The proposed Wild and Scenic River segments of the South Fork Eel and its tributaries support threatened and endangered populations of salmon and steelhead and rare plants. They also provide outstanding research opportunities of nearly pristine undeveloped watersheds.
The South Fork Eel River supports the largest concentration of naturally reproducing anadromous fish in the region. Federal officials recently identified the river as essential for the recovery of threatened salmon and steelhead. The upper portion of this segment is located on the Angelo Preserve managed for wild lands research by the University of California. Angelo Reserve access roads are open to public hiking. The lower portion flows through the existing South Fork Wilderness managed by the BLM. The river offers class IV-V whitewater boating opportunities. The river would be administered through a cooperative management agreement between the BLM and the State of California.
Management Agency: Bureau of Land Management ~ BLM Arcata Field Office
University of California ~ Angelo Coast Range Reserve
Location: Mendocino County, CA 2nd Congressional District
Watershed: South Fork Eel River
Wild & Scenic River Miles: 12.3 miles