The Flumes

Everyone who grew up in Paradise knows the beauty and power of the West Branch of the Feather River.  It helped shape us into better humans than we would otherwise have become.  It formed us, from people with widely varying backgrounds and values, into a collective of nature lovers.  It gave us meaning, and depth, and understanding of something more important than ourselves.  I’ve travelled to many beautiful places in the world, and the Feather River remains at the top of my list of amazing natural wonders.  In the aftermath of the Camp Fire, with access to our beloved waters compromised, pictures and reminiscences of times on the river are, for many, all of what remains of our communal wellspring.

Thomas Pain, architect of the American Revolution, is quoted as saying, “ The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph”.  No doubt the Camp Fire and its aftermath have brought hard conflict.  What triumph then can be gained?  Paradise, and surrounding communities, are working as best they can to recreate themselves.  With tenacity, perseverance, and some vision, it is possible that Paradise could truly become “all its name implies”.  Paradise Recreation and Park District has grand ideas of how that might be implemented.  There are designs for potential parks: Lakeridge Park in Magalia and Noble Park in Paradise; both incorporate existing local features such as creating hiking paths around the Magalia Reservoir and expanding a community barn in Noble Park to accommodate public events.  In alignment with PRPD’s vision of becoming a destination recreation district, there are perhaps other possibilities for acquiring land along the ridge to serve as both recreational green space and a fire break.

Running in the canyon below the ridge, the West Branch of the Feather River is the crown jewel of this region.  The most beautiful and pristine swimming holes are accessed through PG&E land.  Perhaps Paradise can acquire this land for the people.  PG&E might even be prevailed upon to grant it in reparation.  The town could invest in rebuilding access, create paid parking, and hire attendants to maintain sites.  As it stands, PG&E interest in the land is questionable, and the alternative to PG&E ownership might well result in the travesty of private investors who could block access; think Butte Creek Canyon-a favorite playground of my youth now largely inaccessible due to the prevalence of private residences that built up and line the canyon road.

The natural resources of this area are its children’s birthright, and they should be treated and protected as such.  The summer before the fire, some cousins came visiting from Maryland as part of a cross-country tour.  The teenager’s request of her father was to “visit awesome swimming holes”.  I took them up to the flumes and we spent the day at the river.  A month or so later, after they had returned home, it was reported back that the flumes were the best swimming in the entire country.  Those of us lucky enough to have grown up here know this to be true.  The world is changing, and these times are challenging.  Swimming in the majesty of Mother Earth’s waters brings a solace and a vitality to the human experience that is exquisitely unique.  We had that here.  I hope we can figure out a way to get it back and preserve it, so that we, and future generations, are able to revel in it again.