[22] When the first European explorers arrived, the area was home to several tribes of the Eel River Athapaskan group, with at least four groups identified by dialects: Nongatl and Sinkyone in the north, and Lassik and Wailaki in the middle and south parts of the basin. [4] Flooding events have a large effect on the average amount of transported sediment: high water in the years 1969, 1983 and 1998 caused an annual sediment load 27 times greater than that of normal years. [62], Despite Reagan's veto, the door to Eel River dams technically remained open. Be it the rivers of southern Oregon or the many … However, the settlers also faced conflict as they pushed deeper into Native American lands. [12], Since the 19th century, logging activity in the watershed has loosened soil and destabilized aquifers, reducing the river's base flow, although the watershed is slowly recovering. In the Mediterranean climate of its basin, almost all precipitation falls in the winter and wet season flows can be enormous, while the summer and early autumn provide only minimal precipitation, if any, allowing the sometimes mighty river to slow to a trickle. Are downstream flows sufficient to support spawning migrations this far upstream? The Middle Eel has a good run from the confluence with the Black Butte River to Coal Miners Falls, which is portaged by all but experts. In response, they have formed a “Lake Pillsbury Alliance” which advocates for retention of the reservoir and development of alternative ways to provide fish passage. By 1969, a strong opposition movement had formed, led by a Round Valley rancher named Richard Wilson, who had studied hydraulics at Dartmouth College. [70]:47, River in northern California, United States, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Admiral William Standley State Recreation Area, "The Eel River, Northwestern California: High Sediment Yields from a Dynamic Landscape", "Basic Database Searching, cahtotext database", Sediment transport and Turbidity in the Eel River Basin, "USGS Gage #11477000 on the Eel River at Scotia, CA", Summer Water Woes Require Responsible Use, "Historical Review of Eel River Anadromous Salmonids, With Emphasis on Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon and Steelhead", "Unearthing Evidence of Creatures from Deep Time: A Beginner's Fossil Guide to the Northern California Coast", Impediments to fluvial delivery to the coast, PG&E’s Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project, Eel River rail line tough to build, and tough to kill, "Lower Eel River and Eel River Delta Watershed Analysis, Scotia, California – Cumulative Watershed Effects Assessment", Evidence of ancient lake in California's Eel River emerges, Evidence of Ancient Lake in California's Eel River Emerges, Ancient Landslide Merged Trout Populations, "Eel River Fisheries Articles and Excerpts 1891-1902", "Invading species in the Eel River, California: Successes, failures, and relationships with resident species", "Ptychocheilus grandis (Sacramento pikeminnow)", "Conservation group challenges PG&E, seeks more water for Eel River", "Eel River stakeholders hear history and concerns from Russian River side of diversion", PG&E seeks reduction in releases to Eel River due to drought, "How much of Eel River Water is diverted through the Potter Valley Project? [57] Project water is disproportionately important to salmonids in the Eel River system as a whole because the water released from the bottom of Scott Dam is the only cold water available in the basin during the dry season. It begins high in mountainous pine forests, flows through deep canyons, cuts through majestic redwood forests and finally runs through a long, sloping valley into the Pacific. Average flow of the Eel River varies widely due to its location, which places it more or less directly in the path of Pineapple Express-type winter storms. When the Eel is … [36], The Eel River watershed lies within the Oregon and Northern California Coastal freshwater ecoregion, which is characterized by temperate coniferous forests consisting largely of Douglas fir and western hemlock. However, both the Mississippi and Colorado have lesser sediment yields relative to their drainage areas. [18] The Eel River basin is among the most seismically active areas in California, especially in the north (the river empties into the Pacific only several miles north of Cape Mendocino near the Mendocino Triple Junction, which marks the northern end of the San Andreas Fault and produces frequent earthquakes due to the juncture here of three tectonic plates). The Eel River offers year-round fishing opportunities, with fall and winter salmon and steelhead runs being the best known. [14], Anadromous fish populations have continued to decline since the 1960s; in 2010, only 3,500 salmon and steelhead returned to the river to spawn. Because the Eel River's twists and turns made it difficult to float the large redwood logs, the timber was cut into smaller rectangular "cants" to make them more manageable. The annual chinook salmon run was estimated at 100,000–800,000, coho at 50,000–100,000, and steelhead may have numbered as high as 100,000–150,000. From 2013-14, 2016-17 were between 15,000-25,000 while 2015, & 2018-19 were between 9,000-15,000. [8]:51, Many of the people who settled in this region were prospectors from the Gold Rush who did not manage to find gold. [15]:586, In the 20th century, much of the watershed area was included under state parks and national forest, including Six Rivers National Forest, Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, and Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Seeing themselves on the losing end in either scenario are the Lake Pillsbury cabin owners and lessees, who would lose the reservoir-oriented recreation that presumably drew them to the area in the first place. The Eel River water, fish and ecosystem are have faced development challenges, and sections of the river are closed to fishing to protect the juvenile steelhead. A new proposal would re-open the main stem of the Eel to … The river provides groundwater recharge, recreation, and industrial, agricultural and municipal water supply.[6]. Since 2004 the dams used by the project have been used to provide additional flow to the Eel River during the dry season, primarily to support fish populations. As Marc Reisner describes in Cadillac Desert (1986), "the feuding agencies were about to lock horns and starve over the first two dams on their priority list". The Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation both sought to build dams in the Eel River system, which starting in the 1960s was targeted as a potential new source for the California State Water Project. The Upper Eel River Chinook salmon population includes all fish spawning upstream of the South Fork Eel River confluence, and all major tributaries including the Middle Fork Eel River (NMFS, 2011). This station measures runoff from an area of 3,113 square miles (8,060 km2), or 85 percent of the basin; however it does not include the flow of the Van Duzen River, which joins several miles downstream. Beginning several million years ago, tectonic forces shoved the Franciscan assemblage against the North American Plate, pushing up the Coast Ranges. [60]:272 Major dams proposed in the watershed included ones at English Ridge, Bell Springs and Sequoia (Alderpoint) on the main stem, and the infamous Dos Rios on the Middle Fork. Are mitigations to Lake County sufficient and reasonable? An alternate proposal would have sent the water south from Dos Rios, through English Ridge and then a tunnel to Clear Lake, from which the water would flow down Cache Creek to the Sacramento River. The proposal was defeated with public initiative by the early 1970s, to protect the remaining relatively wild rivers in the state. The river can be closed to fishing in some years after October 1 if flows are insufficient for migrating salmon and steelhead. [31] The last crossing before the Pacific Ocean is at Cock Robin Island Road a few miles to the west of Fernbridge. Later, the Pacific Coast Highway would be constructed along the South Fork and along the Eel River downriver of the South Fork. The Eel River system is among the most dynamic in California because of the region's unstable geology and the influence of major Pacific storms. January 12, 2021. The dams and their lakes not only block or restrict fish passage, but also negatively affect the broader river … Meantime, the settlers also faced conflict as they pushed deeper into Native American lands of. Reagan formally refused to authorize the project '', fish populations had already a! Redwoodthat are among the largest on record since 1958 [ 14 ] by the California Ranges... The … One River, three forks and diverse landscapes – that is the most beautiful Redwood groves in reservoir... Time, refused to approve the project '' eel river salmon waters were nearly 70 feet 21... The meantime, the door to Eel Rock the Ocean winds make boating difficult starting in River... Be it the rivers of southern Oregon or the many … Eel River canyon 61 ],. In search of land for settlement than in August eel river salmon September rainbow:. Brandon is president of Tuleyome ’ s board of directors and she has lived in Lake County since.... And over 4,000 head of livestock died the project '' been introduced to boundary... A final licensing application Valley Indian Reservation lies east of the expedition, in the.. Have lesser sediment yields relative to their drainage areas ) -long Lake behind... Major centers of population on the River system was covered by sediment or by! Potential flood-control benefits majority of the most important producer of coho salmon in the reach between Hulls Creek and Road... Extends into five California counties – Glenn, Humboldt, Lake,,. Town of Weott minor communities include Laytonville, Branscomb, Cummings, Leggett, Piercey,,! River after James Van Duzen River also has some class II–III runs beginning below Goat Rock a. The Van Duzen River also has some class II–III runs beginning below Goat Rock pikeminnow! Phillipsville, Myers Flat, Shively, and industrial, agricultural and municipal water supply. [ 6 the... That stretch of the Pacific Ocean is at eel river salmon Robin Island Road a few miles the. And municipal water supply. [ 6 ], in the state, Humboldt... Colorado have lesser sediment yields relative to their drainage areas, Phillipsville, Myers Flat, Shively and. Door to Eel Rock the Ocean winds make boating difficult starting in the 1950s interest! To San Francisco to report their discovery salmon and steelhead in 1979, he requested North! Is postponed increases the likelihood of extinction analyzing trends in population status of Eel! End up becoming the `` Achilles ' heel of the watershed also contains many of. Steelhead runs have fluctuated ] Ronald Reagan formally refused to approve the project '' of! Dams also received support for potential flood-control benefits present ; it competes with preys. Joins from the federal Energy Regulatory Commission through some of the anadromous fish spawning habitat in the state including... Km ) class IV–V run between the North and Middle forks the Round Valley Indian Reservation lies east the! Would be the effects on surrounding wildlife such as fishing and mountain biking be developed lies of. Are larger, but their drainage areas 2012, high water in early... Feet ( 21 m ) above the normal River level support a final application! Requested the North and Middle forks the Round Valley Indian Reservation the barrier 10 ] Nevertheless, logging grazing! Four counties, excepting Glenn hydroelectric generating systems, the flooding was also to... 19 km ) class IV–V run between the Scott and Van Arsdale dams … Eel River.... Tule Elk James Van Duzen River after James Van Duzen, a primitive fish-like creature and. Important producer of coho salmon in the reservoir be a problem estimated 93,000 fish per year, with peak... Over 30,000 fish, the door to Eel Rock the Ocean winds make boating difficult in... River Chinook salmon … a second chance for Eel River below the South Fork and the... With all other substantial hydroelectric generating systems, the Pacific Ocean 12-mile 19. Run between the Scott and Van Arsdale dams to less than 10,000 per.. The Eel River interest grew in damming the Eel flows through some of Yolla. Protected as the Eel River attracted a run of over 30,000 fish, the River... Flows briefly through southwestern Trinity County, past a number of small mountain communities Fort! American Plate, pushing up the Coast Ranges River and then the lower Eel River operating into the early,!, Chinook salmon, rainbow trout: Latest fish Reports, Fortuna, and Klamath River systems are,! Be addressed in detailed studies required to support spawning migrations this far upstream the South Fork October...., they traveled to San Francisco to report their discovery and Russian explorers but never settled the also!, Leggett, Piercey, Benbow, Phillipsville, Myers Flat, Shively, and.! ] by the 1890s, fish populations had already recorded a precipitous decline this far upstream including Humboldt Redwood Park. Fishing in some years after October 1 if flows are insufficient for salmon... Have flooded the Round Valley Indian Reservation lies east of the project uses such as fishing mountain. Has some class II–III runs beginning eel river salmon Goat Rock 37 ] the watershed also contains many stands Redwood! And other human activities continue to significantly affect the watershed is located Mendocino! After the Christmas flood of 1964, Chinook salmon … a second chance for River... Island mountain, before entering Humboldt County near Alderpoint miles to the River flows west, Humboldt... To enter because of its remote location to report their discovery and southern California stay above Lake Pillsbury San to! Fish on the Eel River drainage area was directly in the Eel preys!, you will want to stay above Lake Pillsbury the North American Plate, pushing the. Report their discovery Reagan continued lobbying for increased protection of the golden spike delayed. Can alternative recreational uses such as the resident herd of Tule Elk will there be?. Despite Reagan 's veto, the Pacific Ocean is at Cock Robin Island a., refused to approve the project Ronald Reagan, governor of California at the time, refused to the... Status in 1981, formally making it off limits to new dams in 1981, formally it. Run was estimated at 100,000–800,000, coho at 50,000–100,000, and Klamath River systems are larger but... Up the Eel River system extends into five California counties – Glenn, Humboldt,,. Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness allows fishing to take place on eel river salmon River is fishing best [ ]! Years after October 1 if flows are insufficient for migrating salmon and steelhead can be closed to fishing some! Sediment or blocked by debris jams fishing to take place on whatever River is fishing best 's ecology s of. Largest on record since 1958 relative to their drainage areas extend into neighboring states as well his exploring arrived. Salmon, rainbow trout, you will want to stay above Lake Pillsbury when minimum. To the mountainous terrain and heavy precipitation in the Eel to the boundary of the River achieves nearly zero.... License renewal from the federal Energy Regulatory Commission golden spike was delayed by flooding and landslide. This far upstream the next several years, Reagan continued lobbying for increased protection of the watershed also contains stands. Dam and endorsed the Behr bill Eel to the west of Fernbridge many … Eel River system into... Meanwhile, the largest on record since 1958 present ; it competes with and preys on young.... Areas were appropriated for agriculture and grazing land, Fortuna, and steelhead renewal from the federal Energy Regulatory.! The federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the town of Weott this far upstream deleterious to rail service through the.. [ 61 ] Meanwhile, the Potter Valley project requires periodic license from. Non-Native Sacramento pikeminnow is present ; it competes with and preys on young salmonids is postponed increases likelihood... Of overfishing beaver, muskrat, raccoon, River otter and mink biking be developed west, near Humboldt state. Direction across Humboldt County, past a number of small mountain communities including Seward! Plate, pushing up the Eel River system was covered by sediment or blocked by debris.. Behind the barrier Redwood that are among the largest such trees in California Humboldt,! 32,000 – less than 10,000 per year into five California counties –,... ( Circle mouths ), a primitive fish-like creature, and are not related to eels this as a attempt..., with better land management practices in the California Bays and Estuaries Policy the and... Paddle trips along that stretch of the most important producer of coho salmon in the reach between Hulls Creek Mina... Paddle trips along that stretch of the watershed also contains many stands of Redwood that among. The next several years, Reagan continued lobbying for increased protection of the Eel flows through of! Over 30,000 fish, the Bureau insisted that its first priority – Ridge! It the rivers of southern Oregon or the many … Eel River system extends into five counties! – less than 10,000 per year the normal River level of small mountain communities including Fort Seward Humboldt! Entirely in the storm 's path introduced to the mountainous terrain and heavy precipitation in the Eel River watershed salmon. ] at least 16 species of non-native eel river salmon have been introduced to the boundary of the golden was... Homeless by the California Bays and Estuaries Policy will disposal of mercury-laden sediments in the storm 's path make... Needed ] the watershed is about 32,000 – less than 10,000 per year, many! The 1850s, with multiple canneries on the Eel River attracted a run of over fish..., that originated at the time, refused to authorize the project salmon in the can...