National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

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MIDDLE FORK FEATHER RIVER - PORTOLA (MFTC1)
Latitude: 39.82º NLongitude: 120.44º WElevation: 4850 Feet
Location: Plumas County in CaliforniaBulletin Group: Lower SacramentoRiver Group: Feather Yuba
Issuance Time: May 09 2025 at 8:34 AM PDTNext Issuance: May 10 2025 at 9:00 AM PDT
Action/Monitor: 4851.0 FeetMinor Flood: 4852.5 FeetModerate Flood: 4853.5 FeetMajor Flood: 4855.5 Feet

Please Note:
1) Each individual timeseries plotted on the graphical river forecast can be toggled on and off by clicking the legend entry above. If the "Observed (Raw Data)" contains bad data and is toggled off, the plot will scale to the remaining timeseries.

2) At extremely low river flows, the "Observed (Raw Data)" may show readings below the lower end of the available rating table, while the "Observed (Simulated)" will only show values at the bottom of the rating table, creating a potential discrepancy between the two readings.
Observed Data Credit
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Raw streamflow data is provided by the California Department of Water Resources.
View California Department of Water Resources Data for this station location.

Verification - Historical Graphical RVF
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To view other verification locations, use our Historical Graphical River Forecast Interface.
Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year
Peak Discharge (cfs)
Stage (feet)
Date
 Most Recent 5 Years
2024*
821
4848.59
Mar 13, 2024
2023*
8,290
4854.42
Mar 15, 2023
2022*
903
4848.74
Jan 9, 2022
2021* 153 4846.62 Feb 14, 2021
2020*
403
4847.60
Apr 9, 2020
 Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Oct 1968 to 1980 and 2007 to Present) - Ranked by Flow
2017*
12,700
12.61
Feb 10, 2017
2023*
8,290
4854.42
Mar 15, 2023
1969*
7,640
10.18**
Jan 21, 1969
1971*
6,580
9.64**
Mar 27, 1971
1980*
5,690
9.42**
Jan 14, 1980
2019*
5,650
9.50
Mar 1, 2019
1970* 4,970 8.81** Jan 25, 1970
2011* 4,851 9.03 Mar 17, 2011
 * Discharge affected to unknown degree by regulation or diversion
 ** Peak stage and flow courtesy of USGS.
 *** Datum changed from Local to NAVD88 on 10/01/2019. The difference is +4843.6 ft and must be applied to all data before date to convert to NAVD88
Location Photographs
ESRI™ Locator Map
Flood Impacts
4,856.5 FeetMajor to near record flooding. Major damages to transportation, homes and businesses. Similar to January 1997, and in excess of February 9, 2017. Potential for rapid rises and major impacts from tributary streams. Tributary impacts may significantly proceed main-stem peak flows.
4,855.5 FeetMajor Flood Stage. Major disruptions to transportation with significant impacts to homes and businesses between Beckworth and Clio. Approaching levels of February 9, 2017. Potential for rapid rises and major impacts from tributary streams. Impacts below Portola influenced by magnitude of tributary flows, especially Sulphur Creek. Tributary impacts may significantly proceed main-stem peak flows.
4,854.5 FeetModerate flooding of businesses, homes, structures, and roads, including Highway 89 near Clio, portions of Highway 70, and low lying homes from Beckwourth to Clio. Impacts below Portola influenced by magnitude of tributary flows, especially Sulphur Creek.
4,854.0 FeetModerate flooding of lowlands, roads, homes, businesses and structures along river from Beckwourth to Clio. Lowest homes on West Street begin to flood. Impacts below Portola influenced by magnitude of tributary flows, especially Sulphur Creek. Similar level to February 22nd, 2017, and slightly exceeding flooding of January 9, 2017.
4,853.5 FeetModerate Flood Stage. Flooding of lowlands, structures, and roads from Beckwourth to Clio. Several low lying structures along river in Portola flood. Evacuation of homes on south end of West Street may be necessary. Highway 89 near Clio likely flooded. Impacts below Portola influenced by magnitude of tributary flows, especially Sulphur Creek. Similar level to 1/9/2017.
4,853.0 FeetMinor flooding of lowlands, roads, and low-lying structures between Beckwourth to Clio. In Portola the lowest lying buildings and businesses on highway 70 may begin to experience some minor flooding. Water along West Street nearing lowest homes along river. Highway 89 near Clio likely flooded. Potential for greater impacts in the lower portion of the reach with large contribution from tributary creeks. Similar level to 3/23/2018.
4,852.5 FeetFlood stage. Minor flooding of lowlands, rural roads, agricultural areas, and some low structures between Beckwourth and Clio. In Portola, water nearing lowest lying businesses along Highway 70 on west edge of Portola. The south end of West Street in Portola floods. Portions of Highway 89 near Clio may begin to flood. Potential for greater impacts in the lower portion of the reach with large contribution from tributary creeks. Similar level to March 17, 2011.
4,852.0 FeetLimited minor lowland flooding between Beckwourth and Clio. Potential for road impacts near Clio with large contribution from tributary creeks.
4,851.0 FeetMonitor Stage. Some areas of very minor out of bank flow between Beckwourth and Clio.
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ071)
Today: Partly cloudy. Highs 77 to 87. Light winds becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming clear. Lows 41 to 51. West winds 10 to 15 mph in the evening becoming light.

Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs 75 to 85. Light winds becoming southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Clear. Lows 42 to 52. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening.

Sunday: Sunny. Highs 64 to 74. Southwest winds around 10 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Breezy. Clear in the evening, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers after midnight. Lows 31 to 41.

Monday: Chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 50 to 60.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows 28 to 38.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers in the morning, then chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 48 to 58.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers in the evening. Lows 28 to 38.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Highs 57 to 67.

Wednesday Night and Thursday: Clear. Lows 30 to 40. Highs 63 to 73.
Product Disclaimer

This river graphic is not intended to serve as a substitute for official flood watches, warnings, advisories, or statements issued by the NWS Reno Weather Forecast Office. Observations are preliminary and subject to change. River levels identified as "forecast" should be consistent with those contained in official NWS products. River levels identified as "guidance" have significant uncertainty due to future weather or reservoir regulation and are provided for planning purposes only.