East Fork of South Fork Trinity Proposed Wild and Scenic River

The South Fork Trinity River is one of the largest undammed river systems in California. The river and its tributaries support important populations of threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead and old-growth forest dependent wildlife species. The river and tributaries also offer outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.

The East Fork South Fork with headwaters in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness provides the greatest amount of habitat in the upper South Fork Trinity system for spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead, contributing significantly to the maintenance of fish communities throughout the entire South Fork watershed.

Fish biologists identified the East Fork South Fork to be a high priority watershed for the recovery of depressed South Fork fish stocks. Although its watershed is recovering from past forestry abuses, the stream possesses the greatest amount of fish habitat in the South Fork system and will play a key role in the recovery of the South Fork as one of the most productive steelhead streams in the region. The East Fork South Fork also supports coho salmon and its watershed provides habitat for spotted owl, goshawk, Peregrine falcon, and Pacific fisher and several sensitive plants.

Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service ~ Shasta-Trinity & Six Rivers National Forests
Location: Trinity & Humboldt Counties, CA 2nd Congressional District
Watershed: Trinity River
Proposed Wild & Scenic River Miles: 11.8

Outstanding Values: Anadromous fisheries, ecological, recreation

South Fork Trinity Proposed Wild and Scenic River

From its source high in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, the South Fork Trinity River flows north 82 miles to its confluence with the Trinity River. On its long journey north, the South Fork Trinity serves as a natural corridor for fish and wildlife, thus helping to connect islands of ancient forest and wild places that would otherwise grow increasingly isolated in an expanding sea of roads and clear-cuts.

The river provides critical habitat for spring-run Chinook salmon and summer and winter-run steelhead trout. It also flows through one of the most diverse and pristine forests in California – forests that shelter spotted owl, goshawk, bald eagle, fisher, marten and several rare plants.

The natural beauty of the Upper South Fork Trinity River is unsurpassed. The South Fork National Recreation Trail parallels much of this section of the river, allowing visitors to follow in the footsteps of Native Americans, early fur trappers, and miners. This long but easy trail offers expansive views of the river’s many rapids and pools, with a backdrop of pines, firs, and oaks. Two National Forest campgrounds provide excellent base camps to explore the river and trail.

For these reasons, the Forest Service recommended Wild & Scenic River protection for the upper 26 miles of the South Fork Trinity. The upper river also flows through the unprotected Chinquapin roadless area, which deserves wilderness protection. Improved designation status for other sections of the river is also recommended.

Outstanding Values: Anadromous fisheries, ecological, recreation

Upper Middle Eel and Balm of Gilead Creek Proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers

These proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers in the upper Eel River watershed provide important habitat for threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead, as well as wildlife dependent on old growth forests. They also provide outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation.

From their sources in the Yolla-Bolly Wilderness to their confluence, the upper Middle Eel River and Balm of Gilead Creek flows through rugged and little-visited canyons clothed in mixed Douglas fir, Jeffry pine, and oak forests, forming numerous cascades, waterfalls, and large pools along the way.

The Forest Service recommended Wild & Scenic protection of these important headwater streams of the existing Middle Eel Wild & Scenic River because they provide outstanding habitat for rare summer steelhead and represent an important aquatic refuge for the southernmost population of summer steelhead on the West Coast. The Middle Eel also supports the largest single run of summer steelhead in the state.

The upper Middle Eel and Balm of Gilead watersheds are defined by some of the least-used trails in the Yolla-Bolly Wilderness, allowing for true solitude for hikers, equestrians, anglers and others seeking a primitive experience in one of the more pristine upper watersheds of the Coast Range. In addition to summer steelhead in the streams, the forested watersheds provide habitat for the endangered spotted owl and goshawk.

Wild & Scenic protection of the upper Middle Eel and Balm of Gilead Creek would complement the existing Middle Fork Wild & Scenic River downstream.

Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service ~ Six Rivers National Forest, Mendocino National Forest
Bureau of Land Management ~ Arcata Field Office

Location: Trinity & Mendocino Counties, CA 2nd Congressional District

Watershed: Upper Eel River

Proposed Wild & Scenic River Miles: 50.1 Miles

Outstanding Values: Anadromous fisheries, ecological, wildlife, cultural, scenery, recreation

Redwood Creek Proposed Wild and Scenic River

Redwood Creek and its tributaries flow through or are located upstream of Redwood National Park. They provide important habitat for threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead and nationally significant recreation opportunities.

Redwood Creek flows past old growth and second growth redwoods in Redwood National Park, including the tallest tree on earth. The park is a World Heritage Site recognized by the United Nations. The creek supports endangered coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. Federal officials recently identified the creek as essential for the recovery of threatened salmon and steelhead. Ospreys nest along the creek and elk graze nearby prairies. The popular Redwood Creek Trail parallels much of the stream, which also offers class III whitewater boating opportunities.

After its journey through Redwood National Park, Redwood Creek flows past the small community of Orick, and into the Pacific Ocean. Approximately 20 miles of Redwood Creek are located in Redwood National Park. The upper 6.2 miles of Redwood Creek is proposed as a “potential” Wild and Scenic River pending acquisition for public conservation purposes.

The creek supports a diverse anadromous fishery, including endangered Coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. Ospreys nest along the creek, elk wander its banks, and river otter play in the creek’s riffle and pools.

One of the most popular trails in the Park, the Redwood Creek Trail parallels much of the creek and leads to the Tall Trees Grove. The Redwood Creek Trailhead picnic area and the Elam and 44 Camp backcountry camps offer respite for hikers and backpackers. The Redwood National Park Information Center is located near the mouth of Redwood Creek and the Pacific Ocean.

Management Agency: National Park Service ~ Redwood National Park
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ~ Arcata Field Office

Location: Humboldt County, CA 2nd Congressional District

Watershed: Redwood Creek

Proposed Wild & Scenic River Miles: 25.3

Outstanding Values: Anadromous fisheries, wildlife, ecological, recreation, World Heritage Site

Little South Fork Elk River and Salmon Creek Proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers

The Headwaters Forest Reserve encompasses the headwaters of the Little South Fork Elk River and Salmon Creek. These streams are key components of the old-growth redwood forest community. The ecological values of the streams include unparalleled diversity of plant and animals species, including old growth redwoods, marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl, bald eagle, Coho and Chinook salmon, and steelhead. Salmon Creek in particular is dominated by old growth redwood forest and possesses abundant woody debris and deep pools – key habitat features needed for healthy salmon and steelhead fisheries. The stream corridors are also rich in historic and prehistoric resources.

In recognition of these outstanding fish, wildlife, historic, and prehistoric values, the BLM has recommended Wild & Scenic River protection for the Little South Fork Elk River and Salmon Creek. Designating the streams would protect their outstanding values and free flowing character, as well as complement the overall protection provided by the Headwaters Forest Reserve.

Canyon Creek Proposed Wild and Scenic River

These proposed Wild and Scenic Rivers flow from the magnificent Trinity Alps Wilderness, providing important habitat for salmon and steelhead migrating to and from the Trinity River, as well as outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities and scenery.

Beautiful alpine lakes high in the Trinity Alps Wilderness are the source of Canyon Creek. From there, this remarkable stream flows south through scenic alpine meadows, over numerous waterfalls, through a rugged forested canyon, and past former Native American village sites and historic Gold Rush mining towns to its confluence with the Trinity River at Junction City.

Heavily degraded by past mining, Canyon Creek today runs clear and cold, supporting a healthy fishery of salmon, steelhead, and resident trout. But in recent years, Canyon Creek has been threatened by the proposed resumption of industrial mining.

A National Forest road parallels the lower half of the creek, providing access from Highway 299 to the Ripstein Campground and the Canyon Creek Trailhead – the gateway to one of the most scenic and popular hiking trails in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

The Forest Service has recommended Canyon Creek for Wild & Scenic River protection.

Management Agency: U.S. Forest Service ~ Shasta-Trinity National Forests

Location: Trinity County, CA 2nd Congressional District

Watershed: Trinity River

Proposed Wild & Scenic River Miles: 17.8 miles

Outstanding Values: Anadromous fisheries, ecological, wildlife, recreation, scenery

Butter Creek Proposed Wild And Scenic River

Butter Creek is a key tributary for the protection and restoration of South Fork anadromous stocks. The creek is an important source of cold water providing thermal refugia for rare summer steelhead and coho in the South Fork. The watershed’s serpentine soils support a unique assemblage of endemic plant species. Peregrine falcon and spotted owl nest in the watershed.

Lower Hayfork Creek Proposed Wild and Scenic River

Hayfork Creek is the largest free flowing tributary to the South Fork Trinity River. The Forest Service recommended Wild & Scenic River protection for the lower segment of Hayfork Creek because its cold water tributaries support moderate to high populations of steelhead, salmon, and native rainbow trout, which also contribute to the outstanding fishery value of the South Fork Trinity.

The creek carves a scenic gorge along the foot of Pattison Mountain and the proposed Pattison Wilderness. Many of the small streams draining into Hayfork Creek provide cold water refugia for the creek’s anadromous fish. Hayfork Creek also offers class IV-V whitewater boating opportunities. Much of Hayfork Creek is recommended for protection by the Forest Service.

Rattlesnake Creek Proposed Wild and Scenic River

The federal recovery plan for coho salmon identifies Rattlesnake Creek as a high priority for restoration. It’s one of the few South Fork tributaries with several miles of accessible fish habitat without natural or man-made barriers.