North Fork Tuolumne River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Fork Tuolumne River |
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 Location of the North Fork in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sierra Nevada near Pinecrest 7,406 ft (2,257 m) 38°11′12″N 119°56′07″W / 38.18667°N 119.93528°W |
| River mouth | Tuolumne River Lake Don Pedro 853 ft (260 m) 37°53′49″N 120°15′14″W / 37.89694°N 120.25389°W |
| Length | 35.7 mi (57.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 69.2 sq mi (179 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The North Fork Tuolumne River is a river in California. It is about 35.7 miles (57.5 km) long. This river is a major branch of the Tuolumne River. It flows through Tuolumne County.
The river starts high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Its source is above the Dodge Ridge Ski Area. This area is near a town called Pinecrest. The river begins inside the Stanislaus National Forest.
Where the River Flows
From its start, the North Fork Tuolumne River flows mostly southwest. It passes by several small towns. These include Long Barn, Twain Harte, and Tuolumne.
After Long Barn, the river goes through a narrow canyon. It then joins the main Tuolumne River. This meeting point is at the top of Lake Don Pedro. This lake is about 5 miles (8 km) north of Groveland.
A Wild and Free River
The North Fork Tuolumne River is special. It is one of the few rivers in the Sierra Nevada foothills that does not have large dams. This means its natural flow is mostly undisturbed.
Sometimes, groups have wanted to build dams on this river. They hoped to create hydropower. This is a way to make electricity using the power of flowing water. However, the North Fork has remained free-flowing so far.
Fun on the River
Part of the North Fork Tuolumne River is popular for whitewater rafting. The lower 7.8 miles (12.6 km) of the river is a Class V whitewater run. This means it is very challenging and exciting!
Because the river's watershed is small, it usually only has enough water for boating after heavy rain. This makes it a unique adventure for experienced rafters.
