Talk:American River

Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment

This article is or was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Teresa.r.ogrady.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 14:03, 16 January 2022 (UTC)

Name?

Does anyone know how the "American River" got its name? Was it because of the contintent, or renamed after becoming part of the USA? --Pordaria 19:19, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

The river changed names several times, River of Sorrow, Wild River, etc. American River was given during the period of Mexican rule, 1821 - 1846, we can identify the specific Mexican Alta California Governor who made the official desination with some assistance. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.105.48.109 (talk) 16:59, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

I was about to add some info about this, but don't have the energy to do it right now. Good information about the name origin can be found here, California Place Names, at Google Books. Pfly (talk) 06:14, 21 June 2009 (UTC)

The article says « After a failed attempt to cross the mountains via the South Fork of the American River, Smith's group managed to cross via Ebbetts Pass on the headwaters of the Stanislaus River, becoming the first non-Native Americans to do so. In Smith's honor the Spanish settlers and Native Americans named the river "Rio de los Americanos", American River. »

But that is not what William Bright writes in 1500 California Place Names... (p. 15, 1998 edition) : « The name was given by Sutter in the 1840s, because a ford in the river was called El Paso de los Americanos, "the crossing of the Americans", by Spanish-speaking Indians, referring to *Canadians trappers*. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.151.168.48 (talk) 05:45, 5 August 2017 (UTC)

assessment

importance is high by dent of relation to gold discovery and also scenic and natural histry of area. Anlace 02:55, 25 October 2006 (UTC)

Suggest article renamed

In my view the article should be renamed "American River, California". I don't see why this instance of the name should take precedence over the other instances (in South Australia and Washington). Murtoa (talk) 11:16, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

I agree it should've been renamed to American River (California) because already there is American River (Washington). Abatishchev (talk) 01:22, 24 June 2019 (UTC)

Tunnel

No mention of hte redirection of hte river through the tunnel by gold miners. I'd say that is quite a notable feature of the river. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.107.142.215 (talk) 15:15, 8 October 2008 (UTC)

Source

I'd like to know the source of the statement that the North Fork begins at Echo Lake in El Dorado County. A Google map, as well as the map in the article, shows the North Fork begins somewhere in Placer County, as does the Middle Fork (note that they meet at Auburn, the Placer County seat) - and both roughly parallel I-80, which runs north of Lake Tahoe in Placer County. Just to confuse matters more, there's not only an East Fork but a North Fork of the North Fork!

Meanwhile, the South Fork begins somewhere in El Dorado County, and Highway 50 follows it, but a Google map shows only an unnamed river issuing from Echo Lake and flowing into Lake Tahoe. Another unnamed river is shown coming from the south to meet the one coming from Echo Lake, and it meanders all over the place, with unexplained breaks shown on the map - that river could possibly be the South Fork if those breaks are actually connected, but then that would mean the South Fork flows both into Lake Tahoe and into the American River, which is impossible. It doesn't help at all that Google maps has decided not to show the names of most rivers - and I've already spent way too long tracing the various forks and tributaries of the American River, not one of them named. I've been unable to find any online authoritative article or map describing the sources of any of the three forks. Wikipedia's own information is contradictory - just follow a couple of the links in the American River article. I may have to reload the world's slowest, most cumbersome encyclopedia, Britannica, to see if it has anything to say. I'll have to look at the USGS site (a nightmare in itself) to see if I can download a map instead of paying for one from some privatized source. Or maybe even have to drag out a paper map (gasp!). This is very frustrating and shows the real limits of the vaunted Internet.Wlegro (talk) 12:36, 17 November 2009 (UTC)

That's definitely an error, I made the map, based primarily on USGS maps - I have a USGS hydrologic map that clearly shows that Echo Lake is in the Lake Tahoe drainage basin, no American River tributaries flow from it. The North Fork and Middle Fork start very near each other in Placer county on the north and south sides of Granite Chief Mountain respectively. The source of the South Fork is Echo Summit, which is very near Echo Lake, but there is ridge between them. GNIS is very useful for checking this sort of thing http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/, the individual feature pages link to a version of Google maps that has the option of browsing topo maps. Kmusser (talk) 14:59, 17 November 2009 (UTC)

Tracked down the edit that placed that there and undid it. Kmusser (talk) 15:09, 17 November 2009 (UTC)

Thanks very much for your competence - and so quick, too! And for your link - being a map fanatic, I bookmarked it. Meanwhile, I emailed the USGS, and what they wrote back (and so quick, too!) corresponds exactly with your map reading. Here it is:

"The sources of the North & Middle Forks of the American River are located on the Granite Chief, CA 7.5' topographic maps. The North Fork originates at/near Mountain Meadow Lake, the Middle Fork originates between Granite Chief summit and Emigrant Pass. The South Fork originates at Echo Summit near Echo Lake south of Lake Tahoe."

Thanks again. Wlegro (talk) 21:11, 20 November 2009 (UTC)

I found the sources on Google, but only on the highest magnification - meaning they couldn't be found otherwise on Google Maps. I edited the locations in the article to be more specific because, well, I'm just that way. Wlegro (talk) 21:42, 20 November 2009 (UTC)

Student Outline for Future Edits

Hello, I'm planning to modify this page for my Environmental Studies course at Sacramento State University. I have an outline I’ll be working on below.

American River Outline

Sections to add:

Flora and Fauna There is an abundance of flora and fauna found at the American River that creates an immensely bio diverse ecosystem. Fish - Rainbow Trout - Brown Trout - Chinook (King) Salmon - Coho (Silver) Salmon - Stripped Bass - American Shad - Steelhead Rainbow Trout - Sacramento Sucker - Carp - Goldfish - Sacramento Squawfish - Tule Perch - Riffle Sculpin (http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/eirs/eir1999/docs/peir_consolidate_cvpermits/appendixc.pdf) Wildlife - Deer - Coyotes - Raccoons - Owls - Hawks - Eagles - Owls - Squirrels - Beavers - Rabbits - River otters - Over 100 bird species (Annual ARNHA Wildlife Count) Vegetation - Native (http://www.arpf.org/native-garden.php) - Non-native (http://www.arpf.org/invasive-plant-management.php) Conservation & Restoration projects In this section I want to inform the public about restoration and conservation projects being done in the river, on the levees, and in its riparian zone. What the projects are, why they are being done, and who is behind them (and provide links to projects when appropriate) - The American River Parkway, Salmonid Habitat Restoration Project (Gravel for spawning), removal of invasive species, and planting of native species.,, http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=47529 , Conservation and Restoration Projects on the American River The American River Conservancy The American River Conservancy works to conserve the wildlife and their aquatic and terrestrial habitats and resources around the American River and Consumnes watersheds. They have successfully protected almost 25,000 acres since their inception in 1989. The land they protect helps the American River water quality by conserving and resorting wet meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas. They conserve the diversity of habitats and biodiversity by supporting protected native or endemic species that are listed as endangered or threatened. The American River Conservancy protects the American River watershed to preserve the cultural and historic values of the river systems and the landscapes surround them. They are also invested in keeping the American River for recreational activities as well as its remarkable natural scenic views. Working references: http://www.arconservancy.org/ The American river Parkway The American River Parkway (link to wiki page) is a 23-mile stretch along the American River and includes about 5,000 acres of embankment between the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and where the American River and the Sacramento River converge. This area serves the citizens of Sacramento and visitors from away with access to the river and parks, picnic areas, biking and jogging paths, trails for hiking, and habitat for fish and wildlife. Working references: http://www.arpf.org/parkway-map.php The American River Salmonid Spawning and Rearing Habitat Restoration Project Chinook Salmon are an anadromous fish species that have historically used the American River as a location for an important part of their life cycle while in freshwater. The American River, however, has lost some of its natural flow and riverbed because of water projects and diversions. The American River Salmonid Spawning and Rearing Habitat Restoration project, which started in 2008, entails the placement of gravel to provide adequate habitat conducive to the salmonid’s needs for spawning and rearing to reach a maturity level fit for the ocean. From 2008 to 2012, the placement totaled 85,880 tons of gravel. The gravel will increase the number of fish redds, spawning nests, along the American River, which will decrease egg retention, and increase birth and survivorship rate. The project also included the introduction of small islands, loose woody debris, and larger boulders to advance the rearing habitat for the anadromous fish and increase biodiversity of the American River. I will add a few images to this section of the restoration project Working References: http://www.safca.org/protection/NR_Documents/LARTF_2008_Mar_AmR_Gravel_enhancemnt_project.pdf http://www.safca.org/protection/NR_Documents/LARTF_2012_Feb_LARFishMonitoringbyJohnHannonUSBureauofReclamation.pdf http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/docs_reports/awp/2014/docs/gravel_all.pdf (add to) River Modifications In this section I want to provide information about how the historic flows of the river have changed because of dams and diversions. - Nimbus Dam - Folsom Dam History Here I would just like to add to some of the information provided in the intro to give a synopsis on the different people interacting with the river, and expand on the rivers uses during those time periods. Timeline: - The Maidu tribe inhabited the American River for thousands of years before Spanish and European colonization. → The Spanish missions came to California → Mexico gained independence from Spain and took control of California → Europe Other Notes - Give a link to South Fork American River, and North Fork American River wiki pages. References

(Teresa.r.ogrady (talk) 23:38, 13 March 2016 (UTC))

Lead Revisions

Hello all, I revised the lead in order to be make it more concise. It looks like we need a good source to verify the water quality of the river, so I tagged it. Mylesgoins (talk) 16:22, 26 April 2016 (UTC)

External links modified

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"during the period before 1847 ruled by Mexico"

Territory may be controlled by a state, an one may even control a river (Mississippi levies and all that), but a state can not rule a river any more than King Canute could command the tide. -- PBS (talk) 19:27, 21 October 2017 (UTC)

rubicon

My Britannica Atlas (1992) shows the Rubicon as a tributary of the Middle Fork. I suggest to check the inclusion of the Rubicon Trail in the South Fork. 151.29.149.29 (talk) 14:59, 10 December 2023 (UTC)