This section was first descended by kayakers in 2006 as part of an American Whitewater boating flow study in cooperation with South Feather Water and Power Ageny. The flow was 120 cfs for this study and the team felt it was a little high for this creek. The boating team had a difficult time with large drops that were not quite runnable at that flow and which were technical and time consuming to portage. Still, the team felt that the creek was very impressive and might be a very good run at just the right flow, especially as boating techniques continue to develop.
The first mile or so below the dam is relatively low gradient at 98 feet in one mile. The mile by mile gradient for Lost Creek is:
98', 218', 692', 258'. The average gradient on the SF Feather below Lost Creek is 152' per mile.
Put in:
Below the dam at Lost Creek Reservoir. Roads or trails on either side of the creek go downstream for quite a ways. They are particularly close to the creek at mile .68, so that may be a good put in spot. From Forbestown take the Challenge Cut Off Road to La Porte Road. Somewhere east of Clipper Mills take the Lost Creek Dam Road to Moreville Ridge Road to .... Bring a map! Put in elevation is 3200 feet.
Take Out:
Forbestown Reservoir is the afterbay for Forbestown Powerhouse. Water from SF Feather, Lost Creek and Slate Creek is diverted through a series of reservoirs to Lost Creek reservoir and from there to Forbestown powerhouse. Access is from the south. From Oroville go east on highway 162 to Forbestown Road to Forbestown, then take Forbestown Reservoir road to its end. Take out elevation is 1787 feet.
Other Information Resources:
Kayak Session article by Eric Petlock
South Feather Water & Power Agency