Napa River
Encyclopedia
The Napa River, approximately 55 miles (89 km) long, is a river
in the U.S. state
of California
. It drains a famous wine
-growing region, called the Napa Valley, in the mountains northeast of San Francisco
. Milliken Creek
is a tributary of the Napa River.
The Napa River rises in northwestern Napa County
just south of the summit of Mt. St. Helena
in the Mayacamas Mountains of the California Coast Ranges. The source begins as seasonal Kimball Canyon Creek in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
at an elevation of 3745 feet (1,141.5 m) which descends the southern slope of Mt. St. Helena to Kimball Canyon Dam.
It flows south for 4 miles (6 km), entering the head of the slender Napa Valley north of Calistoga
. In the valley, it flows southeast past Calistoga, St Helena, Rutherford, Oakville and through Napa
, its head of navigation. Downstream from Napa, it forms a tidal estuary, entering Mare Island Strait
, a narrow channel on the north end of San Pablo Bay
. Where the Napa River discharges into San Pablo Bay is a large wetland known as the Napa Sonoma Marsh
.
s in its valley, the river also supports a remarkable diversity of fishes and recovering salmonid populations, especially Chinook salmon
(Oncorhyncus tshawytscha) and Steelhead trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss). In 2003 the Napa County Resource Conservation District began an ongoing salmon monitoring program, and have recorded a run of approximately 400 - 1000 fall-run Chinook salmon the past several years. The Chinook run begins in late October through January. Conclusive evidence of historical Chinook salmon populations in the Napa River basin have not been established, but the river provides appropriate habitat for salmon and its location near the entrance to the Sacramento
/San Joaquin
Rivers make it likely that salmon would have at least ventured into the Napa River. The Napa River basin is estimated to have historically supported a spawning run of 6,000–8,000 steelhead, and as many as 2,000–4,000 Coho salmon
(Oncorhyncus kisutch). By the late 1960s, coho salmon were extirpated from the watershed and the steelhead population is now reduced to less than a few hundred adults. Flow reductions in key rearing streams have reduced food availability for juvenile steelhead, causing reduced growth and survival. Recently, a Chum salmon
(Oncorhynchus keta) was caught in the river.
Although diminished, the Napa River basin continues to support a fish community of greater diversity than even the Sacramento and San Joaquin River systems, including a nearly intact community of sixteen native fish species, including Steelhead, fall-run Chinook salmon, Pacific
(Lampetra tridentata) and River lamprey
(Lampetra ayresi), Hardhead (Mylopharodon conocephalus), Hitch
(Lavinia exilicauda), Tule perch
(Hysterocarpus traski), and Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus). Because of this diversity the Napa River has been prioritized for special protection. White sturgeon
(Acipenser transmontanus) and many other native and non-native fishes currently utilize the Napa River watershed.
The California Golden Beaver (Castor canadensis subauraticus) was historically extant. Recently beaver have recolonized the Napa River.
, Rector, Milliken
, and Bell dams) and the northern headwaters of the Napa River (Kimball Dam). In addition, many smaller dams can be found throughout the watershed. These numerous dams are impassable barriers to salmon and steelhead seeking their historic spawning grounds.
in the 1970s, a concrete cover was removed from culverted sections of the Napa Creek, re-exposing the water to daylight. There is some debate as to whether this constituted one of the country's earliest "daylighting" projects, since the construction was undertaken with little thought to the river's ecology or restoration of riparian habitat.
Napa Creek is a western tributary of the Napa River in downtown Napa. This construction is not believed to be responsible for later flooding along the river.
The southern part of the river has also been undergoing restoration as former salt ponds along the river are being restored to their natural state.
was revitalized. The Project underwent a lengthy redesign and was approved by the local voters in 1998. Construction began in 2000 and is projected to be completed by 2015.
and rafting
can be done on the upper section of river from St. Helena to Napa. The lower section of the Napa River from Napa to San Pablo Bay has flatwater that is suitable for canoeing
, sea kayaking and motorboating. The Napa River Trail has segments at Kennedy Park (N 38.26764 W 122.28373) & between Lincoln Ave (N 38.31055 W 122.27783) and Trancas St (N 38.32496 W 122.28384) in the city of Napa.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It drains a famous wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
-growing region, called the Napa Valley, in the mountains northeast of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. Milliken Creek
Milliken Creek
Milliken Creek is an stream in Napa County, California that is tributary to the Napa River. There are approximately in this watershed, of which are developed as vineyards. Milliken Creek rises on the western slopes of the east side of the Napa Valley and flows through the Silverado Country...
is a tributary of the Napa River.
Course
Napa County, California
Napa County is a county located north of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. It is coterminous with the Napa, California, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 the population is 136,484. The county seat is Napa....
just south of the summit of Mt. St. Helena
Mount Saint Helena
Mount Saint Helena is a peak in the Mayacamas Mountains with flanks in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties of California. Composed of uplifted 2.4-million-year-old volcanic rocks from the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, it is one of the few mountains in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive any snowfall...
in the Mayacamas Mountains of the California Coast Ranges. The source begins as seasonal Kimball Canyon Creek in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is a California state park, located in Sonoma and Napa counties USA. The park offers a hike to the summit of Mount Saint Helena from which much of the Bay Area can be seen. On clear days it is possible to see the peak of Mount Shasta, distant.The park is named...
at an elevation of 3745 feet (1,141.5 m) which descends the southern slope of Mt. St. Helena to Kimball Canyon Dam.
It flows south for 4 miles (6 km), entering the head of the slender Napa Valley north of Calistoga
Calistoga, California
Calistoga is a city in Napa County, California, United States. The population was 5,155 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , 99.30% of it land and 0.70% of it water.-Climate:...
. In the valley, it flows southeast past Calistoga, St Helena, Rutherford, Oakville and through Napa
Napa, California
-History:The name Napa was probably derived from the name given to a southern Nappan village whose people shared the area with elk, deer, grizzlies and cougars for many centuries, according to Napa historian Kami Santiago. At the time of the first recorded exploration into Napa Valley in 1823, the...
, its head of navigation. Downstream from Napa, it forms a tidal estuary, entering Mare Island Strait
Mare Island Strait
The Mare Island Strait is a channel at in the San Pablo Bay separating Mare Island and the mainland in Vallejo, California in Solano County. The strait was formerly used by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard until its closure in 1995. The strait is the mouth of the Napa River and is used for both...
, a narrow channel on the north end of San Pablo Bay
San Pablo Bay
San Pablo Bay is a tidal estuary that forms the northern extension of San Francisco Bay in northern California in the United States. Most of the Bay is shallow; however, there is a deep water channel approximately in mid bay, which allows access to Sacramento, Stockton, Benicia, Martinez, and...
. Where the Napa River discharges into San Pablo Bay is a large wetland known as the Napa Sonoma Marsh
Napa Sonoma Marsh
The Napa Sonoma Marsh is a wetland at the northern edge of San Pablo Bay, which is a northern arm of the San Francisco Bay in California, USA. This marsh has an area of 48,000 acres , of which 13,000 acres are abandoned salt evaporation ponds...
.
Ecology
Known for the vineyardVineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
s in its valley, the river also supports a remarkable diversity of fishes and recovering salmonid populations, especially Chinook salmon
Chinook salmon
The Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is the largest species in the pacific salmon family. Other commonly used names for the species include King salmon, Quinnat salmon, Spring salmon and Tyee salmon...
(Oncorhyncus tshawytscha) and Steelhead trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss). In 2003 the Napa County Resource Conservation District began an ongoing salmon monitoring program, and have recorded a run of approximately 400 - 1000 fall-run Chinook salmon the past several years. The Chinook run begins in late October through January. Conclusive evidence of historical Chinook salmon populations in the Napa River basin have not been established, but the river provides appropriate habitat for salmon and its location near the entrance to the Sacramento
Sacramento River
The Sacramento River is an important watercourse of Northern and Central California in the United States. The largest river in California, it rises on the eastern slopes of the Klamath Mountains, and after a journey south of over , empties into Suisun Bay, an arm of the San Francisco Bay, and...
/San Joaquin
San Joaquin River
The San Joaquin River is the largest river of Central California in the United States. At over long, the river starts in the high Sierra Nevada, and flows through a rich agricultural region known as the San Joaquin Valley before reaching Suisun Bay, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean...
Rivers make it likely that salmon would have at least ventured into the Napa River. The Napa River basin is estimated to have historically supported a spawning run of 6,000–8,000 steelhead, and as many as 2,000–4,000 Coho salmon
Coho salmon
The Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
(Oncorhyncus kisutch). By the late 1960s, coho salmon were extirpated from the watershed and the steelhead population is now reduced to less than a few hundred adults. Flow reductions in key rearing streams have reduced food availability for juvenile steelhead, causing reduced growth and survival. Recently, a Chum salmon
Chum salmon
The chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. It is a Pacific salmon, and may also be known as dog salmon or Keta salmon, and is often marketed under the name Silverbrite salmon...
(Oncorhynchus keta) was caught in the river.
Although diminished, the Napa River basin continues to support a fish community of greater diversity than even the Sacramento and San Joaquin River systems, including a nearly intact community of sixteen native fish species, including Steelhead, fall-run Chinook salmon, Pacific
Pacific lamprey
The Pacific lamprey is an anadromous parasitic lamprey from the Pacific Coast of North America and Asia. It is also known as the three tooth lamprey and tridentate lamprey.-Biology:...
(Lampetra tridentata) and River lamprey
Lamprey
Lampreys are a family of jawless fish, whose adults are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. Translated from an admixture of Latin and Greek, lamprey means stone lickers...
(Lampetra ayresi), Hardhead (Mylopharodon conocephalus), Hitch
Lavinia exilicauda
The hitch Lavinia exilicauda is a cyprinid fish endemic to central California, and once very common. The name is derived from the Pomoan word for this species....
(Lavinia exilicauda), Tule perch
Tule perch
The tule perch Hysterocarpus traskii is a surfperch native to the rivers and estuaries of central California, United States of America. It is the sole member of its genus, and the only freshwater surfperch....
(Hysterocarpus traski), and Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus). Because of this diversity the Napa River has been prioritized for special protection. White sturgeon
White sturgeon
The white sturgeon , also known as the Pacific sturgeon, Oregon sturgeon, Columbia sturgeon, Sacramento sturgeon, and California white sturgeon, is a sturgeon which lives along the west coast of North America from the Aleutian Islands to Central...
(Acipenser transmontanus) and many other native and non-native fishes currently utilize the Napa River watershed.
The California Golden Beaver (Castor canadensis subauraticus) was historically extant. Recently beaver have recolonized the Napa River.
Watershed
The Napa River watershed encompasses approximately 426 square miles (1,103 km²). Larger tributaries, such as Dry, Conn, and Soda creeks, show signs of recent incision and have graded to the incised current level of the mainstem Napa River. In some cases, smaller tributaries cutting across the valley floor have not fully adjusted to the lowered level of the mainstem and are elevated at their confluence with the mainstem, forming potential barriers to upstream fish migration. Several large dams were built between 1924 and 1959 on major eastside tributaries (ConnLake Hennessey
Lake Hennessey is a man-made lake in the hills east of St. Helena, California, U.S.A..The lake is formed by Conn Creek Dam, built in 1948 across Conn Creek. Construction of the earthen dam was authorized by the United States Congress when it passed the Flood Control Act of 1944 in order to...
, Rector, Milliken
Milliken Creek
Milliken Creek is an stream in Napa County, California that is tributary to the Napa River. There are approximately in this watershed, of which are developed as vineyards. Milliken Creek rises on the western slopes of the east side of the Napa Valley and flows through the Silverado Country...
, and Bell dams) and the northern headwaters of the Napa River (Kimball Dam). In addition, many smaller dams can be found throughout the watershed. These numerous dams are impassable barriers to salmon and steelhead seeking their historic spawning grounds.
Restoration in 1970s
As part of urban renewalUrban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
in the 1970s, a concrete cover was removed from culverted sections of the Napa Creek, re-exposing the water to daylight. There is some debate as to whether this constituted one of the country's earliest "daylighting" projects, since the construction was undertaken with little thought to the river's ecology or restoration of riparian habitat.
Napa Creek is a western tributary of the Napa River in downtown Napa. This construction is not believed to be responsible for later flooding along the river.
Current Restoration
Vineyard owners with property that borders the Rutherford Reach, a 4.5 miles (7.2 km) stretch of the Napa River between St. Helena and Oakville, are allowing prime land to return to a natural state in order to help preserve the ecology of the river. The project known as Rutherford Restoration Project involves 23 property owners have combined forces to provide 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) of land to this cause.The southern part of the river has also been undergoing restoration as former salt ponds along the river are being restored to their natural state.
Napa Flood of 1986
In 1986, the worst of 23 floods recorded since 1865 on the Napa River occurred, and 5,000 people were evacuated, 250 homes were destroyed, and three people died.Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Protection Project
After the devastating flood of 1986, the dormant Napa River Flood ProjectNapa River Flood Project
The Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Protection Project is a Civil Works project of the US Army Corps of Engineers in the city of Napa, California. The Project area includes some 6 miles of the Napa River from the Butler Bridge on State Route 29 on the south to Trancas Street on the north...
was revitalized. The Project underwent a lengthy redesign and was approved by the local voters in 1998. Construction began in 2000 and is projected to be completed by 2015.
Recreation
The Napa River and the surrounding watershed provide many recreational opportunities. Whitewater kayakingWhitewater kayaking
Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from simple, carefree gently moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater. River rapids are graded like ski runs according to the difficulty, danger or...
and rafting
Rafting
Rafting or white water rafting is a challenging recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this...
can be done on the upper section of river from St. Helena to Napa. The lower section of the Napa River from Napa to San Pablo Bay has flatwater that is suitable for canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, sea kayaking and motorboating. The Napa River Trail has segments at Kennedy Park (N 38.26764 W 122.28373) & between Lincoln Ave (N 38.31055 W 122.27783) and Trancas St (N 38.32496 W 122.28384) in the city of Napa.
Film shot on the Napa River
- 1976-1977: Apocalypse NowApocalypse NowApocalypse Now is a 1979 American war film set during the Vietnam War, produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The central character is US Army special operations officer Captain Benjamin L. Willard , of MACV-SOG, an assassin sent to kill the renegade and presumed insane Special Forces...
(Apocalypse Now) directed by Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
External links
- Napa River Watershed
- UCSB: Napa Watershed
- Napa River Flood Project
- Napa River Trail Downtown Napa
- Photo documentary of the Napa River from SamandaDorger.com
See also
- List of rivers in California
- List of watercourses in the San Francisco Bay Area