Fun At The Swimming Hole In CA Mokelumne River

Swimming hole in CA Mokelumne River is the talk of the town

Authorities in Calaveras County are thinking that the county may soon have a new park courtesy an old swimming pool hole on River Mokelumne that has been the property of PG&E till now. Many people are excited to hear this news as they believe the site is very beautiful with the swimming hole that is being talked about being the oldest in the region. However, the moot question is whether Pacific Electric and Gas Co. will agree with the authorities on the proposed swimming hole. There is also the problem of the access road that leads to the river as it is extremely dirty rutted at present.

Swimming hole in CA Mokelumne River may be a kids' paradise

According to Steve Wilensky, the supervisor of the Calaveras County area that falls on the posed swimming hole site, it is certainly the kind of place where parents would like to take their kids along to play and enjoy whole day long. Kids will slide and laugh and giggle and have all the fun in the word at the place, says Wilensky. He says that he was here for the first time way back in 1971 and instantly loved the place for being so cool ad almost ideal for a picnic. He adds that the swimming hole is calm while there are many rapids in the surrounding areas.

Swimming hole in CA Mokelumne River requires urgent steps from authorities

There is a debate going on among the people to develop the swimming hole as a resort for the families, and this debate is heating up of late as the date of handing over the area to the new owners is drawing near. PG&E had filed for bankruptcy and there was a deal in 2004 that gave the huge land area under the company to several government agencies. Much land is also being proposed under the deal to be given to NGO's that are of the view that the land must be developed in the interest of the general public. PG&E holds nearly 140000 acres of land area that is spread across the state but it is the land that lies in the area surrounding Mokelumne River that has generated this debate.

Swimming hole in CA Mokelumne River can become a reality

The body that has been created by state authorities to look after land redistribution is of the view that the permission of the company might be required to convert the swimming hole into a recreation area. The spokeswoman of PG&E has said that it is still not clear if the proposed site will fall under its ownership. However, if it does come under the ownership of the company, it might make use of the re-licensing deal it struck with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission while making hydroelectricity projects on the river in 2000.

People like Pete Bell, who happens to be a representative in a committee that is looking after the legalities of the re-licensing deal, are of the view that in the present circumstances, it might be better if the area is allowed to be kept under the ownership of PG&E. This is because of the fact that if the swimming hole is to be developed as a recreation area, it can be done easily under the provisions of the re-licensing deal.

For Swimming hole in CA Mokelumne River, give the land back to PG&E

The same sentiment has been echoed by Wilensky who says that giving the land on lease back to PG&E might be the best option in these circumstances so that the company has a free hand and develops the area recreation resort for the families to have a day full of fun around the pristine swimming hole. The immediate task for the authorities however, seems to be to repair of the rutted and dusty road leading up to the river.