Eel River (California)

Eel River (California)

The Eel River (Cahto: Taanchow) is a major river system of the northern Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. Approximately 200 miles (320 km) long, it drains a rugged area in the California Coast Ranges between the Sacramento Valley and the ocean. For most of its course, the river flows northwest, parallel to the coast. The river has both State (1972) and Federal (1981) Wild and Scenic River status. There are 97 miles (156 km) classified as Wild and 28 miles (45 km) classified as Scenic along the river's course. The river provides groundwater recharge and industrial, agricultural and municipal water supply.

The Eel River's watershed of 3,684 square miles (9,540 km2) is the third largest entirely in California. The river and its tributaries total 3,448 river miles (5,548 km), flowing through five counties. The river was given its name in 1850 by Josiah Gregg and his exploring party after they traded a frying pan to a group of Native Americans in exchange for a large number of lampreys, which the explorers thought were eels.