North Fork American River
The North Fork American River is the longest branch of the American River in Northern California. It is long from its source at the crest of the Sierra Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, to its mouth at Folsom Lake northeast of Sacramento. Prior to the construction of Folsom Dam the river was about longer making for a total length of .
Silver Fork American River
It begins in Amador County above Silver Lake near Kit Carson, just west of Kirkwood Mountain Resort, at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet. After exiting Silver Lake near Carson Pass Highway, Silver Fork American River flows west through El Dorado County in the Eldorado National Forest for almost four miles where it receives its main tributary, Caples Creek. For the remaining 8.5 miles, it flows northwest paralleling Silver Fork Road passing numerous campgrounds such as Caples Creek, Silver Fork, Silver Fork Ranch, Gray Rock, and China Flat. It finally joins the South Fork American River just west of the town of Kyburz.