Feather, S. Fork, California, US

1. Little Grass Valley Reservoir to South Fork Diversion Dam

Left Over Postage

Left Over Postage
Photo of Eric Petlock by Dave Steindorf @ 300 cfs

River Description

2011 Fall Release: 
South Feather plans to release 400 cfs for about 25 days.  The release will start after the finish of repairs at the dam.  They anticipate starting to ramp up the flows beginning September 28, reaching 400 cfs by end of day September 30.  The releases would continue through October 25 and would start to ramp back down on October 26.

Overview:  
The South Fork Feather from the little Grass Valley Reservoir to the South Fork Diversion is a Lost Sierra Jewel that was discovered, or rediscovered, in 2004.  Even though this reach has flows every fall when the utility draws down Little Grass Valley Reservoir, little was known about the run due to its remote nature.  It takes roughly an hour to get to the put-in from either Oroville or Quincy, the two closest metropolises.  The foreboding views from the dam down into the first gorge likely scared off early would be paddlers from this reach.  What they did not know is that below this gorge, which is still a portage fest for most, is classic run with many beautiful granite gorges and high quality whitewater.  What is truly remarkable is that South Fork Water and Power, the utility that operates the Dam, has been more than willing to work with AW to schedule these flows so that they work for the paddling community.   This project has been going through FERC relicensing since 2003.  As part of that process South Fork Water and Power has agreed to schedule releases from Little Grass Valley reservoir into the South Feather.

Other Information Sources:  
South Feather Water & Power Agency