Middle Fork Feather River
Encyclopedia
The Middle Fork Feather River is a major river in Plumas
and Butte
Counties in the U.S. state
of California
. Nearly 100 miles (160.9 km) long, it drains about 1062 mi2 of the rugged northern Sierra Nevada range.
It rises near Beckwourth
, formed by the confluence of several streams in a large mountain-surrounded basin, the Sierra Valley called the Sierra Valley Channels. The largest is Little Last Chance Creek, which flows from the northeast side of the valley. The river flows west, passing Portola
and turning northwest at Clio
. It then enters the Plumas National Forest
, turning westwards into a gorge. Nelson Creek enters from the left, then Onion Valley Creek a few miles onward. Bear Creek, Willow Creek and the North Fork Middle Fork Feather River all come in from the right as the river courses west-southwest through a tight, steep canyon strewn with rapids. It is then joined by the South Branch Middle Fork Feather River from the left. As the river widens into an arm of Lake Oroville
, a reservoir formed by the Oroville Dam
, the Fall River joins from the left. The reservoir is fed by the North
, Middle, West and South Forks of the Feather River
, which once joined in the valley to form the main Feather River. That river continues southwards to join the Sacramento River
near the unincorporated community of Plumas Landing
.
One of the Middle Fork Feather's tributaries, the Fall River, feeds the 640 feet (195.1 m) Feather Falls
. This waterfall is often claimed to be the third or sixth tallest in the United States; but in reality is nowhere near the top ten in height.
for 77.6 miles of its length. The 32.9 mile stretch inaccessible to roads is home to some of the best wild trout fishing in California.
Plumas County, California
Plumas County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California. The county gets its name from the Spanish words for the Feather River , which flows through the county. As of the 2010 census, the population 20,007, down from 20,824 at the 2000 census...
and Butte
Butte County, California
Butte County is a county located in the Central Valley of the US state of California, north of the state capital of Sacramento. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 220,000. The county seat is Oroville. Butte County is the "Land of Natural Wealth and Beauty."Butte County is watered by the...
Counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Nearly 100 miles (160.9 km) long, it drains about 1062 mi2 of the rugged northern Sierra Nevada range.
It rises near Beckwourth
Beckwourth, California
Beckwourth is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Beckwourth is located on the Middle Fork Feather River east of Portola...
, formed by the confluence of several streams in a large mountain-surrounded basin, the Sierra Valley called the Sierra Valley Channels. The largest is Little Last Chance Creek, which flows from the northeast side of the valley. The river flows west, passing Portola
Portola, California
Portola is the only incorporated city in Plumas County, California, United States. The population was 2,104 at the 2010 census, down from 2,227 at the 2000 census...
and turning northwest at Clio
Clio, California
Clio is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Clio is located southeast of Quincy. The population was 66 at the 2010 census, down from 90 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. It then enters the Plumas National Forest
Plumas National Forest
Plumas National Forest is a 1,146,000-acre United States National Forest located in the Sierra Nevada, in northern California.-Geography:...
, turning westwards into a gorge. Nelson Creek enters from the left, then Onion Valley Creek a few miles onward. Bear Creek, Willow Creek and the North Fork Middle Fork Feather River all come in from the right as the river courses west-southwest through a tight, steep canyon strewn with rapids. It is then joined by the South Branch Middle Fork Feather River from the left. As the river widens into an arm of Lake Oroville
Lake Oroville
Lake Oroville, also known as Lake Edmonston, is a reservoir in the U.S. state of California, formed by the Oroville Dam across the Feather River. The lake is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada about northeast of Oroville. At over , it is one of the largest reservoirs in California,...
, a reservoir formed by the Oroville Dam
Oroville Dam
Oroville Dam spans the Feather River about northeast of the city of Oroville, California. It forms Lake Oroville, which stores water for irrigation, flood control, municipal water supply and hydroelectricity generation in California's Sacramento Valley. The dam lies in the foothills of the Sierra...
, the Fall River joins from the left. The reservoir is fed by the North
North Fork Feather River
The North Fork Feather River is a watercourse of the northern Sierra Nevada in the U.S. state of California. It flows generally southwards from its headwaters near Lassen Peak to Lake Oroville, a reservoir formed by Oroville Dam in the foothills of the Sierra, where it runs into the Feather River....
, Middle, West and South Forks of the Feather River
Feather River
The Feather River is the principal tributary of the Sacramento River, in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California. The river's main stem is about long. Its length to its most distant headwater tributary is about . Its drainage basin is about...
, which once joined in the valley to form the main Feather River. That river continues southwards to join the Sacramento River
Sacramento River
The Sacramento River is an important watercourse of Northern and Central California in the United States. The largest river in California, it rises on the eastern slopes of the Klamath Mountains, and after a journey south of over , empties into Suisun Bay, an arm of the San Francisco Bay, and...
near the unincorporated community of Plumas Landing
Plumas Landing, California
Plumas Landing is a former settlement in Yuba County, California. It was located on Feather River, south of Marysville....
.
One of the Middle Fork Feather's tributaries, the Fall River, feeds the 640 feet (195.1 m) Feather Falls
Feather Falls
Feather Falls is a waterfall located on the Fall River, a tributary of the Middle Fork Feather River, within the Plumas National Forest in the Sierra Nevada; in Butte County, eastern California.-Description:...
. This waterfall is often claimed to be the third or sixth tallest in the United States; but in reality is nowhere near the top ten in height.
Wild and Scenic River
The Middle Fork is recognized by the US Government for its untamed beauty and is designated a National Wild and Scenic RiverNational Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...
for 77.6 miles of its length. The 32.9 mile stretch inaccessible to roads is home to some of the best wild trout fishing in California.