The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is urging the public to exercise caution as water flows will increase for whitewater recreation on the North Fork Feather River.
According to PG&E, the heightened flows are scheduled for the weekends of November 15-16 and November 22-23.
The Poe Reach of the river will feature Class III, IV, and V rapids, which are recommended only for skilled paddlers. Tubing is not advised due to the challenging conditions on the river created by the rapids.
The Poe Reach is a 7.6-mile section of the North Fork Feather River in the Plumas National Forest, located in Butte County. It stretches between PG&E’s Poe Dam near Pulga and the Poe Powerhouse upstream of Lake Oroville.
On Saturday, November 15, water flows in the Poe Reach will gradually increase from about 400 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1,400 cfs by 9 a.m. These flows will continue until 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 16. The same increase will occur on the weekend of November 22-23.
PG&E says these recreational flows are organized in collaboration with the Plumas National Forest and the Poe Recreation River Flow Technical Review Group (RTRG). They are typically held in October but were postponed to November for 2025 due to maintenance work taking place at the Poe Dam.
PG&E has issued several water safety tips to ensure public safety. They advise staying out of cold water as sudden immersion can cause involuntary inhalation, cardiac arrest, or hypothermia. Swift water can quickly overwhelm even strong swimmers.
Unseen obstacles can be hazardous beneath the water’s surface, and swift water can make these obstacles more dangerous. Guided trips are recommended for inexperienced paddlers.
Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited, as they pose significant dangers due to slippery sides and fast-moving water. For additional water safety tips, visit www.pge.com/hydrosafety.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, serves more than 16 million people across Northern and Central California. For more information, visit their website at pge.com
