Eel River
★ Wild & Scenic
Mendocino / Humboldt Co. · 200 mi · Class I–III
1,620CFS/ 10.67 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 1000–5000 CFS · USGS #11477000
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
National Wild & Scenic River (1981) · California Wild & Scenic River
Wild & Scenic through the heart of redwood country — the Eel River flows 200 miles through some of the most remote and forested terrain in California. The river supports critical steelhead and Chinook salmon runs and passes through ancient coast redwood groves. Best in winter and spring rain season; the Eel is California"s most seasonal major river.
Trip sections
Pillsbury Run — upper river, Class II–III, remote
Dos Rios to Alderpoint — Class I–II, scenic canyon
South Fork Eel — Class I–III, redwood country, most popular
Outfitters
Redwood Adventures
Eel River guided paddle trips in Humboldt County
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.