Background:
The Navarro River is the key natural resource of the Anderson Valley. The quality of life for residents in the Valley and increasingly the economic benefits of tourism are related to the rivers resources. The Navarro River from its origin just upstream from Hendy Woods State Park to the Pacific Ocean is about 28 miles, offering opportunities for continuous boating of varying challenge levels and at different seasons of the year, as well as fishing, swimming, and wildlife observation experiences. There are no existing developed river access facilities, yet use of the waterway continues to grow. The Navarro River is well- known to be used for boating by the general public. However, all information about that use is anecdotal. The public’s knowledge of boating within the watershed lacks information about the natural resources and hydrologic dynamics of the Navarro River, where to access it, ownership patterns around the river, and general safety and responsible use.
In 2010 the Anderson Valley Land Trust (andersonvalleylandtrust.org) was awarded a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program to study the river. While the grant involves no finances (technical assistance only) the Park Service staff has worked diligently with the AVLT, guiding our volunteers in establishing protocols for surveys, collecting baseline information, and working with the community. Other partners who are supporting the study include:
California State Parks, Mendocino District
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors
Anderson Valley Community Services District
Anderson Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association
Mendocino Redwoods Company
Navarro-by-the-Sea Center for Estuarine Research
Study Purpose
The ultimate purposes and benefits of the river study are:
public safety
resource stewardship of the river (by educating the public)
recognition / respect for private property (by educating the public)
enhanced recreation opportunities for Valley residents and visitors
community / economic benefits through expanded tourism
Study Products
As part of the study there will be a number of reports and summaries about the river’s resources developed over the next few months. As this information becomes available, it will be posted below. So please check back to see what is new.
If you are interested in more information about the river study, contact the Anderson Valley Land Trust via e-mail at avlt@mcn.org or calling at 707-895-3150.
Thank you!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Navarro River, 2011 Summer Season Boating Survey • Navarro River Water Trail Assessment
During the Summer of 2011, the Anderson Valley Land Trust conducted a summer observational use survey to collect information on types and levels of river-related summer recreation use within the study area. This survey was conducted by the Anderson Valley Land Trust for the Anderson Valley Community Services District with funding from the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
For survey purposes, the study area was defined as the Navarro River from Hendy Woods State Park downstream to its mouth at Navarro Beach within the Navarro River Redwoods State Park. The survey was conducted at five locations:
Hendy Woods State Park – Day Use Area
Philo-Greenwood Road Bridge – Philo Beach
Navarro River Redwoods State Park – Paul M. Dimmick Campground – Beach
Navarro River Redwoods State Park – Iron Bridge Site (sometimes called the Big Hole)
Navarro River Redwoods State Park – Navarro Beach
Click here to download a PDF of the complete survey summary report.
