Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville river run
Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville
One of the most notable rapids on this run is the infamous "Meatgrinder," a Class IV drop that requires precise maneuvering. Other obstacles include "Cresta" and "Outback," both Class III rapids that offer fun waves and holes to play in.
There are specific regulations in place for this area, including a required permit for commercial outfitters and restrictions on certain sections of the river during spawning season for salmon and steelhead. It is important for all visitors to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash to preserve the natural beauty of the area.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 287 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 486 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 49 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 219 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 92 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 23 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Potters Ravine, Oroville
- Butte County
- Bidwell Canyon Trail, Oroville
- Loafer Creek Road, Oroville
- River Bluff Drive 39, Oroville
Other river runs
- Poe Dam To Highway 70 Crossing
- Cresta Dam To Poe Reservoir (Camp Creek)
- Bear Gulch To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
- Headwaters To Bear Gulch
- Nelsons Crossing To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
Campgrounds
- Limesaddle - Lake Oroville State Rec Area
- Rogers Cow Camp (Family )
- Rogers Cow Camp
- Milsap Bar
- Milsap Bar Campground
- Feather Falls
Fishing spots
- Oroville Lake
- Thermalito Afterbay
- Bucks Lake
- Bullards Bar Reservoir
- Merle Collins Reservoir
- Butt Valley Reservoir
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville
What's the optimal flow for Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Highway 70 Crossing To Lake Oroville.