Feather Canyon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Feather Canyon |
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California State Route 70 crossing the Western Pacific Railroad Feather River Route, 2004
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| Geography | |
| Location | California, United States |
| Population centers | Pulga, Keddie |
| Traversed by | California State Route 70, Feather River Route |
The Feather Canyon is a long, narrow valley in California, United States. It stretches for about 42 miles (68 kilometers) between the towns of Pulga in the west and Keddie in the east. This canyon follows parts of the North Fork Feather River and the East Branch North Fork Feather River. It's an important place because California State Route 70 and the Feather River Route (a railway line) both pass through it, including famous bridges like the Tobin Bridges.
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What is the Feather Canyon?
The Feather Canyon is a natural landform carved by the Feather River. It's located in the Feather Headwaters region of California. This area is known for its beautiful scenery and rugged terrain. The canyon acts like a natural pathway through the mountains.
Where is Feather Canyon Located?
The canyon is found in the northern part of California. It runs through both Butte County and Plumas County. The western end is near Pulga, and the eastern end is close to Keddie.
How Was Feather Canyon Formed?
Like many canyons, the Feather Canyon was formed over millions of years. The powerful flow of the Feather River slowly eroded the rock and soil. This process created the deep, V-shaped valley we see today.
Winds of Feather Canyon
The Feather Canyon is famous for its very strong winds. These winds are often called the "Jarbo Winds." They get their name from a nearby place called Jarbo Gap. These powerful winds usually blow down the canyon from the northeast.
What are Jarbo Winds?
Jarbo Winds are a type of wind known as katabatic winds. This means they are cold, dense air currents that flow downhill. In the Feather Canyon, these winds happen when there's high air pressure over the Great Basin area. This high-pressure air then rushes through the Sierra Nevada mountains towards areas of low pressure on the California coast. It's like air being pushed from a crowded room into an empty one.
Impact of Strong Winds
The strong winds in Feather Canyon can be very powerful. Since 2003, there have been many days where wind gusts reached 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) or more. Some gusts have even been recorded at 200 miles per hour (320 km/h)! These extreme winds can cause problems, especially during dry seasons. For example, the very serious 2018 Camp Fire was pushed into the town of Paradise by these strong Jarbo Winds.
Travel Through Feather Canyon
The Feather Canyon is an important route for both cars and trains.
California State Route 70
California State Route 70 is a highway that travels through the canyon. It offers amazing views of the river and the surrounding mountains. Driving this route can be a scenic adventure.
Feather River Route
The Feather River Route is a historic railway line. It was built through the canyon, which was a huge engineering challenge. This route is still used by trains today. It's known for its many tunnels and bridges, including the impressive Tobin Bridges.
