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Salmon River (California): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 41°22′39″N 123°29′36″W / 41.37750°N 123.49333°W / 41.37750; -123.49333
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{{short description|River in California, United States}}
{{short description|River in California, United States}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
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| name_other =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =
| name_etymology =
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = Salmon-River-California-Above-Wooley-Creek-by-Scott-Harding.jpg
| image = Salmon-River-California-Above-Wooley-Creek-by-Scott-Harding.jpg
| image_caption = Salmon River, California above the Wooley Creek confluence.
| image_caption = Salmon River, California above the Wooley Creek confluence.
| map =
| map = Salmon River watershed.jpg
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_caption = Salmon River watershed ([https://mghydro.com/watersheds/shared/FC07D5.html Interactive map])
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=
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<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[United States]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[United States]]
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| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length = {{convert|19.6|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=NHD/>
| length = {{convert|19.6|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=NHD/>
| width_min =
| width_min =
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| discharge1_avg = {{convert|1792|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref>{{NWIS|11522500|Salmon River at Somes Bar, CA|2017-09-30}}</ref>
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|1792|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref>{{NWIS|11522500|Salmon River at Somes Bar, CA|2017-09-30}}</ref>
| discharge1_max = {{convert|133000|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max = {{convert|133000|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1 = Confluence of North and South Forks
| source1 = Confluence of North and South Forks
| source1_location = [[Forks of Salmon, California|Forks of Salmon]]
| source1_location = [[Forks of Salmon, California|Forks of Salmon]]
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The '''Salmon River''' is a {{convert|19.6|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map], accessed March 9, 2011</ref> tributary to the [[Klamath River]] in western [[Siskiyou County, California]].
The '''Salmon River''' is a {{convert|19.6|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map], accessed March 9, 2011</ref> tributary to the [[Klamath River]] in western [[Siskiyou County, California]].


==Course==
==Course==
The river has its origins in the high mountains of the [[Trinity Alps]], [[Russian Mountains (California)|Russian Mountains]], and [[Marble Mountains (Siskiyou County)|Marble Mountains]] (all sub-ranges of the larger [[Klamath Mountains]]). The Salmon River comprises two forks, the [[North Fork Salmon River (California)|North Fork]] and the [[South Fork Salmon River (California)|South Fork]], which join at the hamlet of [[Forks of Salmon, California]] to form the 19.6-mile (31.5 km) long mainstem Salmon River. A large tributary stream, [[Wooley Creek]], joins the mainstem Salmon River about {{convert|4|mi|0}} from its mouth at [[Somes Bar, California|Somes Bar]], and is nearly as large as the North Fork. The lower portion of the Salmon River's southwestern divide defines the boundary of [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]] and [[Humboldt County, California|Humboldt County]].
The river has its origins in the high mountains of the [[Trinity Alps]], [[Russian Mountains (California)|Russian Mountains]], and [[Marble Mountains (Siskiyou County)|Marble Mountains]] (all sub-ranges of the larger [[Klamath Mountains]]). The Salmon River comprises two forks, the [[North Fork Salmon River (California)|North Fork]] and the [[South Fork Salmon River (California)|South Fork]], which join at the hamlet of [[Forks of Salmon, California]] to form the 19.6-mile (31.5 km) long mainstem Salmon River. A large tributary stream, [[Wooley Creek]], joins the mainstem Salmon River about {{convert|4|mi|0}} from its mouth at [[Somes Bar, California|Somes Bar]], and is nearly as large as the North Fork. The lower portion of the Salmon River's southwestern divide defines the boundary of [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]] and [[Humboldt County, California|Humboldt County]].


==Watershed==
==Watershed==
The river's {{convert|751|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} [[drainage basin|watershed]] is entirely within the [[Klamath National Forest]], and less than two percent of the land area is privately owned. Nearly half of the watershed is federally protected wilderness area, including portions of the [[Trinity Alps Wilderness]] on the south, the [[Russian Wilderness]] on the east, and the [[Marble Mountain Wilderness]] on the north. Another twenty-five percent of the watershed is designated as [[Late Successional Reserve]] under the [[Northwest Forest Plan]] and is managed to enhance and retain [[old-growth forest]] characteristics and habitat.
The river's {{convert|751|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} [[drainage basin|watershed]] is entirely within the [[Klamath National Forest]], and less than two percent of the land area is privately owned. Nearly half of the watershed is federally protected wilderness area, including portions of the [[Trinity Alps Wilderness]] on the south, the [[Russian Wilderness]] on the east, and the [[Marble Mountain Wilderness]] on the north. Another twenty-five percent of the watershed is designated as [[Late Successional Reserve]] under the [[Northwest Forest Plan]] and is managed to enhance and retain [[old-growth forest]] characteristics and habitat.


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
Unlike most other large California rivers, the Salmon is completely free flowing, with no [[dam]]s or significant flow diversions of any kind. It is one of the most pristine areas in the Klamath River system and one of California's most pristine rivers. It retains the only viable population of wild [[Chinook salmon|spring Chinook salmon]] in the Klamath watershed and offers some of the best [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] habitat for salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rainbow trout, Pacific lamprey, and other fish. The mainstem Salmon River, its North Fork, South Fork, and Wooley Creek are part of the [[National Wild and Scenic Rivers System]], having been designated by Secretary of the Interior [[Cecil D. Andrus]] in January 1981, who was acting on California governor [[Jerry Brown]]'s petition to add the rivers to the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Unlike most other large California rivers, the Salmon is completely free flowing, with no [[dam]]s or significant flow diversions of any kind. It is one of the most pristine areas in the Klamath River system and one of California's most pristine rivers. It retains the only viable population of wild [[Chinook salmon|spring Chinook salmon]] in the Klamath watershed and offers some of the best [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] habitat for salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rainbow trout, Pacific lamprey, and other fish. The mainstem Salmon River, its North Fork, South Fork, and Wooley Creek are part of the [[National Wild and Scenic Rivers System]], having been designated by Secretary of the Interior [[Cecil D. Andrus]] in January 1981, who was acting on California governor [[Jerry Brown]]'s petition to add the rivers to the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers System.


[[Wildfire|Wildfires]] are the most significant mechanism of ecological change and one of the greatest threats to the river and its watershed. Fires are a natural part of this [[ecosystem]], but are now often fueled by logging [[Slash (logging)|slash]] and fuels accumulated through decades of fire suppression efforts and therefore burn much hotter, more intensely, and more frequently than they would otherwise naturally burn. Large fires in 1977, 1987, 1994, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2017 have contributed to increased [[erosion]], causing increases in [[sediment]] in the river and its tributaries. The excessive sediment degrades the habitat of aquatic organisms, particularly for [[coho salmon]], [[Chinook salmon]], [[sturgeon]] and [[rainbow trout|steelhead]].
[[Wildfire|Wildfires]] are the most significant mechanism of ecological change and one of the greatest threats to the river and its watershed. Fires are a natural part of this [[ecosystem]], but are now often fueled by logging [[Slash (logging)|slash]] and fuels accumulated through decades of fire suppression efforts and therefore burn much hotter, more intensely, and more frequently than they would otherwise naturally burn. Large fires in 1977, 1987, 1994, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2017 have contributed to increased [[erosion]], causing increases in [[sediment]] in the river and its tributaries. The excessive sediment degrades the habitat of aquatic organisms, particularly for [[coho salmon]], [[Chinook salmon]], [[sturgeon]] and [[rainbow trout|steelhead]].


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 22:20, 6 October 2024

Salmon River (California)
Salmon River, California above the Wooley Creek confluence.
Salmon River watershed (Interactive map)
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
Physical characteristics
SourceConfluence of North and South Forks
 • locationForks of Salmon
 • coordinates41°15′24″N 123°19′24″W / 41.25667°N 123.32333°W / 41.25667; -123.32333[1]
 • elevation1,180 ft (360 m)
MouthKlamath River
 • location
Somes Bar
 • coordinates
41°22′39″N 123°29′36″W / 41.37750°N 123.49333°W / 41.37750; -123.49333[1]
 • elevation
466 ft (142 m)[1]
Length19.6 mi (31.5 km)[2]
Basin size751 sq mi (1,950 km2)
Discharge 
 • locationSomes Bar, near mouth[3]
 • average1,792 cu ft/s (50.7 m3/s)[4]
 • minimum97.5 cu ft/s (2.76 m3/s)
 • maximum133,000 cu ft/s (3,800 m3/s)
DesignatedJanuary 19, 1981

The Salmon River is a 19.6-mile-long (31.5 km)[2] tributary to the Klamath River in western Siskiyou County, California.

Course

[edit]

The river has its origins in the high mountains of the Trinity Alps, Russian Mountains, and Marble Mountains (all sub-ranges of the larger Klamath Mountains). The Salmon River comprises two forks, the North Fork and the South Fork, which join at the hamlet of Forks of Salmon, California to form the 19.6-mile (31.5 km) long mainstem Salmon River. A large tributary stream, Wooley Creek, joins the mainstem Salmon River about 4 miles (6 km) from its mouth at Somes Bar, and is nearly as large as the North Fork. The lower portion of the Salmon River's southwestern divide defines the boundary of Siskiyou County and Humboldt County.

Watershed

[edit]

The river's 751-square-mile (1,950 km2) watershed is entirely within the Klamath National Forest, and less than two percent of the land area is privately owned. Nearly half of the watershed is federally protected wilderness area, including portions of the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the south, the Russian Wilderness on the east, and the Marble Mountain Wilderness on the north. Another twenty-five percent of the watershed is designated as Late Successional Reserve under the Northwest Forest Plan and is managed to enhance and retain old-growth forest characteristics and habitat.

Ecology

[edit]

Unlike most other large California rivers, the Salmon is completely free flowing, with no dams or significant flow diversions of any kind. It is one of the most pristine areas in the Klamath River system and one of California's most pristine rivers. It retains the only viable population of wild spring Chinook salmon in the Klamath watershed and offers some of the best West Coast habitat for salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rainbow trout, Pacific lamprey, and other fish. The mainstem Salmon River, its North Fork, South Fork, and Wooley Creek are part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, having been designated by Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus in January 1981, who was acting on California governor Jerry Brown's petition to add the rivers to the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

Wildfires are the most significant mechanism of ecological change and one of the greatest threats to the river and its watershed. Fires are a natural part of this ecosystem, but are now often fueled by logging slash and fuels accumulated through decades of fire suppression efforts and therefore burn much hotter, more intensely, and more frequently than they would otherwise naturally burn. Large fires in 1977, 1987, 1994, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2017 have contributed to increased erosion, causing increases in sediment in the river and its tributaries. The excessive sediment degrades the habitat of aquatic organisms, particularly for coho salmon, Chinook salmon, sturgeon and steelhead.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Salmon River
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed March 9, 2011
  3. ^ USGS Gage #11522500 Salmon River at Somes Bar, CA: Water-Data Report 2013. National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Accessed 2017-09-30.
  4. ^ USGS Gage #11522500 Salmon River at Somes Bar, CA: Water-Data Report 2013. National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Accessed 2017-09-30.
[edit]
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