About
Eel River, California — Round Valley and Wailaki Homeland. Dam removal began in 2024 on the Potter Valley Project, opening 200 miles of the Eel River through Mendocino and Humboldt counties for the first time in over a century. Designated Wild & Scenic in 1981, the Eel averages 3,600 CFS with optimal flows between 1,000–5,000 CFS for paddling Class I–III water that ranges from remote technical runs to gentle canyon floats. The upper Pillsbury Run offers Class II–III whitewater in isolated country, while the Dos Rios to Alderpoint stretch drops to Class I–II through scenic canyon walls. The South Fork Eel runs through redwood country and draws the most paddlers, with Class I–III water served by Redwood Adventures. USGS gauge 11477000 tracks the main stem flows. The restoration project represents one of the largest dam removal efforts in California history, aimed at reopening historic salmon and steelhead spawning habitat throughout the watershed.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.