PG&E Urges Caution During Increased Flows Below Rock Creek Dam

QUINCY — 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 August 23-24 on a stretch 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 higher flows will occur in the Rock Creek Reach, an 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 AM on Saturday, August 23, flows in the Rock Creek Reach will be increased to a minimum 900 cubic feet-per-second (cfs) until Sunday, August 24, at 2 PM when flows will be gradually reduced to the season normal of approximately 400 cfs.

Whitewater flows will also occur on the Rock Creek Reach the weekend of September 27-28.

The recreational flows on the Rock Creek Reach are conducted in cooperation with the American Whitewater organization and the Rock Creek–Cresta Ecological Resource Committee 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