Eel River

The Eel River's wild waters and habitats are in trouble. That which harms the water, affects all areas surrounding it. Scientists blame several factors including; dams, water exports, negligent agricultural and logging practices, and urban development, as reported by Steve Hart for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Water temperatures and invasive species are also dangers in the Eel's ecosystem.

		The Eel River carries 5,846 tons of suspended silt per square mile, a figure calculated by the Enviornmental Protection Agency making it 15 times siltier than the Mississippi River. Silt fills in spawning beds of fish, and blocks sunlight necessary for microbes and plant life. The sediment shallows pools which in effect raises water temperatures, and buries vital riparian vegetation which would normally shade the water. The water board assessed that human-induced sediment matches that caused by natural erosion.
The Environmental Protection Agency claims unpaved rural and logging roads are the largest human-induced sources of sediment. Their study also showed that logging road conditions have been steadily improving since their effect has been discovered, while rural road conditions are still largely unregulated and continually deteriorating. Matt Horns, a writer for River and Range, a local periodical, reported that Northern California roads produce enormous amounts of sediment and they also alter natural drainage systems which reduces flow to streams that could potentially sort out some of the eroded sedimentation.
Timber industry has been targeted for contributing to watershed problems. Large areas of forest were harvested leaving bald mountainsides that produced and continue to produce mass quantities of sediment. For the Northern Spotted Owl which depends on old-growth forest as its habitat, species endangerment has become a threat. Click on the U.S. Forest service logo to search for current restoration projects.	*(Under Construction)*	The controversies over Pacific Lumber and their operations in the watershed have been extensive. They were convicted on violations to state logging laws and continued to try to get permission to continue cutting in habitat sensitive areas. For the history of these conflicts and updates on their progress go to: http://wwwpalco.com/hforest.htm Other sites to check on this subject are: http://www.pond.net/~kris/KRISHome.htm http://www.igc.org/epic/
		Landslides are a natural occurrence, but humans have aided this form of erosion by building railroads along riverbanks. Culverts that were poorly designed and/or maintained have also contributed to the excessive erosion along the river.
The Potter Valley Project is a hydro-electric plant built by private funds in 1908. It is now owned by Pacific Gas and Electric which bought it in 1930. Its dams and tunnels divert 90% of the water produced at the headwaters of the Eel flowing off of Snow, Hull, and Rice mountains. Lake Pillsbury is formed by these dams. The water sent through the plant is diverted into the Russian River providing water for Sonoma County including Cloverdale and Santa Rosa, as well as for the lucrative wine industry of Alexander Valley. For more information click on the icon adjacent to go to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Records & Information Management System (RIMS) Web site. Search for documents under docket # P-77 and specify date(s) of interest.
		Herbicides and fungicides sprayed for preserving cut trees and killing underbrush for easier work are flushed into groundwater. Chlorine used to treat drinking water gets flushed back into water unevaporated and reacts with other undissolved substances creating dangerous byproducts. Hormonal drugs used by people and in animals has been found to cause reproductive problems in fish.
The Environmental Protection Agency did a study that found the South Fork of the Eel to have such a small number of remaining cold water habitats that furthur warming could destroy the surviving native fish population.
		Chinook and Coho Salmon as well as Steelhead Trout have been listed with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act. The Northern Spotted Owl is also listed. For more information click the logo.
The Pike-Minnow is a species of fish introduced into the Eel River at Lake Pillsbury in the late 1970's. Old time fisherman recall using these fish as live bait and releasing leftovers into the lake. The Pike-Minnow is now found throughout the river's system of streams. It thrives in warm shallow waters and is a predator of juvenile salmonids. One Pike-Minnow is known to consume at least 400 salmonids in a lifetime.