Middle Fork American River Project Recreation Resources Technical Working Group Meeting

Middle Fork American River Middle Fork American River ProjectProject

Recreation ResourcesRecreation ResourcesTechnical Working Group Technical Working Group

MeetingMeeting

November 17, 2009November 17, 2009

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REC 4 – Bypass Reach Whitewater REC 4 – Bypass Reach Whitewater Boating Flow Studies Boating Flow Studies

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REC 4 – Bypass Reach REC 4 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow StudiesWW 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Logistics and Implementation Process

Handout #2 – Bypass Reach WW Boating Flow Studies Proposed Implementation Process

Review Handout

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Draft Study Forms

Handout #3 – Draft Boater Profile Form

Review Handout

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Draft Study Forms

Handout #4 – Draft Single Flow Evaluation Form

Review Handout

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Draft Study Forms

Handout #5 – Post-Run Discussion Questions

Review Handout

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REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities Technical Study Opportunities Technical Study

Report (TSR)Report (TSR)

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REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation REC 3 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSROpportunities 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.

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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.

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Study Area

Hell Hole Reservoir

French Meadows Reservoir

Ralston Afterbay

Reservoir inundation area associated with the Hell Hole Reservoir Seasonal Storage Increase.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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%.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Hell Hole Reservoir Specifications

Water Surface Elevation

Maximum Operating Water Surface 4,630 feet

Minimum Operating Water Surface a 4,340 feet

Area

Area at Maximum Operating Water Surface 1247 acres c

Area at Minimum Operating Water Surface a 188 acres c

Depth

Depth at Maximum Operating Water Surface 378 feet b

Depth at Minimum Operating Water Surface a 88 feet

Shoreline

Shoreline at Maximum Operating Water Surface 13.2 miles c

Shoreline at Minimum Operating Water Surface a 6.6 miles b

aNote that the minimum water surface elevation is never reached under normal operating conditions. The lowest recorded WSE is 4,421 feet.

bThese values were not included in the PAD. cValues shown in italics have been updated since the PAD wad issued based on new information.


Reservoir Levels

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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.

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Historical Water Surface Elevations

Reservoir Monthly Average Water Surface Elevation

4300

4350

4400

4450

4500

4550

4600

4650

4700

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Month

Flo

w (

cfs

)

Hell Hole Reservoir

Box and Whisker Plot showing Median, Quartile, Minimum, and Maximum WSEs by Month (WYs 1975–2007).

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Historical Water Surface ElevationsAverage Daily WSE at Hell Hole Reservoir by Month for all Water Year Types Combined (WYs 1975–2007).

Reservoir Monthly Average Water Surface Elevation

4480

4500

4520

4540

4560

4580

4600

4620

4640

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Month

Av

era

ge

Mo

nth

ly D

isc

ha

rge

(c

fs)

Hell Hole Reservoir

All Years

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Existing and Future Operational Constraints Report describes operational constraints, including FERC minimum

storage requirements.

Forecast/Folsom Reservoir*(ac-ft)

Minimum Pool Requirement (ac-ft)

June - September October - May

> 2,000,000 70,000 50,000

1,200,000 – 2,000,000 70,000 25,000

<1,200,000 26,000 5,500

*Forecast/Folsom Reservoir = CDWR current year forecast of unimpeded run-off of the American River to Folsom Reservoir

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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.

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Hell Hole Boat Ramp Map REC 3-2 – Hell Hole Boat Ramp and Associated

Parking Areas (pdf)

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WSE = 4,568 ft WSE = 4,581 ft

WSE = 4,583 ft WSE = 4,536 ft

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Upper Hell Hole Campground Accessing Upper Hell Hole Campground requires navigating

through a natural constriction in the reservoir called “the Narrows”.

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Upper Hell Hole Campground Map REC 3-3 – Recreation Facilities and Areas in the

Immediate Vicinity of Hell Hole Reservoir (pdf)

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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.

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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.

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Accessing Upper Hell Hole Campground Map REC 3-4 – Reservoir Levels in Relation to Upper Hell

Hole Campground (pdf)

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WSE’s Associated with Potential Project Betterments Hell Hole Seasonal Storage Increase Betterment

Would seasonally increase the storage capacity of Hell Hole Reservoir.

The seasonal storage increase would be achieved by installing six foot high crest gate on the existing dam spillway.

The crest gates would be raised when needed to increase reservoir storage.

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Hell Hole Seasonal Storage Increase Betterment Raising the WSE by six feet would increase the surface area

of the reservoir by approximately 36 acres. Increasing the surface area of a reservoir is generally

considered a benefit because it increases the recreation carrying capacity of the reservoir.

Hell Hole Boat Ramp would still be functional. Raising the WSE would not inundate any of the boat ramp

support facilities (e.g. bathrooms and parking areas).

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Reservoir Access At maximum operating WSE, the shoreline around Hell Hole

Reservoir shoreline is about 13-miles long. Hell Hole Reservoir is encompassed by land managed by the

USDA-FS and land owned by PCWA. Approximately 70 percent of the reservoir shoreline bisects land

managed by the Eldorado National Forest - Georgetown Ranger District.

The remaining 30 percent is owned by PCWA.

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Reservoir Access Map REC 3-1 – Recreation Facilities and Land Ownership in

the Hell Hole Reservoir Area (pdf)

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Reservoir Access With a few exceptions, PCWA does not limit access to Hell

Hole Reservoir. The exceptions include: The immediate vicinity of Hell Hole Dam and spillway. The French Meadows Powerhouse area; and The Hell Hole – Middle Fork Tunnel Gatehouse area.

Access to these areas is prohibited to protect public health and safety.

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Reservoir Access The primary access to Hell Hole Reservoir is the Hell Hole

Boat Ramp. There are no other facilities on the reservoir that are

specifically designed to facilitate reservoir access.

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Hell Hole Boat Ramp and Associated Support Facilities An inventory of the amenities and features associated with

the Hell Hole Boat Ramp and associated parking areas, including a condition assessment, was conducted on August 2, 2008, in consultation with a USDA-FS representative.

The inventory is provided in an Appendix. Photographs of the primary features are provided in an

Appendix.

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Hell Hole Boat Ramp and Associated Support Facilities Example Inventory Forms – Hell Hole Boat Ramp and Hell

Hole Boat Ramp Parking Area (pdfs)

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REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Responses Regarding Reservoir Recreation Facilities Survey participants who were intercepted at Hell Hole Boat

Ramp were asked to rate various factors regarding the boat ramp and parking areas.

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REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Responses Regarding Reservoir Recreation Facilities

86.2% (25 of 29 people) said parking availability was acceptable. 79.3% (23 of 29 people) said parking area condition was acceptable. 89.3% (25 of 28 people) said that the condition of the boat ramp was

acceptable. 89.3% (25 of 28 people) said that boat ramp access was acceptable. 88.5% (23 of 26 people) said restroom condition was acceptable. 85.2% (23 of 27 people) said restroom cleanliness was acceptable 82.1% (23 of 28 people) said that availability of trash disposal was

acceptable. 36.0% (9 of 25 people) said drinking water availability was acceptable. 66.7% (16 of 24 people) said adequacy of law enforcement personnel was

acceptable.

The survey data indicates that the primary issue at Hell Hole Boat Ramp is the unavailability of potable water.

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Safety Conditions PCWA maintains a variety of programs and measures to

ensure public health and safety, including: Visual and audible warnings (signs, bells, and sirens) Physical restraining devices (fences, log booms, guard rails).

Specific measures are summarized in report. Photographs of select features are included in an appendix.

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Safety Concerns Utilized information developed as part of LAND 3 – TSP to

summarize incidents in the Hell Hole Reservoir area that required a response by either:

The Forest Service; or Placer County Sherriff’s Department.

Reviewed FERC records to summarize accidents reported to FERC.

Since 1980, one reportable accident has occurred at Hell Hole Reservoir – a drowning in 2009.

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User Conflicts Potential reservoir-based user conflicts were assessed using

the results the REC 2 – Recreation Visitor Survey results. Survey participants were asked whether their recreation

experience was negatively affected by: (1) crowding; or (2) other factors taking place.

One person (of 70) said their experience was negatively affected by crowding.

One person (of 64) said that their experience was negatively affected by other activities taking place.

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User Conflicts User conflicts on reservoirs are usually related to reservoir

carrying capacity (e.g. surface area). Vehicle count data and logs were evaluated to determine

how many boats may have been on the reservoir at any one time.

The number of boats that may have been on the reservoir at one time was well below capacity, even on the heaviest use day of the year (Memorial Day).

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Reservoir recreation at French Meadows Reservoir and Ralston Afterbay is discussed in the same format.

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Next StepsNext Steps

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Next StepsNext Steps

Next Recreation TWG meeting scheduled for December 8, 2009.

Proposed meeting topics: Discuss whitewater boating studies on Rubicon River

Finalize forms Review notification procedures Discuss transportation options Confirm boating study team members

Discuss REC 1 – Reservoir Recreation Opportunities TSR

Middle Fork American River Project Recreation Resources Technical Working Group Meeting

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