The Stanislaus River in California is one of the largest tributaries of the San Joaquin River. The river is 65 miles (104 km) long and has north, middle and south forks. The north and south forks meet several miles upstream from New Melones Lake and the middle fork joins the north fork a few miles before that. The Stanislaus river is extensively dammed and diverted producing an ideal flow of water throughout the summer that is perfect for raft rental float trips. Donnells Dam on the middle fork forms Donell Lake, high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Downstream is Beardsley Dam, which forms Beardsley Lake. McKays' Point Diversion Dam diverts water on the north fork for hydroelectricity production and domestic use. The New Melones Dam blocks the river after the confluence of all three forks. Downstream from New Melones Lake, there is Tulloch Dam, which forms Tulloch Reservoir. There are no major dams below Tulloch, and the Stanislaus eventually meets the San Joaquin River and flows into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
The river is named for Estanislao, a Miwok leader from Mission San José, who led a band of 400 former mission alcylotes against the Mexican government in 1828–1829. The band made its base along the banks of the river, then known as the Rio Laquisimes.
