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Watershed facts

  • The Upper Fresno River Watershed consists of 234 square miles of land which drains into the Fresno River north of Hensley Lake.  The watershed is approximately 33 miles in length and 7 miles in width.  Elevations range from 400 feet to 7,000 feet above sea level.
  • The Upper Fresno River Watershed is bordered by the Chowchilla River Watershed to the north and the San Joaquin River Watershed to the south. 
  • The Fresno River has several major tributaries including Nelder Creek, Peterson Creek, Miami Creek, China Creek, Crook Creek, and Coarsegold Creek. 
  • Towns and communities in the watershed include Sugar Pine, Oakhurst, Ahwahnee, Coarsegold, Indian Lakes and Yosemite Lakes Park.  Land uses include ranching, mining, residential, commercial, tourism, and open space.   
  • The watershed starts just south of Yosemite National Park.  Recreational opportunities include Nelder Grove Historical Area, Miami Motorcycle Trails, Ahwahnee Regional Park, the Oakhurst River Parkway, Fresno Flats Historical Museum, Grub Gulch Historical Area, and Hensley Lake. 
  • Watershed concerns include wildfire risks, invasive weeds, water supply reliability, and water quality, both from naturally occurring contaminants and human activities.
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