tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356776222010-05-01T22:43:48.000-07:00News, rumors and flow predictions for the South, Middle and North Forks of the American River in northern California, with occasional mention of the Lower American in Sacramento.Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-76943417176004677902010-05-01T21:12:00.000-07:002010-05-01T21:36:34.654-07:00

It doesn’t get you a PhD after your name or on the honor roll in college, but going to Guide School puts you in the company of some pretty amazing people.Most guides on our rivers will have completed either a formal or informal guide school with one of the more than 30 raft companies who call the South Fork of the American River home. These vary in length, intensity and comprehensiveness, but

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-12462402176805511892010-04-28T22:08:00.000-07:002010-05-01T22:10:55.653-07:00

The River Store Shuttle offers dependable alternative transportation along the South Fork of the American River corridor from Chili Bar to Salmon Falls. Comfortable vans featuring custom equipment trailers transport you and your gear including kayaks, rafts, catarafts and bikes. The shuttle runs seasonal routes with scheduled stops from April through November. Vans and trailers are also available

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-91433247122783019252009-03-16T14:49:00.000-07:002009-03-16T14:50:42.730-07:00

Imagine being able to travel on foot, bicycle or horse from the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area all the way to the rural beauty of the South Fork American River in the Coloma-Lotus Valley. Imagine doing so on a trail dedicated to recreation and the enjoyment of oak woodlands, conifer, chaparral, and the riverside.That long-held hope is now on its way to being a reality. The final land parcel

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-18462705537807060072009-03-07T21:55:00.000-08:002009-03-07T22:32:40.041-08:00

Rafting Stimulus Package: Recent Storms Guarantee Great 2009 Rafting!A wise old river rafter once told me that the snow pack in the Sierras is largely built by three major storms each season. One storm more or less often determines whether a particular season is normal, below normal, or wet in nature. Attempting to predict the outcome is therefore a risky business. It is wiser to relax and just

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-56724077513272193382009-03-07T15:08:00.000-08:002009-04-05T16:45:40.348-07:00

For the second April in a row, commercial outfitters and individual kayakers will be racing all three forks of the American River, competing for the best on-water time of under twelve hours. Stephen Liles, race coordinator and president of W.E.T. River Trips, says this is an expansion of last year's first race where his team navigated the usual commercial runs of the North, Middle, and South

Sara SKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641944961583460786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-16417006782048836982009-02-23T14:12:00.000-08:002009-02-23T14:25:55.281-08:00

Got an email yesterday from someone wanting to hike along the North Fork of the American River. She was asking how to get to the North Fork from Sacramento. Obviously there are a lot of different trailheads and trails along the North Fork, so I was initially stumped for a response. But then I remembered the wonderful new American River Confluence Parkway Map that Protect American River Canyons (

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-9455872373730910572008-11-13T13:54:00.001-08:002008-11-14T12:30:13.978-08:00

We received a query from David T:A friend told me about a place near Coloma called Scottish Falls. I haven't been able to find it anywhere on the internet or any maps. Could you help me locate it if you have any idea if/where it is?If you have any clues, please post a comment on this post, or contact us directly. Thanks!Updated Nov 14:I posted the question to the Coloma-Lotus News group and got

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-19085110112211570512008-09-11T11:33:00.000-07:002008-09-12T15:12:43.661-07:00

Join El Dorado County Parks for a River Bottom Clean Up on Thursday, September 25, 2008. What: Low Water River Clean Up on the South Fork of the American River Where: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park to ?????Time: Meet at Henningsen-Lotus Park at 8:30 amWho: Anyone comfortable swimming in the river (Class II+)This river clean up will be focusing on getting trash out of the river, not

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-73552260781981301582008-08-24T09:26:00.000-07:002008-09-02T16:07:22.448-07:00

The 27th Annual American River Festival is expanded with shore activities, more fun for families, as well as more activities and competitions for seasoned and beginning paddlers. Come watch and participate in this fun weekend on water and land! Centered in Henningsen-Lotus Park (HLP), in Lotus, CA, land activities include games, food, music, nonprofit and exhibitor booths, and great spectator

Sara SKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641944961583460786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-91282597396020881402008-08-11T14:47:00.000-07:002008-08-11T15:02:28.041-07:00

A DVD is now available of the adventure documentary 3 Women, 3 Hundred Miles. This 65-minute documentary chronicles a self support adventure on river boards down the Colorado River, by Coloma local Kelley Kalafatich, along with her friends Julie Munger and Rebecca Rusch. Having been fortunate enough to see it a few years ago, I can say it is extremely well done. The adventure is gripping, the

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-16843701858308821392008-07-23T00:43:00.000-07:002008-07-23T17:00:17.672-07:00

Join El Dorado County River Patrol for their 17th annual South Fork American River clean-up at 9am on Thursday, August 7, 2008, meeting in Henningsen Lotus Park in Lotus. There will be a post-event BBQ and a drawing for prizes from event sponsors. This is a team effort! Local Coloma-Lotus valley commercial rafting outfitters, businesses and residents all step up to keep this popular waterway

Sara SKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641944961583460786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-77470839705848026142008-04-24T07:59:00.000-07:002008-04-26T10:13:34.345-07:00

Memorial Day weekend, May 24-25, 2008, there will be a series of kayak races and an outdoor BBQ dinner party on the beautiful South Fork of the American River, all to benefit First Descents, a kayak and outdoor experience for Young Adults with Cancer.The "Paddle with the Pros" event will feature a boatercross race, men's and women's downriver races, a free roll clinic, a class III+ Poker Race,

Sara SKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06641944961583460786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-14656270865385512262008-04-14T11:43:00.000-07:002008-04-26T10:14:34.267-07:00

Lately we've received a bunch of emails from folks with questions about the American River, and unfortunately we can't answer some of them. We're hoping you might be able to help. If you can answer any of these questions, please post your answer as a comment, or use our contact form to provide a private response. Thanks!!From Leslie: My co-worker and I are looking into some historic information,

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-80053859407528873502008-04-10T12:43:00.000-07:002008-04-10T12:52:26.867-07:00

We recently discovered Russell Towle's blog, North Fork of the American River, "Accounts of explorations in the Great American Canyon, Placer County's Yosemite." As Russell says, It is my philosophy that the old trails of the North Fork need to be known, not unknown. The North Fork of the American River--its wildness, its beautiful scenery, its historic trails and mining ditches and prehistoric

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-59683253259232131202008-02-11T13:20:00.000-08:002008-02-11T14:25:56.722-08:00

Congratulations to DeReimer Adventure Kayaking, named in the February 2008 issue of Outside Magazine as the best place to learn whitewater kayaking. Owners and master instructors Phil and Mary DeReimer make their home in Lotus, and are available for instruction when they are not leading trips in Ecuador, Bhutan and other exotic locations. They teach out of Mother Lode River Center on the South

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-49756350746846493092008-02-06T16:06:00.000-08:002008-02-11T14:27:18.312-08:00

Thanks to Scott Underwood of Mother Lode River Trips for this snowpack report and 2008 whitewater outlook.Those of you who have visited Lake Tahoe recently know that something exciting is happening in the Sierras. Whether you were chaining up and crawling along in traffic, hunkered down waiting out a blizzard, sliding over a slope, or like my Dog Charlie, just sitting enjoying it, snow is

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-45799979985002154882008-02-06T16:03:00.000-08:002008-02-11T14:27:42.519-08:00

Members of the El Dorado County River Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) & local interested parties are exploring the idea of developing a shuttle program for the South Fork of the American River. In order to determine the feasibility of such a venture, they are asking for your input. Make sure your voice is heard! Please take the time to answer a few questions in their survey.thanks to

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-20028979496063420572008-01-24T10:28:00.000-08:002008-01-24T11:26:40.454-08:00

The Foothills Water Network seeks a part-time Project Assistant to support the Coordinator in restoring aquatic health and recreational benefits to the Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers. The Project Assistant will work from home and attend meetings at the Foothills Water Network office in Coloma, and in Auburn. Responsibilities include: organize workshops, events and group forums; manage

sarah canfieldnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-29046891641775734742007-12-16T11:03:00.000-08:002007-12-16T11:21:06.286-08:00

The River Store is selling top quality Noble and Douglas Fir Christmas trees, fresh wreaths, pine cones, mistletoe and fresh fir and cedar boughs for your decorating ideas. Selling trees is a new service offered by the River Store; owners Dan and Colleen wanted to be more involved in the local holiday season and to provide an alternative for local folks to save gas, time and money by staying

sarah canfieldnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-75330546310670935862007-11-08T08:57:00.000-08:002007-11-08T20:48:50.561-08:00

We received a message from Hilde Schweitzer regarding a push to get scheduled, boatable flows on the Slab Creek run. This run is downstream of Slab Creek Reservoir on the upper South Fork of the American River drainage, above Chili Bar. Here is what she is asking. (See the thread at boof.com for more information.)Many of you know about the comments we are submitting to FERC and it is not feasible

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-30192797156835137352007-10-29T15:52:00.000-07:002007-11-08T08:57:04.328-08:00

The American River near Auburn is flowing free for the first time in 40 years after local agencies closed the tunnel and rebuilt the riverbed around the Auburn Dam site. Since it is likely that the Auburn Dam will never be built (after years of controversy and $400 million dollars) government agencies have returned the river to its original bed, with a few manmade improvements paddlers will love.

sarah canfieldnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-16495414878705969872007-10-17T10:48:00.001-07:002007-10-23T08:18:36.474-07:00

Boaters, hikers, equestrians, and shuttle bunnies alike will appreciate the newly revised: American River Canyon Hikes: Practical Guides to Trails in the Canyons of the North and Middle Forks American River. In its fourth printing, this book presents 24 trails in well researched detail, with trail length, difficulty, slope elevations and trail profiles, as well as parking and trailhead

sarah canfieldnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-84516503365191159802007-10-01T11:45:00.000-07:002007-10-01T11:55:50.619-07:00

SMUD and PG&E agreed to supply predictable recreational releases from Chili Bar Dam on the South Fork of the American River through 2007, even though formal agreements are not yet in place. These releases will ensure whitewater paddlers of flows of 1300 cfs on the Chili Bar run, from 9 a.m. through noon, on Saturdays and Sundays through December, 2007. During the week, there may or may not be

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-51324549523827979542007-10-01T10:20:00.000-07:002007-10-01T10:21:21.936-07:00

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is considering a proposal to dismantle the Airports, Parks and Grounds department. This is the group that manages county parks such as Henningsen-Lotus, and whitewater recreation on the South Fork of the American River. We've posted a PDF of the reorganization proposal. If you would like to hear more about the plans and let your Supervisors know how

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35677622.post-37815381966277462442007-09-30T13:37:00.000-07:002007-10-01T09:43:08.340-07:00

SMUD has notified the whitewater community that they are planning to release 500 cfs down the South Fork of the Silver Creek below the Ice House reservoir from 10/15 to 10/24. This release is due to maintenance on the Union Valley penstock. Flows should start sometime after 9 am on 10/15 and ramp up to 500 cfs over several hours. Flows are expected to stay @ 500 cfs for the entire period. Silver

Donna Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395527403788418666noreply@blogger.com0