News for the New River

The NEWS on NEW

Brookfield Renewable owns and operates  Hawks Nest dam. Hawks Nest dam isn't your normal dam  it  diverts 10,000 cfs of the New River through a 3 mile long 30 ft diameter tunnel to a power plant down stream from the dam. The diverted New river rejoins its natural path just below Gauley Bridge WV. The power plant creates a very specific amount of power for a manufacturing plant further down stream. This plant is a silicon metal plant. They are the largest silicon smelting plant in North America. It runs 24/7 and fills 30% of our countries silicon metal needs.  November 2012 started the 5 year long relicensing process for Hawks  Nest dam. This is going to affect a lot of different people. There was a public hearing in Ansted WV where Brookfield Renewable Energy had a public meeting where they explained what was going on and gave individuals a chance speak about whatever their interests are in this process.

AlloyMetals

Gone but never forgotten 

The hawks Nest Tunnel

Stakeholders.At the meeting the issue of minimum flow level on the dries was stated to be to low by environmentalists. The Commercial white water industry wants to sell short trips of class three rafting. They want scheduled releases of water on the dries during the summer months. The alloy plant down stream was designed to run off the power that the dam creates. Any loss in water means they lose productivity and possibly jobs. The climbers want the minimum flow to stay the same so that we can access the remote parts of the river for bouldering in the winter season.

What this means for climbers.

The past few years the Dries have seen a lot of bouldering development. The dries has very remote sectors down stream from Cotton Bottom boulders. You can walk down the river during the minimum Flow days and even cross in some areas. The minimum flow on the dries right now is 100 cfs which means that during the times of minimum flow the entire river becomes a bouldering Promised Land for the climber that is willing to explore. There is potential that Brookfield would be willing to work with the climbers to put in a trail system that could mean 15 minute approaches to sectors that normally would take hours walking down the river from Cotton Hill. Brookfield is aware of the climbing and fishing that takes place on other parts of there property and are open to the idea of allowing more recreational access. With that being said its up to us climbers to show land owners that we can be responsible and respect there property. They dont have to let us climb there. Thats a fact. There are  places all over the country where climbers have trespassed to climb on rocks that most land owners didn't even know were there. Climbing development is more then just finding and climbing new lines. I understand how hard it is to explain bouldering to someone who has no idea what rock climbing is or why people do it, but it is a necessary step. Locking in legitimate access is the most important part. Brookfield is going to need volunteers for the studies on the dries during the relicensing process. This could entail carrying equipment, surveying and even helping them navigate the remote areas on the dries. Climbers have the opportunity to work directly with the land owners that hold the key to more climbing. That is something that we should take pride in. No other user group has put in the miles on the dries like the local climbers have. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with the studies can e-mail david.barnhart@brookfieldrenewable.com. He is the operations manager for Hawks Nest. These studies will take place over the next two years. The best way to stay informed is to get on the mailing list for the Hawks Nest relicensing process. I will also keep current updates on this blog.

Remote sector on the dries

Hawks Nest OG classic. white eyebrow

Pat Goodman putting up a New line 

Wing span. Just below Hawks Nest dam. 

Water Level on the dries.

Enter the Ninja. Newest addition to Cotton Bottom

This link takes you to USGS site that tells current gauge height below the dam. 4 ft its just over Min flow(100cfs) http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?380649081083301

Any one wanting to experience Bouldering on the New River Dries should reach out to any of the locals or waterstone for more info. E mail me at nicspruill@gmail.com