CHICO — What last year was a major recreation event drawing hundreds to Butte County is barely making waves as the water levels of the Feather River will increase dramatically, making for great rapids.
The question is will anyone care.
Saturday and Sunday, PG&E will raise the water level on the North Fork of the Feather River, which goes from Quincy to Oroville.
Hundreds of canoers and kayakers have participated in the past, with most of them coming from outside the area — an early Christmas gift to local tourism businesses like restaurants and lodging.
But this year, it seems the whitewater levels — thanks to the coronavirus — aren’t raising excitement.
American Whitewater, which hosts Feather Fests during the high-water levels, has canceled the events this year, according to its Facebook page.
“It breaks our hearts to have to do this, but we feel like it’s in the best interest for you, for us, and for the rural community that welcomes our event each year.”
However, it noted good news in the continuation of the high-water levels and encouraged responsible paddling, with recommendations on its website www.americanwhitewater.org.
Calls to two Chico sports shops indicated there had been “a couple” of inquiries about the whitewater event. Chambers and tourism organizations either didn’t know higher water levels were happening or hadn’t gotten any inquiries.
During the high-water events, in which PG&E releases more water from behind its dams, the increase creates Class III, IV and V rapids designed to thrill skilled paddlers.
But how much of a damper the coronavirus has had on boaters willing to travel or those here locally is still to be seen.
Higher levels
The higher levels will be along the Rock Creek Reach, an 8.3-mile portion of the Feather River, between PG&E’s Rock Creek Dam and the Rock Creek powerhouse near Storrie.
The increase starts Saturday around 9 a.m., pushing the river flows to 800 cubic feet per second, but by the afternoon, reduces to 700 cfs. On Sunday afternoon, around 2 p.m., flows will gradually be reduced to the season normal of roughly 150 cfs.
The recreational flows are conducted in cooperation with American Whitewater and the Rock Creek-Cresta Ecological Resource Committee, according to a PG&E press release.
Normally held one weekend in June, July August and September, this month’s increase will be the first because of dry-year conditions, according to PG&E.
Economic blip
It seems because of the clampdown on recreational activity by the coronavirus, there is little in the way of excitement about the weekend from area businesses.
Chico Paddleheads, one of the area’s more active water clubs, notes on its website that “2020 events have not been confirmed due to COVID-19.”
The chambers in Chico and Oroville were not aware of the water level changes.
Explore Butte County’s Carolyn Denero answered via email, “If folks are traveling to Butte County to take advantage of the high-water event, which offers the opportunity for advanced kayaking, they should consider booking a room at any of our lodging properties.
“Butte County hotels have remained open all through the pandemic and acted quickly to maintain health and safety standards to keep guests safe. Visitors should feel safe when choosing to stay overnight in Butte County. Because Butte County offers a variety of outdoor recreation and wide-open spaces some hotels are selling out, I would recommend making a reservation if you plan to stay overnight.”
At the Oxford Suites in Chico, director of sales Analise Uhlrig noted that if a guest telephones to make a reservation, the desk usually asks about the reasons behind the visit. But it hasn’t been apparent that the Feather River experience was a catalyst.
“If they make their reservation online, we don’t know the reason,” Uhlrig said.
Safety
PG&E sent out a press release earlier this month, concerned over water safety, and pressing casual recreationalists to stay out of the water.
Warning about the danger of sudden cold and unseen obstacles under the water’s surface, PG&E points out the higher levels are not for the inexperienced boater.