| The Feather River watershed is located in California's northern Sierra Nevada and encompasses a broad variety of terrain, climate, historic use, and flora and fauna. It drains 3,222 square miles of land base from the Sierran crest westward into the Sacramento River. Elevation ranges from 2,250 to over 10,000 feet, and annual precipitation varies broadly from more than 70 inches on the wet western slopes to less that 12 inches on the arid east side. Vegetation is diverse and ranges from productive mixed conifer and deciduous forests in the west to sparse sage/yellow pine plant communities in the east. The Plumas National Forest manages over 80 percent of the watershed, while alluvial valleys are predominantly privately owned and are grazed by livestock.
The Feather River watershed has long been recognized for its recreational
and aesthetic value. An abundance of montaine rivers, lakes and reservoirs
dot the landscape, creating both summer and winter recreational opportunities.
Water originating from these drainages also represents a significant component
of the State Water Project and provides high quality water for hydro generation,
agriculture, industry and cities in the south. The Feather River watershed
has been impacted by 140 years of intense human use.Past mining, grazing
and timber harvest practices, wildfire, railroad and road construction
have contributed to the degradation of over 60 percent of the watershed,
resulting in accelerated erosion, degraded water quality, decreased vegetation
and soil
productivity, and degraded terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
Annually, 1.1 million tons of sediment is delivered to Rock Creek Dam at
the downstream end of the East Branch North Fork Feather River (EBNFFR)
of which 80 percent is attributable to man’s activities. Long-term vegetation
disturbance and consequent gully erosion has led to a dramatic change in
hydrology, leading to reduced summer flow, higher summer water temperature,
lower water tables, reduced meadow storage capacity, and a trend from perennial
to intermittent flow. Many downcut streams no longer sustain late-season
flow, causing adverse consequences to riparian and upland vegetation, aquatic
communities, and downstream water users.
The activities of the FRCRM are intended to reverse these negative
trends and improve overall watershed condition through responsible land
stewardship and restoration practices. |
