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{{Infobox river
| name = Feather River
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| name_other = Río de las Plumas
| name_etymology =
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
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| discharge1_location= [[Nicolaus, California|Nicolaus]]<ref name="USGSdischarge">{{cite web|url=http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/annual/?referred_module=sw&site_no=11425000&por_11425000_2=2209699,00060,2,1942,1983&year_type=W&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list|title=USGS Gage #11425000 on the Feather River near Nicolaus |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|work=National Water Information System |date=1944–1983|access-date=2010-09-08}}</ref>
| discharge1_min = {{convert|222|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|8321|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="USGSdischarge"/>
| discharge1_max = {{convert|357000|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
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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 {{convert|73|mi|km}} long.<ref name=NHD/> Its length to its most distant headwater tributary is just over {{convert|210|mi|km}}.<ref name=NHD/> The main stem Feather River begins in [[Lake Oroville]], where its four long tributary forks
The Feather River and its forks were a center of gold mining during the 19th century. Since the 1960s, the river has provided water to central and southern California, as the main source of water for the [[California State Water Project]]. Its water is also used for [[hydroelectricity]] generation. The average annual flow of the Feather River is more than 7 million acre feet (3.3 km<sup>3</sup>).<ref name="Central Valley unimpaired flows">{{cite web|url=https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/bay_delta_plan/water_quality_control_planning/docs/sjrf_spprtinfo/dwr_2007a.pdf|title=California Central Valley Unimpaired Flow Data|date=May 2007|publisher=California Department of Water Resources|access-date=2017-09-24}}</ref>
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===Middle Fork===
[[File:Frazier Creek Falls - Plumas National Forest - California.jpg|thumb|Frazier Creek Falls in [[Plumas National Forest]] is part of the Middle Fork watershed]]
The [[Middle Fork Feather River]] begins at {{coord|39|48|49|N|120|22|46|W|display=inline}}, in southeastern Plumas County about {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} south of [[Beckwourth, California|Beckwourth]], at the north end of the [[Sierra Valley]].<ref name=gnis-mf>{{GNIS|263528|Middle Fork Feather River}}</ref> It is formed by the joining of a number of tributaries that merge in an [[inverted river delta]] wetland with a complex network of irrigation ditches and drains called the Sierra Valley Channels.<ref>{{GNIS|266163|Sierra Valley Channels}}</ref> A number of creeks merge in the Sierra Valley, the longest of which is Little Last Chance Creek, which originates at {{coord|40|1|9|N|120|13|15|W|display=inline}} and flows south through Frenchman Lake and Last Chance Valley to the Sierra Valley, where it divides into two [[distributary]] channels.<ref>{{GNIS|262656|Little Last Chance Creek}}</ref> Other tributaries that join to form the Middle Fork in the Sierra Valley include Carman Creek, Fletcher Creek, Turner Creek, Berry Creek, Hamlin Creek, Sierraville Creek, and Smithneck Creek.<ref name=topo/><ref name=gentrymap/>
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===West Branch===
The {{convert|46.4|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD/> [[West Branch Feather River]], sometimes called the West Fork Feather River, has a drainage area that is small but slightly larger than that of the South Fork. It originates in Butte County at {{coord|40|4|40|N|121|25|24|W|display=inline}}, in [[Lassen National Forest]]. It flows southwest through Snag Lake and by Coon Hollow, after which it is joined by Philbrook Creek, which drains Philbook Reservoir to the east. From there the West Branch flows more directly south and leaves Lassen National Forest. It is joined by Fish Creek and Last Chance Creek (there are several streams named Last Chance Creek in the Feather River watershed). Downstream from Last Chance Creek a diversion dam draws off some of the West Branch's water. The diverted water flows into Hendricks Canal, a {{convert|8.66|mi|km|adj=on}} long conduit composed of ditch, flume, and tunnel sections, with a capacity of {{convert|125|cuft/s|m3/s}}. Along with other facilities, such as Philbrook Reservoir, Hendricks Canal is part of the Toadtown development, which conveys water through the several canals and powerhouses. The water ultimately empties into Butte Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River.<ref>{{cite web |title= Butte Creek Watershed Existing Conditions Report, Chapter 4: Water Supply and Service Areas of Water Suppliers |publisher= Butte Creek Watershed Conservancy |url=http://buttecreekwatershed.org/Watershed/ECR_04_Water_Supply.pdf |access-date= 4 August 2010}}</ref> Another diversion dam on the West Branch Feather River near [[Magalia, California|Magalia]], called the Magalia 73 Dam, conveys water into the Upper Miocene Canal, which runs to Kunkle Reservoir and the Lime Saddle Powerhouse on Lake Oroville. From the powerhouse water is carried by the Middle Miocene Canal to the Coal Canyon Powerhouse and on into the [[Oroville-Thermalito Complex]]. The Miocene Canal and Lime Saddle Powerhouse are part of the DeSabla Regional Bundle of hydroelectric facilities operated by the [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Application for Authorization to Divest Its Hydroelectric Generating Facilities and Related Assets, Section 4: Hydrology & Water Quality |publisher= Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy |url= http://www.battle-creek.net/docs/lnf/4.03-Hydrology.pdf |access-date= 4 August 2010 |archive-date= 23 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110723023248/http://www.battle-creek.net/docs/lnf/4.03-Hydrology.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>
The West Branch Feather River flows by [[Stirling City, California|Stirling City]] and is joined by Big Kimshew Creek and the Little West Fork West Branch Feather River.<ref>{{GNIS|262748|Little West Fork West Branch Feather River}}</ref> Concow Creek, flowing southwest from Concow Reservoir, joins just before the West Branch empties into the northwest arm of Oroville Lake, near [[Paradise, California|Paradise]].<ref name=topo/><ref name=gentrymap/>
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The [[United States Forest Service]] manages over 80% of the Feather River's upper watershed, in the mountains above Lake Oroville. The [[Alluvium|alluvial valleys]] in this area are mostly privately owned and used for livestock grazing and hay production.<ref name=ufrw/> In terms of drainage area, the North Fork Feather River is the largest, accounting for about 60% of the total basin above Lake Oroville. The Middle Fork drains about 32% of the upper basin. Other forks and tributaries drain much smaller areas—the West Fork accounts for about 5%, and the South Fork about 3%.<ref name=ufrw/>
There are several important valleys in the otherwise mountainous upper basin. The [[Sierra Valley]] comprises an area of about {{convert|590|sqmi|km2}}<ref>[https://www.sierravalleygmd.org/files/932319d6d/Sierra+Valley+Groundwater+Sustainability+Plan+Concept+Document+-+6.1.2020.pdf Sustainability Plan Concept Document] sierravalleygmd.org</ref> is located where a number of tributaries come together to form the Middle Fork. The valley's elevation is nearly {{convert|5000|ft|m}}. It is known as the largest high-alpine valley in the continental United States. It also lies along the [[Pacific Flyway]], making it an important seasonal home to migrating birds. Settlements in the valley include [[Loyalton, California|Loyalton]], [[Sierraville, California|Sierraville]], and [[Beckwourth, California|Beckwourth]], with [[Portola, California|Portola]] just west of Sierra Valley.<ref name=ufrw/><ref name=gentrymap/>
The American Valley is located in the middle of the upper Feather basin. Spanish Creek and Greenhorn Creek join in the valley, and Spanish Creek flows north to join Indian Creek, forming the East Branch North Fork Feather River. American Valley is about {{convert|3410|ft|m}} in elevation and supports a population of about 6,500. The largest community is [[Quincy, California|Quincy]]. Historically, American Valley was a floodplain, but settlers drained the [[wet
Indian Valley is the third important alluvial valley of the upper basin. It is located along lower Indian Creek, near its confluence with Lights Creek. By the end of the 19th century Indian Valley was considered the most important valley of Plumas County and its swampy land was developed into a prosperous agricultural landscape. Communities in Indian Valley include [[Greenville, California|Greenville]] and [[Taylorsville, California|Taylorsville]].<ref name=ufrw/><ref name=gentrymap/>
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==History==
Historically, the [[Maidu]] were the main [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] inhabitants of the upper Feather River basin's American, Indian, and Sierra Valleys. Maidu villages were located in the Big Meadows area, now inundated by Lake Almanor, and in
In 1836, [[John Marsh (Pioneer)|John Marsh]], [[Jose Noriega]] and a company of men, went on an exploration of Northern California. They felled trees, made dugout canoes, and ascended the Sacramento River. They proceeded up a tributary, and found a place where the whole surface was covered in feathers. They named it ''El Rio de las Plumas,'' River of the Feathers.<ref>Lyman, George D. ''John Marsh, Pioneer: The Life Story of a Trail-blazer on Six Frontiers,'' pp. 206-8, The Chautauqua Press, Chautauqua, New York, 1931.</ref><ref>Winkley, John W., ''Dr. John Marsh: Wilderness Scout,'' pp. 54-5, The Parthenon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1962.</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | last=Gannett| first=Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n123 124]}}</ref>
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==See also==
* [[Adventist Health Feather River]]
* [[Clio trestle]]
* [[List of rivers of California]]
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{{Central Valley Rivers}}
{{State Water Project}}
{{Sierra Nevada}}
{{Authority control}}
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