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 After
taking a much needed breather in 2002, the Auburn State Recreation
Area staff presented a 3 day 2 night Middle Fork American
River interpretive program to educate river guides and local
teachers about the natural and cultural history of the river
& canyons. Both fun and educational, the workshop combined
the thrill of Class IV whitewater rafting with environmental
education.
This year's program focused on presentations in river biology,
geology, botany, Gold Rush history, music and art as well
as interpretive techniques on how to effectively present relevant
information to students and river explorers. All who participated
were passionate about sharing their river knowledge and experiences.
Mother Nature cooperated with a dazzling light show that combined
Mars, the annual Perseid meteor shower and a full moon in
the night sky. On the river bar, elegant evening primroses
that open their flowers at night were observed being pollinated
by night flying sphinx moths. Animal tracks observed in the
sand on the river bar the entourage camped at included: bear,
cougar, deer, coyote, snake and lizard. Evening activities
also included a river sauna to relax sore muscles.
To get on the mailing list for next years workshop contact
Teresa Reed at the Auburn State Recreation Area's Whitewater
Division phone # 530-885-5648 x13 or email her at:
wro@psyber.com.
Pump Station & Restoration Start
in September
After numerous delays, the Placer County Water Agency pump
station project in the canyon below Auburn is finally underway.
The long-awaited project, which will include; closure of the
Auburn dam diversion tunnel, restoration of the river to its
natural channel and reopening of a five mile stretch of river
to public recreational use, was delayed by a dispute over
the Bureau of Reclamation's decision to award the $17 million
contract to Manning Construction. The appeal of that decision
by the second lowest bidder has now been denied, and actual
on-the- ground work will begin by mid-September. Project completion
is slated for July 2005. What a great day this will be!
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