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The Mokelumne River east of the Middle Bar Bridge. |
Plan would drown the Middle Bar Bridge, Middle Bar reach and part of the Mokelumne Electra Run.News flash, November 19: Foothill Conservancy, California Sportfishing Alliance and Friends of the River have filed suit to stop the Pardee expansion and overturn the EBMUD decision described below. See more here.
Want to help? Donate online to help cover our litigation costs.
The EBMUD plan
The East Bay Municipal Utility District voted on Tuesday, October 13 to retain four options for expanding Pardee Reservoir in its 2040 water plan. The board also voted to work with foothill interests to secure National Wild and Scenic River designation for the Mokelumne River.
We are not happy with the dam decision, which may lead to destruction of more of the river. We will continue to work with the officials, organizations, agencies and busineses that formally opposed the dam expansion (see list below).
Expanding Pardee would:
- Flood the entire Middle Bar reach of the Mokelumne River, destroying the river for whitewater recreation and stream fishing use.
- Flood the new whitewater boating takeout and parking area soon to be constructed below the Highway 49 Bridge
- Flood up to 4,000 feet of the Mokelumne Electra Run in high flow periods, leaving a dead-zone bathtub ring the rest of the year.
- Inundate the historic Middle Bar Bridge, restored by local governments just a few years ago, cutting off a critical emergency route for local residents.
- Inundate the historic and cultural resources of the Middle Bar area, including a sacred place where the Miwok people gather willow for baskets and cradleboards and teach their children the Miwok language and culture.
- Result in eminent domain proceedings against local landowners.
- Require construction of a new Highway 49 Bridge.
Read enough? Use our our online comment form to send a message to EBMUD and local officials.
For more information, contact Chris at 209-295-4900 or e-mail him.
Read interview with flyfishing filmmaker Mikey Weir about the Mokelumne and more
More photos of the area
