The Stanislaus River flows through Stanislaus County from 1.2 miles upstream from the Knights Ferry covered bridge to its confluence with the San Joaquin River at Two Rivers. Between Knights Ferry Recreation Area and Oakdale Recreation Area, the river is divided into hotspots that are five river miles long or shorter. If you bird along the river downstream from Oakdale Recreation Area, be aware that the county line with San Joaquin County runs along the river course from just upstream from Waterford to the river mouth, with the middle of the river being the county line in most places. On this portion, the south bank is in Stanislaus County and the north bank is part of San Joaquin County. The entire length of the Stanislaus River below Knights Ferry is navigable year around by Kayak or raft and is all class one except for the class 2 Russian Rapid just downstream from Knights Ferry, but caution is strongly advised whenever river flows are high. A portage around the Russian Rapid is available. Upstream from Knights Ferry, portions of the river are class 5, so do not run the river between Two Mile Bar and Knights ferry unless you are an expert paddler with proper paddling and safety gear. Please use these hotspots to report your sightings only when birding on the river or immediately alongside the river.