Feather River Salmonid Habitat Improvement Project

Phase 2 of the Feather River Salmonid Habitat Improvement Project proposes the placement of approximately 7,900 cubic yards of clean spawning gravel across six designated locations within the original project footprint along the Feather River in Oroville, California. This phase follows Phase 1, completed in 2023, during which around 16,260 cubic yards of gravel were installed; some of that material has since been displaced by natural river flows and will be replenished as part of this effort. Two alternate locations are also included in the plan to accommodate any remaining gravel volume if the primary sites are fully utilized. In addition to the new gravel placement, approximately 100 cubic yards of accumulated sediment at the entrance of Moe’s side channel will be mechanically redistributed to enhance the adjacent Top of Auditorium Riffle spawning habitat. The project is led by the California Department of Water Resources with oversight from senior environmental scientist Lynn Coster and General Manager Roger Cornwell, and is intended to support the recovery and proliferation of native salmonid species through the restoration of critical spawning grounds.