description Eel River Delta Overview
The Eel River Delta is the tidal, estuarine region where California's Eel River spreads through low-lying channels and wetlands before reaching the Pacific Ocean. It is associated with a rich estuarine ecosystem, while the broader Eel River watershed is described as the third-largest watershed located entirely within California. The delta is relevant to readers studying river mouths, coastal wetlands, and Pacific drainage systems.
help Eel River Delta FAQ
Where does the Eel River Delta empty?
The Eel River Delta lies on California's North Coast, where the Eel River reaches the Pacific Ocean. Its estuarine wetlands sit south of Humboldt Bay and connect river channels with coastal habitat. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/rivers/river/eel)
How large is the Eel River watershed?
The watershed covers about 3,684 square miles and is the third-largest watershed located entirely within California. The river's mainstem runs for more than 200 air miles through northern California. [Eel River Action Plan](https://eelriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Eel-River-Action-Plan-2016-smaller.pdf)
Why is the Eel River Delta important for salmon?
Its estuary provides shallow feeding and refuge areas for juvenile salmon before they move to the ocean. Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead are among the fish associated with the Eel watershed, and several are listed as threatened. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/three-key-habitats-eel-river-comprehensive-restoration)
Does the Eel River have protected status?
The Eel River received California Wild and Scenic River designation in 1972 and federal Wild and Scenic designation in 1981. Those designations protect major portions of the river from dam development and require environmental values to be considered. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/rivers/river/eel)
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