Feather, N. Fork, |
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Big Bend is the last run on the North Fork Feather before the river settles into Oroville Reservoir, formed behind the nation's highest dam. The run includes a dramatic drop over the Big Bend Dam.
The good news on this run is that flows from the Poe Powerhouse feed this run almost every day of
the year. The bad news is that the run is short to nonexistent in most years. This is because
when Lake Oroville is at full pool, a reservoir elevation of 900 feet, it backs up all the way to
the Poe Powerhouse. In fact, this run is generally not considered to be viable until
Lake Oroville elevation drops below 750 feet. This run is at its best in the driest years.
In the late summer and fall of dry years Big Bend often has flows of 3000 cfs!
The run starts at the Poe Powerhouse and after padding for about five minutes across the Poe
Afterbay, you come to the Big Bend Dam. Saying that this run starts off with a bang would be a
gross understatement. There are also a number of fun class 3 to 3+ drops and reportedly one
drop of greater difficulty if the reservoir is low enough.
Once you reach Oroville Reservoir it's a two or 3 hour paddle out on your own power. However, starting in 2008, a shuttle service is now available to Lime Saddle Marina. AW signed a Settlement Agreement for the Oroville Hydroelectric Project that included provisions for this boating shuttle service.
The terms of the service are:
• Available during business hours only.
• First 3 hrs. portal to portal $175.00 flat rate
• After 3 hrs. $65.00 per hour
• Maximum 8 people, no minimum.
• Price remains the same from 1-8 people.
• Reservations only; payment made in advance.
For Reservations call Lime Saddle Marina at 530-877-2883
Terms of this service were negotiated between State Parks and the Marina concessionaire. While American Whitewater was not asked to comment on the fee structure for this service, we are asking for boaters for their input. If you are planning on boating the Bug Bend run let us know if you will be using this service. Also let us know how the service works for you. Please send your comments to dave@americanwhitewater.org
Other Information Sources:
Lake Oroville State Park
Visitor Center phone - 530-538-2219
A Wet State has a nice write up and
photos of Big Bend Dam.
Kayaking video showing Big Bend dam and
one other rapid.
2004
Recreation Report from the Oroville relicensing process.
Lime Saddle Marina has
boat rentals.
Flow for this run comes from the Poe Powerhouse at the put-in. There is no gage. However, the powerhouse runs most every afternoon. Flows will typically range from 1000 to 2800 cfs.
Oroville reservoir elevation needs to be less than 750 feet for this run to have enough river distance to be worthwhile.
Here is additional information on Oroville, including inflows and outflows. Keep in mind that the inflows include the Middle Fork and South Fork Feather. It also includes pump back from below the reservior which can greatly distort the inflow readings.
| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Fork Feather [CA] |
41713.jpeg
|
1500 cfs | Dave Steindorf | |
| 2y44d05h20m | Feather, N Fork [CA] |
Holy Moly
|
1500 cfs | Dave Steindorf |
| 5y25d13h20m | N Fork Feather [ca] |
Lance Petrack-Zunich at Put-in
|
n/a | Lance Petrack-Zunich |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. No Comments
Add a Comment| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | Big Bend Dam |   | |
| 2.2 | Holy Moly | | |
| 2.6 | Box Car | | |
| 11.8 | Mouth of Dark Canyon |
Some people just come here to run the dam spillway. The hike back up is said to be difficult or awkward.
LarryH posted on Boof.com , "be just a little bit carefull...it is very shallow and you pull some Gs at the bottom! many years ago my buddy landed kind of sideways.. on a brace, and his elbow got busted up really bad. we spent most of the night in the oroville hospital while he was getting worked on."
This is the first major rapid below Big Bend Dam. It contains several nice surf waves mid rapid.
This is a large hole that is nearly river wide. The right line is relatively straight forward but if you miss it you are looking for a serious beat down in the hole.
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Feather, N. Fork 5) Poe Powerhouse to Lake Oroville (mobile)
