./

•

-

• . .. During the periods of June S , August. 15-17, 25 - 26 ,

Septe~ber 2- 3 . a~d Octobe r 21, 1959 , fia lc investigations of t~e

South Fork ~el and certain tributaries were conducted by P. . F.

Eb.'all, L . O. Fisk, and seasonal aid x.l.:. rvin Sl_y .

"These investigations consis';;ed of wal!{in& out t ho main

river bet\.;een Jack of Hearts Creek a nd Ten i·lile Cr eek a:ld up Ten

la1e Creek froI:! the JI;out.h to Ca.'1l]) Sebo~/j checking all t.ributa:'ies

to the main river from tr.eir ~uths upstream as f ar as tiree per­

mitted; checking the ma i n strean ar.d tributaries a t every access

point above the Branscomb Dam site; walking out the ~~in stre~

froc a point 2 miles above Ratt lesnake Creek downstre~ to its

confluence with the main river ; wal king out the main stre~ and

che cki ng all ~ribu~ary =ou~hs between Ratt lesnake Creek and Cedar

Creek HatcherYi checking re prese nt ative pools in the ~ain river

!:>e t~;een Hickey Stat;e Park and Benbow Lake; checking pools and

walking out short di stances of the main river betwee n Redway and

t he mouth of t he South Fork. ,

On June 8 , the main st r eam above Branscomb was sampled

by use of block ne~s and Cresol. Fish populat i ons t hus en~rated

we re used as a basis ror estimaC :i..ng populations elseunere in th:'s

ar ea vi sually . All large pools below Br anscoob were checked by

2 men using snorkel gear . This cethod allowed a Dor e coopleCe

inventory of rish populations to be made in ~he l arge pools than

wO'J.ld have been possible otherwise . In all instances , a1:- and

.. '" water ternpera~ures 11ere reco:-ded with Taylor pocket thermometers

Page 2 of J

and flo~l cstinated . The follo~ling is a sUr.!.':I.,lry ot the observations

made duri~ t~is period .

Juvenile and yearli~g production ot steelhead a~d silve~

sal~on appeared to be greatest in th~ Branscomb area where streams

.· a!'e narrOl1, better shaded and water is colder than in the lower

drainage. In this a!'ea the fish ~lere observed t o be scattered

throughout the stre~ during the day r ather than schooling up in

sw~ll areas of cool water such as was the case in the lower river .

Salmonid fish populations were also l arge , although less

so than obse:'Ved in the Branscomb area , as far dOlm as Horseshoe

Bend . Fron this pOint downstream to the mouth of the South For k ,

the population density of young fish became progressively less,

with the least numbers of fish occurring in the river section

be low Garberville .

In t he sections of strcans checked below Horseshoe Send

one pattern was quite evident: very fe~1 (in r.lany instances, none)

fish freque:'lted the large pools . Where they did , it was found that

they were in pools with the real stratification, or where cold

waters of tribu~aries entered the main. river ,

In those sections tlhere there were rapids or riffle

.7

•

areas at the head of pools, and the pools were not stratified , the

tel:lperatures being the sa:r.e in ::;he rapids and pools, the majori ty

of fish ~ere found to be present in these areas of faster moving

water . - -It waz not apparent wheth~r - - -they favored these areas be -

cause of higher velocities, better shelt e r, better aeration, or

nor e food . Unfortunately , these riffle areas

of the total

the drainage is characte r ized by long, deep pools and long , sandy -bottomed runs • •

,

• • Page 3 o f 3

Of inte rest ..... as the fact that r.lO'r'e fish of yearl ing

s ize -"e r e p :"e se:lt i n t he mi d and lo~;er reac hes of t he dra i nage . than ' in t :'e head\~&te:-s section where juve:liles or f i s h of t he

year predominate .

.. ~ .. , .,

,

•

,

Par,a 1 of 3 •

SOUTH FORK OF THE EEL RIVER -- STREM·l SURVEYS

During the periods of June $ , August 15-17, 25 -26 ,

September 2- 3, and October 21, 1959 , field investigations of the

South Fork Eel and certain tributaries were conduc~ed by R. F .

Elwell , L. O. Fisk , and seasonal aid Marvi n Sly .

These inves~igations consis~ed of walking out ~he main

river between Jock of Hearts Creek and Ten ;:ile Creek and up Ten

~ .. ile Creek from tho mouth to CaJllP Sebow; checking all tributaries

to the main river from their mouths upstrea~ as far as timo per­

~~ttod; checking the main stream and tributaries at every access

point above the Branscomb Dam site; walking out ~he main stream

from a point 2 miles above Rattlesnake Cr3ck downstream to its

confluence I'o'ith tho main river; walking out the main stream and

checkinr, all tributary mouths between Rat t lesnake Creek and Cedar

Creek Hatchery; checking representative pools in the main river

between Hickey State Park and Benbow Lake; checkinr; pools and

walkin' out short distances of the main river between Redway and

the mouth of the South Fork .

On June 6 , the main stream above Br anscomb was sampled

by use or block nets and Cresol . Fish populations thus enumerated

were used as a b.nis for estir:l8.tinr; populations elsewhere in this

area visually . All laree pools below Branscocb were chcck~d by

2 men usinr. snorkel cear . This method allowed a core complete

inventory of fish populations to be made in the lar~e pools than

wO;Jld have been possible otherwise . In all instances , air and

water tenperatures were recorded with Taylor pocket thcrmo~oters

Par:e 2 of 3

and flow estinatcrd . The following is a ~:;u=ry of the obs<Jrvations

made durinr, this period .

Juvenile and yearl:nr production of steelhead and ~ilver

salmon appeared to be r.reatest in the Bransco~b area where ~treams

are narrow, better shaded and water is colder than in the lower

drainace . In thi~ area the fish wc-re obS',rvcd to be scattered

thrOUfftOut the stream during the day rather than schooling up in

small areas of cool tlater such as was the case in the lower river .

Salmonid fish populations were also l:>re;e, althou,r:h less

so than ohse~ved in the Branscomb area, as far down as Horseshoe

Bend . From this point do~mstre;Jm to the mouth of the South Fork ,

the populction density of younr- fish became progressively less,

with the least numb~rs of fish occurr ine in the river ~ection

below Garberville .

In the ~ections of str"ans checked below Hor~e~hoe Bend

one pattern was quite evident : very few (in m..1ny instances, none)

fish frequented the larf,e pools . ".'.'here they did , it was found that

they were in pools with themal stratification, or where cold

waters of tributaries enter~d the main river .

In those sections where there were rapids or riffle

areola at the head of pools, and the pools we~c not stratified, the

telllpe~ature$ being the sa;-.e in the :-apids a::ld pools, the majority

of f1:::h .... '!l'$ found to be nTe"'ent in these areas of faster movin£;

water . It wa~ not ~pparent whether they favor3d these areas be­

cause of hir,her velocities, better shelter, better aeration, or

more food . Unfortunately , these riffle areas only comnrise a v~ry

small percentage of the total drain.,j~e . The erell.test portion of

tho::' drainage 1(1 ch::l.raeterizcd by lone , deep peol:; nnd lonp:, sandy

bottomed runs .

Par;e J of J

Of interest .... as the fac t t hat more fish of yearlinc:

size wnre pre~ent in the mid and lOhur r~aches of the drainage

than in the hcadw:tte"'s section where juvenile3 or fish of the

year predoclnnte .

Pare 1 of 5

SOUTH FORK EEL RIVER - n:NDOCINO COU!fl'Y

Stream Survev -- B- 15- 59

On this date the stream section between Rattlesnake

Cr~ek and the Cedar Creek Hatchery (approximately 3 miles) was

walked out by L, O. Fisk and R. F. 31well . An inv~ntory of ex­

isting fish po~ulations was made with snorkel ~ear in the large

pool areas . Visual observ,tions were ~~de in riffle areas and

runs by wadinp' the areas .

I<out-h of Rattlesnake Creek . A. T. 770, '! . T. 680 F.

10 :15 a . IH . Flow est . at 4 - 5 cfs, cascadinr . Considerable

number of boulders in section immediately above mouth . Pool

development f,ood . Sa.lmonids 2" - 5" connnon (10 - 12 per pool ).

Suckers 2" also common . \';ater clear . Shaded areas scarce .

Av'l . Width, S' (6' - 17') . Ave . depth , l' (6" )') .

South ;"ork Eel. 50 ' above confluence with Rattlesnal;e

Creek . A.T. 770 F., ·.i . T. 700 F. at 10: 20 a . n . Salr:lonids (only

stee1h~ad could be positively identifi~d) 2" - 5" very common

(IS - 20 in 2 s~uare yards of str~am) . Suckers 2" or·sent .

Three dead R'i' - SH 2", 1 dead stickleback (1.5") obs~rved 100 '

below mouth of ~attlesnake Cr·ek .

W.T . 67 . 50 F. at 11:00 a . t:I . , i mile below mouth of

Rattlesnake C~ek . One bro~n Bullh~ad 2. 5" heavily parasitized

obs,rved at margin of back ",ddy .

W.T. 72° F . at 11 ; )0 a . c .• at surface of larBe pool

150' lonr, x 40 ' wide x 8 '- 10 ' deep w/sand bottom. ~o temperature

Par:e 2 of 5

stratification in pool. A school of an estlnat ed 100 salmonids

(RT- SH) 2" - 5" obs . ~ticklebacks COl"lDon .

The S. Fork betw·en the mouth of Rattl~snake Creek

and a point aoproxin1t~lv ~ nile dis . r uns through very step·

walled canyon coy -red .,ith h",av:, ti:::ber -- fi r, oak &. alder

along stream marcin . Stream channel av?raees )00 - 400 ' in

width , the wetted peri~etE'r froI:! 10 ' _ 50' . The channel alter­

nates between short rapids (riffle areas for cost part) and

large, wide , fairly deep (8 ' - 10 ' ) pools . The bottom of the

channel i5 pr~dominately larg~ boulde r s and rubbla with very

little spawning aren . l:ost of the fish obsp.rvp.d were in rapidly

moving water . The pools were harr en except for a faw salmonids

at the upper ends of tho pools . Small sc hools of RT - SH juveni les

and suckers were fairly common , but f ar froI:! abundant as expected .

Flow ost in~tod at 15 cfs .

Ona - half mila bolow Rattlesnake Creek : Larec pool

)00 ' lon~ x 40 ' wide x 10 ' deep wlsand bottom . W. T. 710 F. at

11 :00 a . n: . Pool barrpn of rish life except fa!" On9- 14" sucker

and 7 sticklebacks . No tenp . stratification.

Pool 200 ' long x JO' wide x 12 ' deep barren . No

fish life of any kind observed . \> .T. 710 F . (1l.;J0 a . n . ). rIo

teep • .!ltratification . ',~ater te!:lperatures takfln at .!lurface,

mid depth . And bottom at v~rious points in all pools, with (2)

Taylor pocket therrnornote-s .

Pool 2l~0 ' x 200' x? (est . 14' - 16 '+ )

approximately 100 adult suckers 8" - 12" observ~d .

No tenporaturc stratific1tion .

School of o W. T . 71.5 F .

Porct! J of 5

Pool 150 ' x 75 ' x 17. ' - 1 iar{;::! suc:Cer obsprved .

VI . T . (surrace) 720 F ., 11 : 45 a . m. Trm,pe-ature stratificrttion

evident . · . . r . (bottom) 700 F .

Apr'ro:x:il.fltely 60 suckers (?O" and 75 ?.T - SH (2 . U" )

obs'~ed in shallows at lowpr end of l~r~e pool w/~r~vel bottor. .

South Fork from to 1 rule below j~outh of Itnttle:make

Creek . Stre3~ characteri~tics same as noted in first \ 011e ,

short rapid!) drop:lin~ off into l:l.re~ , deep pools , stretching out

into Ion.'; sandy oottooed rum,. rif"n.c , pool , etc . Pructicully

all fish oboerved were in areas of" oore rapidly running 11ater

(avlrar.:inr.: 15' x 20 ' wide by l' in dept h) rath"r than in pool

nr'!as . CJ.ddis , Bay fly , stone fly and daosel fly lorv,10 were

ob::; . to b("l fairly abundant in the shallow 'l.rcas . I·jost of .fioh

noted in !) .... 'iftor 1.lovinr: water wpre in arRas where rubble (17." and

IJ.r/l:er) predomin"t(ld . 'rl:e:;e were RT-SH juveniles aver.1[:inr, 2 . 0"

in lenr-th . A. T . 820 F., \I . T. 730 F . a t 1 2 noon . Flow cst. 15+cfs .

Confluence .:/Low Gan Crpek , Annl"'Oxinatelv 1 milf' bolow

~attle:muf;c Cr"ck . I . . T . in South Fork ~el River 760 F . above

Low Gup Creek . .T . in Low Gap Creek 25 ' u/s was 650 F . , Flow

cst . J ef5 . Juvenilo 3ilver Sal.::on and Sil- RT were co:;;non in this

t-ributary . ,i school of apPl'o:x:i..ately 200 itT- SH (?) w~'re obs·~rv .. d

crowded to[;ot! 'r in South Fork at point where cooler water of

Low Gap Creei<: emptied into South Fork .

. , . T . 710 F . , A. T . 730 F . at l : UO p . m., approximi\taly

t mile below Low Gap Creek .

Riffle ar·a ap"roximately l, mile above Cedllr Creek - ­

A. T . 790 F . , \ . T . 75 . 50 F . a t 1400 . Flow '!!Jtimatod 12 - 15 efa .

Pflp:e 4 of 5

Pool i=odiatC!ly below riffle _ 200 ' .x 100 ' .x 12 '.

A. T . 790 F ., ~;:r . (surfact) 75 . 50 F . , ', . T . (bottor.1 _ 12 ' depth)

7fJO F. ::>efinlte temp . stratific:l.tion . Suc:;ers (l2n _ 14n ), est .

sevoral hundred , ana a: esucl n~bc~ o~ salr.1onids (2n - 5n ) wp-re

obs'~rv'Jd in the cooler str'ita .

Eir Dan Crtlek . A. T . 780 F . , \: . T . 680 F . at 2 : )0 p. c .

Flow cascadinr, est . 2 - ) ers. Botto~ nrp.do~i~ately larr rub­

ble and boulde:--s 3 short distance abov.e ClOuth . Averare width of

stream, 4 ' 0 ' - 5 ' ) ; depth, 4n . Very narrow, steep- sided canyon

(small) • lJ(!avy Mrp;lnal ve~etat.ion . RT- SH avo . J" and silvers

ave . J" were present but not abundant .

Lnrro Pool " con!'luenee of Bip, Dan and ~outh Fork .

A larr:e school of RT - SII (est . several hundred) ave . 2" - 5" were

o!Js~rvr'!d CIt point whore cooler W<lter entf'red SOllth Fork . Stickle­

b~k~ al~o w~re n~~rous . Surface temp . 770 F . , temp . at bottor.1

(12 ' down) was 690 F. Pool was )00 ' .x 150' x 12' .

Lar!'o nwnbnrs of Juvenile salmonid(l observ'ld in South

Fork at point tlnere coo13r wflter !'rom Gedar Creek H"ltchcry ponds

entered the So~th Fork .

Pnr:e 5 of 5

Swm:Jltry

1 . Juvenile 5e'l11:]0n and steCllh'lad populations app'l8r

to be lilllic'Jd in t):iiJ J-r:lile section . Hic:h water t>,nperaturcs

may h.1 on of t.l". limitinc; fClctors, as evidenC<:Jd by the tendency

of flul_ to school up ~th !rQ ,

~cro~rat~~s arc cooler in pools or nt

the mouths of tributaries . ReiJident fiiJh population:> (8" or oY<~r)

:.rere not in evidencCl 1n thi: !IClction .

2 . Thero ao"oars to be adct:u:lt" livin" sp.'lcc Il Y,1ilable

I?r much hrrcr fish populations than now pr"')~ent . ThiiJ opaCQ,

mainly in the fonm of V)ry larr,c pools , is not b'l;nr, occupied ~t

oro sent except where temps are iJeversl deerees cooler in one sec ­

tion of the pool . Th,}se pools , in general , anpe;;lr b3rrcn of fish

life . Juvenil'~ (jalrnoni<l.s were not'ld in ""ost rifflp. area:>, or aroas

of rapidly flowinr wfltflr ov"r ruhble , bo,;lder bottom . Since water

temperatllres in th(!iJC nr'l<lS nre the :;&.1.0 all noted for unstratiIied

pooliJ , oth'lr fnr:tort, are probabl;' Tesponsibl0. for th'l prc.:ence oI

fish -- such e.~ sll'lt'lr", food, wCltnr v",locity, or h'lttcr a'lriation.

'lhf! pools, how~v",r , did not apnear sta~nt .

J . Rifflp. ,1nd s?al"min'" a-·~as are VClr,' limited in this

~ection . Riffl~s con5tituta ~ small pcrcentar,c of the bottom, it

lein!,: charactcri?;<ld u}' a short ri!"fle chop:'in~ off into a lonr, deep

Dool, ,:xtClldin into a lonr , w <ie, shallol1 , sil:,d;' bottor::~d run, end­

in;" in a short riffla t etc .

4 . ';;nter quality IlPflr,a~d [:ood throur:hout . Al"al r:rowths

w~re rr.inir.w.l , no sta"!!, I:.ion wo.o apr>arent, wJ.t-,r W:lS clear and clean .

5 . Aquatic food p,oduction apnC,1red to be f.1irly rood, lim­

ited for th'l most pRrt to tn" ri rfie-ruhble aTPa(l .

6 . The str~n~; channel is quite wide, unsholded for ~h" moat

part, and SUhj<1Ct to cOlU~iderilble solar h,.,at throll,r"hout mO(lt of the

day .

Par;e 1 of 4

SOUTH FORK EEL RIVBR - IlUImDLJ'r COUNTY

Stream Survey -- 8- 16- 59

On this date the str~am section between Redway and

the r.IO'J.th of the ~o;J.th Fork WfiS spot check~d by 1. O. Fisk ilnd

R. F. Elwell. Pools accessible rroJ:l Hir;hway 101 were chec~ed

with snorkel r,ear . Short sections of stream (several hundred

yards to ! milo) were checked out abov~ and below these pools

by w"din.'" the riffle!:! and !"\Ins .

I-louth of South Fork . 25 ' abov,," main Be 1. A. T . o 68 F. ,

~ .. T. 71° F . at 11:00 a . r.! . Flow est . 35 Cf8 . wat"r cbar . No

fish life obs-'rv~d . (wat..-,r temp . in main Eel , 100 ' UJ)s"r .. am WI5

670 r . , flow 0St . 15 cfs . )

South Fork , 1 mile above confluence with muin Bel River •

Pool 1/8 mile lonr x 50 ' wide x 4' deep . . T. 690 F. at 11:15 a . M.

at shore . 40 - 50 RT- SH 3 . 0" 5. 0" observed alonr; marr,in of pool

next to highway . Sav'}ral sm.J.ll s';ckers (4 . 0") also observed . One

dead cottid - 6 . 0" . One 21" steelhead { 6" ) obsC!rved to be in distr<Jss

swilt.'I1inr; erratically alon;; surface of pool ncar bank . Flesh firm ,

appeared to bI fresh r.m fish . Cause 0:' distres;; unknown . , At/point 1 miles above the couth , the riv~r was observed

to bo 400 ' wide and averarinr; 2' in depth . Botto'" s~nd. 1 r:r',en

sunfish _ 6" obse~(!d in 2()Q y:lrd section . !:o othcr fish life .

Rivror at M."lth,r Grove . A.T . 790 Y . , .. T . 720 F . ~t

12 : 45 p . o . in pool 300' x 100' x 12 '. Sand bottom ; fe'l>' boulders .

No strCltificnt!on . One sucl:er (14"), 1 dead stickleback . No

other fish life obs"rved .

Pare 2 of 4

ena-h.'!1! ~ill' bo)ow ilJinms Crave . Pool 1/8 mile lone x

150' wide x 20 ' (1) . A. T. 830 F ., "" .T . 740 F. ::It 1:15 O. lt. No

str"tificlltion. 3" 6" Fravel and sand bottom . 8 suckers , 4 dead •

st t c::leb"c!:s and no trout ohs ~ved . in the riffle at h~:ld of pool,

"' . 'f . was 710 F., riffl!'! ~:as 30 ' - 50 ' ~;ide x 200 ' lon" 2" _ 6"

Gravel on bottOJl) . Ilo trOllt observed . 6 - 8 live sticidob'_cks

along r::ar)'jinr: .

Snl~on Cr"e~ Road Brid<,;e Cr ossinI'; . Pool 300' - 500' long,

x 100' Wide x 4' deep (Ave . Bottom sand, r:ravel covClred with

consi,lerable alr,ae . A. T . 860 F. , I'i' . T. 750 F. , at 3:00 n . . One

suck'lr (2 . _"l. several sticklebacks obs~rved . 110 stratification;

no other fish life .

Pool under bridp:e, 600' long x 75 ' wida x (?) , \"i . T .

(surface) 750 F. , \'1 . T . (12' - 15 ' rlo~ml 700 F. at ) : 15 p . M. 12

suckers (~" - 12"). 3 schools (several hundred in each school)

of salmonids (Av., . 7" (5" - 6")) observed in cool,)r water .

I'ote : Th<>se saMe fish had boen obsQrv:!d scattl'red out alonr, the

surface of t is pool earli"r in the mornin:- on this sal',t"! d'ly .

Th .. y ann.1rently schooled up and dropped dmm into cool~r water

lato)" in t~e aftornoon a~ the surYace waters warocd up .

Riffle I\rea 3t hlad of above pool -- Ave . 50 ' wide x If"

deep x 1/8 l:Iile lonr . Bottom c:ov3red 'dith claan gr3val . ,i . T .

750 F . at 3:30 p . m. Flow est . 12 - 15 c.fs . Good r:Jarhin31 (willow)

cover along bank. Caddis larvae COJlir:Jon . One suck",!" (2 . 5"), one

RT- SH (2 . 0") observed .

P'Ige J of 4

Pool 800 ' above riffle noted above - - ·" . T. 700 in pool

(unstr.'ltif'ied) . R! - !)H (4" - 7") observed apparen'tly f.'edine at

head of pool whoro wa::'l!r" spills over riffle . \'; . T . in riffle (mid­

str'2am) 75' F . at ):50 p.m . One e" anu:,ocoete obsorved in pool --

sWirr-_n- downstream .

Redway-Bricoland Road Arid"e . A. T . 67 . 50 F . , ·" . T .

58 . 50 F . II.t 9: 00 a . ::! . Flow est . 25 cfs . ; water clear . lil'Jlt

RT- SH (3" - 6") obs"Med in h~ad of pool at. end of Ion;: riffle

helow bridr:e . l:any sticklebacks in pool. One dead RT - SH (5 .0") ,

9 dead stickelb:lcl.s obs(!r"vad alonF, marein of stream. No other

fish life observed in JOD - yard section of stream.

Summary

In F,cnaral , salmonid populations were obs~rved to he ex-

'trell1ely small for the amount of habitat avail<'lble . J.:any pools W!'Ire

observnrl to btl dovoid of all f'ish life . .;here present , they fre ­

quented the cooler waters .

Aquatic food production appears to be fairly cood in this

section .

Spall."lIir.r, .:troas are .',:ood althou'-.h not extens:ve . The r,ra­

dient is shll.llow, r~sl:ltiny. in wider , shallower, sandy bottor.:ed runs

and lon~ , deep , wide S.'lndy bottor.l pools . p.o.

mos" short . 'rho majority of t.he stream

pools and runs .

Riffle tlr9aS tlre , for ~he

" bot.t.o:n .. ch1ract.eriZ,!d by

The str am is wide and expos9d , with littl~ or no sh~ded

areas . It is subject to considerable t.hermal h~atln~ fo r the

Fr"at.es~ p.1rt of ~hf! day .

Pal'"c 4 of 4

\int'~r quality WIIS judl'"ed ~ood -- the wlIt"r b,,-in,", cle.,r

for the most part . Al~al Crowths were evident alon' the shallow

r.Li'.Irgins of sone pool ar"as, ',ut not excessive .

T~1C a.v, ~ar;~ size of s<'l.ll:'1On1:s in this .section ~'as gen­

era.lly sovernl inchez lnrger than noted ~n the section ~tween

Rattlesnake Creek and Cedar Creek .

Pap:e 1 of 4

SOUTH FORK EEL RIVER - t·lE!iDOCINO COUNTY

Stream Survey -- 6 - 17 - 59

On this d~te the ~outh Fory. Eel and tribut~ri S in

the Branscomb aroo IoI'croll ~OOt checy-cd b:, L. O. Fisk and R . F .

Zlwe11 . Short scctions of str~ams were walked out whereve r

accessible hy road . Visual obscrvations ~ere made of fish pop­

ulations, spawning & nursery areas . Flows were estieat~d and

air and water temperatur'1s recorded with Taylor pocket thermom­

eteriJ .

Head ..... aters Section of Sout h For k where Laytonville

Road !:Ieets strcam: Stream intermittent . Pools 10 ' x 20 ' x 8"

conta i n 16 2U :::;o.lnrmid3 (2" - 4") each . Dens ely shaded area .

A. .T . 680 P., ,· . • T. 590 F. a t 9 ;)0 a . m. Liv(! water 1/4 mile d/s .

Very f;ood spawninr. art,a .

South Fork lit point where unnamed tributary cnt~rs

fro!:! the north in Section J? (On CI::Jrke Ranch). A.T . 680 P. ,

~; . "i' . 600 F . at 10:20 & . 1:1 . Flow asti. 2 crs . , Cascadine . averar;e

width 6' () . - 20 ' ) . . ,v~rar;c depth l ' (6" - 2 ' ) . Pool develop­

r.ent excellent . Shelter and sh~e excellent . Bottom predominately

rubble and scalI boulders . Silver :;alr!!on avc . 2 . 5" vep' comrr.on .

SH ave. 2. :J" _ 5" eo~on . )0 SS (Ave . 2 . 5") obs~rved in O!"le 5:r~'1l

pool .

South r'or;': , 1 mile above S~ct.ion )2 . Flo,", est . 50 [':pm .

Avcray,e width 8 ' iJ' - 1st), depth 4" ()" - 8") . Bottom rub'!lc .

Eroavel . Very p,ood shelter . V;)ry r:ood Alder, nay :stream 3hade .

Par;!! 2 of 4

\ . . T . 58 . 50 F . at 9 : 15 a .. Sl'I.lmonids (ave . 2 . (") v~ry ahundant .

(A . I' . 750 F . , . . r . 640 F . at 4 : 2U 0 . - . at t is 5pot in aft('rnoon) .

South ,.·ori . . 0 . 3 !:Iile Up5tr«lL: fron con"'lu~ne", with

r."lvlor Gree;: . , . . T . 610 F . at 10:45 a . r.l . Flow est . 2 efs . Averar;e

width 12 ' (B ' -lB') , depth 0" (3" - I ' ) . Bottom sand , "rlvel,

rubble . Goo'i sp3.11ninr area . G.oo conifer, Bay . Alder shade .

.:. . .:. . . SH v<;ry nl.lCQrOU!l. Caddis, I·:':"y fly, stone fly abundant .

':'avlor Creek . Flow at County "oad Bri<.lr:e estim'l.te-i

1/2 ef::;, easeadinr,. Averar;e width ) , (2 ' - 5') . depth 6" (J" - tiff ) •

Rubble, nilt, r;ravel bot to:. Very sm.'l.ll, narro\'/ , steep-sided

canyon " mouth With heavy boy shade . A. T . 73 . 50 F . , Vi . l' . 61' F.

at 11:00 a . m. S . S . & Sf! vory nUI:lJrous i'ro:" mouth upstr~am 200 yds .

to lor; ja; . Aprears to h'lv~ been product; va ssream before lorr:ed­

off . Con:;idered to b'l of little value ror spawninp; in urpor sec ­

tions in pr~sent con,litif)ns .

R"'lr Creek . Flow est . 50 ~~ . Has been gxtensively

lor'r: ... d-ofr in past, aOpr!ars to have lit-tIe or no fi:;heri·s value

1n its pr~sent condi~ion .

~;~d Cr·ek . A. T . 7)0 ~' . , . . ·r . 610 F. at at 12 noon, 1/2

role abov·j couth . Flow est . 1.5 cfs . Ave . ... ·idth 6 ' (6' - 10'1,

depth 4" ()" - g"l . 3ottolil scalI rubble , r,rr,velj s~wnin' areas

jud;-:cd r;ood . Alder, conifer shade r:ood . RT- SH (3 . )n) pr'~sent

at 3t~tion but not lbundant . RT - SH up to 5 . 0" ohserv~d 1n pools

20 ' x 10' x 2 ' . ~iat,::,r t>lrhid . Fine silt on bottom . O,s11vp rs

arId SI! !~oted in puols above County Road Jridre .

Pae;c ) of 4

Kenny Crf'ek . A. T. 750 F . , ',' .T . 67° F . at 1: 20 p. r.1 . ,

1/2 milo a ,ov, !:IOuth . Flow cst. 1 <:fs . Ave . widt h 6 ' (J' _ 8 ' 0 ,

depth 5" ()" - 1 ' ) . Pool rlevelopmcnt and ~hade "nod . '.ottom

Rubble , ~rav()l, bedrock . Caddis, stone fly , j'lY ·lyabundllnt .

o sllv-:-. and SH vc>rv cor.r.on (2 1 ol's~rved 1.n one hole 10 ' x 6 ' x 1 ' ) .

SH up to 5" observed . One pool 20 ' x 12 ' x 12 ' contained an

est . 100 RT- SH 'lnd _~S . This ap~ars to be a v~r;' productive

str1am . 5p~wnin, ar"as judr:ed :-ood .

Re d"'ood ..:roek . A.T . 76 . 50 F . , ·,; . r . 61.50 F . 1lt 2:(10 p . n .

junction of 1:1,1in cr ek and l.orth i'·ork . Flow e:Jt . 25 .. pr.1 at ~his

po i nt . Pool develoPl~ent '~ood (10 ' x 6 ' X I ' - 2 ' ) . Thi s !lm.:lll

drain,1r:1:l ha.:l hflon extensively lor:r;'ld- off . As 11 r1S1l1t , the stream

i::; not as productivo £IS it coulcfue . Stream sections above junction

of ,iort h Fork of little value :)t prescnt . Cr,'e~: bad is full of

old lor,~inr; debris . F'air numbers of 0 - 51! I; e re noted in pools

adjacent to r0'ld (Avl'! . 2 . 0 " - 4") . One stickl ebac' (1. 5" ) .

l) - 5ilvor::; Ilr.d 51l COF.1 on i n lower sect i ons of' str~an . ~5 - )0

0~,s~rv'1d in onl'! sec:;ion 12 ' x 6 ' x 6 ". Good r;ravel spawnin/!: areas

pr esent in sections .

Dutch Charlie ~r~ek • . \'T . 740 F . , W. T . 67 . 50 F . at

Z: )O n . ~ . Flow ast . 1/? cfs . at Count y ~o~d rridf-o . Bottom

rubble , Q'av'~1. St.ade ar.e. spawninl!; ~.-eas very r;ood . Aver:l/tc

width 6 ' () . - 12 ' ) , depth 6" (3 " _ 1 ' ) . O- Silvers and SH (2 . (")

ve r y abund'lr.t at Co,mt" 'rid·:e . Draina~e extensive l y lo,"y,cd .

Par:c 4 of 4

RocY" Creek . Jry at mouth . Flow .. st . 50 e;pm 50' upst.r'1am.

A. T . 740

F . , •• T . 730 F. at 3:40 p . m. AVe r ar:c width 6' (Jr _ gr),

depth 3" (1'" - 0") . £!ottou rUI, Ie , r:rav,.,1. Shade fair , sl,eltcr

~ood . Alder-willow .a:.arr;inal vef;"tation . 0-Silv'1rs , SH pre_ent

~p to 6.u· in pools . Sticklebac_,s 1.5" pr'scnt . Drain"p!' in

lower reaches ha!l :cn cl-ar- cut . Up~r section a!' drain<l.,P;c not

o;;sIOrvcd .

South Fork above m"uth or _cock Cree:: . O- .jH (Avr- . 2 . 5")

obs-:rved in rair nunl1('rs . A130 stickllOl)ack,; .

Jac:, ,1' He;).rts ernek . A. T . SO' F . IL T . ,,' F- at J:45

200 ' abovt'! mouth . Flow cst . 1/2 " )/4 c f s . .;'vcrar,a width g,

I ) , - 12' ) , depth 6" I)" - 8") . Bottom :":ravcl , rub bIll . Spawninr;

arf'as !;cod . Shade , shfllter ,":ocd . Aquatic food produc tion pood .

O- :..;ilv"rs and 3H Vf!ry ah .ndant (Jo - 40 in every small pool) .

p . m.

Creek .

South Fork Eel 100 ' Above conrlucnca ~/ith Jack of Henrt!l

A. T . 800 F . , \1,' , 1' , 740 F. at 2 : 55 p . r:l . Flow est . B cfs .

Ona 3" sucker , six 2" RT -SH , four 6" RT-SH, and cany stic~lebacks

observed in one pool 15 ' x 10' x J '.

S=rv

In 'eneral, both spawnin:-; and nursery areas for juv(!nile

saloon and ste~lhead ap~::r to b-:J v r:, r;ood in both the main str':!al:l

and all major tri~ut rirs .

Almost wit.hout exception, th", nroduction of all tributaries

co-lld bo incroa::md considerably through str'ar.:t reh,~bilitation (log

jam removal , I"ro:.:ion checks, etc . ) . 'fhe entire w;),t~rRh':!d hll.!l b<'!en

101".f,ed off , ext.<'!n!lively in some (peti.ons , and fish life has suffered

ilccordinr:ly .

Aquatic food production an'V",1rs to h~ v':!r'r f:00d .

Page 1 of )

SOUTH FORK gEL RIVER

Stream Surveys -- 8- 25-59 , 8- 26- 59

On 8- 25,26- 59 , pools between Hickey State Park and Een­

bow Lake were checked out with and without snorkel gear by R. F .

Elwell and \'1 . I!ausslcr . Flows were estimated; air and water tem­

peratures recorded with a Taylor pocket thermometer .

Hickey State Park . Pool 100 ' x 20 ' x 10 ' (t mile below

mouth of Rock Creek . A.T. 8J . 5° F. , Surface V.T . 740 F. at 1400.

';, . T. at bottom of pool, 700 F. An est . 100 - 150 salmonids

\2 . 5" - l2")' )00

(75 - 14n) and (60

400 sticklebacks, and a school of suckers

4n) were observed at a depth of 8' from the

surface in this cooler water, in an area approximately 10 ' square .

The fish were stacked in layers , hangine motionless . Only the

suckers swam off when approached by a diver . The salmonids were

reluctant to move .

Lanes Redwood Flat . Pool 200' x 100 ' x 15 '+. 1;/ . T .

(surface) 760 F . ; W. T . (6' down) 750 F . at 1500 . 25 - JO sall:lonids

observed in cooler water . Several hundred sticklebacks also were

obse rved . At a poi nt where the inflow from an unnamed tributary

entered to pool (inflow est . 1 gal/hr . ) by seepage through the

r.;ravel , an cst . 40 salmonidz ()" - an) were observed concent r ated .

W. T. of this inflow was 6)0 F. One dead sucker (14") was removed

frol:! the pool by another skin diver .

Pierc v Hole . Side pool 200 ' x 40' x 9 '. A. T. 870 F. ,

W. T. 730 F. at 1530. No tenpcrature stratification . An estimated

20 salrnonids \3" - 6") and 15 sticklebacks (2 . 0") were observed .

Pap:e 2 on

Piercy Hole (Contd) . Pool 500' x 100 - 150- x (JO'?) .

II.T . 750 F. at 1530. A school of approximately 15 salr:lOnids (2" - 6")

obs~rved at 8 ' below surface (No temperature stratific~tion) .

Suckers (4" - 5") observed feeding on rocks, 1 sucker (12") on bottom ,

many sticklebacks (2 dead) along wargin of pool . This pool was

too larse for one person to check adequately .

County Line Road Bridee . Pool 200 ' x 50' x (13 - 30')

below bridge. This pool was not checked ~lith snorkel gear . W. T.

770 F. at 1645 . Suckers up to 16" and 6 salmonids (up to 6") obs .

in pool. Suckers (4 .0") and salmonids (4 . 0") scattered through

riffle at head of pool .

Pool above bridge -- 100' x 100 ' x (1) . 8- 26- 59 . This

pool was not checked ~iith snorkel gear . II.T . 6So F. at 0900. An

estimated several hundred salmonids (4" - 7") were observed scattered

throughout this pool along the surface - actively f cadinp, . S - 10

suckers (5") and) (S") observed .

Richardson Grove . 8-26- 59 . A. T. 6)0 F . , \'1 .1 . 68 . 50 F .

at 0945 . Estimated several hundred sa~onids ()" - 4") were obs.

scattered thOUfftOut a rubble-bottoced riffle section leO ' long x

20 ' wide by 18" deep . In a pool 200' x 15 ' x 40 ' , 3 or 4 salmonids

()" _ 7") were observed every 6' along the oargin of the pool . 12

saloonids 4" 6" were observed in one 20' section . One school of

estimated 30 sticklebacks \2 .0") observed . This pool was not

snorkeled . Suckers 4" - 8" also observed .

1/2 mle North of Richardson Grove . (Just North of

Brownievillc) . W.T. 700 F. at 1100. JOO- yard section of stroam,

:lilt bottom, ave. depth IS", pools to 6', width to 75'· ,'later

PageJofJ

clear, flow cst. 10 - 15 efs . One dead sucker 15" . 40 live

sticklebacks; 100 salrnonids J" - 7n observed in this section .

Scattered , rather than schooled .

Hillside f:otel: An angler 'ias checked at this point .

g steelhead- trout (4" - 6") were obs"lrved in his creel.

Benbow Lake (unper end) . ~J.T . 740 F . at 1215 at shore .

J-:any sa1monids (4" - 6" ) observed swirnr.!.ing 15 ' out frolll shore .

6r SF were extremely abundant alon~ the entire shoreline checked .

Benbow Lnke - 1st Riffle u/s f r om lake

at 1145 . Several salrnonids Ion - 6" observed from shore 20' . Larr-e

schoo l s of ISsF (1 . 5") along shore . l,jany stickleback:; observed .

SUIlllllClry

The pools checked on this survey wer~ those from which

nr . Haussler had taken fish by angling in the past . All contained

salmonids , although the pattern of seeting cooler water was still

evident as had been observed elsewhere in the drainage . Consider­

in~ the size of the pools , the populations observed were still be ­

lieved to be small . The location of Cedar Creek Hatchery at the

upP'lr end of this scction may explain the fact more fish were ob­

served than in the lower reaChes of th~ drainage on other surveys .

Too, if other pools in this section had been checked , fish popu­

lations may have been observed to be less .

PaBe 1 of 5

SOUTH FORK EEL RIVER - IlEIIOOCINO COUN'rY

Stream Surveys -- 9-2-59

On Septecber 2, 1959, the section of stream between Jack

of Hearts and I O-mile Creeks was walked out by R. F. ~lwell and

Marvin Sly. All pools that could not be satisfactorily checked

otherwise were checked with snorkel gear . Stream flows were

estimated, air and water temperatur~3 taken with a Taylor Pocket

Thcrcometer . Pictures were taken at representative spots .

South Fork - 1/2 mile belo~1 Jack of Hoarts Creek .

A. T. 860 F . , \~.T . 6So F . at 1300. Flow estimated 4 - 5 cfs . 14

RT-SH (2" - S") were observed in a rubble-bottom~d section 10' long

x 12 ' wide .

Elder Creek . \, . T . 580 F. j flow est . 2 - 3 cfs. at 1340 .

South Fork 50' above confluence wiElder Creek -- A.T. 790 F. ,

':, . T . 680 F. at 1340 ,

South Fork 50 ' below confluence wiElder Creek __ A.T. 790 F. ,

~ . • T . 040 F. at 1340 .

South Fork between Jack of Hearts & Elder Croek . Stream

averages 15 - 30' in width and IS" in depth . Bottom altornates

bet~!een bedrock, 1arr;e rubble, sand, and gravel. Spawning areas

appear fair but actually are thin layers of gravel ovcrlayinr bed­

rock . Stream is very well shaied with fir and alder vegetation .

Rubble, bedrock , sedr:e and willow along margin of stream furnishes

good she1der for fish . Thr"e deep pools observed in this sect.ion .

AVe . 75' x 75 ' x 12' . 30 RT- SH (3" - 6") observed in 1st pool ,

Prlr,e 2 of 5

6 in 2d. and 4 1n 3d . RT - SH (2" - 8n ) were p~sent along most of

stream scction (est . 10 in cvery 25' of stream) . Approximately

12 SUCKerS (J.On) were noted . Sticklebacks very ab:,mdant . Aquatic

food production good . Stream courses through deep, densely wooded canyo:

Considerable silt on stream bottom.

Elder Creek - Fox Creek . 18 RT - SH 2" - 8") noted in school

100 ' below ClOuth of iUder Creer.

6 RT-SH , Ave . 7", 8 RT- SH , Ave . 2 . 5 - J . O" , observed in pool

8 ' x 10 ' x Ie" w/rubble bottom.

An estimated JO RT - SH , Ave . 2. 0", were obscrved in a sec ­

tion of stream 25 ' wide x 15 ' long x IS" deep w/rubble bottom.

This abundance "'as typical for 1/4 mile - scction below mouth of

Elder Creek .

An estimated 40 RT - 5H,·,ve . J . O" , a.nd 8 up to 7" were

observed in section 12 ' wide x 15 ' long x 18" deep w/rubble bottom.

Water clear , very little r:lOS~ on rocks .

1/2 1·\11e belo .... !:outh of Elder Creek . A. T. 740 F. I W. T. 710 F.

at 1420 . (Picture taken of t.his station (#4)) . In this Area, which

was fairly open and unshaded with a rubble bottom, the stream averaged

25 - JO' wide, 12" deep . There were an esti~ted 60 - 100 RT-SH and

5S, ave 2 . 0" with soca up to 8n, in a stream secti on 10 ' long x 25 '

wide .

)/4 Hile b~low 8lde r Creek. 100 ' x )0' x 10'. Ii . T. 650 F.

at 14)0 from sur~ace to botto~ . Bottom silt and ~ravel . Two RT - SH

6.0" and 18 sticklebacks . RT-SH ohserved to be numerous above and

below pool.

Page J of 5

U11derness Lodr;e. A. T. 780 F., W.T. 680 F. at 1600.

Fox Creek . \>' . T. 600 at 1615. Flow est . 1/4 cfs . Ave .

width J ', depth 2~j RT - SH 1 . 5~ - 2. 0" observed 50' above mouth .

Bottom lar~e rubble .

Between Elder and Fox Creeks . The gradient is fairly

shallow . Long pools predocinated (1/8 mile long x 40 '_ 60' wide

x 4 '_ 5' deep) wit· rubble , bedrock, sand bottoms . Very good

stream shade alone entire section . Very few sa1rr.onids observed

in pool areas . 100 RT - SH ,possibly the most obs~rved in such pools .

The greatest number of salmonids were observed in rubhle-bottoned

areas with water depths of from 12n - 18n• Food production in

these areas , plus the shelter af forded , may acco~nt for this dis ­

tribution .

Horshoe Bend (Nid Point) . A. T. 740 F., W. T. nO F. at

1700 . Altho~sh the volume, velocity , type of bottom , etc . , is

much the s~ as observed above Fox Creek , the numbers of fish

observed are noticeably less . The majority of the fish obsp.rved

are in the rubble - riffle areas with few in pools. A <::uch gre.1tar

amount of brown alral growth is present on stream bottom.

50 ' above couth of Ten lale Creek . \1 .T. 690 F. at 1600

Flow estimated 6 _ 8 efa .

Between Fox and Ten 1:11e Creeks . The South Fork Eel

wanders throuph a fairly narrow , deep , well -wooded mountainous

canyon with fir, oak , alder, bay cove r. Stream shade generally

is eood . The aradient ia fairly shallow, most of the stream be ­

ing characterized by pools 75 ' x 40' x 6 '- l O'with boulder, sand

Paee 4 of 5

bottoms, alternating with r ,ns 40 ' - 75' x 18" - 4 ' with bedrock,

rubble bottom . Shorter riffle areas with smaller rubble are also

encountered occasionally . The streac bottom generally is silted

throughout except in rapids or areas of high water velOCities. A

few salmonids (est . 25/pool max . ) are observed in pools. Very few

to no fish w(>re obs<'!rved in the wide, shallow runs where t.he water

was slur;p:ish . '·:ost fish were apparent in the riffle areas or where

velocities were 1. 5 - 2 fps, with clean rubble bottom.

From a point just above Horseshoe Bend, and extendinp:

down to the mouth of Ten-I:11e Creek , algal p:rowth increases, water

temperatures appear hieher , and the abundance of juvenile salmonds

is much less than observed above this point . The majority of

salmonids were observed betw~en Elder and Fox Creeks .

In contrast to the Branscomb area , the banks alone the

South Fork between Ten-HUe and Jack of Hearts Creeks have not

been subjected to extensive logging . The stTea~ banks and slopes

are well ver;etat ed and do not appear to contribute to the siltation

and erosion evident elsewhere in the drainage .

Ten !-;110 Crepk . A.T. 750 F . , \\ .T . no F. at 18)0 at

mouth . Flow estimated 1. 5 cfs, aVDra~e width at ~outh 3' . depth

6" _ 8~ . Bottom composed of 1arre boulders. A. T. 680 F. W.T.

710 F . at 1900, midway between J:IOuth and Camp Saabow. Avern~e

width 20 ' , depth 18" . Water cascadinr throuf"h bouldered bott.oJ:l .

RT- SH 2~ - 5" very con~on in this section . 20

ft . of str,.,Qm. Suc;:ers 2 . 0 - 3 . 0 also present .

25 RT - SH/15 lin.

Stream charactpr chances radifc~ly approxi~tely 1/2 mile , below~~eabow fro~ lar~e boulder filled stream bed with f airly steep

Plle;e 5 of 5

gradi"nt, to flat, sandy bottoe in narrm., fairly well- wooded

canyon . Flow diminishes as it sinks into Poravel and sand .

St~arn was dry from Hwy 101 to a point approxi~ately 1 mile above

Seabow. (3 river otters were observed 1/4 eile dis from Jeabow) .

PaBe 1 of 2

SOUTH FORK EEL RIVER - 1·1ENDOCINO COUNTY

Stream Survey -- 9- 3- 59

On this date , the South Fork Eel was walked out from

a point 2 miles above the mouth of Rattlesnake Creek, downstream

to its confluence with the South Fork, by R. F. glwell .

Two t·l1les above Ratt lesnake Creek . A.T . 710 F ., ~·i . T.

670 F. at 1250 . Flow est . 10 12 efs . Pool 300 ' x 100' x 10' ,

SUrf:lee .I .T . 690 F . at 1300. 3 RT - 3H (6 . 0") and a larre numb .. r

of sticklebac:ts observed, in pooL One 55 {J . O") several RT- SH

(3 . 0") , 2 RT- SH (6 . 0" - 8 . 0" ) and 7 sticklebacks observed in short

rapids at head of pool .

1\ mil~s above Rattlesnake Creek . Pool 200 ' x 100 ' x

(15 ' +1). W. T . 700 F. at shore at 1330. Approximately 12 RT-SH

(6 . 0" - 8 . 0") observed feeding alone; mare;in of pool. One sucker

4 .0" observed .

One mile above Rattlesnake Cr eek . Pool 100 ' x 75' x 8 '

5 RT- SH (3" - 6") and 4 SUckers ().O,,) observed .

1/2 IUle .,bove Rattlesnake Creek . Riffle 100' x 12 ' x 1 '.

Rubble bottom (6" - 1"), bottom clean . Velocity est . 1. 5 - 2 .0 fps .

Flow est . 10 crs . RT - SH 2 . 0" - 3 . 0" very cornmon . Sioulldae, may

flies abundant .

1/4 Hile above Rat t lesnake Creek . Rapids area, rubble

bottom, velocity 1 . 0 - 1.5 fps; flow estimated 10 crs ., bottom

clean . Approximately 25 RT-SH (ave . 3 . 0" , 2" - 6") observed 1n

section 15' x 15 ' .x: 10" - 12" .

Page 2 of 2

50' Above Rattlesnake Creek . A. T. 740 F. , III . T . 710 F .

at 1500. Stream at this point 75 ' wide , 12K - 16K deep , sand,

g r avel bottom with scattered boulders . Area well shaded in late

aft ernoon . No fish life observed .

Rattlesnake Creek . II . T . 72° F. at 1500 at mouth. Flow

est . J cfs . 15 RT-.;H ()K - 5K) and g suckers (4") in one pool

12 ' x 15 ' xl' , 50 ' above mouth . A few silvers () . O") also noted .

SUlMItlry

The South Fork Eel, in this 2- mile section , !Jows throuch

a fairly open can:on , tha sl,les of which , along the stream , are

fairly well-wooded except in the lower one mile which has been

logged off extensively down to the waters edge in some places .

The gradient is moderate, the bottom pr~dominately sand and rubble

and boulders 1-;1th nome scattered oodrock . The bottoms of pools are

silted . The strea~ width alternates between 15' in the riffle

sections (Which ave . 50 ' - 100' long) of which there are only 4 or

5 , to 100 ' in the pool sections (of which there 3.r~ r::any) .

Approx:l'lately 90% of tr.is 2- lilile section is pool area . Shade is

fair - poor . Flows av~rared 10 cfs . throuFhout .

Salnonids (or Suckers) w~re very scarce in thn pools

and long runs (that averar,ed 75' x 50 ' x J ' l which had algae,

sand, and boulder bottoms . The fish were more abundant in the

riffle - rubble areas .

Par,e 1 of 1

SOUTH FORK EEL RIVER _ MENDOCINO COUNTY

Stream Survey - - 10- 21- 59

On this date a 1/4 - 1/2 mile of the South Fork Eel

between 10-.. ile Creek and Surveyor's Canyon was walked out by

R. F . 8l\~ell.

A. T. 720 Y., ~;.T . 57° Y . at 12 p. Flow estimated 20 c1's .

1/4 mile above SurvQyor'~ Canyon . 13 RT - SH ()" - 7w) were observed

feedinr, along the shore of a pool 200' x 70 ' x 10 ' deep, on a

hatch of stoneflies . No other 1'ish life obs~rved in thin pool .

Belo' .... this point, 8 - 10 RT- SH (J . 5w ) were observed in il 1/8

mi l e section of stream whose average width was )0 - 40 ' and ave .

depth 1 ft . Bottom wa5 composed of larfe boulders, rubble and

bedrock . Spawning areas scattered and considered fair - poor . Con­

siderable silt in stream bottom.