Cosumnes River

For the California wine region, see Cosumnes River AVA.
Cosumnes River
View of the lower Cosumnes River
Map of the Mokelumne River watershed, with the Cosumnes River highlighted
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CitiesPlymouth, Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse, Wilton, Elk Grove, Galt.
Physical characteristics
SourceSierra Nevada
 • locationConfluence of North and Middle Forks, El Dorado County
 • coordinates38°33′13″N 120°50′50″W / 38.55361°N 120.84722°W / 38.55361; -120.84722[1]
 • elevation787 ft (240 m)
MouthMokelumne River
 • location
Near Galt, Sacramento County
 • coordinates
38°15′20″N 121°26′21″W / 38.25556°N 121.43917°W / 38.25556; -121.43917[1]
 • elevation
13 ft (4.0 m)
Length52.5 mi (84.5 km)[2]
Basin size724 sq mi (1,880 km2)[3]
Discharge 
 • locationMichigan Bar[4]
 • average492 cu ft/s (13.9 m3/s)[5]
 • minimum0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s)
 • maximum93,000 cu ft/s (2,600 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftMiddle Fork Cosumnes River
 • right
  • North Fork Cosumnes River
    • Camp Creek
      • Baltic Creek

The Cosumnes River is a river in northern California in the United States. It rises on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and flows approximately 52.5 miles (84.5 km)[2] into the Central Valley, emptying into the Mokelumne River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

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 the body of water.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Cosumnes River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. 1981-01-19. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference NHD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "USGS Gage #11336000 on the Cosumnes River at McConnell, CA (Annual Statistics)". National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 1942–1980. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  4. ^ "USGS Gage #11335000 on the Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar, CA: Water-Data Report 2010" (PDF). National Water Information System (1908-2010). U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  5. ^ "USGS Gage #11335000 on the Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar, CA: Water-Data Report 2010" (PDF). National Water Information System (1908-2010). U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  6. ^ Admin, OEHHA (2014-12-30). "Cosumnes River, Lower". OEHHA. Retrieved 2018-06-12.