The Kings River is a major river of California, USA. It arises in the Sierra Nevada, consisting of three forks. The Middle and South Forks start in Kings Canyon National Park, while the North Fork starts in the John Muir Wilderness. The South Fork flows in Kings Canyon: a spectacular 8000' deep glacial valley. The forks join in the foothills of the Sierra, where the river becomes an attraction for whitewater rafting. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range that is almost entirely in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of California. ... This article is about Kings Canyon National Park, USA. For Kings Canyon, Australia, see Kings Canyon (Northern Territory). ... Typical terrain in the John Muir Wilderness The John Muir Wilderness is a wilderness area that extends along the crest of the Sierra Nevada of California, USA for approximately 100 miles (150 km), in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. ... Dusy Basin in eastern Kings Canyon National Park Kings Canyon National Park is a national park in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Fresno, California. ... A glacier is a large, long-lasting river of ice that is formed on land and moves in response to gravity and undergoes internal deformation. ... Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a rivers gradient drops enough to form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white. ... Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. ...

In the foothills, the water from the river is impounded at Pine Flat Dam. In the Central Valley, the river flows south of Fresno, California, where its water is diverted for agriculture. The river channel feeds into the Tulare Lake basin, which is currently dry. A photo of Pine Flat Dam taken in 2003. ... The California Central Valley The California Central Valley dominates the central portion of the state of California. ... Nickname: Fresno, the All American City & Raisin Capital of the World Location in the state of California County Fresno  - Mayor Alan Autry Area    - City 271. ... Tulare Lake is an extinct fresh-water lake that was formerly the largest to be completely enclosed within the territories of the Unites States. ...

Kings River was named by Gabriel Moraga on one of the first expeditions by the Spanish to the Central Valley of California in 1806. Kings river was originally named Rio de los Santos Reyes (River of the Holy Kings). Spanish army officer Gabriel Moraga was one of the first Europeans to explore Californias Great Central Valley. ... 1806 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

On the valley floor the Kings River is responsible for certain groundwater recharge. There is evidence in the Hanford area that depths to groundwater are increasing, indicating concern for safe yields of this basin.^[1] Hanford is the county seat of Kings County, California. ...

References

See also

• List of California rivers