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Whitewater Releases Coming to the North Fork Feather, California
posted May 10, 2002
This June 1st and 2nd marks the first whitewater releases in the Rock Creek and Cresta sections of
the North Fork Feather. These releases are the result of a long and arduous battle for restoring
these natural whitewater flows to the Feather. American Whitewater fought long odds to resurrect
these flows which were historically a common occurrence in the river channel prior to construction
of the hydropower dams, tunnels and powerhouses.
The Saturday, June 1 release is set for 1600 cfs into the five mile Class IV Cresta reach. Parking at the put-in is severely limited for both river reaches. We request that boaters leave their vehicles at the take-out. American Whitewater will provide shuttles to the put-ins.
The Sunday, June 2 release is set for 1600 cfs into the nine mile Rock Creek reach. This reach has two distinct whitewater runs. The Class III Rodgers Flat run starts directly downstream of Rock Creek dam terminating 4.5 miles downstream at the Dump Road overlook. The Class V Tobin reach begins at this point. The Tobin reach contains house size boulders of polished sierra granite. The 1600 cfs release should prove to be exciting in this reach.
For the remainder of the summer through September whitewater releases are scheduled for the first weekend of each month. Releases are scheduled for 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM except in dry years when releases terminate at 1:00 PM. Volumes are dependent on the month and water year type. Up to date flow information including release schedules and real-time flow information is posted on the American Whitewater website.
During your visit to the North Fork Feather please exercise appropriate boater etiquette including respect for other river recreationists. There is limited parking at the put-ins and take-outs and no trash receptacles. American Whitewater will be providing a shuttle for the respective reaches. Park at the take-out for each run to get on the shuttle to the put-in. Do not try to drive your own shuttle.
There will be periodic monitoring of these whitewater releases to get appropriate counts on whitewater use, behavior and biological effects of flows on the river environment. Be courteous to the individuals conducting the monitoring. Future releases are dependent on use and biological monitoring.
The Saturday, June 1 release is set for 1600 cfs into the five mile Class IV Cresta reach. Parking at the put-in is severely limited for both river reaches. We request that boaters leave their vehicles at the take-out. American Whitewater will provide shuttles to the put-ins.
The Sunday, June 2 release is set for 1600 cfs into the nine mile Rock Creek reach. This reach has two distinct whitewater runs. The Class III Rodgers Flat run starts directly downstream of Rock Creek dam terminating 4.5 miles downstream at the Dump Road overlook. The Class V Tobin reach begins at this point. The Tobin reach contains house size boulders of polished sierra granite. The 1600 cfs release should prove to be exciting in this reach.
For the remainder of the summer through September whitewater releases are scheduled for the first weekend of each month. Releases are scheduled for 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM except in dry years when releases terminate at 1:00 PM. Volumes are dependent on the month and water year type. Up to date flow information including release schedules and real-time flow information is posted on the American Whitewater website.
During your visit to the North Fork Feather please exercise appropriate boater etiquette including respect for other river recreationists. There is limited parking at the put-ins and take-outs and no trash receptacles. American Whitewater will be providing a shuttle for the respective reaches. Park at the take-out for each run to get on the shuttle to the put-in. Do not try to drive your own shuttle.
There will be periodic monitoring of these whitewater releases to get appropriate counts on whitewater use, behavior and biological effects of flows on the river environment. Be courteous to the individuals conducting the monitoring. Future releases are dependent on use and biological monitoring.