McCloud River
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The McCloud River is a tributary of the Sacramento River, approximately 50 mi (80 km) long, in northern California in the United States. It drains a scenic mountainous area of the Cascade Range north of Redding. The river is named for 19th century California settler Ross McCloud.
It rises from several spring-fed streams in the Cascades approximately 10 mi (16 km) southeast of Mount Shasta along the Siskiyou-Shasta county line. It flows initially west, passing south of Mt. Shasta and receiving streams that drain the southern slope of the peak. From Mt. Shasta in flows generally southwest through Lake McCloud and through the Shasta National Forest. It joins Shasta Lake, formed by the Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River, approximately 15 mi (24 km) north of Redding, with the lower 10 mi (16 km) of the river forming the middle arm of the reservoir.
The river is popular fly fishing destination and is considered to be an especially good steelhead stream, flowing from one cold water pool to another as it drains through the mountains. Regulated outflows from Lake McCloud on the upper maintain a constant cool temperature in the pools allowing for an optimal habitat for the fish.