Feather, N. Fork
5) Poe Powerhouse to Oroville Reservoir(Big Bend Run)
| Difficulty | III+(IV) |
| Length | 12 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 32 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 2, 2023 |
River Description
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 Big Bend Dam.
The run was first pioneered by Albert Romvari during an extreme drought around 1980 when Oroville Reservoir was at a low elevation and nothing else was flowing. Albert learned of a planned release from Poe Powerhouse of about 3000 cfs and assembled a crew to explore this section of the North Fork Feather that is normally buried under the flatwater of the reservoir.
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 Oroville Reservoir 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. The interesting thing about the Big Bend run is that you pass by, and over, layers of human development as you descend down into the Oroville Reservoir. First off, you chuck yourself off of the Big Bend Dam, built in 1911, the dam and powerhouse was the first project in what would become the Stairway of Power. Eventually, this dam and the powerhouse downstream was abandoned by PG&E when Oroville Dam was built.
Saying that this run starts off with a bang would be a gross understatement. It has been said that running
...River Features
Poe Powerhouse Put-In
Big Bend Dam
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.'
Before the construction of Oroville dam in 1961, this diversion dam sent water through a tunnel to a powerhouse at Las Plumas at the downstream end of the Big Bend.
Holey Moley
This is the first major rapid below Big Bend Dam. It contains several nice surf waves mid rapid.
Box Car
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.
Mouth of Dark Canyon
Paddle up in this side channel to get to a take-out.
Lime Saddle Marina Take-Out
As a condition of the Settlement Agreement for the Oroville Hydroelectric Project that American Whitewater negotiated, a boat shuttle service to Lime Saddle Marina is avaiable that provides an alternative to paddling out on the reservoir. You must reserve your shuttle in advance through the marina at 530-877-2883. A shuttle boat can take up to 8 people and their kayaks.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportAfter staff and board meetings in California, the American Whitewater staff and some friends got out for a trip to enjoy the Big Bend run that was exposed with the low elevation of Oroville Reservoir.
Oroville Reservoir at low water
This is the biggest drop in the Surprise Canyon. It is uncovered if the lake level is below 680 Feet.
This is the first new rapid below French Creek. It appeared (actually reappeared) in 2014.
This rapid can become a substantial hole at higher flows, generally runnable on the right.
A nice set of waves below the railroad grade. Note the retaining wall in the background.
One of the many fun Class III rapids on this run.
Although the it is covered by Lake Oroville much of the time, the North Fork Canyon is still here.
French Creek comes in on the left. Surprise rapids start shortly afterwards.
With the lake a surface elevation at 700', there are a whole series of new rapids that have become uncovered.