Feather River Programs
An aerial view of the Feather River with the Highway 162 bridge in the background. Oroville, California, located in Butte County.
As the largest tributary of the Sacramento River, the Feather River headwaters begin high in the mountains of Northern California at the intersection of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges. The Feather River flows for approximately 200 miles before joining the Sacramento River in the Sacramento Valley and, along with several branches and forks, feeds Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir.
DWR is committed to maintaining and improving fisheries resources in the Feather River watershed. A team of scientists supports this effort through research, habitat restoration, fisheries management, and ecosystem maintenance. DWR also provides recreational and public outreach opportunities and supports operations at the Feather River Fish Hatchery.