Noyo Watershed Overview
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains to a common body of water, defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys. Most of the water that falls on the landscape is either channeled through the soils and into ground water or flows into the streams and rivers, and eventually makes its way to the ocean.
Our daily activities on land impact the streams nearest to us and can be affecting our drinking water supply, the
Noyo River Watershed Overview
The
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Land Ownership
The Noyo River Hydrologic Sub-Area encompasses managed commercial timberland, a portion of Jackson Demonstration State Forest, rural residential housing and the City of Fort Bragg.
Land Use
In addition to commercial timberland management and residential use, recreational uses of the area are also important, including hiking, hunting, camping, boating, and fishing. There are numerous public campsites in Jackson Demonstration State Forest, and many youth summer camps along the mainstem Noyo River.
Noyo Harbor provides an important base for marine-based tourism, including sport fishing and whale-watching, as well as commercial fishing and other economic opportunities for Fort Bragg (retail, restaurants, etc).
The California Western Railroad “Skunk Train” which runs between Fort Bragg and Willits has its tracks next to the river for all but four miles of the river’s total length of 29 miles, and the tracks cross the river in more than 30 places.
Drinking Water Supply
The citizens of Fort Bragg receive the majority of their drinking water from the Noyo River. Growth within the City of Fort Bragg will result in more demand for water.
Native Salmonids
The Noyo River Watershed supports populations of Coho Salmon, Steelhead, and occasionally Chinook Salmon. Unfortunately, salmonid populations have been declining along the California coast. The NWA is actively supporting efforts to help conserve these populations of native salmonids in the Noyo Watershed area.