Butte Creek
2) Centerville Powerhouse to Covered Bridge
| Difficulty | II+ |
| Length | 5.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Gauge | Butte C Nr Chico Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 190 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 2, 2023 |
River Description
This is a great beginner run that has served as the training ground for Chico area paddlers for many years. The creek has also been a restoration success story for salmon. With the removal of four irrigation dams the creek now provides 25 miles of restored salmon habitat.
The run provides nearly continuous class II action but with plenty of recovery time between drops. The channel shifts from year to year which also means you should be prepared for the occassional wood hazard. For first-timers who want to avoid the toughest drop on the run you can put in at the concrete bridge that crosses the river a short distance downstream of the PG&E Powerhouse. AW has been working with PG&E to provide continued access at the powerhouse.
See the great description in Bill Tuthill's California Creekin.
River Features
Centerville Powerhouse Put-In
You can put in on the upstream side of the powerhouse on river left or a short distance downstream at the bridge where there is also access on river left.
Covered Bridge Take Out
Take out at the Covered Bridge.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a report
Dup Crosson
Jul 7, 2019
Wouldn't float this any lower – and I was in a packraft. Nice little paddle though.
Butte Creek in Spring - Thomas O'Keefe
Apr 24, 2018
A spring trip down Butte Creek. Dave Steindorf, Mark Singleton and Thomas O'Keefe did a short piece of the upper before Vicky Steindorf and Chris Hest joined us at the powerhouse to paddle this section followed by an evening of hospitality with friends who live on Butte Creek.
