Settlement of the basin began about 1844. In 1848, discovery of gold near the
present site of Coloma precipitated a great influx of gold seekers from all
parts of the country. At the height of the gold rush, the American River
foothill area was one of the most populous in the State. Early miners quickly
recognized the potential of riverflows to help in dredging, panning, and
sluicing for gold. Diversion dams began appearing on the river in the 1850's.
As mining activities declined, two of the dams were used to divert water for
use in suburban Sacramento areas and remained in use until the completion of
Folsom Dam in 1955. In December 1964, the last of those early diversion dams
was breached by floodwaters. Currently general public tours of the dam are on
indefinite hold.

Settlement of the basin began about 1844.  In 1848, discovery of gold near the present site of Coloma precipitated a great influx of gold seekers from all parts of the country.  At the height of the gold rush, the American River foothill area was one of the most populous in the State.  Early miners quickly recognized the potential of riverflows to help in dredging, panning, and sluicing for gold.  Diversion dams began appearing on the river in the 1850's.  As mining activities declined, two of the dams were used to divert water for use in suburban Sacramento areas and remained in use until the completion of Folsom Dam in 1955.  In December 1964, the last of those early diversion dams was breached by floodwaters.  Currently general public tours of the dam are on indefinite hold.

Bird's eye view of the park

Folsom Dam

Recreation at Folsom Reservoir is managed by the California Department of
Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Central
California Area Office. The reservoir was created by Folsom Dam across the
American River. The dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - American
River Division - Folsom and Sly Park Units. Folsom Lake offers 75 miles of
shoreline. Usually open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., contact the
park office for seasonal variations. Facilities include 3 public campgrounds,
2 with showers, 60 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle
trails, 8 miles of advanced mountain bike trails, and excellent year-round
bank or boat fishing. Several launch ramps provide continuous boat launching
access throughout the lake fluctuation zone. At capacity, Good fishing for
both cold- and warm-water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black
bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The American River Water Education
Center at Folsom Dam contains exhibits that promote water education directly
related to the American River Watershed.

Recreation at Folsom Reservoir is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office.   The reservoir was created by <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sod/projects/folsom/" rel="nofollow">Folsom Dam</a> across the American River. The dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - American River Division - <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Folsom+and+Sly+Park+Units+Project" rel="nofollow">Folsom and Sly Park Units</a>. Folsom Lake offers 75 miles of shoreline.  Usually open  7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., contact the park office for seasonal variations.  Facilities include 3 public campgrounds, 2 with showers, 60 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle trails, 8 miles of advanced mountain bike trails, and excellent year-round bank or boat fishing.  Several launch ramps provide continuous boat launching access throughout the lake fluctuation zone.  At capacity, Good fishing for both cold- and warm-water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.  The American River Water Education Center at Folsom Dam contains exhibits that promote water education directly related to the American River Watershed.

Folsom Lake

Bird's eye view of the campground

Averys Pond

Beals Point Campground (sites 1-49)

Beals Point Campground (sites 50-69)

Black Miners Bar

Granite Bay

Peninsula Campground (sites 1-86)

Folsom Lake SRA

Beals Point Campground Glamping

Peninsula Campground Glamping

Folsom Lake SRA Glamping

Folsom Powerhouse SHP

Recreation at Lake Natoma is managed by the California Department of Parks and
Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The Lake was
created by Nimbus Dam across the American River. Lake Natoma is a regulating
reservoir for releases from Folsom Lake. The Dam and Lake are features of the
Central Valley project. Usually open 7 days per week, summer hours (April
1-October 15) are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Winter hours (October 16 - March 30)
are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Facilities include one group campground, 11 miles
of paved bicycle trails, 6 miles of multi-use trails and excellent year-round
bank or boat fishing. Two launch ramps provide continuous boat launching
access year-round, in addition to one car-top boat launch area. Lake Natoma is
an excellent facility for non-motorized boat recreation. Motorized boating is
also allowed and there is a 5 mph speed limit on the entire lake. Good fishing
for both cold and warm water species including rainbow trout, brown trout,
black bass, crappie and bluegill.

Recreation at Lake Natoma is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation.  The Lake was created by Nimbus Dam across the American River.  Lake Natoma is a regulating reservoir for releases from Folsom Lake.  The Dam and Lake are features of the Central Valley project.  Usually open 7 days per week, summer hours (April 1-October 15) are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Winter hours (October 16 - March 30) are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Facilities include one group campground, 11 miles of paved bicycle trails, 6 miles of multi-use trails and excellent year-round bank or boat fishing.  Two launch ramps provide continuous boat launching access year-round, in addition to one car-top boat launch area.  Lake Natoma is an excellent facility for non-motorized boat recreation.  Motorized boating is also allowed and there is a 5 mph speed limit on the entire lake.  Good fishing for both cold and warm water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, crappie and bluegill.

Lake Natoma

The 69 mile long Folsom South Canal originates at Nimbus Dam on the American
River in Sacramento County and extends southward, paralleling and to the east
of State Highway 99 through San Joaquin County. Canal bikeway is open year
round, and can be accessed at many locations. Call for details.

The 69 mile long Folsom South Canal originates at Nimbus Dam on the American River in Sacramento County and extends southward, paralleling and to the east of State Highway 99 through San Joaquin County.  Canal bikeway is open year round, and can be accessed at many locations. Call for details.

Folsom S. Canal Rec. Trail

Nimbus Dam, on the American River 7 miles below Folsom Dam formed Lake Natoma
to reregulate the releases for power made through Folsom Powerplant. The
Nimbus Fish Hatchery was built on the left bank below the dam to compensate
for the spawning areas of salmon and steelhead that were inundated by
construction of Nimbus Dam. Nimbus Dam is a feature of the Central Valley
Project - American River Division - Folsom and Sly Park Units. Open year-round
for fish rearing and educational actvities. Fish spawning demonstrations
provided during the salmon and steelhead runs. Call 916-358-2884 for more
information.

<a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ca10174.htm" rel="nofollow">Nimbus Dam</a>, on the American River 7 miles below <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ca10148.htm" rel="nofollow">Folsom Dam</a> formed Lake Natoma to reregulate the releases for power made through Folsom Powerplant.  The Nimbus Fish Hatchery was built on the left bank below the dam to compensate for the spawning areas of salmon and steelhead that were inundated by construction of Nimbus Dam. Nimbus Dam is a feature of the <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/folsom.html" rel="nofollow">Central Valley Project - American River Division - Folsom and Sly Park Units</a>. Open year-round for fish rearing and educational actvities.  Fish spawning demonstrations provided during the salmon and steelhead runs.  Call  916-358-2884 for more information.

Nimbus Fish Hatchery

Prairie City SVRA

The BLM, Mother Lode Field Office administers river recreation on the North
and South Forks of the American River.

VISIT North Fork American River

VISIT South Fork American River

Return To: BLM, Mother Lode Field Office

The BLM, Mother Lode Field Office administers river recreation on the North and South Forks of the American River.  <p><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/16832/2" rel="nofollow">VISIT North Fork American River</a><p><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/south-fork-american-river" rel="nofollow">VISIT South Fork American River </a><p></a><p>Return To: <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/mother-lode-field-office" rel="nofollow">BLM, Mother Lode Field Office</a>

Folsom Dam

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