The Pit River Pit #1 Bypass Reach will have boatable flows this week from Wednesday, May 19th through Sunday, May 23rd. This run is a 10 mile Class IV-V section of river near Redding, CA. Flow information can be found at our new Pit Flow Information Website at http://www.americanwhitewater.org/pit/, which includes a weekend forecast and long-range forecast. There will also be a flushing flow in July and one in August. Be sure to check back for updates.

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY ANNOUNCES INCREASED WATER FLOWS ON PIT RIVER

Increased Water Flows Will Create Additional Whitewater Boating Opportunity

FALL RIVER - Pacific Gas and Electric Company will be increasing the water flow through the Fall River Pond beginning Tuesday, May 18, through Sunday, May 23, 2004. The flushing flows which are a requirement of the State Water Resources Control Board Certification for the Pit 1 hydroelectric project will provide an additional boating opportunity as well as help control the growth of aquatic vegetation and mosquito production.

Normal flows for this waterway at this time of year are 75 cubic feet per second. To meet the State's requirement, flows will be increased to 960 cubic feet per second. The flows are required three times per year. It is anticipated the flows will occur from approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday and continue until 3 p.m. Sunday. Flows released from the Fall River Pond to the Pit River will increase flows in the stretch of Pit River from the Fall River Pond to the Pit 1 Powerhouse.

Recreational and environmental flows are a result of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License issued for the Pit 1 project in March 2003. Another benefit to recreationists resulting from the new license is real-time and forecasted flow information for a variety of rivers on the American Whitewater's website. Boaters can now find all the information they need to plan a trip white water trips in the nationwide guidebook currently available on the AW website.

Residents and recreationists are to be advised of the increase in water flow during the flushing process and are cautioned if entering the waterway please do so safely. For additional flow information visit: http://www.americanwhitewater.org/pit/