PG&E URGES CAUTION DURING INCREASED FLOWS FOR WHITEWATER RECREATION ON NORTH FORK FEATHER RIVER

September 26, 2024

PG&E URGES CAUTION DURING INCREASED FLOWS FOR

WHITEWATER RECREATION ON NORTH FORK FEATHER RIVER

QUINCY, Calif. - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges the public to take extra safety precautions as water flows will be higher through the weekend of September 28-29 on two stretches of the North Fork Feather River for whitewater recreation.

During the higher flows these parts of the river contains Class III, IV and V rapids, which are only appropriate for skilled paddlers, and not appropriate for tubing.

The Rock Creek Reach is the 8.3-mile portion of the North Fork of the Feather River in the Plumas National Forest, between PG&E's Rock Creek Dam and the Rock Creek Powerhouse near Storrie.

By 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, flows in the Rock Creek Reach will be increased to 900 cubic feet-per-second (cfs) until 2 p.m. Sunday when flows will be gradually reduced to the season normal of approximately 450 cfs.

The Poe Reach is the 7.6 -mile portion of the North Fork of the Feather River in the Plumas National Forest in Butte County, between PG&E's Poe Dam near Pulga and the Poe Powerhouse just upstream of Lake Oroville.

On Saturday, September 28, flows in the Poe Reach will be gradually increased from 400 cubic feet-per-second (cfs) to 1,400 cfs by 9 a.m. These flows will be maintained until 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. Then, flow will be gradually reduced back to 400 cfs.

On Oct. 12 and 13, flows on the Poe Reach will again be increased with the same flows as Sept. 28-29.

The recreational flows on the Poe Reach are conducted in cooperation with the Poe Recreation River Flow Technical Review Group.

The recreational flows on the Rock Creek Reach are conducted in cooperation with the Rock Creek-Cresta Ecological Resource Committee and the U.S. Forest Service and are usually held four weekends a year in June, July, August and September.

PG&E offers the following water safety tips:

• Stay out of cold water. Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the "gasp reflex," causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.

• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water's surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous. Guided trips for inexperienced paddlers are strongly recommended.

• Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited. Stay out of canals and flumes, which are very dangerous due to slippery sides, sub-surface obstacles, fast moving water, and transitions to full tunnels and pipes. For more water safety tips visit: www.pge.com/hydrosafety

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news

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