Salmon Falls, California
Encyclopedia
El Dorado County, California
El Dorado County is a county located in the historic Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills of the U.S. state of California. The 2010 population was 181,058. The El Dorado county seat is in Placerville....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It was located on the South Fork of the American River
American River
The American River is a California watercourse noted as the site of Sutter's Mill, northwest of Placerville, California, where gold was found in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush...
5.5 miles (9 km) south-southwest of Pilot Hill
Pilot Hill, California
Pilot Hill is an unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California. It is located west-northwest of Placerville, at an elevation of 1175 feet ....
, at an elevation of 469 feet (143 m). It was flooded by Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake is a reservoir in Northern California about northeast of Sacramento in Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento Counties. The lake is formed by Folsom Dam, constructed in 1955 to control the American River. The dam and lake are part of the Folsom Project, which also includes the Nimbus...
. Nearby were waterfalls from which the place got its name.
Overview
Mining began at Salmon Falls in 1848, and the town was founded in 1850. The post office arrived in 1851, and remained in operation until 1912, with closures during parts of 1875 and 1893.Salmon Falls, California was an old mining town established along the banks of the American River
American River
The American River is a California watercourse noted as the site of Sutter's Mill, northwest of Placerville, California, where gold was found in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush...
at the mouth of Sweetwater Creek (northeast of present-day Folsom, California
Folsom, California
Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California, United States. Folsom is most commonly known for its famous Folsom Prison. The population was 72,203 at the 2010 census....
). After the building of Folsom Dam
Folsom Dam
Folsom Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the American River in Northern California, about northeast of Sacramento. Folsom Dam is high concrete and long, flanked by earthen wing dams...
in the 1950's, Salmon Falls is typically immersed in water throughout much of the year. However, at low-water levels old foundations, roads, and the old Salmon Falls Bridge are easily accessible.
Remains from residents at the local cemetery were relocated along with residents of other towns that were flooded after Folsom Dam was built (see Mormon Island).