Lower Russian River
Map SatelliteIncluded in this area is the lower portion of the Russian River, to the limit of the tidal influence near Duncans mills, and some adjacent uplands. Essentially, this stretch can be considered an estuary and, as such, supports a typical coastal river brackish-water fauna, with isopods (Gnorimospaeroma), amphipods (Anisogammarus), small bivalves, oligochaete and polychaete worms, among other species.
The river system in its entirety is one of the more important anadromous fish-spawning areas in the State. Among the fish that enter the river are steelhead, Salmo gairdnerii gairdnerii, king salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, silver salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, striped bass, Roccus saxatilis, American shad, Alosa sapidissima, and probably the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus.
Along the riverbanks there are stretches of a riparian association including Alnus rhombifolia, Acer negundo, Sambucus callicarpa (?) and Salix spp. Inland there is coastal scrub and a mixed evergreen forest with redwood, Sequoia sempervirens.
Some 65 species of birds nest in the vicinity of the river, including the osprey, Pandion haliaetus.
Integrity: There are various developments along the banks of the river, including some agricultural land. Erosion in the headwaters and tributaries upon occasion lowers the water quality.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present. Some private.
December 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman