The Lower McCloud’s flows are about to be bumped from 250 cfs to 650 cfs (starting Sunday, 9/21).
I just recieved this via email from Steve Nevares (PG&E McCloud-Pit Relicensing Project Manager). Planning to fish the Lower McCloud? Read ‘em and weep.
Yesterday, an equipment situation was identified at James B. Black Powerhouse that has required PG&E to shut down and stop all water flow through the powerhouse. Currently it is estimated the powerhouse will be shut down 2 weeks.
Due to this, starting tomorrow Sunday 9/21, at approximately 10am, PG&E will progressively increase the flow in to the Lower McCloud River from McCloud Dam. The water flow will increase approximately 100cfs per hour. The current base flow as measure at the Ah-Di-Na gauge is approximately 200cfs. The flow will increase by approximately 450cfs to 650cfs at Ah-Di-Na to match the current inflow to McCloud Reservoir.
PG&E understands the effect the increased flow will have on fishing access on the Lower McCloud River and will work to resolve the situation ASAP. More information should be available by Monday and I will communicate more information as soon as it is available.
The planned flow of 650cfs isn’t the fishiest of flows, but it’s not unfishable either. And as the flows are bumped up, it’s very possible that throwing some big, big streamers might be productive help you hang a big brown trout.
More news as I get it.
See you at the news desk, Tom Chandler.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Tom,
Isn’t that one of the Pit Powerhouses? I’m guessing its the one fed by the “Pipe” out of Lake McCloud, thus PG&E is worried about the lake level rising too much and needs somewhere else for the water to go(?). Wow.
Thanks for the scoop. Loon(Quote)
I *think* the James Black Powerhouse is just upstream of the Pit 5 powerhouse, but I’m not 100% certain about that. Tom Chandler(Quote)
Yip…
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.99222,-121.97389&spn=0.025363,0.03901&t=h&z=15 Loon(Quote)
It is a Pit River powerhouse, and the single MOST PROFITABLE powerhouse PG&E operates. Brian Kempkes(Quote)
If the river blew out, that would cause everything to change. I think loon is right here…. Kevin(Quote)
I’m just thinking about the benefit of having Nestle Waters here. In that case the headline would read “McCloud Flows Increasing Abrubtly to 17 CFS.”
See, there’s a silver lining anywhere you look.
– dave SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
Loon: Thanks for the map!
Brian: At least now we know they really are trying to get it back online right away.
Kevin: These flows are much lower than those earlier in the year, so I’d guess the real issue is what effect they’ll have on the October Caddis and incautious fly fishermen…
Smells: Already leading in the Most Optimistic Fisheries-Releated Post of the Week So Far category… Tom Chandler(Quote)
So, did the flows get bumped up as predicted? How long will they stay up? I was planning on fishing it this Friday, the 26th and. . .
Any suggestions for an alternative for the area or do I bail this year? Craig Gittings(Quote)
I don’t know about the flows, though yeah, you’d have to assume they’re up. I should receive an email when the problem is fixed.
In the meantime, I wouldn’t simply bail on the trip; come up and see how it fishes at the higher flows. If it bites, you’ve still got the Pit, Hat Creek, the Upper Sac, McCloud Reservoir and a few other neat places pretty close by. Tom Chandler(Quote)