CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

MIDDLE FORK FEATHER RIVER - PORTOLA (MFTC1)

Latitude: 39.82º N	Longitude: 120.44º W	Elevation: 4850 Feet
Location: Plumas County in California		River Group: Lower Sacramento

Monitor Stage: 4851.0 Feet

Flood Stage: 4852.5 Feet

Observed Data Credit
	Raw streamflow data is provided by the California Department of Water Resources. View CA DWR Data for this station location.

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2025*	2,050	4850.30	Feb 6, 2025
2024*	821	4848.59	Mar 13, 2024
2023*	8,290	4854.42	Mar 15, 2023
2022*	903	4848.74	Jan 09, 2022
2021*	153	4846.62	Feb 14, 2021
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
* 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
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ071)

Today: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 57 to 67. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Chance of showers with pockets of snow showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then chance of showers after midnight. Snow level 7000 feet lowering to 6000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Lows 31 to 41. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening.

Sunday: Showers in the morning, then showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snow level 5500 to 6000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Highs 46 to 56. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Snow level 5500 to 6000 feet. Lows 27 to 37. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the evening becoming light.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Snow level 5000 feet rising to 6000 feet. Highs 50 to 60. Light winds becoming west around 10 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows 27 to 37.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs 58 to 68.

Tuesday Night through Thursday: Clear. Lows 31 to 41. Highs 65 to 75.

Thursday Night and Friday: Clear. Lows 34 to 44. Highs 69 to 79.

Flood Impacts
4,856.5 Feet	Major 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 Feet	Major 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 Feet	Moderate 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 Feet	Moderate 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 Feet	Moderate 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 Feet	Minor 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 Feet	Flood 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 Feet	Limited minor lowland flooding between Beckwourth and Clio. Potential for road impacts near Clio with large contribution from tributary creeks.
4,851.0 Feet	Monitor Stage. Some areas of very minor out of bank flow between Beckwourth and Clio.

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.

NWS RSS Feed