The Upper Tuolumne River Ecosystem Program: Tuolumne River whitewater access opens

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Tuolumne River whitewater access opens

Whitewater boating access for the Cherry and Lumsden runs on the Tuolumne River is open for the season. Access is by shuttle only and free, mandatory permits are required via the Groveland Ranger Station. For more information on white water and other recreation on the Stanislaus National Forest, see the Stanislaus National Forest recreation update. Boaters are asked to watch for hazards associated with the Rim Fire such as landslides and fallen trees.

About the Program

The Tuolumne River is located on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada in central California. With headwaters in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne flows westward 150 miles to its confluence with the San Joaquin River in California's Central Valley.

The Upper Tuolumne River Ecosystem Program (UTREP) is a collaborative, long-term, science-based river management program led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).

The UTREP monitors river ecosystem conditions and develops recommendations for river management downstream of Hetch Hetchy Project facilities to support broad river ecosystem values, while maintaining water supply reliability for 2.6 million San Francisco Bay Area customers and providing clean hydropower for San Francisco municipal facilities.

Scientific collaborators include Yosemite National Park, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Stanislaus National Forest, consultants, researchers, and academics.

STATUS: UTREP efforts are currently focused on technical review and revision of the O'Shaughnessy Dam Instream Flow Management Plan and routine annual monitoring.