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RiverBrain

North Fork Feather River

Cresta

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California – US

Class
IV
Length
5 Mile(s)
Gradient
48 FPM
Typical season
June to October
Author
Dana

Current Flow

Visual or unknown

No gauge reading is available for this run — check it on site.

Visual
Primary gauge
VISUAL Gauge detail & alternatives

Recommended levels

Minimum800
Average1,000
Maximum4,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

Description

Typically run June to October during water releases, see release schedule.  Steeper at the beginning, then eases.  The last 1.5 miles is pretty flat until the rocky pile above the take-out.  Many boaters take-out at the rest area and don't run the last stretch.

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 Cresta Dam IV+ to V- —–—

Hike 1/4 mile upstream to run this rapid, which begins at the base of the dam.  Consists of two holes and a drop.  Enter right, work left for the second hole, and then set up for the final drop.  At low flows (below 1,000 cfs), rafts may have difficulty - especially with the rocky section at the top of the rapid.
2 Second Set II+ to III- —–—

Boulder garden
3 Grizzly Creek III- —–—

Immediately after Grizzly Dome Tunnel.  Run the tongue into an angled lateral.  Grizzly Creek enters on left.
4 County Line IV to IV+ —–—

Drop into a large hole.  When you see the county signs marking Plumas and Butte county line, eddy out left to scout.  Typically run right of center down the tongue, but a left line also exists.
5 The Wave IV —–—
6 Boxed-In Hole III+ to IV- —–—

Typically run by moving from right to left.  There is a runnable-looking drop on the right, but the hole there has recirulated swimmers for over a minute so it's not advised.
7 Cave Rapid/Table Rock/Cow Catcher IV+ —–—

Multiple names depending on source.  Class IV moves, with Class V consequences.  Enter right or left.  30ft undercut cave on river left killed a swimmer in 2003.
8 Rock Garden IV- —–—
9 Powerhouse IV —–—

Constricted boulder pile.  Typically run far right.  Extremely tight for rafts below 1,100 cfs.  There appears to be a left line, but it ends in shallow rocks.  The middle slot is doable, but ends in wrap rocks and requires an immediate left to right.

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Elephant Butte tunnel — No No No All Vehicles

Turn-out just before Elephant Butte tunnel along Hwy 70.  Alternative put-in at the bridge over Grizzly Creek, where it joins the NF Feather.  Parking at both locations is VERY limited and can get crowded during releases.  The Elephant Butte tunnel put-in requires you to hike your boat down a steep, narrow (single file) path or possibly lower the boat down a 30ft granite dome.  Boaters can start here, or hike upstream to run a Class IV+/V- rapid just below Cresta Dam.
Take-Out Shady Rest Area — No No No All Vehicles

Rest Area along Hwy 70 with restroom and parking.  Rest area is on river left.  Easiest to carry boats up the bank 500 yds prior to the actual rest area.  Below the rest area, the river is Class II until the end at Powerhouse Rapid.
Take-Out Powerhouse — No No No All Vehicles

Powerhouse above Poe Reservoir marks the take-out.  Access via a paved, turning to dirt, road down to the river.  Parking for multiple vehicles.

Carry boats up the rough concrete apron, or up the bank.  May be more challenging for rafts.  AWA supposedly runs a shuttle on release weekends, but they weren't at the last release.

Camps

No river camps added yet.

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

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