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50-536: The Cosumnes is one of very few rivers in the western Sierra without major dams. The Nature Conservancy's Cosumnes River Preserve is located just upstream from the Delta. Towns and cities along the Cosumnes River include Plymouth , Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse , Wilton , Elk Grove , and Galt . The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued an advisory regarding fish caught from

100-642: A popular rock-climbing area. The river then turns abruptly south and passes Nashville before joining the Middle Fork near Enterprise . The Middle Fork, 44.2 miles (71.1 km) long, also starts in El Dorado County, just two ridges south of the headwaters of the North Fork. It flows westward for its entire course, roughly parallel to the North Fork. The upper half of the river flows down a steep canyon, past Croft , receiving Dogtown Creek from

150-481: A volunteer naturalist, many different volunteering options are available. Volunteer Naturalist training at the Cosumnes River Preserve takes two training days covering plant and animal species present, volunteer opportunities, and information about the organizations that work with the preserve. Volunteers in the visitor center help to answer questions by visitors. Restoration projects in the form of

200-432: Is / k ə n ˈ s uː m ə s / ), which includes the epenthetic [n] in the first syllable, omits the initial [n] of the final syllable (as in "Mokelumne" and "Tuolumne"), has the expected value for the letter in an open syllable (created by the omission of the last [n]), and uses a final [s] rather than a [z]. Cosumnes River College , a two-year community college located in the southern part of Sacramento, California

250-569: Is a nature preserve of over 51,000 acres (210 km ) located 20 miles (30 km) south of Sacramento , in the US state of California . The preserve protects a Central Valley remnant that once contained one of the largest expanses of oak tree savanna, riparian oak forest and wetland habitat in North America. Agricultural development has changed the landscape from groves of oaks and tule marshes to productive farmlands. The Cosumnes River

300-460: Is a wetland habitat that experiences annual flooding. This area is a perennial stream that experiences late summer runoff that used to provide up welling groundwater to the preserve. With increased agricultural production however, much of the groundwater underneath the Cosumnes River Preserve has been depleted so it cannot recharge the wetland habitat during the early summer. During the wet season, which occurs between late fall and early spring, much of

350-622: Is named after the river being located only a few miles off campus. CRC's mascot is the Hawk due to the number of hawks that inhabit the river area. Flowing from the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada mountains, the Cosumnes starts as North, Middle and South forks cutting canyons through the El Dorado and Amador County Gold Country before converging just east of Highway 49 . The North Fork, about 49.3 miles (79.3 km) long, begins at

400-460: Is near the visitor center and a self-guided trip brochure with map is available. Tidal influence from the ocean is evident here with water levels changing several feet each day, exposing mudflats and sandbars. There are several named sloughs both east and west of the visitor center. Wood Duck Slough is the easternmost slough and has views of the Tall Forest, with large valley oaks overhanging

450-459: Is none in the first syllable. Given the etymological similarity between "Cosumnes," on the one hand, and "Tuolumne" and "Mokelumne" on the other (see next paragraph), a case can be made that the most accurate historical pronunciation is "kasumme," since the "n" is essentially silent in the pronunciation of both "Tuolumne" and Mokelumne," and there is no "s" or "z" sound at the end of those names. An older pronunciation common among Central Valley locals

500-689: Is the largest of the native California oak trees and can live to be 600 years old. With a vertical root system as deep as 80 feet, it can reach groundwater levels. The blue oak tolerates dry soil and can have a root system 30 feet deep. It has a distinctive blue tint in the green leaf color that can best be seen when compared to another nearby oak of a different type. The blue oak can live to be 400 years old and provides critical winter range for deer and other wildlife. The oaks provide several hundred pounds of nuts yearly, and at least 35 mammals and around 100 birds include oak acorns in their diet. Especially mule deer and western gray squirrel, who rely so much on

550-542: Is the last remaining free-flowing river in California's Central Valley, with the preserve located on the river's lower reach where it joins the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tidelands. The area supports a diverse range of plant and animal life, including three species of oak as well as rare plants like the endemic northern California black walnut ( Juglans hindsii ). Notable features include

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600-470: The California gold rush started in 1848, many miners settled in along the Cosumnes River hoping to find gold and get rich. Once realizing that there was not much gold in the region, they dammed the river and changed the landscape to grow hay, wheat, and various types of fruit. The Miwok people lost sources of food that they relied on and soon after villages and burial grounds were destroyed. Shortly after,

650-596: The Pacific Flyway . The river is part of a dynamic balance of natural processes that sustain the plant and animal life that depend upon it. "Every time a levee is repaired, the river is prevented from establishing a healthy floodplain, and every time river water is stored in a reservoir, the flow pulses essential for ecologic processes are eliminated." -Philip B. Williams, Ph.D., Reno, NV. August, 2001 (from his speech River Engineering Versus River Restoration given at an ASCE conference) The Cosumnes River Preserve

700-489: The preserve partners with almost 40,000 acres of that being used for agricultural production. Of those 46,000 acres, approximately 12,500 acres are easement lands and 16,500 acres are fee-owned lands. Currently the Cosumnes River Preserve uses both public and private lands as a location for migratory birds throughout the year as well preserving natural riparian oak woodlands, vernal pools, wetlands, and grasslands. The Elderberry longhorn beetle, California giant garter snake, and

750-639: The sandhill crane fall migration and the Tall Forest in Wood Duck Slough. More than 250 bird species, more than 40 fish species, and some 230 plant species have been identified here. Located on the bird migration route, the Pacific Flyway , the preserve is designated an Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy and National Audubon Society . Several rare birds, such as the Tri-colored Blackbird and

800-471: The Cosumnes Preserve floods which provides a perfect wetland habitat for many riparian species of flora and fauna. During the late summer and early fall, the Cosumnes River Preserve has no water flow which could potentially impact local aquatic plant species as well as fish. There are many species of plants that reside within the preserve besides the iconic Valley Oak ( Quercus lobata ). Some of

850-558: The Cosumnes River Preserve are the Perennial Pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) and Common water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ). The Cosumnes River Preserve is also a habitat for many mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the larger mammals that live on the preserve include beavers ( Castor canadensis ), otters ( Lontra canadensis ), mountain lions ( Puma concolor ), and black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ). Many smaller mammal species also exist within

900-465: The Cosumnes River throughout the year. Some of the paddle tours include the bat paddle, which allows visitors to witness tens of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats feed during sunset right over the heads of the visitors. The mountain lion research team gets to access closed parts of the preserve and places or checks game cameras to observe mountain lions that reside around the preserve. [REDACTED] Michigan Bar, California Michigan Bar

950-725: The Greater Sandhill Crane, have been identified. Many bird species that have been extirpated from most of the Central Valley are returning to the area. The preserve is between two growing urban centers, Sacramento in the north, and Stockton to the south, which threaten to constrict the protected areas to a narrow corridor extending from the Sierra foothills to the Sacramento River Delta. In total, there are over 51,000 acres that are owned by

1000-480: The Miwok moved out of the region where the Cosumnes River Preserve is and in 1999, the last person to speak Plains Miwuk died. The fast-disappearing valley oak ( Quercus lobata ) tree of California's Central Valley prompted The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation organization, to find and protect these trees from the rapid urban growth in the 1980s. After surveying the entire valley, the best stands were found on

1050-478: The Miwok tribe was about 10 persons per square mile which may have been the most out of any California tribe. The entire Miwok tribe consisted of 28 small groups which could range from 300 to 475 people. The Miwok people ate a diet consisting of acorns, various types of other seeds, deer, and fish. The local Miwok people practiced burning and other management practices to shape the land to create more opportunity for food. Through these methods of enhancing floodplains in

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1100-488: The North Fork to form the Cosumnes River. The Cosumnes River proper continues west, receiving Big Indian Creek from the south and passing under SR 49 (Golden Chain Highway). It winds through the scenic Sierra foothills through a series of short canyons separated by small ranching valleys. It receives Big Canyon Creek from the right, then Little Indian Creek from the left, before flowing through its last gorge and emerging at

1150-516: The North Fork – Camp Creek and Sly Park Creek – for irrigation in the Camino area. Sly Park Dam , which creates 41,000-acre-foot (51,000,000 m) Jenkinson Lake, is the largest water storage facility in the Cosumnes River watershed. The dam and reservoir are part of the extensive Central Valley Project . However, the project has negligible effects on river flows, and does not block historic salmon spawning runs. Dams have been proposed to be built on

1200-481: The Sierra Nevada Mountains. There is also a driving tour which allows visitors to see the scope of the conservation project, showing properties that are closed to the public. The Cosumnes River Preserve relies on volunteers to inform the public about plants and animals found within the preserve as well as helping the staff with restoration, conservation, and preservation. After becoming trained as

1250-406: The Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. However, its salmon and steelhead populations have been harmed by invasive fish species and pollution from illegal mining activity, as well as the two irrigation diversion structures near Rancho Murieta. There are plans to re-introduce salmon spawning into the river. Some water is diverted from two tributaries of

1300-541: The Singleton Springs in El Dorado County, at the head of Leek Spring Valley, 7,400 feet (2,300 m) above sea level. It flows west, past the unincorporated community of Meiss, receiving Van Horn Creek and Butte Creek from the right. At Somerset , it is joined by its largest tributary, Camp Creek, from the right. Below Camp Creek it flows through the granite narrows of the Cosumnes River Gorge,

1350-466: The Swainson's hawk are three threatened or endangered species that have been found living on the preserve. The Miwok Native American tribe settled the area around the Cosumnes River Preserve many centuries ago. They survived up through the 1900s with a 1910 census counting 670 Miwok Native Americans left. According to a 1770 estimate, there were approximately 9000 Miwok present. Population density for

1400-473: The Western Pond Turtle ( Actinemys marmorata ). The Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center is the hub for all activities concerning the preserve. Educational workshops, field trips and activity packets for teachers and students are provided through the visitor center. Recreation uses include wildlife-viewing, paddling, photography, nature study and limited fishing. The launch site for paddling

1450-416: The acorn crop that a poorly producing year can limit their populations. Threats to the trees include land-clearing, rodents and exotic grasses. The non-native grasses are more aggressive and produce more seed than the native perennials, which attracts seed-eaters like Botta's Pocket Gopher that also feed on acorns and oak seedlings. Restoration includes breaching the levees, allowing floodwaters to scour out

1500-517: The area, fish species may have had lower mortality rates and increased growth. After the mid 1700s, the Miwok way of life started to change with the arrival of the Spanish. Around 1770, a small group consisting of Spanish explorers decided that the Cosumnes River Preserve and other places within the Central Valley was a perfect pasture for grazing animals. Trappers came into the area around

1550-559: The body of water. The Cosumnes River is thought to have been named as the Mokelumne and Tuolumne rivers were, using the "-umne" suffix meaning "people of". The prefix is derived from the Miwok word "kosum" meaning "salmon". Chinook Salmon runs are rarely, if ever, seen above Rancho Murieta as a result of diversions in the area. Many locals pronounce the river's name / k ə n ˈ s uː m n ə s / , inserting an "n" where there

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1600-421: The conservancy purchased the property of 13,000 acres (53 km ) property using a combination of grants and loans. The loans included funds from the federal Clean Water Act 's State Revolving Fund. This was the first time these funds had been used to purchase and protect wetlands. Currently, the preserve is more than 46,000 acres (190 km ) with educational and scientific studies being conducted in one of

1650-537: The cooperative agreement include: US Bureau of Land Management , California Department of Water Resources , California State Lands Commission , Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks , California Department of Fish and Wildlife , Wildlife Conservation Board , Ducks Unlimited , Inc. and private landowners. In 1998, the Howard Ranch, located within the watershed area, was put up for sale. The ranch contains important wetlands, including vernal pools , and

1700-563: The former mining site of Michigan Bar . The entire stretch of the Cosumnes River between the confluence of the forks and a point one mile (1.6 km) above Michigan Bar define the El Dorado/Amador County line; below this point, the river flows into southern Sacramento County . The Cosumnes flows west through Rancho Murieta , an affluent outer suburb of the Sacramento metropolitan area . Two small diversion dams cross

1750-497: The largest conservation efforts begun on a watershed-sized scale. Collectively known as the Cosumnes River Project, it is a broad-based work to restore and protect the integrity of the river and associated landscapes including Central Valley habitats and wildlife. The Cosumnes River has no major dams on its course of 80 miles (130 km) and floods after heavy rains bringing in sediments that provide nutrients for

1800-432: The lower Cosumnes River and a preserve of 800 acres (3.2 km ) was established in 1987. With further study, scientists better understood the river-oak forest relationship; the "swamp oak" is another name for the valley oak because it thrives on deep, alluvial soils (which also makes good farmland) that the river deposits with seasonal flooding. The Conservancy realized that it needed a larger, broader view that included

1850-415: The main stem to control flows, but these plans have largely stalled because of the river's unique free-flowing status and its importance as a wildlife habitat. Sacramento County officials continue to lobby for the construction of a flood-control dry dam above Rancho Murieta at Michigan Bar. Such proposals are still the subject of ongoing debate. Cosumnes River Preserve The Cosumnes River Preserve

1900-531: The nearly 50,000-acre (20,000 ha) Cosumnes River Preserve , which include some of the largest remaining wetlands and riparian areas in the Central Valley. It enters the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta near Mokelumne City , turning west once more to join the Mokelumne on the border of Sacramento County and San Joaquin County . As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of

1950-446: The non-native grasses, reduce rodent populations and deposit sediment. With the buildup of sand and sediments in the flooded areas, studies have shown an increase growth of cottonwoods and willows, which in turn trap more sediments during the next flood cycles. The vegetation of oak, willow, alder, elderberry, cattails, and many other plants provide food, shelter and nesting sites for a wide range of wildlife, including migrating birds on

2000-648: The preserve home. Two of the native fish species that have been recorded within the preserve are Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) and Tule perch ( Hysterocarpus traskii ). A few amphibians and reptiles that have been spotted on the preserve include the California Tiger Salamander ( Ambystoma californiense ), the Giant Garter Snake ( Thamnophis gigas ), the Western Fence Lizard ( Sceloporus occidentalis ), and

2050-408: The preserve in the early 1800s but found that there was no place to settle and the fur trapping was not worth it. The Mexican government started issuing land grants in 1844 and John Sutter who was a European immigrant was one of the first to colonize the Cosumnes River area. John Sutter founded the colony New Helvetia and soon some of his assistants moved out to the Cosumnes River Preserve area. Once

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2100-510: The preserve such as muskrats ( Ondatra zibethicus ), black-tailed jackrabbits ( Lepus californicus ), and raccoons ( Procyon lotor ). Many people traveling to the preserve will witness local bird species such as the red-tailed hawks(Buteo jamaicensis), swainson's hawks ( Buteo swainsoni ), Nuttall's woodpeckers ( Picoides nuttallii ). Many migratory bird species including the greater and lesser sandhill cranes ( Grus canadensis ), tundra swan ( Cygnus columbianus ), and various species of ducks also call

2150-460: The removal of invasive plants or creating wood duck boxes for wood ducks is also an option. Bird and raptor surveys are done at least once a year to get a population estimate on birds of prey and waterfowl that migrate or live within the Cosumnes River Preserve. Other volunteer options are available such as working with the paddle team, leading guided nature walks, or helping with the mountain lion research team. The paddle team takes visitors on tours of

2200-489: The right at Omo Ranch . Below Omo Ranch it flows through a gentler valley, past Outingdale , then enters another short canyon where it receives the South Fork Cosumnes River from the left. The smaller South Fork, about 20 miles (32 km) long, flows generally west then northwest along the El Dorado/Amador County line, to join the Middle Fork. Shortly below this confluence the combined rivers join with

2250-522: The river near Van Vleck Park just upstream from the town. Below Rancho Murieta the Cosumnes flows through an agricultural valley, turning southwest near Sloughhouse . A few miles downstream the Folsom South Canal crosses under the Cosumnes River via an inverted siphon . The Cosumnes continues southwest, passing Sheldon and Wilton , receives Deer Creek from the right, then is crossed by Highway 99 near Elk Grove . Below Highway 99 it enters

2300-410: The river, floodplains, the whole watershed. As a result, in 1993, the conservancy moved beyond its hallmark of outright land purchases and into cooperative agreements with farmers, water-and flood control agencies, and shared in management responsibility with federal, state and local land agencies toward the goal of protecting a watershed of 1,200 square miles (3,100 km ) in size. Some partners in

2350-482: The species that are located close to the water are Cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), cattail ( Typhaceae typha ), Broadleaf Arrowhead ( Sagittaria latifolia ), and Pampas Grass ( Cortaderia selloana ). Other plants in the preserve include Wild California Grape ( Vitis californica ), California Rose ( Rosa californica ), and the Elderberry tree ( Adoxaceae Sambucus ). Two greatly invasive plant species that occur around

2400-455: The vegetation, as well as recharging groundwater levels. In addition, removal of the man-made levees allows more inundation of floodwaters and is what ecologist Rich Reiner terms "natural process restoration". Notable trees in the preserve include valley oak and blue oak. The valley oak was once common in central California, forming large groves along rivers and streams. In grasslands, they form open savannas along with blue oaks. The valley oak

2450-473: The water and providing deep shade. "The scene is reminiscent of Bogart and Hepburn on the African Queen ", writes author Charlie Pike in his book, Paddling Northern California . Hiking trails include short "walks" that showcase wetland plants and animals, to longer trails, such as the 7 miles (11 km) roundtrip Howard Ranch trail that has vernal pools, riparian habitat and views of oak woodland and

2500-594: Was a former mining camp near a sandbar in the Cosumnes River in Sacramento County, California which was founded by two gold miners from Michigan . The town site expanded out of the mining camp and by the 1850s contained a population of around 1500. By 1899, it had its own post office. Later hydraulic mining destroyed the original settlement, when the name came to designate a mining district. California Historical Landmark #468 marks part of

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