Feather, N. Fork

After 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.

Grand Canyon sized waves, this one is a hoot!

This run contains a number of good surf spots

There is a hero boof down the middle. The mortal line is river right.

This is what AW is working for, more flows on more rivers.

First Major rapid below Big Bend Dam

Late season when Feather River Reservoir is down there is a nice class-3 run below the Poe Run into the Reservoir then a 4-mile paddle out on flat water.