Programs
The Eel River was historically one of California’s most productive salmon fisheries, and today it holds perhaps the West’s greatest potential for watershed-wide fisheries recovery. This remote and sparsely populated watershed contains some of the world’s largest redwoods, five distinct salmonid species, the iconic pacific lamprey, and a wide diversity of landscapes including conifer forests, oak savannas, and massive boulder fields in steep river canyons.
Friends of the Eel River works for the recovery of the Wild and Scenic Eel River, its fisheries, and communities. As such, our major program areas are focused on addressing the root causes of the decline in native fish runs in the Eel watershed. Some of these major threats include dams, sedimentation, toxic pollution and failing infrastructure, poorly regulated water use, and climate change. We work to secure meaningful, permanent resolution of the watershed’s greatest threats via legal, policy, and community-based solutions.
Eel River Dam Removal
Since the early 20th century, two dams and a diversion tunnel known as the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project have caused significant harm to Eel River fisheries. Removal of both dams, Scott and Cape Horn, and access for native fish to the high-quality cold water habitat in the upper basin is a top priority. The current diversion extracts a seasonally significant amount of water from the Eel. While we prefer to see an end to the diversion, we do believe an ecologically appropriate, wet-season only diversion is possible. Dam owners, PG&E are in the midst of the decommissioning process, with dam removal proposed to begin as early as 2028.
Public Lands
We strive to improve and enhance access to public lands and to support new designations. Over 50% of the land in the Eel watershed is privately held. Finding safe access points to the river is a challenge for anyone wanting to exercise their public trust rights including fishing, collecting traditional medicines and food sources, and recreating.
Public lands include navigable waters below the high water mark, and as such the Great Redwood Trail is a significant opportunity to expand access to public waters. Other opportunities include remediating and conserving abandoned cannabis cultivation properties, supporting land returns to Tribes, and supporting congressional wilderness designations.
Estuary and the Lower River
The Eel estuary is the third largest coastal wetland in California, spread over roughly 10,000 acres. Reconnecting and restoring estuary habitat can provide needed rearing habitat which is vital to ensuring that juvenile salmonids are large and healthy when they enter salt water. Our goal aims to improve habitat, flows, and connectivity in the lower river to support these migrating native fish.
The Eel estuary has been diked and manipulated for over a century, but there is incredible potential to reclaim former marsh land as landowners retreat from agricultural lands increasingly prone to flooding and salt water incursion. Our work is focused on implementing effective groundwater management and preparing for climate change and sea level rise.
Water Quality
We approach improvements to water quality by also addressing issues with water quantity. Using new instream flow standards and technologies, we advocate for adequate bypass flows at all permitted diversions, as well as stronger enforcement of unpermitted diversions and point source pollution. The program area differs from others, in that sometimes a systems-approach is not possible, therefore we occasionally engage in water rights processes to place appropriate restrictions on use or pursue water quality enforcement against egregious violations.
Eel River Species
The Eel River provides habitat for five distinct salmonid species, including the southernmost species of Northern California summer steelhead, the culturally significant pacific lamprey which helped the river earn its name, green sturgeon, and at least 15 other species of native freshwater fish. We leverage legal protections, invasive species removal, and habitat improvement to advance recovery of the Eel River’s native fish.
Part of protecting species also means ensuring it has widespread support. So educating the public about the unique species in the Eel and ensuring that the next generation cares about their protection is an important part of this work.
Contact Us
Membership forms and other printed material may be mailed to:
Friends of the Eel River
PO Box 4945
Arcata, CA 95518
Email: foer(at)eelriver.org
Phone: (707) 798-6345
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