Feather, S. Fork, California, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | IV-V (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 8.3 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 154 fpm |
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
Daily Flows Realtime Flows Dreamflows Home |
 |
| Show 30 Days |
| Show 3 Years |
Dreamflows estimates flow.
Runnable at 180 cfs but better at 330 cfs.
| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| la port ca [CA] | Account of 07/06/09 | n/a | n/a | |
| Feather, S. Fork1. Little Grass Valley Reservoir to South Fork Diversion Dam [CA] | Account of 07/06/09 | n/a | n/a | |
| Feather, S. Fork [CA] |
Second Gorge
|
300 cfs | Dave Steindorf | |
| 2y219d14h56m | la port ca [CA] | Account of 07/06/09 | n/a | n/a |
| 5y108d16h17m | Feather, S. Fork [CA] |
Roland's Nightmare
|
360 | Dave Steindorf |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | Trash Can Falls |    | |
| 1.0 | 2nd Gorge | IV | |
| 2.6 | Morneau's More Nose | IV | |
| 2.8 | Postage Due | | |
| 3.0 | Live and Left Live | IV | |
| 3.2 | Left Over Postage | IV+ | |
| 3.5 | Post Creek |  | |
| 4.3 | Stump the Chumps | IV+ |  |
| 4.5 | Roland's Nightmare | | |
| 5.1 | South Fork Falls | | |
| 5.8 | Stein Stuffing | IV |
Trash Can Falls
Second GorgeAfter about one mile into the run, you will come to the second gorge. This gorge contains a number of class IV ledge drops with several nice boofs. Boat scouting should be reasonable for many paddlers.
More NoseThis is a rather innocuous looking drop with a very sticky hole at the bottom. If you don't get your nose up, you won't punch the hole, hence the name. Shawn Morneau took a nasty beating here during the flow study.
Postage Due Entrance
Live and Left Live
Left Over Postage
The log at Post Creek
Stump the Chumps
Roland's Nightmare
South Fork Feather reach
state
reachlink
1. Little Grass Valley Reservoir to South Fork Diversion Dam, Feather, S. Fork California, US (mobile)
User Comments
beginning August 17 and continuing through the end of September will be in the boatable range. The
planned schedule we have received from PG&E is as follows: > August 17 - begin ramping from 100
cfs to 250 cfs. Hold 250 cfs through September 1. > September 2 - ramp from 250 cfs to 300 cfs
and hold at 300 cfs throughout September. This will take Little Grass Valley to its end of
September elevation of 5,022 feet, keeping the boat ramps at the reservoir in service until the end
of the month. > > The 300 cfs flow will probably continue into October as the fall drawdown
begins. I will let you know the updated flow schedule as we get closer to October. > > Can
you please add to the flow information posted that campgrounds at Little Grass Valley begin closing
after Labor Day, although many stay open through the middle of September. The Sly Creek Campground
will be closed on October 1. > > Thanks for posting the information. > > Kathy
Zancanella > South Feather Water and Power Agency