High up in the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas of northern California begin the American River. Just west of Lake Tahoe, this area is known as the Tahoe and El Dorado National Forests. The American River made its claim to fame in 1848 when California's gold was first discovered in its stream bed at Sutter's Mill. The water flow of the American River provides a plethora of rapid for all ages and skill levels to enjoy.

Forks:
The three main forks of the American River are the South, Middle, and North forks. The South Fork contains the most popular whitewater in California. The 20 mile run from Chili Bar to Salmon Falls features 20 named rapids. The Middle Fork flows over the scenic Sierran Foothills of Tahoe National Forest. The widest of the three, the North Fork runs 9.5 miles between the Colfax-Iowa Hill Bridge to the Ponderosa Way Bridge.

Difficulty:
Class 1 and 2 rapids can be found on all three forks, and are the only runs available on the South Fork. The Middle Fork boasts level 3 rapids and a lebel 6 waterfall. The wild North Fork runs class 4-5 rapids.

Season:
The South and Middle Fork are year-round. The North Fork is best from March through Mid-June.

Links:
American-River.com
The American River