Summary
Total streamflow across the
American River
was last observed at
4,854
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
9,628
acre-ft of water today; about 170%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
2,860 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2016-12-16 when daily discharge volume was observed at
36,208 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
American R A Fair Oaks Ca
reporting a streamflow rate of 4,620 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
American River Near Nile
with a gauge stage of 72.97 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the American River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,789 ft, the
American River Near Nile.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-01 |
| Discharge Volume | 9,628 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
4,854.0 cfs
-30.0 cfs (-0.61%) |
| Percent of Normal | 169.7% |
| Maximum |
36,208.0 cfs
2016-12-16 |
| Seasonal Avg | 2,860 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
American River Near Nile
USGS 12488500 |
234 cfs | 72.97 ft | -4.1 | |||||
|
American R A Fair Oaks Ca
USGS 11446500 |
4620 cfs | 8.1 ft | -0.43 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The American River (Spanish: Río de los Americanos) is a 120-mile-long river in California that runs from the Sierra Nevada mountain range to its confluence with the Sacramento River in the Sacramento Valley. Via the Sacramento River, it is part of the San Francisco Bay watershed. This river is fed by the melting snowpack of the Sierra Nevada and its many headwaters and tributaries, including the North Fork American River, the Middle Fork American River, and the South Fork American River.
The American river is known for the discovery of gold at Coloma in 1848 that started the California Gold Rush and contributed to the initial large-scale settlement of California by European immigrants. Today, the river still has high quality water, and it is the main source of drinking water for Sacramento.
This river is dammed extensively for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power. The American River watershed supports Mediterranean, temperate, and montane ecosystems, and it is the home of a diverse array of fish and wildlife.