SRRC - A Quick Look at the Salmon River Watershed
The Salmon River flows from the Marble, Russian, and Trinity Alps Mountains of far Northern California. It joins the Klamath River at Somes Bar, California and is the second largest tributary to the Klamath.
The river and watershed have rich natural and human histories.
The watershed is almost entirely public land. There are no dams, diversions, urban areas, or major industry in the watershed and, consequently, the water is of exceptionally high quality. The cool, clean water of the Salmon River is crucial the overall health of the Klamath River fishery.
The Salmon River provides excellent habitat for fish and other aquatic life yet benefits from continued restoration efforts aimed to help the river recover from past land management practices including extensive mining, logging, wild fires, road-building, and grazing as well as ongoing threats such as noxious weeds and high summertime water temperatures.
Quick Facts
- Watershed size: 1,945 km² (751 mi²)
- Tributary to Klamath River
- Entirely within Siskiyou County, CA
- Entirely within Klamath National Forest
- Public ownership: 98.7%
- Designated Wilderness: 45%
- Estimated population: 250
- Karuk Tribe ancestral territory
Learn more about the natural history, human history, recreation opportunities of the Salmon River watershed. Be sure to check out the interactive map which shows important watershed features, photos, and information.
Clean, Cool Water for the Klamath River System
At this moment, the Salmon River is providing gallons of clean, cool water to the Klamath River every minute. This immediately increases the Klamath's flow by % and represents about % of the Klamath's flow into the Pacific Ocean.
More flow information is on our River Flows & Weather page.
Salmon River Restoration Council
PO Box 1089 | Sawyers Bar, CA | 96027
phone: 530-462-4665 / 800-840-4665
fax: 530-462-4664
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