Trip Report: Battle Creek (CA) III sub4
William Tuthill
Manton Road (county A6) to Coleman Fish Hatchery. This is a run
with nearly continuous class III rapids plus one class IV rapid,
tapering off to class II near the end. The scenery and solitude
are great, so it surprising that this river didn't make it into
any California guidebook. It is far superior to Stony Creek and
Cache Creek, although further from population centers. Rapids are
numerous, water quality is good, and playspots are plentiful.
Flow information is available on the Web, updated almost daily,
at http://vortex.water.ca.gov:8001 (Central Valley river basins).
Monday morning at 6 AM the flow was 835 cfs. The run is about 13
miles long, and we estimated a gradient of about 50 fpm.
Here is a thumbnail sketch of the run:
Tight rapids for about 2 miles on the S Fork, where the
flow is about 33% of that at take-out. Watch out for a
brush-choked drop at a R bend about 1.5 miles down.
At the confluence, the N Fork maybe doubles the flow.
The N Fork is subject to diversions, and its trees seem
closer to the river than on the S Fork.
About 1 mile below, the river curves L thru a class III+
rapid, then Morgan Creek (?) comes in on the L.
About 2 miles below that, there is an old broached dam
(or bridge) with an extant tunnel on river R. Shortly
below is the only class IV on this run (scout R bank).
Fun class III rapids continue for another 2 miles. Most
have short pools in between, although one is continuous
for about 1/2 mile. Below there is a beautiful spring-fed
mini-falls on the R (probably drinkable).
Less intense class III rapids continue for another 2 miles
until a huge horseshoe bend. Below that Spring Branch creek
comes in on the L, and rapids ease to class II. Somewhere
in there a double pipeline crosses the river. Evidence of
cattle grazing becomes evident.
After another 2 miles, an artificial-looking waterfalls
with lots of water (perhaps overflow from Coleman Forebay)
comes in on the R. Shortly below is another inlet from
tubes of a power generation station. These diversions add
about 33% (?) to the take-out flow.
After another 1.5 miles there is a low-head dam, which at
800 cfs can be safely run on the far L. In another .5 mile
you reach the take-out at Coleman Fish Hatchery.
HAZARD: just below take-out is a two-tier concrete dam with
drowning-machine reversal below. Do not get near the dam!
There is a small beach on the R above the fish ladder.
To reach take-out, go W from I-5 on Gas Point Rd, bear L on Ball's
Ferry Rd, turn R on Ash Creek Rd, cross the Sacramento river, then
turn R on Jelly's Ferry Rd, and soon L on Coleman FH Rd.
To reach put-in from there, return to Ash Creek Rd, turn R and go
uphill, turn R on Wildcat Rd, bear R at a junction, then descend
and cross the N Fork of Battle Creek. You could put in there, or
continue to the S Fork crossing ahead (as we did).