Streams in the upper watershed are typically clear, cold streams that are naturally highly oxygenated, low in dissolved ions and nutrients, and exhibit low instream plant or algal growth. In general, water quality in the American River is considered to be very good from headwaters to the confluence with the Sacramento River. Water QualityĮrosion from historic mining contributes to instream sediment problems There are 11 hydroelectric plants on the South Fork-Sacramento Municipal Utility District operates eight hydroelectric plants, and El Dorado Irrigation District, PG&E, and Rock Creek Powerhouse each operate one. The river flows west, receiving Silver Creek, a major tributary, and flows past the town of Coloma where it then turns southwest, receiving Weber Creek before entering Folsom Reservoir. The South Fork American River is 850 square miles, 90 miles long, and originates in the high Sierra in the El Dorado National Forest. Placer County Water Agency owns five hydroelectric plants on the Middle Fork American River. Twenty-three miles of the Middle Fork American are eligible for National Wild and Scenic River status. It flows west-southwest from its headwaters through French Meadow Reservoir and receives the Rubicon River, a designated Wild Trout Stream (from confluence with Middle Fork, American River upstream to Hell Hole Reservoir) before flowing into the North Fork American River just northeast of the city of Auburn. The Middle Fork American River is 312 square miles and 65 miles long. A portion of the North Fork American River is designated a National Wild and Scenic River. It flows west and then southwest, passing the town of Colfax and through Clementine/North Fort Reservoir it receives the Middle Fork American 4 miles below the North Fork Reservoir Dam near the town of Auburn and meanders past the site of the abandoned Auburn Dam. The North Fork American River is 287 square miles, 85 miles long, and originates in eastern Placer County in the Tahoe National Forest. The main reservoirs and lakes in the watershed are: French Meadows, Hell Hole, Union Valley, Ice House, Lake Valley, Loon Lake, Silver Lake, Slab Creek, and Stumpy Meadows. Major streams in the watershed are the Rubicon River, Duncan Creek, Long Canyon Creek, and Silver Creek. The American River has three forks: the North, Middle, and south. The American River Watershed originates at the crest of the Sierra Nevada just west of Lake Tahoe, within Tahoe and El Dorado National Forest boundaries. National Wild and Scenic River status has been proposed for reaches of the North and Middle Forks.Ī hike on the Rubicon Trail and Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe Water quality in the Upper American is considered very good, although the South Fork is listed on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list for mercury. Reminders of the gold rush era continue to play a big part of the watershed today. Gold was discovered in the upper watershed in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush. Vegetation in the upper watershed consists mostly of mixed conifer and montane hardwood transitioning to oak woodland as the elevation decreases.
There are 5 power plants on the Middle Fork and 11 on the South Fork. rivers, the American River has been extensively dammed and diverted for hydroelectricity production. The upper watershed has three forks: the North, Middle, and South Fork all three forks are known for their verdant canyons, forested ridges, massive rock formations, trails, backcountry winter adventuring, fishing, and white water rafting. The Upper American River Watershed originates at the crest of the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe.