Water not running down the first drop of STR?

On my last visit, it seemed that the water was not running down the first hill of Shoot the Rapids. I wonder why that is...

Water is not actually required for flume drops, as the boats typically roll on wheels until they hit the splashdown. Where water is present, it's solely for aesthetic value.

No one really sees the other end of the hill on STR. Everyone always sees the 2nd smaller hill though. That is probably why that one is themed and the other is not.

I too noticed the first hill's water effects were disabled last weekend. When I was at the park last Summer the water effects were enabled on BOTH hills and the pumps/piping/etc is still in place.

They probably aren't enabling the effect for the reasons SSL488 mentioned .

The only people who can really see it are the PWE riders and now that it is going bye bye after this season (rumor) there is no need for it anymore. :)