North Yuba River

The North Yuba River (also called the North Fork Yuba River) is the main tributary of the Yuba River in northern California in the United States. The river is about 61 miles (98 km) long and drains from the Sierra Nevada westwards towards the foothills between the mountains and the Sacramento Valley.

North Yuba River
The North Yuba at Downieville, c. 1934
Map of the Yuba River watershed, including the North Yuba River
Location
Country	United States
State	California
Physical characteristics
Source	Yuba Pass
• location	Near State Route 49, Sierra Nevada
• coordinates	39°37′03″N 120°29′53″W
• elevation	7,018 ft (2,139 m)
Mouth	Yuba River
• location	West of North San Juan, Yuba County
• coordinates	39°22′07″N 121°08′11″W
• elevation	1,129 ft (344 m)
Length	61 mi (98 km)
Basin size	489 sq mi (1,270 km2)
Discharge
• location	above New Bullards Bar Reservoir
• average	1,248 cu ft/s (35.3 m3/s)
• minimum	78 cu ft/s (2.2 m3/s)
• maximum	63,400 cu ft/s (1,800 m3/s)

It rises on the Sierra Crest about 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Sierraville. The river flows west through meadows, then south into a gorge, turning west again, followed by California State Route 49. The river's four major tributaries, the Downie River, Goodyears Creek, Canyon Creek and Slate Creek, enter from the right before the river abruptly turns south at the New Bullards Bar Reservoir, formed by the New Bullards Bar Dam. The dam is situated right above the river's mouth; just after the North Yuba leaves the dam it empties into the Middle Yuba River and forms the Yuba River.