Current River Condition

Cold, low, and clear

Flows and Water Conditions

Low and Clear

River News

NEWS: The following report was published by PG&E regarding scheduled road closures and flow changes on the Pit River starting on July 6. What does it mean for the Pit? There will be some changes and some inconveniences, but other than that it shouldn't impact the fishing too much for the rest of this year.

ROAD CLOSURES, TRAFFIC CONTROLS START JULY 6 FOR WORK ON DAMS ALONG PIT RIVER

Stream Flows to Increase in Pit River from Lake Britton Dam to Pit 4 Dam

Redding, Calif. -- Road closures and traffic controls as well as increased stream flows will occur along the Pit River from approximately July 6 to December 1, 2009, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today (6/30/09).

The traffic controls and increased stream flows are necessary while a contractor for PG&E installs new flow release systems in three dams and makes road improvements along the Pit River in eastern Shasta County. The new flow release systems will allow for higher and variable in-stream flows that are intended to improve aquatic habitat in the river.

PG&E will also improve Pit River Canyon Road to make it safer and to provide better recreational access to the river. Improvements to recreational sites such as new picnic tables, potable water, trails, and fire rings will occur this year and next year. The work is being conducted in accordance with conditions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Pit 3, 4, and 5 Hydroelectric Project that was issued in July 2007. The license conditions were collaboratively developed during the relicensing process, in consultation with federal and state resource agencies, non-governmental organizations, and public stakeholders.

ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION:
During construction work, Pit River Canyon Road will be accessible to recreationists despite these various road closures:
--The Clark Creek Road crossing over Pit 3 Dam, also known as the Lake Britton Dam, will be closed 0.7 miles from the south abutment, and at Five Corners on the north side, during the construction period from July 6 through December 1, 2009. Access will remain open to roads and parking along the south entrance to Clark Creek Road. Additionally, the Pit River Canyon Road will remain open via the north entrance to Clark Creek Road off of Highway 89.
--Pacific Crest Trail hikers will be able to cross the Pit 3 dam. During construction hours of 7 am to 5 pm, hikers will be safely escorted through the work site. During non-construction hours, a path for foot traffic will be provided.
--Pit River Canyon Road at Pit 4 dam will be closed to through traffic during the construction period from about July 6 through December 1, 2009. Access to the Pit River downstream of the Pit 4 Dam is available from the town of Big Bend, via Big Bend Road from Highway 299. Access to the Pit River upstream of the Pit 4 Dam is available from Five Corners along the eastern end of Pit River Canyon Rd.
--Temporary delays may be encountered crossing the Pit 5 Dam from about July 6 through December 1, 2009. Flaggers will control traffic during equipment movement and material deliveries.
--Pit River Canyon Road single lane closures will be in effect between Pit 3 Dam and Pit 4 Dam during the construction period from about July 15 through October 15, 2009. Expect temporary delays as flaggers will allow traffic to pass each construction site, one direction at a time.
--Pit River Canyon Road from Underground Creek Bridge, just downstream of Pit 3 Powerhouse, to Pit 4 Dam will be closed from July 6-10, 2009. Bridge passage will be reopened and closed again from about August 1 through October 15, 2009 for bridge replacement. This closure will restrict access to the Pit 4 Reservoir area.

All road closure dates and locations will be communicated to the public with as much advance notice as possible and will be posted at all appropriate entrances to the construction area. PG&E's contractor, Barnard Construction Company, Inc., has established a recording with current road closure details: 406-586-2206, extension 703.

Construction on roads and recreational facilities will also occur in late spring and summer of 2010 and may result in occasional traffic restrictions along the Pit River Canyon Road. Traffic impacts will be announced as details become available.

Other improvements include replacing two bridges over Screwdriver Creek and Underground Creek, and reshaping earthen piles leftover from the original tunnel construction. The contractor will also improve the Pit River Road by building new turnouts, shoulder embankments, retaining walls, culverts, and fords.

PIT RIVER FLOWS DURING CONSTRUCTION
PG&E will be making minor modifications to the existing flow releases at Pit 3, Pit 4, and Pit 5 dams periodically, as needed for construction purposes, while maintaining minimum instream flows. These modifications will be limited to short gate transfers not exceeding one hour in duration, except as noted below:
-- PG&E will increase stream flows in the Pit 3 bypass reach during this year's construction on the Pit 3 Dam. Flow in the Pit 3 bypass reach will increase from about 150 cfs to approximately 230 cfs. PG&E anticipates that this temporary flow modification will last about 6 months, beginning as early as July 2009, and continue to about December 2009.
--During construction, flows in the Pit 4 and Pit 5 bypass reaches will be maintained at current levels of approximately 200 cfs and 100 cfs, respectively.

PIT RIVER FLOW FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION:
The new minimum instream flows required by the FERC license are scheduled to begin in the Pit 3 and Pit 4 bypass reaches by July 2, 2010, following completion of the flow release systems. PG&E anticipates that installing the flow release system at Pit 5 Dam will be completed by the end of 2009, at which time the minimum instream flow release required by the license will be provided in the Pit 5 bypass reach.

River Fishing Report

Fishing on the Pit has finally begun to slow down with cold temperatures in the canyon. Nymphing the deep pockets and pools during the middle of the day when the sun warms the water a bit can produce some fish.

Prince Nymphs, stonefly nymphs, caddis pupae, small mayflies, and midges can all work at times throughout the day. Try smaller patterns in the morning (mayflies and midges), and bigger caddis and attractor patterns in the afternoon/evening.