American River

Catchment area of ​​the American River

Underflow on the outskirts of Sacramento

The American River is a tributary of the Sacramento River in Northern California, United States. His three source arms North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork spring in the northern Sierra Nevada west of Lake Tahoe. The Middle Fork flows into the North Fork, the two remaining arms unite at Folsom Dam Folsom Lake today. This is the real American River by 48 km of flowing continuously in southwestern direction before it joins the Sacramento River in the heart of California's capital city of Sacramento.

Already the source arms are dammed to generate electricity and drinking water in the mountains, the largest reservoir on the river is the since 1955 by the Bureau of Reclamation pent Folsom Lake. In the city of Folsom is on an historic side channel built in 1895 Folsom Powerhouse, which provided the first electricity for the Californian capital.

In January 1848, the carpenter, James W. Marshall built on behalf of the property owner Johann August Sutter in the valley of the South Fork of the American River near Coloma, the sawmill Sutter 's Mill and discovered gold nuggets in the river bed. He thus sparked the California gold rush.

In addition to hydropower and drinking water of the American River is used for recreational use. All source arms are outstanding whitewater areas. Below Folsom, the river is calm, along it here runs 50 miles of the after trappers and fur traders named Jedediah Smith Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, a combined hiking, equestrian and mountain bike. Large parts of the riparian zones have been designated as American River Parkway, are used for recreational purposes and combine scenic and attractive points.

A river section of 37 km above the mouth of the American River as a National Wild and Scenic River in the category of " recreational " ( " recreational water " ) awarded.

The 137 km long North Fork American River is also protected as a National Wild and Scenic River. 61 kilometers of river wear the category of " wild" ( " white water ").

The Middle Fork American River flows into the North Fork and has a length of 105 km.

The South Fork American River has its origin in Echo Lake. It is 145 km long and takes in Folsom Lake on the North Fork.

The Silver Fork American River has its source south of Silver Lake in Amador County. From there it flows to about 32 km to the South Fork in a northwesterly direction. The Silver Fork is popular with fly fishermen. Brook trout are caught here typically.

Name Variants

The river was in the course of time, various names in several languages:

  • American Fork
  • Rio De Los Americanos
  • Rio Ojotska
  • Wild River
Sacramento, California National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Rubicon River Amador County, California Folsom, California United States Bureau of Reclamation Coloma, California Whitewater canoeing North American fur trade
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