RESERVE YOUR LAUNCH ON WASHINGTON'S NISQUALLY RIVER: RESERVATION REQUIRED

RESERVE YOUR LAUNCH ON WASHINGTON'S NISQUALLY RIVER

WHITEWATER RELEASES FOR 2000 REQUIRE A RESERVATION

Tacoma Public Utilities has selected the dates for the November and December whitewater releases on Washington's Nisqually River. This year Tacoma requires that boaters call to confirm their attendance at a respective release date. In 1999, no boaters showed up for one of the release days. Reservations need to be made at least three days prior to release date. Releases are contingent on two or more paddlers making a reservation. If you make a reservation then you must show up otherwise you jeopardize releases in the future. You can always cancel at the put-in due to weather or other factors but you must physically show up to the put-in.

Reservation information required from the paddler will be:
· Name
· Telephone Number
· Contact Person
· Release Date desired
· Number of people in Party

Reservation phone number: 253-396-3028 (in effect October 1, 2000)

2000 Tentative Release Schedule (dependent on reservations):
· November 18, 800 cfs of water will be released
· November 19, 800 cfs of water will be released
· December 2, 800 cfs of water will be released
· December 3, 800 cfs of water will be released

For those interested in a description of this run and the initial 1998 releases refer back to your January 1999 issue of American Whitewater or check the website at <www.americanwhitewater.org>.


Background on Nisqually Whitewater Releases
The releases are the outcome of a six year hydropower relicensing effort by American Whitewater to get an annual schedule of whitewater releases in the bypass channel for Washington's La Grande Canyon, a 1.7 mile spectacular Class IV and V river with its headwaters located on Mount Rainier. Prior to this license condition, and except for dam maintenance and flood conditions, the LaGrande Canyon had been dewatered since 1912, the year the dam was built.

Due to concerns over access and a pre-conceived lack of demand for this whitewater resource, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) required an initial three year monitoring study in this 30 year license. Future releases hinge on adequate attendance and safety. Boaters are asked to complete a short evaluation form after each run. Results of the evaluation form are the basis for reports submitted to FERC. Based on the recommendations in the final report, FERC will issue a decision regarding whitewater releases for the remaining 27 years in the project license.

While short, this section of river runs through the spectacular 300-foot deep LaGrande Canyon, which is in some places no more than 20 foot wide. It offers advanced to expert whitewater rapids such as "Triple Slide," "Hammer Slammer," "X-Falls," "Boof and Boogie" and one of the best rodeo holes in Washington state.

Lessons Learned From 1998 Releases

Punctuality: An early start is imperative particularly given the unavoidable delays descending into the canyon. Registration is at 8:00 AM.

Logistics: Designate a team leader for each paddling group. This individual should be skilled with rigging boats for a belayed descent. Ideally, paddling teams would contain members capable of rigging and belaying boats. If you have questions about rigging boats for the lower ask for assistance from someone in the know. Additional volunteers dedicated to belaying boats into the canyon would greatly accelerate the descent.

Equipment per paddler: mandatory --throwbags, two webbing slings, 2-3 carabiners preferrably locking. Assume this is an inaccessible canyon (because it is) therefore boaters must be prepared for self-rescue. Equipment necessary for self-rescue includes but is not limited to the following items; breakdown paddle, repair kit, first aid kit, bivvy kit, and extra food.

BACKGROUND ON HYDROPOWER RELICENSING AND THE NISQUALLY RIVER

The La Grande Canyon is situated just downstream of the Nisqually Hydroelectric Project. The La Grande Dam diverts water from the 1.7 mile canyon to a powerhouse downstream de-watering the natural river channel except during extreme flood events. The Nisqually Project is a privately owned hydroelectric facility regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC grants private utilities 30 to 50 year licenses. Roughly six years prior to license expiration the utility must initiate a relicense process to secure a new license. The relicense process, through the input of state and federal agencies and the public, is intended to evaluate project operations and establish specific conditions in the next license term for resource protection, mitigation and enhancement.

American Whitewater's Conservation Program has been actively involved across the country restoring whitewater rivers through the relicense process. American Whitewater along with the Rivers Council of Washington actively pursued annual whitewater releases as a condition of the new license for the Nisqually Hydroelectric Project. In June 1994, flow levels of 800 and 1000 cfs were tested as part of a whitewater feasibility study. Based, in part, on these tests the FERC required Tacoma Public Utilities to make four whitewater releases annually. Initially, the boating community requested these releases occur in the summer months when boating opportunities on adjacent rivers were less likely. The Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, silent for much of the relicense process, objected to summer releases claiming releases would impact spawning fish. The parties agreed to schedule releases between November 15 and December 31 annually. Furthermore, the releases were set for an initial three year evaluation period. At the end of three year evaluation period, FERC would reassess the license condition requiring whitewater releases.

Tacoma Public Utilities has been extremely concerned with liability issues surrounding the whitewater releases. And justifiably so. The put-in requires a five hundred foot descent down a steep gully and is likely more difficult than the rapids. Once in the La Grande Canyon, the near vertical walls give you only one logical way out. To ease their liability concerns, Tacoma put together a video of the rapids enabling paddlers to make an informed decision about the difficulty of the whitewater prior to descending into the La Grande Canyon. Participants are required to view this video prior to descending into the La Grande Canyon. Upon completion of the run, paddlers are asked to fill out a survey to record their impressions of the paddling experience. The results of these surveys will be submitted to the FERC upon completion of the three year evaluation phase of the releases. American Whitewater will work closely with the Tacoma compiling the report.

For more information about hydropower relicensing, the Nisqually releases or to provide feedback on the La Grande Canyon releases contact American Whitewater's Conservation Office at 482 Electric Avenue, Bigfork, MT 59911. Phone: (406) 837-3155 - Fax: (406) 837-3156 Email: jgangemi@digisys.net



Posted: October 27, 2000 by John Gangemi

Contact:

John Gangemi CONSULTANT 482 Electric Avenue Big Fork, MT 59911 E-mail: jtgangemi@centurytel.net Phone: 301-602-3405