this reach Boaters outside of the existing user group are likely willing to forgo the opportunity to boat the PSA in favor of other nearby whitewater boating opportunities Demand for future whitewater boating opportunities in the PSA is not expected to increase compared to the opportunities at the North Fork Rogue River or other nearby river systems.

19 Recommendations PSA enhancement measures are not proposed based on the results of the Level 1 analysis Enhancement measures are unlikely to increase use by whitewater boaters Based on sufficient whitewater boating data provided by the respondents, PacifiCorp believes that the Level 1 analysis adequately defines whitewater boating experiences, opportunities, and flow ranges for the PSA and believes this analysis precludes the need to pursue a Level 2 study

20 Thank You PacifiCorp would like to thank the participant boaters and other contributors who provided information regarding the South Fork Rogue River and participated in the interactive process of the Initial Whitewater Boating Study. The Initial Report would not have been possible without your input.

21 Questions