WATERLANDSSign in
California Rivers
Live Conditions

American River (California)

California14 miles2 Segments
Primary Flow
—
cfs
Gauge Height
—
ft
Water Temp
—
°F
Air Temp
—
°F
Basin SWE
—
in avg
Daylight
—
sunrise
5-Day Trend
—
 

River Profile

14 mi
Headwater
Mouth
Sailor Bar / Illinois BTAF → Upper SunriseSailor Bar / Illinois BTAF → Upper Sunrise Recreation Area · 0.1 mi
Upper Sunrise → Fair Oaks BLFUpper Sunrise Recreation Area → Fair Oaks BLF · 2.1 mi
Lower Sunrise → Harrington BTAFLower Sunrise Recreation Area → Harrington BTAF · 7.8 mi
Harrington BTAF → Watt Avenue BTAFHarrington BTAF → Watt Avenue BTAF · 2.5 mi
0
5
10
Gauge(4)
Boat Ramp(7)
Whitewater
Loading...

Loading map...

30-Day Flow History

Loading flow data...
7-Day Outlook

Forecast

14-day on Pro
Your History · American River (California)

Track your history

Sign in to track your sessions on the American River (California): best days, monthly trends, and a leaderboard of your rivers.

Sign in
Segments
4 segments
SegmentMilesRiver MileCFSStatusFloat Est.Rapids
Sailor Bar / Illinois BTAF → Upper Sunrise Recreation Area
0.1RM 0.8 – 0.9——0:02hrs—
Upper Sunrise Recreation Area → Fair Oaks BLF
2.1RM 0.9 – 3.0——0:36hrs—
Lower Sunrise Recreation Area → Harrington BTAF
7.8RM 3.0 – 10.8——2:14hrs—
Harrington BTAF → Watt Avenue BTAF
2.5RM 10.8 – 13.3——0:43hrs—

Basin Snowpack

SNOTEL 20
  • Adin Mtn
    6,170 ft
    --
    --%
  • Blue Lakes
    8,060 ft
    --
    --%
  • Burnside Lake
    8,180 ft
    --
    --%
  • Carson Pass
    8,360 ft
    --
    --%
  • Cedar Pass
    7,060 ft
    --
    --%
  • Crowder Flat
    5,180 ft
    --
    --%

Quick Facts

Total Length
14 miles
Gauge Stations
4
Segments
2
Boat Ramps
8
Access Sites
9

Elevation Profile

Elevation data not yet available for this river.

Boat Ramps & Access

7 sites · 6 boat ramps
  • RM 1

    Sailor Bar / Illinois BTAF

    Boat rampCalifornia Division of Boating and Waterways
  • RM 1

    Upper Sunrise Recreation Area

    Boat rampCalifornia Division of Boating and Waterways
  • RM 1

    American River Access

    Fishing accessCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • RM 3

    Fair Oaks BLF

    Boat rampCalifornia Division of Boating and Waterways
  • RM 3

    Lower Sunrise Recreation Area

    Boat rampCalifornia Division of Boating and Waterways
  • RM 11

    Harrington BTAF

    Boat rampCalifornia Division of Boating and Waterways
  • RM 13

    Watt Avenue BTAF

    Boat rampCalifornia Division of Boating and Waterways
Fishing Intel

Current Hatches

No hatch calendar on file for this river yet.

Recommended Flies — Early November

No recommended flies on file for this river yet.

Float time estimates
  • Sailor Bar / Illinois BTAF → Upper Sunrise Recreation Area
    0.1 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Upper Sunrise Recreation Area → Fair Oaks BLF
    2.1 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Lower Sunrise Recreation Area → Harrington BTAF
    7.8 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
  • Harrington BTAF → Watt Avenue BTAF
    2.5 mi
    --
    --:--
    hrs:min
Season Timing
Fishing
Floating
Runoff
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Regulations & Alerts

Spring Runoff Advisory

Water levels rising due to snowmelt. Exercise caution on all sections.

Browns Canyon National Monument

Special management area. No motorized boats permitted.

Catch & Release

Browns Canyon section: catch & release only for all trout species.

Bag & Possession Limits

Standard CO regulations: 4 trout per day, only 1 over 16".

Shuttle Distances

Sailor Bar / Illinois BTAF→Upper Sunrise Recreation Area

0.1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Upper Sunrise Recreation Area→American River Access

0.1 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

American River Access→Fair Oaks BLF

2 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Lower Sunrise Recreation Area→Harrington BTAF

7.8 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Harrington BTAF→Watt Avenue BTAF

2.5 mi

river miles (driving distance varies)

Create a free account to save favorites, set flow alerts, and track conditions

Sign up free