The Pit River Flows!
08/12/2013 - by Dave Steindorf
As part of the new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, PG&E released flows for paddlers for the first time this past weekend. Elite padder Macy Burnham had this to say about the run, "Cali has many amazing class III and Class IV rivers that are accessible to your average kayaker; unfortunately, it does not have many solid class IV rivers. The Pit 5 stretch from Madesi to Big Bend Bridge definitely fills that void. It is a great little stretch of whitewater."
Public Meetings Scheduled for Pit 1 - June 11th (CA)
05/23/2013 - by Megan Hooker
On Tuesday, June 11th, California's State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) will hold two public meetings about whether to permanently cancel summer flushing/whitewater flows through Northern California's Pit River Canyon. The Pit 1 reach is a valued whitewater resource, and it's important that boaters weigh in on the process, either by turning out to a meeting or submitting written comments!
Pit River Releases - October 6-7 & 20-21 (CA)
09/25/2012 - by Megan Hooker
Whitewater boating releases on Northern California's Pit River between Fall River Mills and Highway 299 will take place on October 6-7 and 20-21. The Pit has something to offer everyone, with a range of Class II to Class IV water, and stunning scenery, waterfalls and geology.
AW Intends to File a Citizen Lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act
08/10/2012 - by Megan Hooker
On Thursday, August 9th, American Whitewater and Friends of the River notified the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and PG&E of their intent to sue for violations of the Endangered Species Act at the Pit 1 and Hat Creek Hydroelectric Projects in California. The projects have numerous impacts on the endangered Shasta crayfish and have been in violation of the Endangered Species Act since 2005.
Join AW on the Pit River October 1st and 2nd!
09/26/2011 - by Megan Hooker
Join AW Staff and Volunteers on the Pit River in Northern California this weekend! Whitewater releases are scheduled for October 1st/2nd, and October 15th/16th and are expected to be about 850-950 cfs. Come on out Saturday night and join us at the Pit River Recreation Area to celebrate the releases and get caught up on our Stewardship work in California. We look forward to seeing you on the river!
2011 Fall Whitewater Boating Flows Approved for California's Pit River
08/03/2011 - by Megan Hooker
Whitewater boating flows will be coming to the Pit River in Northern California each October. On June 14, 2011, FERC issued an order approving four days of whitewater boating flows annually in the Pit 1 Bypass reach. These flows implement the 2003 license issued to PG&E by FERC for its operation of the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project (FERC # 2687), and attempt to mitigate the loss of whitewater recreation on the Pit River due to the project. Fall 2011 releases have been scheduled for the weekends of October 1st/2nd and 15th/16th.
PG&E to Increase Water Flows Below Pit 4, Pit 5 Dams (CA) in October
09/30/2010 - by Paul D. Martzen
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will increase and vary water flows in the Pit River in October to test and calibrate newly installed flow gates on the Pit 4 and Pit 5 dams in eastern Shasta County.
2010 Pit Releases Canceled? (CA)
05/16/2010 - by Dave Steindorf
The releases on the Pit River could be canceled this summer. The California State Water Resources Control Board has issued a 21 day notice that they will respond to the US Fish and Wildlife Service recommending that the releases on the Pit River should be canceled this summer due to concerns about Shasta Crayfish. Paddlers need to act now if these releases are going to be saved.
Pit Releases in Jeopardy!
06/10/2009 - by Dave Steindorf
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has written a letter to FERC and the State Water Resources Control Board recommending that the releases on the Pit River, above the Pit 1 Powerhouse, should be canceled this summer. They cite concerns of potential impacts to Shasta Crayfish. American Whitewater was not consulted before making this recommendation and USFWS staff has stated that impacts to recreation was not a consideration. If you wish to boat the Pit this summer or in the future you need to write a letter now!
2008 Pit 1 Releases (CA)
04/14/2008 - by Ben Van Camp
The Pit 1 reach of the Pit River will have releases again this summer. Many people got on this run for the first time two years ago and found it to be a great class III/ IV run. This years releases will be for one weekend in June, July and August. This year dates are June 21 - 22, July 19 - 20 and August 16 - 17.