Feather, N. Fork
4) Poe Dam to Poe Powerhouse(Poe Run)
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 7.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 70 fpm |
| Gauge | North Fork Feather River at Pulga |
| Flow Rate as of 3 hours | 451 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 19, 2025 |
River Description
The Poe Run is the lowermost run on the North Fork Feather above the high water mark of Lake Oroville. This seven-mile-long reach comnprises two distinctly different reaches: Poe Canyon and Bardees Bar. The first four miles (the Poe Canyon) are continuous class IV/V and the second four miles (Bardees Bar) are class III/IV. Fortunately there is an access road at the mid-point at Bardees Bar where the character of the run changes. This enables padders to do the just the class V reach or the lower class III/IV reach, or both.
Put-in: On Highway 70, look for a location called Sandy Beach. It is about a half-mile downstream of the Poe Dam and just downstream from a Caltrans station.
Bardees Bar access: There are two ways to get to Bardees Bar. Take the turn out off Highway 70 where the power lines cross the highway for the quickest route. Take the dirt road to the right. This road is quite steep in places, so high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. Driving time is about 15 minutes. This road should not be used if there has been much rain. Regular autos should take the Big Bend Road to Bardees Bar Road. Figure about 40 minutes driving time on this route.
Take-out: From Highway 70, take the Big Bend turn off. Follow Big Bend Road until you see Bardees Bar Road on the right. This gravel road will lead to the Poe Powerhouse in about 4.3 miles. At 1.3 miles, there is a hairpin turn in the road, here Bardees Bar Road leaves to the left to go to Bardees Bar. Stay right to go to the powerhouse. After you leave your shuttle vehicle at the Poe Powerhouse, you can stay on Bardees Bar Road all the way to the Bardees Bar put-in.
Poe Canyon Run
The run starts out with a few easy warm-up rapids before the Highway 70 bridge. After the bridge things pick up quickly. After several class IV rapids a class V+ rapid that was dubbed Four Doors during the flow study. While this rap
...River Features
Poe Dam Put-In
Put in at Sandy Beach just downstream of the Poe Dam on river left.
Pulga Bridges
These two bridges, one for the highway and one for the railroad, mark a transition into the difficult rapids of Poe Canyon. Above the bridges is a few easier rapids and flat water. Several class 4 rapids await immediately below the bridges. The action is pretty steady from there on down.
The mileage and map locations for the rapids below are approximations based on the aerial photo map view. The order of the rapids are correct.
Four Doors
After several class IV rapids a class V+ rapid that was dubbed Four Doors during the flow study. While this rapid is potentially runnable, no one during the flow study ran this rapid in its entirety. The current feeds directly into an ugly sieve piton spot which is followed by a bigger sieve.
Boaters can portage on either right or left. The right side portage is reported to require some technical rock climbing. The portage on the left is reported to be an easy walk with a 15 foot rappel at the end.
The video below shows Darin McQuid running this rapid in fall of 2009 around 500 to 600 cfs. The move from left to right to avoid the sieves looks dangerous
Four Doors on the Poe Run of the North Fork Feather from Daniel Brasuell on Vimeo.
Sticky Wicket
Immediately below the Four Doors rapid is a short rapid with a very sticky hole at the bottom. Flow study participants named this rapid 'Sticky Wicket' because this was the site of several extended surfs during the study.
Toboggan
This is a very long rapid. During the flow study it was reported to be easiest at flows below 500 cfs. Boaters felt it was substantially harder above 500 cfs. The mileage and map location are approximate.
Patchin's Passion
This 12 to 15 foot drop is difficult to run and stay upright. It is named after Gordon Patchin whose run of a big rapid is described in the Holbeck and Stanley book. However, that write up suggests that this rapid was actually portaged and Gordon lead the charge on the rapid immediately upstream. Hard to know.
Bardees Bar
This access point allows boaters the option of only boating the more difficult upper section or the easier lower section. A road bridge crosses the river here making it easy to find.
Spoil Pile
First big rapid below Bardee's Bar put-in. Below 1500 cfs, line is on the left, move right at the bottom. The rapid is junky at low flows, hence the name.
Dipsy
Just below the Spoil Pile. Multiple options, right boof works well.
Tinky Winky
Like the Teletubby, it may be big purple and carry a hand bag but Tinky Winky will beat you it you're not carefull.
Peace Out
Long Rapid at the end of the steep section. The large rock at the bottom looks like a hand making a peace sign.
Bridge View
The last major rapid on the run, and one of the most significant. Scout on river left by taking out on the bar above the rapid or catching an eddy on the left before entering the main part of the rapid.
Poe Powerhouse Take-Out
Good access on river left at the Poe Powerhouse.
Trip Reports
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Bardees Bar run with Chris Hest and Martin Roland. Surprisingly good at this flow.
This is the put-in for the upper Poe run. It can get pretty crowded in the summer. The new license for the Poe project will include a restroom and other improvements.
Access at the Powerhouse. On this day we were using it as a put-in for the reach that continues downstream through Big Bend.
Scouting trip of the Poe dam and looking downstream.
First of the Teletubby Rapids
Last big rapid just above the Poe Powerhouse bridge.
Middle Rapid and biggest of the Teletubbies.
Bardees Bar Bridge Looking Upstream
Last of the Teletubbies. Big ledge with a friendly tongue.
Photos sent by other boaters
