Eel River Estuary Preserve
| Eel River Estuary Preserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
Eel River Estuary channel | |
Location in California | |
| Location | Humboldt County, California |
| Nearest city | Fortuna, California |
| Coordinates | 40°37′39″N 124°18′59″W / 40.62750°N 124.31639°W |
| Area | 1,100 acres (450 ha) |
| Max. elevation | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| Min. elevation | 0 feet (0 m) |
| Established | 2008 |
| Operator | The Wildlands Conservancy |
| Website | Eel River Estuary Preserve |
Eel River Estuary Preserve and the adjoining Sounding Seas Dunes Reserve are nature preserves in California that protect the estuary at the mouth of the Eel River, together with surrounding wetlands, dunes, and shoreline habitats.[1] The landscape includes tidal marshes, a half-moon bay, and small islets that serve as haul-out sites for seals.[1] They are part of the Eel River Emerald Necklace, a series of preserves along the Eel River.[2][3] Together the preserves total 1,300 acres (530 ha) and are owned and managed by The Wildlands Conservancy as part of its system of preserves.[1]
Geography
The preserves protect tidal wetlands, freshwater marsh, grasslands, beach, and dunes at the southern end of the Eel River estuary.[1] The landscape includes a half-moon bay, coastal habitats used by migratory waterfowl, and a small island that serves as a haul-out site for seals. There is a transition from the estuary to dunes and then to the Pacific Ocean.
Flora and fauna
The Eel River estuary includes tidal marshes, freshwater wetlands, grasslands, dunes, intertidal flats, and eelgrass beds. Surveys describe the estuary as rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids, including Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout. Juvenile Chinook are present at high densities during summer months.[4][5] The estuary provides seasonal habitat for migratory birds and is used in salmon recovery efforts within the watershed.[6] The dunes provide habitat for the federally listed snowy plover and the rare beach layia.[7]
The estuary lies within the Eel River Delta and Humboldt Bay complex, which is designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.[8] The Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture identifies the delta as a coastal wetland between San Francisco Bay and the Columbia River and includes the mouth of the Eel River, which is designated as a site of International Importance under the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.[9] Species reported in the area include Aleutian cackling geese, brant geese, bald eagles, snowy plovers, long-billed curlews, egrets, herons, and tundra swans.[1][10] Tundra swans winter regularly in the estuary as part of the Pacific Flyway.[11]
Marine mammals are present in the estuary. Harbor seals use established haul-out sites near the river mouth, and sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises occasionally enter the estuary during seasonal fish runs.[12]
History
In 1974, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife identified the southern estuary as a top conservation priority for the Eel River. The Wildlands Conservancy purchased the former Connick Ranch in 2008, creating the Eel River Estuary Preserve.[13] The following year, the conservancy acquired the adjoining dunes, establishing the Sounding Seas Dunes Reserve.[1] These acquisitions were part of The Wildlands Conservancy’s Eel River Emerald Necklace project to establish a system of preserves along the Eel River.[14]
Conservation
The Eel River estuary has been identified for decades as a priority area for tidal wetland restoration. Regional studies examined opportunities to restore tidal inundation and improve habitat conditions across the estuary system, of which the preserve forms a part.[15] Multiple restoration concepts were considered over time, reflecting both the ecological importance of the estuary and the challenges of restoring tidal processes in a working landscape.[16]
In August 2025, the California Coastal Commission approved the Russ Creek and Centerville Slough Restoration Project, affecting much of the preserve and surrounding estuary lands.[17] The project includes removal of levees and tidal gates to reestablish tidal flow, along with demolition of selected ranch-era structures associated with former land use.[17] During the review process, representatives of the Wiyot Tribe raised concerns related to cultural impacts and consultation, while other organizations expressed support for the project.[17] Construction is scheduled from 2026 to 2028.[18]
Recreation
Public access to the preserve has been limited,[1] but the approved restoration plan includes expanded public access. The approved project includes a five-mile public access easement along the beach between Centerville Beach County Park and the mouth of the Eel River, new kayak launch stations, and about three miles of trails.[17] The plan provides for year-round access for passive recreation and outdoor education.[18]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Eel River Estuary Preserve". The Wildlands Conservancy. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ "Eel River Emerald Necklace". The Wildlands Conservancy. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ "Two Projects for the Eel River Gain Momentum". Bay Nature. July 9, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ Cannata, S.; Hassler, T. (1995). Juvenile Salmonid Utilization of the Eel River Estuary (Report). California Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Humboldt State University.
- ^ Schlosser, Susan; Eicher, Annie (2012). Humboldt Bay and Eel River Estuary Benthic Habitat Project (Report). California Sea Grant. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ McCreary, Anna M. (2013). "Wildlands Conservancy/Connick Ranch Research". Shaping Voices, Shaping Policy, Vol. 1, Article 6. Humboldt State University. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Humboldt Bay and Eel River Estuary Lowlands Report" (PDF). California Sea Grant. 2007. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ "Eel River Delta – Humboldt Bay Important Bird Area". Audubon Important Bird Areas. National Audubon Society. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ "Pacific Birds in California". Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ "Humboldt Bay Goose Project". Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Wildlife. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ Black, Jeffrey M.; Gress, Carol; Byers, Jacob W.; Jennings, Emily; Ely, Craig (2010). "Behaviour of wintering Tundra Swans Cygnus columbianus columbianus at the Eel River delta and Humboldt Bay, California, USA". Wildfowl. 60: 38–51.
- ^ Schlosser, Susan; Eicher, Annie (2012). Humboldt Bay and Eel River Estuary Benthic Habitat Project (Report). California Sea Grant. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ "The Wildlands Conservancy Protects Valuable California Ecology by Buying it Up". Northcoast Environmental Center. February 29, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ Loeb, David (July 9, 2021). "Two Projects for the Eel River Gain Momentum". Bay Nature. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Humboldt Bay and Eel River Estuary Lowlands Report" (PDF). California Sea Grant. 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Eel River Estuary Restoration" (PDF). California Trout. 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Alexander, Sage (August 14, 2025). "Coastal Commission OKs restoration project along mouth of Eel River". Times-Standard. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ a b Gwynn, Liam (August 29, 2025). "A Look Inside the Ambitious Restoration Project Bringing Outdoor Recreation and Restored Tidal Wetlands to Ferndale". Redwood News. Retrieved September 7, 2025.