1. Placer County Water Agency Middle Fork American River Project (FERC No. 2079) Recreation Technical Working Group Meeting May 29, 2008

2. Recreation Study Activities Completed Since the Last TWG  One year of recreation vehicle counts concluded on May 18, 2008  Recreation Visitor Surveys initiated on May 24, 2008 (Memorial Day weekend)  Recreation visitor surveys will continue through Labor Day weekend  Conducted three Focus Group Sessions  Whitewater Boating  Trail User/Stream Crossing  Angler 2

3. Focus Groups 3

4.   Conducted session on Monday evening, May 12, 2008   Session was attended by 13 people affiliated with the following activities:   Horseback riding (7)   Mountain biking (3)   Hiking/Running (3) Trail User/Stream Crossing Focus Group 4

5.   Identified and discussed 8 potential stream crossings   1 stream crossing on the Rubicon River   4 stream crossings on the Middle Fork American River between Oxbow Powerhouse and the Confluence   3 stream crossings on the North Fork American River between the Confluence and Oregon Bar   The focus group did not identify any stream crossings on the following river reaches   Middle Fork American River between French Meadows Reservoir and Ralston Afterbay   Duncan Creek   Long Canyon Trail User/Stream Crossing Focus Group Summary 5

6.   Nevada Point Trail Crossing   Located on the Rubicon River, about 5 miles upstream of the confluence of the Rubicon River and Long Canyon Creek   Formerly a foot bridge that was washed out by high flow   Bridge was located along the Nevada Point trail, which connects Nevada Point Road on the northeast side of the river to Road 13N66 on the southwest side of the river Rubicon River 6

7. Middle Fork American River Oxbow PH to Confluence   Ford’s Bar   Located at RM 14 on the Middle Fork American River, at the mouth of Otter Creek   Formerly used as an equestrian crossing   No longer regularly used by equestrians due to changes in stream morphology   Connects the Roanoke Trail on the south side of the river to a private, gated road on the north side of the river 7

8. Middle Fork American River Oxbow PH to Confluence   Ruck-a-Chucky   Located at RM 9 on the Middle Fork American River   Site of the old Greenwood Bridge   Connects Drivers Flat Road (also the WST in this location) on the north side of the river to Sliger Mine Road on the south side of the river   Crossing for Western States 100 Endurance Run   Sometimes used by bikers   Not currently used by equestrians due to boulders, rocky substrate, and deep center channel 8

9. Middle Fork American River Oxbow PH to Confluence   Poverty Bar   Located at RM 6.5 on the Middle Fork American River   Connects the American River Trail on the south side of the river and the Western States and Butcher Ranch Road Trails on the north side of the river   Crossing for the Tevis Cup Endurance Ride   Not used for the WS 100 Endurance Run   Not used by bikers because mountain biking on the trails in this area is prohibited 9

10. Middle Fork American River Oxbow PH to Confluence   Mammoth Bar   Located at RM3 on the Middle Fork American River   Connects the Mammoth Bar OHV area trails on the north side of the river and the Quarry Road Trail on the south side of the river   Formerly used by horseback riders as a crossing but no longer used due to the presence of OHV area   Bikers can use this crossing but it is not heavily used because bikers do not want to use the Quarry Trail   Potential alternative crossing during the Tevis Cup endurance ride 10

11. North Fork American River Confluence to Oregon Bar   No Hands Bridge   Located on the North Fork American River, just downstream of its confluence with the Middle Fork American River   Existing Historic bridge   Bridge is located on the Western States Trail 11

12. North Fork American River Confluence to Oregon Bar   Coffer Dam   Located on the North Fork American River, adjacent to the site of the old Auburn Coffer Dam   Located along the Auburn to Cool Trail   Previously used as a crossing when the river was routed through the Coffer Dam tunnel   This crossing can no longer be used now that the tunnel has been closed and the water has been rerouted back into the river channel   The river banks were graded and armored with rip rap so the banks are now too steep for horses 12

13. North Fork American River Confluence to Oregon Bar   Oregon Bar Trail Crossing   Located at RM 15.5 on the North Fork of the American River   Connects the Pioneer Trail on the north side of the river an unnamed trail on the south side of the river, which connects to the Olmstead Loop   Used by horseback riders year-round when flow is low enough   Hikers and runners don’t use this crossing   Mountain biking is prohibited in this area 13

14. Summary of Information Developed through Trail User/Stream Crossing Focus Group and Flow Studies Proposed by PCWA   Table Handout 14

15. Ideas Identified by the Focus Group   Reconstruct Nevada Point Crossing foot bridge   Reconstruct the Greenwood Bridge at Ruck-a- Chucky   Create a crossing at the Coffer Dam site   Install staff gages near crossings at Ruck-a- Chucky, Poverty Bar and Oregon Bar   Provide user-friendly flow information 15

16.   Conducted session on Wednesday evening, April 23, 2008   Session was attended by 10 people affiliated with the following activities:   Private boaters (3)   Commercial outfitters (4)   Anglers (3) Whitewater Boating Focus Group 16

17.   Identified and discussed 7 runs   2 runs on the Rubicon River   1 run on the Middle Fork American River between Middle Fork Interbay and Ralston Afterbay   3 runs on the Middle Fork American River between Oxbow Powerhouse and the Confluence   1 run on the North Fork American River between the Confluence and Oregon Bar   None of the focus group participants had any experience on the following river reaches:   Middle Fork American River between French Meadows Reservoir and Middle Fork Interbay   Duncan Creek   Long Canyon Whitewater Boating Focus Group Summary 17

18.   Access   Hike in put in located at RM 25   Take out at Ellicott Bridge or can continue to Ralston Afterbay   Road access is often affected by snow when boatable flows are present   Description   4 mile run from RM 25 to Ellicott Bridge   24 mile run from RM 25 to Ralston Afterbay   Class V   Boated when Hell Hole Reservoir spills   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 400 to 500 cfs, Maximum of 1,200 to 1,500 cfs   Safety Considerations   Remote wilderness   Lack of flow information Upper Rubicon River 18

19.   Access   Put in located at Ellicott Bridge   Take out at Ralston Afterbay   Alternative take out located at confluence of Long Canyon Creek and Rubicon River   Road access to put in is often restricted by snow when boatable flows are present   Description   24 mile run from Ellicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay   Class V   Considered an excellent 2-day wilderness run   Typically boated when Hell Hole Reservoir spills   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 400 to 600 cfs, Maximum of 1,200 to 2,000 cfs   Safety Considerations   Remote wilderness   Lack of flow information Lower Rubicon River 19

20.   Access   Put in located at the end of Middle Fork Interbay Road   Take out located at the Ralston Picnic Area Car Top Boat Ramp   Road access to put in is often restricted by snow when boatable flows are present   Description   9 mile run   Class IV-V for kayaks (5-6 class V drops)   Class V for small rafts (13-14 foot max)   2 day run with rafts, 1 day run with kayaks   8-10 portages for rafts, no mandatory portages for kayaks   Considered a good bedrock, pool drop run for kayaks   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 300 to 400 cfs, Maximum of 800 cfs for both kayaks and rafts   Safety Considerations   Remoteness   Technical portages   Lack of flow information Middle Fork American River Middle Fork Interbay to Ralston Afterbay 20

21.   Access   Put in located at Indian Bar Rafter Put-in (Oxbow PH)   Take out at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (boat ramp)   Alternative put-ins and take outs available   Description   15 mile run   Class IV   1 mandatory portage at Ruck-a-Chucky rapid   Primarily boated by commercial outfitters in summer and early fall   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 600 cfs, Maximum of 3,000 cfs for rafts and kayaks   Fishing from boats occurs before flows increase Middle Fork American River Oxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky 21

22.   Safety Considerations   Tunnel Chute and Ruck-a-Chucky rapids, especially for boaters unfamiliar with river   Conflicts with Other Users   Conflicts between State Parks and commercial boaters regarding regulations   Congestion at the Ruck-a-Chucky portage due to portaging during commercial trips   Conflicts between different user groups using Drivers Flat Road   Conflicts between boaters and private property at Tunnel Chute   Conflicts between anglers and boaters   Conflicts with other users at Ruck-a-Chucky (drinking, dogs off leash, shooting)   Vandalism at Ruck-a-Chucky day use area Middle Fork American River Oxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky (continued) 22

23. Access   Put in located at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (boat ramp)   Take out located at Mammoth Bar   Alternative take out at Confluence, but requires portaging around Murderer’s Bar   Description   7 mile run   Class II+   Good run for novice boaters, family rafting, and instructional boating   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 800 cfs, Maximum of 1,200 cfs for kayaks and canoes   Any flow is okay for more skilled boaters   Flow releases from Oxbow PH typically arrive in the afternoon Middle Fork American River Ruck-a-Chucky to Mammoth Bar 23

24.   Safety Considerations   Potential hazard area just below Cherokee Bar, when flow is low, Channel is constricted and boaters end up in trees on river right   Rebar and debris (old bridges, mining debris)   Overrunning the take-out and ending up in Murderer’s Bar   Conflicts with Other Users   Conflicts with other users at Mammoth Bar, especially during OHV special events Middle Fork American River Ruck-a-Chucky to Mammoth Bar (continued) 24

25.   Access   Put in located at Mammoth Bar   Take out located at Confluence (several options)   Easy access and short run for people with limited time   Description   2.3 mile run   Class II+, III- with one Class V rapid (Murderer’s Bar)   Used in the past for instructional boating   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 400 cfs, Maximum of 15,000+ cfs for all watercraft   Flow releases from Oxbow PH arrive in the afternoon Middle Fork American River Mammoth Bar to Confluence 25

26.   Safety Considerations   Potential to be swept into Murderer’s Bar Rapid   Portage around Murderer’s Bar Rapid is long and difficult   Conflicts with Other Users   Conflicts with other users at Mammoth Bar, especially during OHV special events Middle Fork American River Mammoth Bar to Confluence (continued) 26

27.   Access   Put in at the Confluence (several options)   Take out at Birdsall River Access in China Bar Recreation Area   Alternative take out at Oregon Bar River Access in China Bar Recreation Area   Alternative take out at Rattlesnake Bar on Folsom Reservoir   Description   3.5 mile run to Birdsall River Access   5 mile run to Oregon Bar River Access   Class II+, III-   Potential for instructional boating, family rafting, inner tubing, park and play river use   Flow Estimates   Minimum of 300 cfs, Maximum of 15,000+ cfs for all watercraft   100 cfs minimum for inner tubes and kayaks   Flow releases from Oxbow PH arrive in afternoon North Fork American River Confluence to Oregon Bar 27

28.   Safety Considerations   Traffic and congestion at put-in   Potentially the pump station at higher flows   Debris at old Highway 49 Bridge   Missing the take out at Oregon Bar River Access   Potential Conflicts   Other river users (boogie boarders, inner tubers, etc.) North Fork American River Confluence to Oregon Bar (continued) 28

29. Summary of Information Developed through Whitewater Boating Focus Group and Flow Studies Proposed by PCWA   Table Handout 29

30. Ideas Identified by the Focus Group   Construct a better portage around Murderer’s Bar Rapid   Construct a put-in below Murderer’s Bar Rapid   Improve the put-in/take out at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area and at Mammoth Bar for disabled access   Provide better flow information that accounts for travel time from Oxbow Powerhouse   Change timing of flows so that flows are available at downstream locations earlier in the day 30

31.   Conducted session on Tuesday evening, May 20, 2008   Session was attended by 8 anglers Angling Focus Group 31

32.   Characterized fishing opportunities on the following rivers   Long Canyon   Duncan Creek   Rubicon River   Middle Fork American River, French Meadows Reservoir to Middle Fork Interbay   North Fork American River   The focus group did not have any experience regarding fishing on:   Middle Fork American River between Middle Fork Interbay and Ralston Afterbay Angling Focus Group Summary 32

33. Duncan Creek   Access   Robinson Flat Road to FR 96, which crosses Duncan Creek downstream of Duncan Creek Diversion Dam   Unpaved roads 96.52 provides access to Duncan Creek Diversion Dam area   Unpaved road 96.54 provides access to Duncan Creek about 4 miles downstream of diversion dam   Access is limited by snow during the winter and early spring   Characterization and Quality   Mostly fly fishers   Good fishing for brown trout in the fall   Similar to Rubicon River but smaller fish   Flow-Related Effects on Fishing   Spring fishery - Fishing success declines as flows recede and water warms   No problem fishing or wading under typical flow conditions 33

34. Long Canyon   Access   FR 2 and FR 22 provide paved access to confluence of North and South Fork Long Canyon   FR 23 and 13N65 provide access to Long Canyon at Ramsey Crossing   Trail access to Long Canyon from 13N65   14N25G and 13N66 provide 4WD road access to confluence of Long Canyon and Rubicon River   Access limited by snow during the winter and early spring   Characterization and Quality   Spinning and fly fishing   Predominantly rainbow trout   Flow-related Effects on Fishing   Flow is adequate and fairly stable Remains fishable as flows decrease through summer 34

35. Rubicon River Hell Hole to Ellicott Bridge   Access   Accessible via Hunters Trail, Parsley Bar Trail, Deer Creek Trail, South Fork Trail, and FR 2 at Ellicott Bridge   Some trail segments are difficult to find or are not well maintained   Access is limited by snow during winter and early spring   Characterization and Quality   Combination bank and wade fishing   Generally more spinning and bait fishing near Ellicott bridge   More fly fishing farther away from access point   Predominantly rainbow trout   Fish size has declined in the last 10-12 years   Good opportunity for remote camping/fishing experience 35

36. Rubicon River Hell Hole to Ellicott Bridge (continued)   Flow-related Effects on Fishing   Typical summer time flow is easy to fish   Flows usually decrease to fishable levels by the time the area is accessible   Flow looks the same throughout the summer 36

37. Rubicon River Ellicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay   Access   Accessible via FR 2 at Ellicott Bridge, Slide Point Trail, Lawyer Trail, Nevada Point Trail, 13N66 and 14N25G, and FR 23 upstream of Ralston Afterbay   Middle part of reach is inaccessible   Access to and near Ellicott Bridge is limited by snow during winter and early spring   The lower portion of this reach can be accessed earlier in the season due to lower elevations   Characterization and Quality   Spin and fly fishing   Combination bank and wade fishing   Predominantly rainbow and brown trout   Sometimes catch big suckers   Generally more spinning and bait fishing near Ellicott bridge   More fly fishing farther away from Ellicott bridge   Fish size has declined since 1997   Good opportunity for remote camping/fishing experience 37

38. Rubicon River Ellicott Bridge to Ralston Afterbay (continued)   Flow-related Effects on Fishing   Typical summer time flow is easy to fish   Flows usually decrease to fishable levels by the time the area is accessible   Flow looks the same throughout the summer   High spring flows can preclude ability to walk the stream bank or cross the river 38

39. Middle Fork American River French Meadows Dam to Middle Fork Interbay   Access   Accessible via FR 96 and FR 22 at French Meadows Dam, Middle Fork Interbay Road   Middle part of reach is inaccessible   Access is limited by snow during winter and early spring   Characterization and Quality   Spin and fly fishing   Have to wet wade to fish area below French Meadows Dam   Predominantly brown trout   Flow-related Effects on Fishing   High spring flows can preclude ability to wet wade the stream   Must fish after high flows recede 39

40. Middle Fork American River Oxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky   Access   Primary access is available at Indian Bar Rafter Put-in and at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (Driver’s Flat Road)   Additional access is available via various private and public access roads and trails   Mixture of public and private land limits access to some areas   Long distance between public access points also limits access to some areas   Accessible year round   Characterization and Quality   Spin, bait, and fly fishing   Wade, boat and bank fishing   Predominantly brown and rainbow trout, with brown trout increasing downstream of Cache Rock   Mandatory portage around Ruck-a-Chucky rapid limits use by boat fisherman 40

41. Middle Fork American River Oxbow Powerhouse to Ruck-a-Chucky (continued)   Flow-related Effects on Fishing   Fishing quality is good at high and low flows   Fishing success declines as flow changes during ramping, and for about an hour after ramping   Potential to be stranded on opposite side of river due to increase in flow 41

42. Middle Fork and North Fork American River Ruck-a-Chucky to Oregon Bar   Access   Primary access is available at Ruck-a-Chucky Day Use Area (Driver’s Flat Road), Mammoth Bar, Confluence area, and China Bar Day Use Area   Access to China Bar Day Use Area is limited to weekends   Additional access is available via various public access roads and trails   Characterization and Quality   Spin, bait, and fly fishing   Wade, boat and bank fishing   Predominantly brown trout   More variety of fish compared to upstream reach   Fewer trout compared to upstream reach but good brown trout fishing in the fall   “Not great fishing” but proximity to town provides nearby angling opportunities 42

43. Middle Fork and North Fork American River Ruck-a-Chucky to Oregon Bar (continued)   Flow-related Effects on Fishing   Fishing quality is good at high and low flows   Can fish at fairly low flows in this reach   Fishing success declines as flow changes during ramping, and for about an hour after ramping   Potential to be stranded on opposite side of river due to increase in flow 43

44. Ideas Identified by the Focus Group   Plow road to Ellicott Bridge to provide earlier access to Rubicon River   Provide toilet at Ellicott Bridge   Improve trail signage   Construct a better portage around Murderer’s Bar Rapid   Provide better flow information that accounts for travel time from Oxbow PH   Modify ramping schedule to improve angling 44

45. Summary of Information Developed through Angler Focus Group   Table 45

46. Angler Flow Studies   Recommendation   Address flow-related issues by analyzing ramping conditions in peaking reach   Rationale   Bypass Reaches   Focus group reported that fishing quality is good at flows that are present when area is accessible   Peaking Reach   Focus group reported that fishing quality is good at all flow levels in the peaking reach   Flow-related effects on fishing is associated with ramping in the peaking reach (during ramping and for about 1 hour after)   Proposed Approach   Characterize frequency, timing and duration of ramping in the peaking reach under current Project operations