Constantly Changing Chiwawa River

This top photo is the newest channel cut by the river, it has been working on this for a couple of years but up until this year this was only a bypass and the major channel of the river went right by Trinity and the Buck CK Trail. This nes channel cuts through the trees closer to James CK and then back around and into the old channel here by Trinity it's where it joins back into it.. It appears to be a fairly deep channel without a rock base like that we normally see it have, now all of the gravel bars are just sitting there huge areas bigger than a couple of football fields with only a trickling of the river along it. If I had my knee boots on I could have gone to get a closer look at this channel but that will be another journey.

This photo show just how much snow is still on the trail in places over 3+' in several shady spots along the trail, also a large tree blocks some of the trail, will have to get cut I just wasn't into cutting it today was enjoying the view and being out with the dogs.
This next photo is the spillway at the lower end of the tailrace, just where the Buck CK trail crosses the stream to continue on to the mountains. This spillway is being slowly removed to allow for a more natural flow making it easier for salmon & dollies to get there from the river. This is just above the confluence where the tailrace and river meet and about 500 yds from the Phelps CK logjam and confluence. If the Forest Service and those in charge of powerplant relicensing get their way and finally make up their mind this spillway could be taken out of action due to rerouting the tailrace back closer to the houses joining the spillway from the front creek and all of that tying into the old creek bed which hasn't been used for
thousands of years. Now the tailrace has been there for over 90 years working just fine and the fish continue to come up it into the pond even though they were spawned in Phelps CK it is the same water they just stay in the river a little longer, they want all of this done for the Dolly's and their breeding beds. It sounds all well and good but it definitely is one of those things that should use scientific data to base their decisions on instead of personel preferences, all of the Big Dolly's are hanging at the waterfall pool about 1.60 miles upstream, not down at this lower end...




This bottom photo is of the gravel bar that was where the river used to be, now it is big enough for several football fields long and wide yet totally hidden by the alders when hiker's are on the trail. I might just have to set up a tent and all out there and build a firepit it's far enough from anything but rocks with the river at either end. Well the alder is so stinking think that without loppers or a chainsaw you won't get through and what makes many of these places not accessible in summer . One nice thing though today did not see any bugs or mosquitos during any of our hikes lately which is a very good thing. Now if the beetles and moths would go away instead f killing off so many trees each year. Looking up and down the valley and seeing the destruction those bugs cause makes me sick, fortunately there are too many other good things to enjoy here.
We found our Paradise, hope you find your's too, Peace & One Love

Getting warmer waters rising, snow melting

The top photo is the gauge by the foot bridge on Phelps CK and since Sat it has come up almost .7' and still rising. We checked it yesterday afternoon and it was very dark and murky but not muddy which usually means lots of debris in the water which isn't good for the screens at the dam or settling tank, and can shut the plant down.



The next photo is Chiwawa River @ Phelps CK campground, the bend and Peace is doing what she always does she's looking for the dipper birds that live along the river, the sing and she goes after them without a care. All of the dogs use trees like bridges or highways through the trees, they are true mountain dogs, and love the snow.

The next photo is all 3 of them doing what they do best and that is hunt, not sure what went into the hole in the rocks but Peace is excavating which she is very good at, those big paws can move some dirt, whatever it is it won't get past the 3 of them. It's their favorite past time and they don't really care what it is as long as it runs or flies they will chase it.


This bottom photo is at the auto bridge at the gate, looking up stream of Phelps CK, in the last week it has come up almost a 1' with most coming since the temps went over 70 on Sat & Sun and the nights have stayed warmer than what they have been lately. The afternoons the water is murkier and darker but in the morning it is clearer. This afternoon we heard the tale tale sounds of rising water in the creek, it sounds like bowling underwater from the massive boulders that roll along the bottom, rocks you or I can't lift without help and they are easily pushed down the creek, and the noise alone is becoming defining if you are close. It's a sure sign that spring has arrived at Trinity.
We found out Paradise, hope youfind yours too. Peace