McCloud River flow increase will likely spoil Trout Season Opener

Though flows on the McCloud are currently slightly above optimal this notice just received from PG& E means that flows on the Lower McCloud River will likely be marginal at best for the Trout Season Opener on Saturday April 30th:

Lower McCloud River Interested Parties,

This is an update to last weeks communication regarding the spill forecast for McCloud Dam and flow conditions in the lower McCloud River.

PG&E is observing rapidly increasing inflows into McCloud Reservoir and anticipates that McCloud Dam will begin to spill earlier than previously forecasted. The reservoir has increased approximately 4.7 feet in the past 72 hours and continues a rapid ascent. PG&E has taken careful steps to manage the increasing inflow into McCloud Reservoir by monitoring reservoir level, maintaining a low water surface elevation in Iron Canyon Reservoir, and diverting water through James B. Black Powerhouse to maintain the maximum amount of storage capacity. Despite these efforts, deep snow pack and increasing spring snowmelt means that the capacity of the McCloud Reservoir will fill and water will spill over the dam spillway.

Based on the current increasing inflow conditions into McCloud Reservoir, PG&E anticipated that McCloud Dam will begin spilling on Wednesday evening/Thursday morning (April 27 / 28, 2011). At this time PG&E is unable to accurately provide an estimate of the anticipated spill magnitude, as inflow to the reservoir continues to increase hourly. However, based on inflow trends as of this notification, initial spill flow from McCloud Dam may be approximately 500 to 600 cubic feet per second with regular increases likely until inflows subside.

If you have any questions regarding this notification, please contact me directly.

Jason F.R. Vann
Senior License Coordinator
Power Generation - Hydro Licensing

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
245 Market Street - Rm. 1123A
San Francisco, California 94105

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 770000,MC N11C
San Francisco, CA 94177
(O) 415-973-3727 (F) 415-973-5323 (C) 415-412-8368

This updated notice just received 4/26, 6:30 pm:

Lower McCloud River Interested Parties,

This is an update to yesterdays communication regarding the spill forecast for McCloud Dam and flow conditions in the lower McCloud River.

Due to the increasing inflow conditions into McCloud Reservoir, PG&E began releasing spill flows at McCloud Dam at approximately 16:30hrs today. We are currently anticipating approximately 470 cubic feet per second of spill flow below McCloud Dam by midnight tonight.

The McCloud will be a real challenge for the opener at these flows.