This weekend, June 21st and 22nd, PG&E will be releasing from 1,000cfs to 1,200cfs into the Pit #1 bypass reach. Flows will begin at 3:00am Saturday and will continue until 3:00pm Sunday. One of the conditions of PG&E's new hydropower license is this "flushing flow" to help improve water quality in the town of Fall River Mills and, as a side benefit, provide a recreational opportunity for the public.

This section of the Pit River is rarely paddled due to the near complete de-watering by the hydropower project and the infrequent winter and spring flows. Difficulty is class IV with one portage around "Pit River Falls" which is visible from the scenic overlook just outside the town of Fall River Mills.

The run is located just over one hour east of Redding via highway 299E. After passing through the town of Burney and not far beyond the intersection with highway 89, the highway will cross over Hat Creek and shortly the Pit River. This is the take-out. Shortly after crossing the bridge, there is a access road on the left (downstream on river right of the bridge). Continue east on 299E past the turn off for the Pit #1 powerhouse. Climb the grade toward Fall River Mills, being sure to stop at the scenic overlook to eyeball the falls, and hang a right in the middle of Fall River Mills (This is a small place and finding the river isn't rocket science). Follow the road across the bridge and you've found the put-in. There is an alternate put-in at "Big Eddy Estates" which avoids a couple of miles of flat water but the legal status of this is questionable at best. Smile and ask permission. In the near future, PG&E will be constructing a new river access as another condition of the new hydropower license.

This river section is unique to California in that the terrain is more like eastern Oregon desert with a basalt riverbed. Just below Big Eddy are a series of ledges that merge into more normal pool & drop rapids for a few miles. When the river begins to widen and approach a large right hand bend, exit the river on the right, climbing a short steep bank to an old roadbed. You'll have a great view of the falls as you portage along the roadbed to the old steel bridge. Here, you can re-enter the river and enjoy a series of drops called "the lefts"… all on left hand bends… with the normal routes to the left as well. Once you pass the powerhouse the gradient eases and in the final few miles to the take-out, the observant paddler can find several nice surfing waves and play holes.

Finally, you likely would never hear about this run if not for the efforts of American Whitewater, Shasta Paddlers, and the California Water Board. Join and support American Whitewater, If you don't… who will?