Feather River Floating Classroom
The Feather River Floating Classroom was developed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to provide information about water operations, the Chinook Salmon life cycle, conservation of native species, and ongoing research and restoration efforts. All rafting tours are led by scientists who specialize in Feather River Fisheries Research, providing opportunities for in-depth discussions. At the end of each tour, a "Salmon Shuttle" electric bus will return participants to the hatchery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PROGRAM HISTORY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since 2012, the DWR Feather River Program and DWR Oroville Field Division have worked collaboratively to create these unique educational floats by partnering with Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), and local nonprofit and governmental organizations including, in alphabetical order: Butte Environmental Council; City of Oroville; Feather River Center; Friends of Butte Creek; Oroville Chamber of Commerce, and Thermalito Union Elementary School District. Special thanks are extended to the Maidu Tribes near the lower Feather River for contributing their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), including Berry Creek Rancheria; Enterprise Rancheria; Konkow Valley Band of Maidu; and Mooretown Rancheria, in alphabetical order.
~~~ ><)))*> ~~~ ><)))*> ~~~ FALL 2025 SEASON ~~~ <*)))>< ~~~ <*)))><~~~
DWR is sponsoring the Feather River Floating Classroom, which includes:
- FREE public tours on Saturdays during the best period to view Chinook Salmon spawning (October 4th through November 8th, 2025).
- Additionally, FREE field trips for local 4th - 12th grade classes will be paired with a tour of the Feather River Fish Hatchery.