When was the last time you packed your grip and headed to a river for an afternoon of rest and relaxation? When you visit one of our rivers, do you even know much about it? The history that surrounds our Northern California rivers is staggering. You don’t have to be a fan of the great outdoors to appreciate it in all its glory. Rivers, creeks, tributaries, waterfalls and lakes are all a lot closer than you think. Northern California has her fair share of river beauties that weave through her hills and valleys.
Here are a few incredible rivers you may need to be reminded are in your neighborhood.
- Eel River
flickr/kevin stevens The Eel River runs for 196 miles, emptying in the Pacific Ocean. The water runoff in January and February is 100 times more than the summer months. Spanish explorers sailed this river in search of a passageway; instead they discovered “natives who were uncivilized.” Salmon canneries were in great number along the Eel River in the late 1800s. A petroglyph was discovered in 1930, placing prehistoric inhabitants here over 2500 years ago.
- Russian River
flickr/waterkeeper alliance inc There’s lots I could say about the Russian River, but lets just start with this: A white sturgeon was caught that was 8 feet long in 1988! Seriously. They make em’ big here.
- Feather River
flickr/amit patel This beauty is the main tributary of the Sacramento River. Its history is rich with gold-seekers and the first settlers to hunt for treasure made their way here in 1852. The upper Feather River was home to the Maidu Indians.
- Klamath River
flickr/terry fuerborn Gold found here in the 1800s was believed to be from volcanic activity in the Klamath mountains thousands of years ago. This waterway is known for its salmon, steelhead, and rainbow trout.
- Trinity River
flickr/bureau of land management At 165 miles long. Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath river. Once known (in 1828) as “Indian Scalp River.” That’s pretty unsettling, if you ask me. Sad fact: Jerry Garcia’s Father drowned here.
- Sacramento River
flickr/daniel montemayor This gem is king of our rivers in Northern California. Beginning in the Klamath mountain, it runs 445 miles before its finish line at the San Francisco Bay and Delta. Since its creation it has been the home of hundreds of ancient American Indian tribes. The history here is probably more than we’ll ever know. Pretty incredible if you ask me.
- Tuolomne River
flickr/joseph o mara The Tuolomne River begins at 8,000 feet above sea level. Over one million visitors head to this waterway each year to enjoy its pristine beauty. Many folks love to white water raft its 15 mile run. Wear a life vest, people!
- Yuba River
flickr/scott hart Here’s a cool fact: The Yuba got its name from a Maidu Village inhabited nearby. Records show its existence in 1802.
- Stanislaus River
flickr/zachary collier Before 1912 when the Goodwill dam was built, this was the hot spot for over 30,000 salmon to spawn annually. Once the dam was up, the numbers fell to 3,000 annually. This is the most dammed river with over 30 dams peppered throughout. Plenty people have gone on lots of political tirades for this very reason. Regardless, it’s still a draw for folks to kayak and enjoy.
The next time you feel like exploring, put one of these rivers in your GPS and don’t stop until you get there. Each one is incredible in its own way. Which river is your favorite?
flickr/kevin stevens
The Eel River runs for 196 miles, emptying in the Pacific Ocean. The water runoff in January and February is 100 times more than the summer months. Spanish explorers sailed this river in search of a passageway; instead they discovered “natives who were uncivilized.” Salmon canneries were in great number along the Eel River in the late 1800s. A petroglyph was discovered in 1930, placing prehistoric inhabitants here over 2500 years ago.
flickr/waterkeeper alliance inc
There’s lots I could say about the Russian River, but lets just start with this: A white sturgeon was caught that was 8 feet long in 1988! Seriously. They make em’ big here.
flickr/amit patel
This beauty is the main tributary of the Sacramento River. Its history is rich with gold-seekers and the first settlers to hunt for treasure made their way here in 1852. The upper Feather River was home to the Maidu Indians.
flickr/terry fuerborn
Gold found here in the 1800s was believed to be from volcanic activity in the Klamath mountains thousands of years ago. This waterway is known for its salmon, steelhead, and rainbow trout.
flickr/bureau of land management
At 165 miles long. Trinity River is the longest tributary of the Klamath river. Once known (in 1828) as “Indian Scalp River.” That’s pretty unsettling, if you ask me. Sad fact: Jerry Garcia’s Father drowned here.
flickr/daniel montemayor
This gem is king of our rivers in Northern California. Beginning in the Klamath mountain, it runs 445 miles before its finish line at the San Francisco Bay and Delta. Since its creation it has been the home of hundreds of ancient American Indian tribes. The history here is probably more than we’ll ever know. Pretty incredible if you ask me.
flickr/joseph o mara
The Tuolomne River begins at 8,000 feet above sea level. Over one million visitors head to this waterway each year to enjoy its pristine beauty. Many folks love to white water raft its 15 mile run. Wear a life vest, people!
flickr/scott hart
Here’s a cool fact: The Yuba got its name from a Maidu Village inhabited nearby. Records show its existence in 1802.
flickr/zachary collier
Before 1912 when the Goodwill dam was built, this was the hot spot for over 30,000 salmon to spawn annually. Once the dam was up, the numbers fell to 3,000 annually. This is the most dammed river with over 30 dams peppered throughout. Plenty people have gone on lots of political tirades for this very reason. Regardless, it’s still a draw for folks to kayak and enjoy.
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