Rubicon River (California)
Encyclopedia
The Rubicon River is a river in the Sierra Nevada of northern California
, west of Lake Tahoe
. It is a tributary of the Middle Fork American River
, and is 60 miles (97 km) long and with a watershed
of about 184 square miles (477 km²). The river's headwaters are in the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada, within the Eldorado National Forest
's Desolation Wilderness
. Historically, the Rubicon River was known as the South Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River.
. It flows north-northwest for approximately 8 mi (12.9 km) until it reaches the Rubicon Reservoir. The river then travels northwest and within 4.8 mi (7.7 km) of the Rubicon Reservoir is met by Highland Creek
, Miller Creek
and the Little Rubicon River. It continues northwest for approximately 5 mi (8 km) to Hell Hole Reservoir
. Shortly after the river begins flowing southwest from the reservoir, it serves as a border between El Dorado and Placer
Counties, and joins the South Fork of the Rubicon River.
. It flows southeast for several miles until it is joined by Gerle Creek, and then travels west to its confluence with the Rubicon River. The river slowly changes course and eventually heads northwest again, finally, joining the Middle Fork of the American River about 20 mi (32 km) northeast of Auburn
. The Middle Fork meets the North Fork of the American River in the Auburn State Recreation Area
below the Foresthill Bridge, and flows into Folsom Lake
.
The reservoirs and trails along the Rubicon River are recreation areas, managed primarily by the Eldorado National Forest
.
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
, west of Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of , it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is , making it the USA's second-deepest...
. It is a tributary of the Middle Fork American River
American River
The American River is a California watercourse noted as the site of Sutter's Mill, northwest of Placerville, California, where gold was found in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush...
, and is 60 miles (97 km) long and with a watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of about 184 square miles (477 km²). The river's headwaters are in the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada, within the Eldorado National Forest
Eldorado National Forest
Eldorado National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range, in eastern Eldorado National Forest is a [[U.S. National Forest]] located in the central [[Sierra Nevada |Sierra Nevada]] [[mountain range]], in eastern Eldorado National Forest is a [[U.S...
's Desolation Wilderness
Desolation Wilderness
The Desolation Wilderness is a federally protected wilderness area located along the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, just southwest of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is a popular backpacking destination, with much barren rocky terrain at the edge of the...
. Historically, the Rubicon River was known as the South Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River.
Headwaters
The Rubicon River originates at 9900 feet (3,018 m) near Clyde Lake in El Dorado CountyEl Dorado County, California
El Dorado County is a county located in the historic Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills of the U.S. state of California. The 2010 population was 181,058. The El Dorado county seat is in Placerville....
. It flows north-northwest for approximately 8 mi (12.9 km) until it reaches the Rubicon Reservoir. The river then travels northwest and within 4.8 mi (7.7 km) of the Rubicon Reservoir is met by Highland Creek
Highland Creek
-Rivers:*Highland Creek , in Scarborough, which flows into Lake Ontario*Highland Creek, a tributary of the Madawaska River *Highland Creek, in Lambton County, Ontario, which flows into Lake Huron...
, Miller Creek
Miller Creek
Miller Creek is a stream in eastern Marin County, California, United States. It originates on Big Rock Ridge and empties into San Pablo Bay east of Marinwood.-Course:...
and the Little Rubicon River. It continues northwest for approximately 5 mi (8 km) to Hell Hole Reservoir
Hell Hole Reservoir
Hell Hole reservoir is an artificial, crescent-shaped lake in the Sierra Nevada mountain range west of Lake Tahoe in California. The lake is about long when at full capacity....
. Shortly after the river begins flowing southwest from the reservoir, it serves as a border between El Dorado and Placer
Placer County, California
Placer County is a county located in both the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada regions of the U.S. state of California, in what is known as the Gold Country. It stretches from the suburbs of Sacramento to Lake Tahoe and the Nevada border. Because of the expansion of the Greater Sacramento,...
Counties, and joins the South Fork of the Rubicon River.
South Fork
The South Fork of the Rubicon River originates about a mile southeast of Loon LakeLoon Lake (California)
Loon Lake Reservoir is a reservoir in the El Dorado National Forest of El Dorado County, California, United States. The lake is formed by Loon Lake Dam, completed in 1963 by Sacramento Municipal Utility District to conserve spring snow melt runoff for use during the summer and autumn for...
. It flows southeast for several miles until it is joined by Gerle Creek, and then travels west to its confluence with the Rubicon River. The river slowly changes course and eventually heads northwest again, finally, joining the Middle Fork of the American River about 20 mi (32 km) northeast of Auburn
Auburn, California
Auburn is the county seat of Placer County, California. Its population at the 2010 census was 13,330. Auburn is known for its California Gold Rush history.Auburn is part of the Greater Sacramento area.- History :...
. The Middle Fork meets the North Fork of the American River in the Auburn State Recreation Area
Auburn State Recreation Area
Auburn State Recreation Area is a state park unit of California, USA, along of the North and Middle Forks of the American River. The state recreation area is situated on the border of Placer and El Dorado Counties in the heart of historic Gold Country. The largest city with close proximity is...
below the Foresthill Bridge, and flows into Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake is a reservoir in Northern California about northeast of Sacramento in Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento Counties. The lake is formed by Folsom Dam, constructed in 1955 to control the American River. The dam and lake are part of the Folsom Project, which also includes the Nimbus...
.
The reservoirs and trails along the Rubicon River are recreation areas, managed primarily by the Eldorado National Forest
Eldorado National Forest
Eldorado National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range, in eastern Eldorado National Forest is a [[U.S. National Forest]] located in the central [[Sierra Nevada |Sierra Nevada]] [[mountain range]], in eastern Eldorado National Forest is a [[U.S...
.