The West River has a history of whitewater boating dating back at least 50 years. In 1958, the second eastern and third National Whitewater Slalom Championships were held on the West River in the proposed project area immediately below Ball Mountain Dam. Since that time, and likely since well before that time, the West River has been a whitewater boating staple for the New England paddling community. The river offers several miles of mild whitewater (class II/III) in a very aesthetic gorge with hiking and other recreational opportunities along the river in Jamaica State Park. For many decades the Army Corps of Engineers has provided several recreational releases each fall and spring for the purpose of whitewater boating. In many years these releases are utilized for whitewater races and other events. For almost 50 years six paddling releases per year were provided until 1990 when releases were reduced to four days per year, and in 2003 releases were reduced to three days per year. Michael Crane AICP of Crane Associates, a well-known regional expert in river recreation planning and community and economic development, prepared the economic impact analysis of the value of West River boating releases in 2005. The study examined the economic contribution boaters make to the local economy and the economic losses resulting from the recent reduction of paddling releases. The analysis studied a one day release in September of 2003 and concluded:

“Direct spending in the region amounts to $190,798 for the one-day event. With an economic multiplier of .53, the total economic impacts to the region of the one-day release in September 2003 was $292,092. In addition, there are 5 total jobs supported by the one-day release. A two-day release would contribute a total of $440,065 to the economy and support 7.4 total jobs. The economic loss of reducing the release by one day is $147,973 amounting to a 34% reduction in revenue to the local economy. The total economic loss to the local economy since the first reduction of paddling days in 1990 is 5.6 million dollars. This loss is sustained by the local economy indefinitely until the release is returned to the original schedule or the resource provides another benefit of equal or greater value. With no changes to the release, the local economy will loose over 7 million dollars over the next ten years. The financial benefit of returning to the traditional release schedule of 3 weekends is over $1.3 million dollars per year or $15.7 million over the next ten years.”

In addition to the scheduled releases, unscheduled dam releases also provide stochastic boating opportunities throughout the year that relatively few paddlers utilize. Paddlers have for many years opposed efforts by state and federal agencies to eliminate the recreational releases on the West River. This conflict is as much of an issue today as ever, as paddlers feel that their recreational enjoyment of the project has been curtailed without justification.

Currently two parallel processes offer potential opportunities and/or threats to paddling on the West River.

First, the Army Corps of Engineers has entered into a partnership with the Nature Conservancy (TNC) to seek improvements in the operation of several dams in the Connecticut River watershed, including Ball Mountain Dam on the West River. One of the primary goals of this partnership is to improve conditions for atlantic salmon. TNC often utilizes their Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration statistical tool to highlight divergences from natural flows and thus opportunities for improvement. A more strict adherence to natural flow patterns may enhance boating opportunities. In addition the TNC research could highlight specific ways in which to time and shape recreational releases to benefit (and not impact) aquatic species.

Second, an aspiring hydropower developer has recently proposed to add a hydropower generation facility at Ball Mountain Dam. This proposal could improve the dam's physical ability to release more environmentally sensitive flows and could possibly benefit river access. Unfortunately it is also possible that the project could impact river access, flows, the first rapid, and the scenery.

American Whitewater is working closely with local and regional paddling clubs and businesses to participate in both of these important river management issues.

You can learn more about the West by visiting http://friendsofthewestriver.org/wb/