Confluence of the Feather and Yuba Rivers EarthCache
Confluence of the Feather and Yuba Rivers
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Two of the major rivers of northeastern California merge between Marysville and Yuba City. Both rivers have a rich history of gold mining in the 19th century. And both have breached their levees a few times during the past 150 years.
The Feather River is a principal tributary of the Sacramento River, which it joins about 20 miles north of the city of Sacramento. The Feather rises in 3 separate forks in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which drain into the 3 arms of Lake Oroville (which lies 5 miles northeast of the city of Oroville). The north fork arises in Cold Boiling Lake and Rice Creek in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The middle fork arises in southeastern Plumas County in the Sierra Valley southeast of Beckwourth. The south fork arises in the mountains along the Plumas-Sierra county line.
The Yuba River also has 3 forks. The north fork begins at Yuba Pass and flows into the New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The middle fork begins at Jackson Meadows Reservoir and joins the north fork just downstream of the Bullards Bar Dam. A tunnel is used to divert water from the middle fork to Bullards Bar Reservoir. The south fork begins at Lake Spalding and joins the other forks at Lake Engelbright.
Both rivers give rise to hydro-electric power, and both provide irrigation water for the rich Sacramento Valley. Both have runs of salmon and steelhead trout, and both have a long history of pollution and contamination due to early gold mining methods. Both rivers have considerable wild river features and steep gradients in their upper elevations. In their lower reaches they often flow thru a riparian habitat of valley oaks, often with an understory of wild grape.
To log this cache, park near the levee a little southeast of Yuba City (N 39 07.638 W 121 35.983). Take a photo of yourself (or anyone in your party) holding a gps device with the confluence in the background, and post it on your log. E-mail me the answers to these 4 questions (Do NOT post these answers in your log):
1. Is the flow of water here turbulent or laminar (smooth)?
2. Estimate the distance across the river. What percent of the distance is comprised by each river?
3. Run your fingers thru the soil at your feet. Describe its texture. Where did this soil originate, and what is it called?
4. Identify 3 types of trees which are visible from where you stand.
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Treasures
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