The Flood Control Act of 1944 authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build a flood control structure with about four times the capacity of the irrigation districts' dam. [10] The 31-mile (50 km)-long North Fork rises in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and flows in a generally southwest direction to its confluence with the Middle Fork, passing through several small hydropower dams. During the last glacial period the main Stanislaus glacier was up to 30 miles (48 km) long; during previous ice ages it may have extended as far as 45 miles (72 km). While the power company would be allowed to market and earn revenue on the hydroelectricity produced, it had to pay royalties since the dam was owned by the irrigation districts. "[58] This was one of many ferries that operated on the Stanislaus River in the following decades, including others at Byrne's Ferry (later replaced by a covered bridge) and Taylor's Ferry near Oakdale. NCPA: U.S. Geological Survey. Stanislaus River, CA June 2017 Page 2 of 11 STANISLAUS RIVER, CA SPRING GAP-STANISLAUS HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (P-2130) DESCRIPTION: The Spring Gap-Stanislaus Project is located in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties, CA on the Middle Fork Stanislaus River (Middle Fork) and South Fork Stanislaus River. [167], The Middle Fork has the largest flow, but is subject to numerous hydro-power diversions that often dewater the river bed in summer. [54] Highway 108 along the South/Middle Forks and Highway 4 along the North Fork, a designated National Scenic Byway, provide access to the forest from both sides of the Sierra Nevada. [9] It flows northwest then west, receiving the Clark Fork below Dardanelle, before feeding Donnell Lake and Beardsley Lake, both formed by hydroelectric power dams. The Dardanelle Resort was established in 1923 at the convergence of Eagle Creek and the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River. Not all of these rights are in use today (many belong to defunct mining or power companies). [94] Since New Melones' completion in 1978, "no structure as large or as significant has since been built on an American river. [17] The highest peak before 1978 was 62,500 cubic feet per second (1,770 m3/s) on December 24, 1955,[6] and the lowest monthly mean was 0.635 cubic feet per second (0.0180 m3/s) in August 1977. [183] Caswell Memorial State Park covers 258 acres (104 ha) along the lower Stanislaus River and is home to one of the last native riparian oak woodlands in the Central Valley. About a week later, after having made their way up the rugged North Fork canyon, they crossed Ebbetts Pass, becoming the first people of European descent to cross the Sierra. Middle Fork Stanislaus River, California fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. [121] An added benefit was that the Donnells and Beardsley dams regulate water flow down the Middle Fork, allowing more consistent power generation at the older Stanislaus Powerhouse. [67] The road became part of the state highway system in 1901 and was improved in 1906 to service the construction of Relief Dam in the headwaters of the Stanislaus River. [140], Water diversions have historically been considered the major factor decreasing salmon and steelhead populations. The river is the largest tributary of the San Joaquin River. [34] Fur trapper James Warner, who visited the area in 1832, wrote of "Indian villages above the mouth [of the Stanislaus], as also at or near the junction with the San Joaquin" and described the region as thus: "On no part of the Continent over which I had been or since have traveled was so numerous an Indian population subsisting upon the natural products of the soil and waters as in the San Joaquin Valley. Take-out: 45 miles or so East of Sonora on Highway 108 take Clarks Fork Road and drive the mile or so to the bridge of the Middle Stanislaus. For most of their lengths, both forks flow in deep canyons through rugged, heavily forested terrain. An interim program started in 2016 allows the Stanislaus irrigation districts to sell some river water to the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, which represents federal contractors in the southern San Joaquin Valley, at premium prices. The Middle Fork Stanislaus River is a 45.7-mile (73.5 km) tributary of the Stanislaus River in the central Sierra Nevada and Stanislaus National Forest of eastern California. The Dardanelle Resort was established in 1923 at the convergence of Eagle Creek and the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River. The Stanislaus River headwaters consist of three forks in the high Sierra Nevada, in parts of Alpine County, Calaveras County and Tuolumne County. The Project is located on the Middle Fork Stanislaus River in Tuolumne County, California. Stanislaus River Middle Fork. Starting in the early 1900s, many dams were built to store and divert water; these were often paired with hydro-power systems, whose revenues covered the high cost of the water projects. The three dams combined could store 230,400 acre feet (0.2842 km3), more than tripling the water storage capacity on the Stanislaus River, and increased the reliable annual supply to almost 570,000 acre feet (0.70 km3). The Middle Fork Stanislaus converges with the North Fork and South Fork of the Stanislaus upstream of New Melones Reservoir. Damage from the 2018 Donnell Fire Take Clarks Fork Road and drive the mile or so to the bridge of the Middle Stanislaus. Stanislaus River, Middle Fork (Calif.) -- Pictorial works. Great spot with plenty of room to hike. [27][28], As both uplift and erosion continued, the Stanislaus River gradually carved the rugged canyons it flows through today, and contributed to the vast alluvial deposits that make up the flat floor of the Central Valley. [148], The effect of higher flows on anadromous fish has been difficult to quantify, in part due to the myriad of other factors such as pollution and non-native predators. [47], An unintended, but destructive consequence of European arrival was the introduction of foreign diseases. [119] Because the water is diverted so far upstream, it affords a head of over 1,000 feet (300 m) to the Stanislaus Powerhouse; the much heavier flow of the Middle Fork means that more power can be generated – about 91 megawatts at full capacity. Nahimutang ni sa kondado sa Tuolumne County ug estado sa California, sa habagatan-kasadpang bahin sa nasod, 3,700 km sa kasadpan sa Washington, D.C. Ang Middle Fork Stanislaus River mao ang bahin sa tubig-saluran sa San Joaquin River ang ulohan sa nasod. MIDDLE FORK STANISLAUS RIVER PLANNING UNIT Stanislaus River Watershed FINAL NOVEMBER 2007 LCP Volume II SR-7 Supporting Analysis for Recommendations Potential Measure: • Monitor OHV use at Stanislaus Forebay and determine the extent of future use and management. Road is steep, narrow and windy. The Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River has been a great fishery having some of the best fishable waters westside of the Sierras. There are a lot of acce... Find Local Fishing Spots on the Interactive Map! The upper portion of the Middle Fork parallels Highway 108 for several miles from … The main stem of the river is 96 miles (154 km) long, and measured to its furthest headwaters it is about 150 miles (240 km) long. 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