Battle Creek
Manton to Coleman Fish Hatchery
| Difficulty | II-III(IV) |
| Length | 11.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Battle C Bl Coleman Fish Hatchery Nr Cottonwood Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 380 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 20, 2025 |
River Description
An alternative put-in is possible on the North Fork at Wildcat Road when the South Fork is too low to boat.
© 1996 by Bill Tuthill, tut@netcom.com
This surprisingly good run is located just the other side of the Sacramentoriver from Red Bluff. The whitewater consists of nearly continuous classII-III rapids and a class IV rapid, tapering off near the end. Scenery andsolitude are good, so it is surprising that this river didn't make it intoany guidebook. This run is superior in all respects to Cache Creek and StonyCreek, although further from population centers. Rapids are numerous, waterquality is good, playspots are plentiful, and the season is long.
Hourly flow information (take-out) is available at [DWR's
CDEC Web site](http://cyclone.water.ca.gov/queryQuick.html) (code BAT). The description below was compiled at 835cfs, a common flow during spring runoff season. Runs are possible at higherflows, and down to 800 cfs. Technical at low flows, with rough volcanicrocks.
- Tight rapids for about 2 miles on the S Fork, where the flow was about33% of that at take-out. Watch out for a brush-choked drop at a R bend about1.5 miles down.
- At the confluence, the N Fork approximately doubles the flow. TheN Fork is subject to diversions, and its trees are closer to the river thanon the S Fork. It has been run at low flows and described as class III witha few portages, but kayakers have been turned back at higher flows.
- About 1 mile below, the river curves L thru a class III+ rapid, andthen Morgan Creek (? maps disagree) comes in on the L.
- About 2 miles below that, there is an old broached dam (or bridge)with an extant tunnel on river R. Shortly below is the only class IV onthis run (scout or portage R bank).
- Fun class III rapids continue for another 2 miles. Most h
River Features
Put In
The Table
A flat bedrock bench at river level. Nice place to have lunch.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe paddled this run at 2,800 and it was great! Big waves, splashy, bouncy, and continuous (with a couple noteable holes). There are still some eddies to be had. The difficulty of the run probably does bump up to class IV at this level just because of the continuous nature. The line remains more or less the same in the class IV rapid. No wood that we could see. Great option for when other things are too high!
2023 has been the biggest snow year on record for many parts of California. The snow has been good for Battle Creek. This run often needs a rain event to make it boatable, but this year the snow has made for weeks of good flow. I would describe the 1000 cfs that we had on this run as optimal. I have run it at a little lower flows, and this was better. Two of us put-in on the North Fork, a great little Class IV creeking addition to this run. Just be advised that it starts with a bang right below the put-in. Would be pretty tight to get a raft down. The put-in is just under the bridge that crossed the North Fork.
great run. very continous and creeky class 3. lots of action until around mile 6/7. here you get an easy class 4 and then class 2 until the take out. I can confirm this run is much better than most of the class 2/3- rivers ive been on in the area. I did the run solo on january 7. I left sacramento at 3am, dropped my bike at the fish hatchery at 630, and was at the put in by 715. The run took me about 3 hours with no play and 2 scouts. the bike shuttle took 2 hours going very slow. I had about 1000 cfs on the gauge at the take out (hatchery).