The first of a series of flow study dates have been rescheduled for 28 and 29, 2013 due to excessive flows predicted this week.  The study aims to assess the recreational flow needs for whitewater paddling on the New River Dries in West Virginia.  This flow study was requested by American Whitewater and other stakeholders, as part of the relicensing of the Hawks Nest Hydroelectric Project.  Paddlers with suitable skills are encouraged to sign up to participate.    

Participants will test 500cfs on Wednesday, August 28 and 1000cfs on Thursday, August 29.  An additional block of study dates will scheduled for later this fall to test 2000, 2500, and 3000 cfs.  Paddlers will then have the opportunity to submit online surveys on opportunistic higher flows throughout the remainder of 2013 and the first half of 2014.  Paddlers interested in participation are encouraged to paddle all the scheduled dates, if at all possible.  The data will be used to negotiate flow releases over the next few years of the dam relicensing process.    

Below are additional logistical details regarding this study:

• Study participants should plan on meeting at the New River Campground on each study day.  The campground is located at 11218 Midland Trail, Gauley Bridge, WV 25085.  For additional directions and information, please visit the campground’s website at: http://www.newrivercampground.com/location.html.
• The New River Campground will be the take-out location for this study, and participants should plan on parking their vehicles at the campground. 
• To facilitate a timely start to the study and to maximize participants’ time “on the water,” Brookfield encourages all participants to arrive at the New River Campground at 8:30 AM each study day.  Study participants arriving later in the day will need to check in with HDR staff at the campground (HDR Engineering is the consultant overseeing the study).
•  When arriving at the campground, please check in with HDR staff coordinating the study.  Rob Quiggle with HDR will be the Field Study Coordinator and will be assisting study participants with check in.  Upon check in, HDR will provide participants with a study information package, including survey forms and a waiver.
• Each study day will formally start with a participant orientation/safety presentation at the New River Campground.  Following the orientation/safety presentation, a shuttle will transport study participants and their watercraft to the put-in locations at either Cotton Hill Bridge or at the location close to the dam.
•  HDR will be collecting survey forms at the New River Campground at the end of each participant’s run. 
• Please note that the final shuttle from the New River Campground to the put-in locations will depart at approximately 3 PM each day.
• Please note that lunch will be on-your-own.

Should you need assistance or have any questions regarding the study logistics, please contact the HDR Field Study Coordinator (Rob Quiggle) at (724) 989-1579.  For more information, and to fill out surveys for any run you do over the next year, check out the HDR Flow Study Page.  

To ensure that resources are available to accommodate all interested study participants, Brookfield respectfully requests that participants RSVP with the Field Study Coordinator prior to the study, preferably by Monday, August 26.  To RSVP, please send an email confirming your participation to Rob Quiggle at:  Robert.Quiggle@hdrinc.com.

The Hawks Nest Project is currently only capable of diverting 7,500 cfs, and the flow study may experience additional delays if inlows are not predicted to be below 7,500 cfs for the study dates.  RSVP to stay in the loop regarding any changes to the study plan.    

Thanks, and we look forward to a safe and successful study.