Home » Gualala River (page 2)

Gualala River

Sonoma, Mendocino County grape growers battling new rules designed to reduce sediment, pesticides in local waterways

by Mary Callahan, The Press Democrat, August 2, 2023 [excerpt:] A new program targeting 1,500 commercial grape growers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties and designed to improve water quality in local creeks and rivers is drawing criticism from members of the agricultural community. The draft rules include reporting requirements, annual fees, well and groundwater monitoring, ground cover requirements and restrictions …

Read More »

Big Oil Targets Sonoma Coast and Marine Sanctuary

Added December 21, 2023: Federal regulators reject controversial pumped storage project proposed for Sonoma Coast MEDIA ADVISORY July 11, 2023 Press Contact Person: Richard Charter Director, Coastal Coordination Program The Ocean Foundation 707-875-2345 waterway@monitor.net The scenic rural Sonoma Coast at Fort Ross State Historic Park has been revealed to be the new target of a large “pumped storage” electrical power …

Read More »

Gualala River Sediment Reduction Planning Moves Forward After FoGR Win

After Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) filed suit in 2021 against the State and Regional Water Boards for failing to create a plan to improve water quality conditions in the watershed as required by federal law, the Water Boards have finally agreed to do so. FoGR reached an agreement with the Water Boards in early 2023 requiring the launch of …

Read More »

Saturday, August 19: Gualala River Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Event

The yellow lines in this photo show the approximate boundaries of the Mill Bend (lower left) and Lower Mill Bend properties. Photo courtesy the Mill Bend Coalition.

The Gualala River Stream Team’s next monitoring event will be in August!    When: Saturday, August 19th, 9:00 a.m. sharp! to 11:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Mill Bend Preserve, 46902 Old Stage Rd., Gualala (take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1) When you arrive, we will divide into four teams (each with a team leader to …

Read More »

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)

Family SAPINDACEAE In this article we celebrate bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Bigleaf maple is neither the tallest nor largest tree species in the watershed, nor the most abundant, economically valuable, nor longest-lived. It is beautiful, but then so are many other species of trees. Perhaps it’s best to say that it has scope, and to tell its story properly requires …

Read More »

Saturday, June 17: Gualala River Stream Team Water Quality Monitoring Event

The Gualala River Stream Team will be heading out into the watershed and I hope you will join us! When: Saturday, June 17th, 9:00 a.m. sharp! to 11:00 a.m. Where: Meet at the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Mill Bend, 46902 Old Stage Rd., Gualala (take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1). When you arrive, we will divide into four teams …

Read More »

Relief In Sight for Sediment-Impaired Gualala River

Adult Steelhead, by Peter Baye

Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) achieved a major accomplishment that will help improve water quality and reduce sediment pollution in the Gualala River and its tributaries – a pivotal step in assisting salmonid recovery efforts. After nearly two years of legal actions and negotiations, a settlement agreement was reached last month between FoGR, the State Water Resources Control Board (State …

Read More »

Saturday, May 20, 9-11AM: Gualala River Stream Team Monitoring Event

Please mark your calendar for the Gualala River Stream Team monitoring event. When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. sharp! – 11 a.m. Where: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy (RCLC) Upper Mill Bend (46902 Old State Highway, Gualala)  The plan is to meet at the RCLC picnic tables, where we held the training.  When you arrive, we will divide into four teams (each …

Read More »

Gualala River Stream Team Training:
Saturday, April 22nd, 9-11AM

Hello All, The Gualala River Stream Team is kicking off the 2023 monitoring season to track the health of the Gualala River and you can join us! When: Saturday, April 22nd, 9-11AM Where: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy – Mill Bend (46902 Old Stage Rd. , Gualala – take the gravel road 400ft from Highway 1) What:  This training will educate …

Read More »

Gualala River Mouth Before & After Atmospheric River

March 8, 2023, before the atmospheric river: Mouth of the Gualala River on March 8, 2023, before the atmospheric river March 10, 2023, after the atmospheric river: Mouth of the Gualala River on March 10, 2023, after the atmospheric river Mouth of the Gualala River on March 10, 2023, after the atmospheric river

Read More »

FoGR comments on Sonoma County’s draft Well Ordinance

To:  Nathan QuarlesDeputy Director, Engineering and ConstructionPermit and Resource Management DepartmentCounty of SonomaEmail: Nathan.Quarles@sonoma-county.orgWell Ordinance Public CommentsSubmitted via email: PermitSonoma-Wells-PublicInput@sonoma-county.orgFrom:  Friends of Gualala River Board of DirectorsP.O. Box 1543Gualala, CA. 95445Email info@gualalariver.orgDate:  February 22, 2023Subject:  Friends of Gualala River comments on the proposed draft Well Ordinance_____________________________________________________________________________Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that has worked for over …

Read More »

Gualala River Stream Team Newsletter – February 2023

Page 1 of 6 Download the entire 6-page newsletter, including graphs based on data collected in 2022. Hello All! The Gualala River Stream Team is getting ready for the upcoming monitoring season and you can join us!   2023 Monitoring and training schedule: Please mark your calendars! April 22 – Annual / Refresher Training (more details to come) May 20 – Monitoring …

Read More »

Gualala River mouth, with Bald Eagles

Gualala River mouth, with Bald Eagles on the right side. Jan. 30, 2023. Photo by Rick Denniston. Here’s a close-up of the mated pair of Bald Eagles on the sand spit > close-up of the mated pair of Bald Eagles on the sand spit

Read More »

The River versus the Ocean

Photo of the mouth of the Gualala River on January 5, 2023. At that moment, the sand spit appeared to be the loser! Mouth of the Gualala River on January 5, 2023

Read More »

Grand Fir, Lowland Fir, Stinking Fir
(Abies grandis)

Family: PINACEAE In many countries around the world, an evergreen tree is the symbol of the yule tide season, representing the spirit of hope in the deepest dark of winter. Among the species of conifers chosen as Christmas trees, grand fir stands out. Its lustrous dark green needles, citrus-like fragrance, and beautiful conical shape lend it an elegance that few …

Read More »

Friends of Gualala River’s Annual Newsletter for 2022: President’s Message

Dear Friends of Gualala River, We at FoGR have been enjoying this string of rainy days this last week of 2022. They are an absolute blessing, providing much-needed nourishment for the river and all the species that call it home. I am excited to introduce myself as the newest president of our organization. I have been involved with FoGR for …

Read More »

2022 Report from FoGR’s Treasurer,
Jeanne A. Jackson

Steelhead in the Gualala River by Rozanne Rapozo

Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) is an all-volunteer organization, so your donations are used expressly to help with our mission to protect the Gualala River, its watershed, and the plants and animals that live there. As you will read in our President’s message, we have had some legal setbacks. That said, in preparing for the Endangered Species Act (ESA) lawsuit, …

Read More »

Map of Real-time Weather Stations & Wildfire Cameras in the Gualala River Watershed

Friends of Gualala River invite coastal residents and visitors to visit our website and explore microclimates and wildfire camera views on our new Map of Real-time Weather Stations & Wildfire Cameras in the Gualala River Watershed: gualalariver.org/weather-wildfire. Click on the diamond icons to see individual weather station data including temperature, wind, rainfall and humidity. The stations are maintained by a …

Read More »