Napa River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Napa River | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Regions | Napa County, Solano County |
| Major city | Napa |
| Length | 55 mi (89 km) [1] |
| Watershed | 426 sq mi (1,103 km²) [2] |
| Source | Mount Saint Helena |
| - location | Mayacmas Mountains [3] |
| - coordinates | [3] |
| - elevation | 3,745 ft (1,141 m) [4] |
| Mouth | Carquinez Strait |
| - location | San Pablo Bay |
| - coordinates | [3] |
| - elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Major tributaries | |
| - left | Milliken Creek |
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.
Contents |
[edit] Course
The Napa River rises in northwestern Napa County south of Mt. St. Helena in the Mayacamas Mountains of the California Coast Ranges. 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 to the San Pablo Bay is a large wetland known as the Napa Sonoma Marsh. The Napa River watershed encompasses approximately 426 square miles (1,103 km²).
[edit] Natural history
Known for the vineyards in its valley, the river also provides a habitat for salmon and steelhead. Although Chinook salmon still spawn in the river, the Coho salmon population is extinct in the river and the steelhead population and splittail have been greatly reduced in recent years.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Protection Project
After the devastating flood of 1986, the dormant Napa River Flood Project was revitalized. The Project underwent a lengthy redesign and was approved by the local voters in 1998. Construction began in 2000 and is expected to continue through 2011 or later.
[edit] Recreation
The Napa River and the surrounding watershed provide many recreational opportunities. Whitewater kayaking 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.
[edit] References
- ^ About Napa River, Developing A Nutrient Management Plan for Napa River Watershed
- ^ Napa River Watershed, Napa County Resource Conservation District
- ^ a b c USGS GNIS: Napa River
- ^ Google Earth elevation for source coordinates
