Paradise’s Historic Flumes Destroyed in Camp Fire

The Flumes of Paradise, a staple of the local community and a makeshift walkway to the beautiful swimming holes of the Feather River, were destroyed in the Camp Fire last week.




The Flumes are skinny waterways used throughout history to transport lumber. ore recently, they were used by outdoor enthusiasts to gain access to the Cable Pools along the Feather River near Paradise. Although the flumes have not been used over the past decades, they have become a local staple for Butte County Residents.

The below video was posted to Twitter showing the destruction at the Flumes:




It is unclear just how much of the historic waterway was destroyed, but that video shows that we will probably never see the flumes like they used to be. That video is even more shocking when you see just how beautiful the Flumes were:

As the devastation continues to mount in Camp Fire recovery efforts, more of these local staples will continue to be found in a destroyed state. First, it was the historic Honey Run Covered Bridge that was destroyed. Now, the Flumes. What next?




See what it used to be like hiking the Flumes of Paradise:

Active NorCal

Telling the Stories of Northern California

2 Comments

  1. This “flume,” part of the Miocene Canal, was never used for log transport but was built to carry water to the hydraulic mines in Cherokee on Table Mountain. It was then re-tasked to deliver water to the Lime Saddle power-plant’s Pelton wheel turbines. The Miocene Canal, with its alternating ditches and flumes, has been functioning and maintained by PG&E for many, many years.

    1. Thank you Glenn for this information. I have believed your information to be the correct version. I pray that you are safe and thank you for all of the lovely pictures you shared on your website. Pat from LPHS.

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