North Fork Feather River
Encyclopedia
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
. The river drains about 2100 square miles (5,439 km²) of the western slope of the Sierras. By discharge
, it is the largest tributary of the Feather.
It rises at the confluence of Rice Creek and a smaller unnamed stream in the southern part of the Lassen Volcanic National Park
. The river flows east, receiving Warner Creek from the left, and passes the town of Chester
. It then empties into Lake Almanor
, which is formed by the Canyon Dam. After leaving the dam the river cuts south into a gorge, and turns southwest to receive Butt Creek from the right. The East Branch North Fork Feather River, the North Fork's largest tributary, comes in from the left near Belden
, where the river is impounded again at the Rock Creek Dam. It then flows southwards into the north arm of Lake Oroville.
The fork's portion of the Feather River Canyon is notable as part of the Feather River Route
, and the railroad's North Fork Bridge
near the river's mouth is the longest reinforced concrete bridge in the US. Reservoirs on the North Fork include those of the 1962 Rock Creek-Cresta Hydroelectric Project.
18020121) extends from the North Fork headwaters south-southwest to the Lower Feather Watershed. The headwaters are in the Shasta Cascade
s and the northern Sierras along the Pit River
and Eagle
-Honey
watersheds. The drainage divide for the headwaters begins in Shasta County
at the Lassen Peak
quadruple watershed point of East Sulpher Creek (Mill-Big Chico), Manzanita Creek (Upper Cow-Battle watershed), Lost Creek (Lower Pit River
), and Kings Creek (North Fork Feather). The headwater divide extends in an arc east to Lassen County
, then to the Great Basin Divide
triple point of the Feather, Pit, and Susan River
s. The divide arcs southeast to Pegleg Mountain and along 13 mi (20.9 km) of the Sierra Crest
to the triple point with the East Branch North Fork Feather River on the east slope of Indicator Peak (40.012069°N 120.187554°W). Downstream of Shasta and Lassen counties, the majority of the North Fork Feather Watershed area is in Plumas County
. The west divide of the watershed is along the Mill-Big Chico Watershed, southward to the West Branch Feather River
triple point. The southeast divide of the North Fork Feather Watershed is the watershed of the East Branch to the triple point with the Middle Fork Feather River
.
The lowest elevations of the North Fork Feather Watershed are in Butte County
, with the emergency weir
crest at 901 ft (274.6 m) and, at average storage capacity, the Lake Oroville
level of 812 ft (247.5 m) .
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...
. It flows generally southwards from its headwaters near Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range. It is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc which is an arc that stretches from northern California to southwestern British Columbia...
to 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 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...
in the foothills of the Sierra, where it runs into 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...
. The river drains about 2100 square miles (5,439 km²) of the western slope of the Sierras. By discharge
Discharge (hydrology)
In hydrology, discharge is the volume rate of water flow, including any suspended solids , dissolved chemical species and/or biologic material , which is transported through a given cross-sectional area...
, it is the largest tributary of the Feather.
It rises at the confluence of Rice Creek and a smaller unnamed stream in the southern part of the Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a United States National Park in northeastern California. The dominant feature of the park is Lassen Peak; the largest plug dome volcano in the world and the southern-most volcano in the Cascade Range...
. The river flows east, receiving Warner Creek from the left, and passes the town of Chester
Chester, California
Chester is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Chester is located on Lake Almanor, north-northwest of Quincy. The town is located along State Route 36. The US Postal Service ZIP code for the community is 96020...
. It then empties into Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor is a large artificial lake in northwestern Plumas County, northeastern California. The reservoir has a capacity of and a maximum depth of about 90 feet...
, which is formed by the Canyon Dam. After leaving the dam the river cuts south into a gorge, and turns southwest to receive Butt Creek from the right. The East Branch North Fork Feather River, the North Fork's largest tributary, comes in from the left near Belden
Belden, California
Belden is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Belden is located on the North Fork Feather River, southwest of Caribou. The population was 22 at the 2010 census, down from 26 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, where the river is impounded again at the Rock Creek Dam. It then flows southwards into the north arm of Lake Oroville.
The fork's portion of the Feather River Canyon is notable as part of the Feather River Route
Feather River Route
The Feather River Route is a rail line that was built and operated by the Western Pacific Railroad. It was constructed between 1906 and 1909, and connects the cities of Oakland, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah...
, and the railroad's North Fork Bridge
North Fork Bridge
The North Fork Bridge is a railroad bridge over the North Fork Feather River. It is the longest reinforced concrete bridge in the US and was constructed after the June 1, 1957, groundbreaking for 2 rail tunnels to bypass the planned Oroville Reservoir. and the Oroville Dam site was first dynamited...
near the river's mouth is the longest reinforced concrete bridge in the US. Reservoirs on the North Fork include those of the 1962 Rock Creek-Cresta Hydroelectric Project.
North Fork Feather Watershed
The http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=18020121North Fork Feather Watershed (USGS HucHydrological code
A hydrological code or hydrologic unit code is a sequence of numbers or letters that identify a hydrological feature like a river, river reach, lake, or area like a drainage basin ....
18020121) extends from the North Fork headwaters south-southwest to the Lower Feather Watershed. The headwaters are in the Shasta Cascade
Shasta Cascade
The Shasta Cascade region of California is located in the northeastern and north-central sections of the state bordering Oregon and Nevada, including far northern parts of the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The area is centered on Mount Shasta in the California Cascade Range,...
s and the northern Sierras along the Pit River
Pit River
The Pit River is a major river draining from northeastern California into the state's Central Valley. The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S...
and Eagle
Eagle Lake (Lassen County)
Eagle Lake is a lake in Lassen County approximately 15 miles north of Susanville, California. It is the second largest natural lake entirely in the state of California, United States....
-Honey
Honey Lake
Honey Lake is an endorheic sink within the Honey Lake Valley located in northeastern California, near the Nevada border. Summer evaporation reduces the lake to a lower level of 12 km² and creates an alkali flat....
watersheds. The drainage divide for the headwaters begins in Shasta County
Shasta County, California
Shasta County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The county occupies the northern reaches of the Sacramento Valley, with portions extending into the southern reaches of the Cascade Range. As of the 2010 census, the population was 177,223, up from 163,256...
at the Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range. It is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc which is an arc that stretches from northern California to southwestern British Columbia...
quadruple watershed point of East Sulpher Creek (Mill-Big Chico), Manzanita Creek (Upper Cow-Battle watershed), Lost Creek (Lower Pit River
Pit River
The Pit River is a major river draining from northeastern California into the state's Central Valley. The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S...
), and Kings Creek (North Fork Feather). The headwater divide extends in an arc east to Lassen County
Lassen County, California
Lassen County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 34,895, up from 33,828 at the 2000 census...
, then to the Great Basin Divide
Great Basin Divide
The Great Basin Divide is the western continental divide that separates the Great Basin from the Pacific Ocean watershed. The water divide is the perimeter of the largest set of contiguous endorheic watersheds of North America, including six entire USGS watershed subregions...
triple point of the Feather, Pit, and Susan River
Susan River (California)
The Susan River is a northeastern California river of approximately length that drains from an arid plateau of volcanic highlands along the Great Basin Divide to intermittent Honey Lake. The river flows from eastern Lassen County from east of Lassen Volcanic National Park generally east past...
s. The divide arcs southeast to Pegleg Mountain and along 13 mi (20.9 km) of the Sierra Crest
Sierra Crest
The Sierra Crest is a ~ generally north-to-south ridgeline that demarcates the broad west and narrow east slopes of the Sierra Nevada and that extends as far east as the Sierra's topographic front...
to the triple point with the East Branch North Fork Feather River on the east slope of Indicator Peak (40.012069°N 120.187554°W). Downstream of Shasta and Lassen counties, the majority of the North Fork Feather Watershed area is in Plumas County
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...
. The west divide of the watershed is along the Mill-Big Chico Watershed, southward to the West Branch Feather River
West Branch Feather River
The West Branch Feather River is a Lake Oroville tributary that flows generally north-to-south in the North Fork Feather Watershed near the watershed's drainage divide with the...
triple point. The southeast divide of the North Fork Feather Watershed is the watershed of the East Branch to the triple point with the Middle Fork Feather River
Middle Fork Feather River
The Middle Fork Feather River is a major river in Plumas and Butte Counties in the U.S. state of California. Nearly long, it drains about of the rugged northern Sierra Nevada range....
.
The lowest elevations of the North Fork Feather Watershed are in Butte County
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...
, with the emergency weir
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...
crest at 901 ft (274.6 m) and, at average storage capacity, the 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,...
level of 812 ft (247.5 m) .
| description | coordinates | |
|---|---|---|
| headpoint | summit SSE of Mount Helen Mount Helen Mount Helen is located in the Wind River Range in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The peak is the fourth highest peak in the range and the fifth tallest in Wyoming. The summit is located in the Bridger Wilderness of Bridger-Teton National Forest, immediately west of the Continental Divide... |
40.460728°N 121.498103°W |
| Rice Creek | confluence, headwaters w/ Rice Cr | 40.455242°N 121.485572°W |
| inflow to Crumbaugh Lake | 40.447829 121.488361 | |
| border, Shasta Shasta County, California Shasta County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The county occupies the northern reaches of the Sacramento Valley, with portions extending into the southern reaches of the Cascade Range. As of the 2010 census, the population was 177,223, up from 163,256... /Plumas 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... counties |
||
| border, Stump Ranch Marsh Area | ||
| confluence, South Arm Rice Creek | 40°21′47"N 121°27′5"W |
|
| North Fork | source, North Fork | |
| confluence, flow from Buzzard Sprs | 40.354884 121.366396 | |
| confluence, Warner Creek | 40.333133 121.306529 | |
| diversion channel W of Lake Almanor Lake Almanor Lake Almanor is a large artificial lake in northwestern Plumas County, northeastern California. The reservoir has a capacity of and a maximum depth of about 90 feet... |
40.302538 121.263914 | |
| road, CA 36 California State Route 36 State Route 36 is an east–west state highway in the U.S. state of California that is routed from U.S. Route 101 in Humboldt County to U.S. Route 395 just east of Susanville in Lassen County. The portion of SR 36 travelling past Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lake Almanor is part of the... N of Chester Chester, California Chester is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Chester is located on Lake Almanor, north-northwest of Quincy. The town is located along State Route 36. The US Postal Service ZIP code for the community is 96020... |
40.310753 121.228638 | |
| inflow to Lake Almanor | 40.303225 121.212373 | |
| Canyon Dam Canyon Dam The Canyon Dam in Texas is a rolled-earth dam on the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country. The water impounded by the dam forms Canyon Lake.-Geography:... |
40.174578 121.087017 | |
| confluence, Bear Creek | 40.107487 121.080408 | |
| dam, Belden ForeBay | 40.076167 121.160789 | |
| confluence, Mosquito Creek Mosquito Creek Mosquito Creek may refer to:*Mosquito Creek , a California tributary of the North Fork Feather River*Mosquito Creek , a tributary of the Missouri River*Mosquito Creek , a California tributary of the Feather River source... |
40.060731 121.200657 | |
| North Fork in Feather River Canyon |
confluence, East Branch | 40.014074°N 121.225934°W |
| confluence, Indian Creek | 40.005068 121.264 | |
| dam, Rock Creek Reservoir | 39.986919 121.28314 | |
| confluence, Rock Creek Rock Creek (California) Rock Creek may refer to:*Rock Creek , a tributary of Lake Oroville's North Arm *Rock Creek , a Middle Fork Feather River tributary with headwaters on the Sierra Crest *Rock Creek , a left North Fork Feather River tributary with... |
39.899959 121.359487 | |
| confluence, Jackass Creek | 39.937283 121.316013 | |
| road, Rock Creek Camp | 39.925535 121.316013 | |
| road, CA 70 California State Route 70 State Route 70 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California. Connecting Sacramento with U.S. Route 395 near Beckwourth Pass via the Feather River Canyon, it was formerly known as U.S. Route 40 Alternate, crossing the Sierra Nevada at a lower elevation than Donner Pass on U.S. Route 40... |
39.918031 121.321507 | |
| confluence, Bucks Creek Bucks Lake, California Bucks Lake is a census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States. Bucks Lake is located on the south shore of Bucks Lake, west-southwest of Quincy... |
39.91418 121.326742 | |
| dam, Cresta Reservoir | 39.876118 121.373477 | |
| confluence, Mill Creek | 39.805008 121.440425 | |
| confluence, Flea Valley Creek | 39.802107 121.446948 | |
| North Fork | road, 1932 arch bridge (CA 70 California State Route 70 State Route 70 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California. Connecting Sacramento with U.S. Route 395 near Beckwourth Pass via the Feather River Canyon, it was formerly known as U.S. Route 40 Alternate, crossing the Sierra Nevada at a lower elevation than Donner Pass on U.S. Route 40... ) |
39.79482 121.451669 |
| railroad, trestles S of CA 70 | 39.7948 121.451669 | |
| dam, Poe Reservoir | ||
| border, Plumas/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 |
||
| mouth, North Fork (912 ft elevation) | 39°43′27"N 121°28′19"W | |
| 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,... , North Arm |
railroad, 1962 North Fork North Fork -Communities:*North Fork, California, town in Madera County*North Fork, California, former name of Korbel, Humboldt County, California*North Fork, California, former naem of Seneca, California*North Fork Township, Illinois... Bridge |
39.716529 121.470551 |
| confluence, Rock Creek Rock Creek (California) Rock Creek may refer to:*Rock Creek , a tributary of Lake Oroville's North Arm *Rock Creek , a Middle Fork Feather River tributary with headwaters on the Sierra Crest *Rock Creek , a left North Fork Feather River tributary with... |
39.716034 121.455402 | |
| border, Lassen NF Lassen National Forest Lassen National Forest is a national forest of 1,700 square miles in northeastern California. It is named after pioneer Peter Lassen, who mined, ranched and promoted the area to emigrant parties in the 1850s.- Overview :... |
39.71336 121.468663 | |
| confluence, Chino Creek | 39.719005 121.422701 | |
| confluence, Mosquito Creek Mosquito Creek Mosquito Creek may refer to:*Mosquito Creek , a California tributary of the North Fork Feather River*Mosquito Creek , a tributary of the Missouri River*Mosquito Creek , a California tributary of the Feather River source... |
39.69705 121.406007 | |
| confluence, W of Stephens Ridge | 39.688101 121.400127 | |
| confluences, Berry Berry Creek, California Berry Creek is a census-designated place about northeast of Oroville, California in hilly terrain at above mean sea level. The community is located along Oroville-Quincy Highway on the shore of Madrone Lake. The US Geological Survey shows coordinates of for the town. The community is home to... & Frazier creeks |
39.670166 121.431456 | |
| confluence, West Arm | 39.666499 121.496773 | |
| former town, Big Ripple | 39°37′38"N 121°29′33"W | |
| former town, Bloomer Bloomer, California Bloomer is a former settlement in Butte County, California, United States. It was located north-northwest from Bidwell's Bar on the Western Pacific Railroad, at an elevation of 902 feet , and was inundated by Lake Oroville.... |
39°37′28"N 121°29′29"W | |
| mouth, lower North Arm | 39.57857°N 121.471882°W |
|
| 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,... , Main Basin |
inflow, lake's Main Basin | |
| landing area for seaplane base | 39.5662750°N 121.4685789°W | |
| former town, Bidwell Bidwell, California Bidwell is a former settlement in Butte County, California, United States. It was located west of Bidwell's Bar on the Western Pacific Railroad, and lay at an elevation of 902 feet . The settlement was near the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, and has been inundated by Lake Oroville.... |
39°33′25"N 121°27′56"W | |
| former mouth,A North F w/ Feather R | 39°33′20"N 121°28′0"W | |
| former town, Land Land, California Land is a former settlement in Butte County, California, United States. It was located west-southwest of Bidwell's Bar on the Western Pacific Railroad, at an elevation of 902 feet . Land is now covered by Lake Oroville. The place was named for A.H. Land, a lumber company president.... |
39°33′13"N 121°28′04"W) | |
| intake (main), Hyatt powerplant | ||
| 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... |
road on crest (900 ft elevation) | 39.5387752°N 121.4855237°W |
| downstream dam face (702 ft) | 39.5348863°N 121.4827459°W | |
| diversion, Palermo Canal (505 ft) | 39.532942°N 121.482825°W | |
| road, Oro Powerhouse (360 ft) | 39.534696°N 121.486216°W | |
| 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... |
source, downstream of dam | 39°32′1.59"N 121°29′13.88"W |
| former community, Quartz Quartz, California Quartz is a former settlement in Butte County, California. It lay at an elevation of 262 feet . It still appeared on maps as of 1947.... |
39.5326641°N 121.4983018 °W | |
| confluence, Oroville Spillway | 39.5356933°N 121.5016958°W | |