American, North Fork
5. Confluence with Middle Fork to Folsom Lake(Confluence)
| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 9.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | North Fork American River Above the American River Pump Station |
| Flow Rate as of 138 days | 6317 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 18, 2024 |
River Description
The North Fork American River, now navigable down to the reservoir following the closure of the Auburn Dam diversion tunnel in late 2007, offers a dynamic and scenic paddling experience. This section invites boaters to explore its rapids and the scenic canyon while passing the eerie backdrop of the Auburn Dam site.
The area around the Auburn Water Pumping Station features newly-formed rapids and an artificial whitewater section, where features vary significantly with flow levels.
Access Logistics:
Put-In: The usual put-in point for this section of the river is at the confluence of the North and Middle forks. To get there, take I-80 east and exit at Highway 49, heading south for a few miles towards the river. Drive past the Highway 49 bridge and turn onto Old Foresthill Road. You’ll find several parking areas along the road on both sides of the river, providing convenient access to the water. However, be cautious at lower flows, as submerged metal debris just downstream of the Highway 49 bridge can pose a hazard.
Take-Out: For take-out options, there are a few choices depending on how far you want to paddle. The most popular take-out point for those looking to avoid the reservoir is the Birdsall take-out, located just below the Pump Station rapid. This take-out provides a direct route to the river with parking situated on a hill above. Alternatively, the Oregon Bar and Rattlesnake Bar boat ramp offer further access points, with Rattlesnake Bar located on Folsom Reservoir and requiring a longer paddle out. The Oregon Bar take-out, however, is challenging with its steep, boater-unfriendly access. At this location, you'll need to park about half a mile away and carry your boat uphill, which can be exhausting and time-consuming, especially when the weather is warm. While it’s an option for those up for the challenge, many boaters find that paddling across the reservoir to Rattlesnake Bar may be the more practical choice.
First Hand Accoun
...River Features
Confluence Put-in
The put-in is at the Confluence where the Middle Fork American joins the North Fork American. This area is a popular recreation site with paid parking along Old Foresthill Road. A number of social trails in the vicinity of the Old Foresthill Road Bridge across the North Fork American provide access to the river.
Pumping Station Rapids
The City of Auburn constructed a pumping station in the riverbed to supply water to the city, which required altering the riverbed. The river is now split into two channels, with water flowing through the gravel streambed and into pumps located on river right. Both channels feature artificial rapids, offering play boating opportunities at certain water levels. A portage trail on the left bank allows boaters to scout and carry their boats back upstream. Although a road leads to the site, public access is currently restricted, and visitors must park 2 miles uphill from the river. Boaters are advocating for the creation of public parking and vehicle access at the river in the future.
Birdsall
The Birdsall Access is a potential takeout on river right located about ¼ mile below the Pump Station rapid (PCWA intake) near the old tunnel ending. This spot is just a short distance past China Bar rapids. The road leads directly down to the river, with parking available on the hill above.
Oregon Bar, take out
The Oregon Hill Access on river right allows you to enjoy a few more small rapids. However, the takeout here is not boater-friendly. To access it, you'll need to park over half a mile away and about 500 feet uphill. From there, you'll carry your boat 100 yards uphill to the loading zone, then walk another 0.7 miles to your car. Afterward, you'll need to drive back down to retrieve your boat.
Rattlesnake Bar Boat Ramp on Folsom Reservoir
Access on river right on the reservoir. Using this facility requires paddling out on the reservoir.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThough I'd consider myself a play park regular during the summer months, I have only run this from Confluence to Birdsall once at 3,000 cfs. It was a trip to return at high flows.
For a more extensive write up, there's a blog post below.
https://forestkan.substack.com/p/the-g-wave
And for video: https://youtu.be/zThGNUviwkc?si=nHV2zQotCa6H5HCU U
Good run for playing around when the lake level drops as the paddle out becomes almost nonexistent. At about 800cfs and the lake being low there's currently a tree covering a good portion of the river on the right about a couple miles up from takeout or down from Oregon bar. Water moving into the tree is slow and the tree is easy to get around even in a raft but the ranger said someone had a rough time there at around 300cfs.
Went down to the park after work to see if it was feasible to run laps on the park without running shuttle. Accessed at Birdsall then attained/hiked to the base of the park and was able to run the rapids a few times and surf some waves. Definitely doable. About 15 minutes of attaining/hiking from the Birdsall put in to the park. You will need a state parks pass.
Flows were at 1k and very fun.
Pump Station Rapid at 1,200 cfs. May of 2022.