North Yuba River

Sierra City, California

Caution todayCalifornia
Caution today

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Conditions: Caution

for canoeing, today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 8 h ago · oldest 8 h

  • caution: Agency alerts

    21 active alerts in Tahoe National Forest; most severe: Floriston Fire Closure

    USFSPosted Oct 6 · checked 8 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clear, high 70°F / low 49°F, 0% precip — 94/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather8 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

24.7 mi run
Flows year-round
1,868 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
1,868 cfs
Average current
1.7 ft/s
Gradient
142.8 ft/mi
Drainage area
488 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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North Yuba River

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

North Yuba River is a 25-mile paddling stretch near Sierra City, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 1,868 cfs and a gradient of about 142.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Bowman Dam, CA weather station, 8.8 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan46° high29° low
  2. Feb47° high28° low
  3. Mar49° high30° low
  4. Apr55° high33° low
  5. May64° high40° low
  6. Jun73° high47° low
  7. Jul82° high54° low
  8. Aug81° high54° low
  9. Sep77° high51° low
  10. Oct66° high42° low
  11. Nov54° high34° low
  12. Dec45° high29° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Tahoe National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Downie RiverPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Downie River

~15 min drive

Downie River is a 6.8-mile paddling stretch near Downieville, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 283 cfs and a gradient of about 138.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Salmon Lake -Boat Ramp

~9 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Berger

~6 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Middle Fork Feather RiverPhoto: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Fork Feather River

~29 min drive

Middle Fork Feather River is a 6.6-mile paddling stretch near Portola, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 556 cfs and a gradient of about 52.0 feet per mile.

Gold Lake Boat Ramp

~12 min drive

Gold Lake Boat Ramp is a boat launch in California.

South Yuba RiverPhoto: J.smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Yuba River

~33 min drive

South Yuba River is a 38-mile paddling stretch near Nevada City, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 1,222 cfs and a gradient of about 100.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pass Creek Boat Ramp

~15 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Jim Crow Creek

~11 min drive

Jim Crow Creek is a 4.1-mile paddling stretch near Downieville, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 38 cfs and a gradient of about 411.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Woodcamp-Boat

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Lavezzola Creek

~11 min drive

Lavezzola Creek is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Downieville, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 112 cfs and a gradient of about 229.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Sierra Cityoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Truckee River Rafting

Kayaking business nearby (~40 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Obexer's Boat Company

Kayaking business nearby (~44 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

West Shore Sports

Kayaking business nearby (~47 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator