Feather, N. Fork, CA

Cresta Reach on North Fork Feather, CA

Cresta Reach on North Fork Feather, CA
Photo of Boaters participating in whitewater flow study on North Fork Feather by Rich Bowers taken June 4, 1999 @ 1200 cfs

Gauge Information

River Description

In the decades following construction of the Cresta Project flows were diverted for hydropower and only 50 cfs flowed through the channel. Unscheduled spring and winter releases were erratic and impossible to catch. All this changed in June 2002 with the first recreational release, a requirement of a new hydropower license. The staff and volunteers of American Whitewater, Chico PaddleHeads, and Shasta Paddlers spent more than five years, thousands of dollars, and thousands of hours negotiating to make these recreational releases happen. Now the boating community has a great new river to enjoy.

The run starts out at the downstream side of the Elephant Butte Tunnel. From this small pull-out there is an informal trail to the river. Continuing approximately 100 yards upstream of the pull out there are ropes to guide your way down to the water. There is a good pool at the base of a rapid that emerges from the base of the dam. You can run this drop if you're willing to hike up on river left but more typically paddlers just put in at the pool below. The action on the first half of the run is generally class III/IV pool-drop. After a short warmup the river plunges through a stout hole at the base of Grizzly Dome. Below this drop Grizzly Creek comes in from river left through a tunnel carved under the highway.

The river bounces through some fun whitewater including one of the longer rapids on the run before you reach County Line Rapid. This drop is located at the Butte/Plumas County Line marked by the sign visible up above on the road on river left. This class IV drop is one of the more challenging drops on the run as much of the river funnels into a big hole at the base of the drop. There is a nice boof flake to the river right side of the hole.

After some more fun whitewater you will be at another challenging rapid, Table Rock, that starts with a move to the right and ends with a nasty undercut on river left. This is Deep Throat and it has been the site of one fatal accident and a couple of close calls. If you end up out of your boat, swim as hard as you can to the right. Below this the river plunges through another great rapid with bouncy holes.

Soon the rapids taper off as you pass the Shady Rest area. This is an alternate access site and there is a decent amount of parking here. Those who want to run laps on the best rapids upstream of this point can flag down the shuttle. Others put in here who want to run the easier rapids downstream of this point. Most just continue paddling down to the Cresta Powerhouse. The rapids from this point on are enjoyable class II/III with a couple of fun moves and decent play spots. The final boulder garden above the powerhouse can be challenging particularly at lower flows but there are a couple different options. Once you reach the take-out you can load your boat on the shuttle rig and go for another lap.

Logistics:

The Feather River Canyon is a short drive from most Northern California locations and a high quality resource. The take-out is located at Cresta Powerhouse, specifically at the large parking area on the downstream side of the powerhouse (with room for approximately 150 cars). The powerhouse is 47 miles south of Quincy and 36 miles north of Oroville on Highway 70. During scheduled releases please stop at the sign-in tent as future releases will be determined by use numbers. You can also load your boat on the shuttle ($5) which is highly recommended due to the absence of parking at the put-in. From the take-out the shuttle takes you north on Highway 70. You will pass Shady Rest area (an alternate access point) 2.6 miles form the take-out. At mile 3.8 you will pass County Line Rapid at the Butte/Plumas County Line. The Grizzly Dome access at mile 4.5 is a possibility as a raft launch but parking is limited due in part to the popularity of this site for climbing. The primary access is located at mile 4.8 at the west end (downstream side) of the Elephant Butte Tunnel and just downstream of the Cresta Dam. Parking at this site is prohibited during release days so the shuttle bus can access the site.