UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest reported)  March 16, 2006
                                           ---------------


                            American River Bankshares
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its chapter)



         California                    0-31525                 68-0352144
----------------------------         ------------          -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction         (Commission             (IRS Employer
     Of incorporation)               File Number)          Identification No.)


3100 Zinfandel Drive, Suite 450, Rancho Cordova, California       95670
------------------------------------------------------------   -----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code       (916) 851-0123
                                                     ---------------------


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:

[ ]  Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Solicitation material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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The Index to Exhibits is on Page 3


Item 8.01. Other Events

Registrant issued a press release March 16, 2006 announcing a $0.15 cash
dividend. The foregoing description is qualified by reference to the press
release attached here to as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (c)      Exhibits

                  (99.1)   Press release dated March 16, 2006



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                    AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES


                                    /s/ MITCHELL A. DERENZO
                                    --------------------------------------------
March 16, 2006                      Mitchell A. Derenzo, Chief Financial Officer


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.       Description                                         Page
-----------       -------------------------------                     ----

  99.1            Press release of American River                      4
                  Bankshares dated March 16, 2006




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