Rubicon River (California)
The Rubicon River is a major tributary of the Middle Fork American River in the Sierra Nevada of Northern California, west of Lake Tahoe. Its length is with a watershed of about . The river's headwaters are in the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada, within the Eldorado National Forest's Desolation Wilderness. Historically, the Rubicon River was known as the South Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River. Headwaters. The Rubicon River originates at near Clyde Lake in El Dorado County. It flows north-northwest for approximately until it reaches Rubicon Reservoir. The river  then travels northwest and within of the Rubicon Reservoir is met by Highland Creek, Miller Creek, and the Little Rubicon River. It continues northwest for approximately to Hell Hole Reservoir. Shortly after the river begins flowing southwest from the reservoir, it serves as a border between El Dorado and Placer Counties, and joins the South Fork of the Rubicon River. South Fork. The South Fork of the Rubicon River originates about a mile southeast of Loon Lake. It flows southwest for several miles until it is joined by Gerle Creek, and then travels west to its confluence with the Rubicon  River. The river slowly changes course and eventually heads northwest again, finally, joining the Middle Fork of the American River about northeast of Auburn. The Middle Fork meets the North Fork of the American River in the Auburn State Recreation Area below the Foresthill Bridge, and flows into Folsom Lake. The reservoirs and trails along the Rubicon River are recreation areas, managed primarily by the Eldorado National Forest.