Tag Archives: Gualala River closed

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When the sandbar stops much of the river water from entering the Pacific Ocean, the mouth of the river floods beautifully into its natural floodplain. Anthony Cuesta photographed the Gualala River from Gualala Point Regional Park, showing Mill Bend. You can see a portion of the Gualala River Bridge on the far right. It's part of Highway One.

Any fish that were in the river when it closed are now trapped in luxury until the river reopens in autumn with enough rain.

Thanks to Anthony for allowing me to share his beautiful photo with you here.

It's sunny and breezy today. Warmer weather appears to be settling in.

 

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The Gualala River closed last Sunday. The wave action built up the sandbar across the river mouth. This happens every year, and when it does the river backs up like a bathtub with a plug in it. Allen Vinson photographed the river mouth last Sunday afternoon.

After a couple of days, this is what the Gualala River lagoon looked like - full to the brim! Charlie Ivor took these photos. The first photo shows Mill Bend. And the second photo shows the Gualala Bridge. Oh, it's wonderful to see the river so full and beautiful!

This is the perfect time to kayak or canoe on the Gualala River. To schedule your day of fun, here is the website to Adventure Rents of Gualala: http://www.adventurerents.com/

Thanks to Allen and Charlie for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Robert Scarola took this photo of the Gualala River lagoon a week ago from Gualala Point Regional Park. The river has closed to the Pacific Ocean for another extended time due to the lack of rain. Since this photo the river is even higher in the lagoon.

Gualala River Estuary in Bud by Robert Scarola

When the river is closed by the big sandbar, the mouth of the river is called a lagoon. When the river is open, it is an estuary. Robert's photo shows bushes beginning to bud.

On Saturday, March 21, at 9 am there will be fun, noncompetitive hike at this park. It's to benefit Meals on Wheels here on the Mendonoma Coast. It costs $30.00 a person. What do you get? A snack before the hike, a T-shirt, and lunch at the Gualala Community Center afterwards. Rick and I believe very strongly in the fine work Coastal Seniors does, and Meals on Wheels is a lifeline to people in need. We will be there Saturday with our hiking boots on. There are three different hikes, planned with the longest just a little over 3 miles. The shortest walk is only a mile.  Please join us if you are on the Coast!

To learn more about Coastal Seniors, here is their website: http://www.coastalseniors.org/

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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It is extremely unusual for the Gualala River to close for a long period of time in the winter. However, it has been closed off to the Pacific Ocean for weeks by a large sandbar. The lagoon is flooded and there is water, water everywhere. Irene Leidner recently took a kayak trip on the river. You can see how very full the river is.

A full Gualala River by Irend Leidner

Peter Cracknell also photographed the river.

The full Gualala River lagoon by Peter Cracknell

And here he got a nice photo  the ocean trying to breach the sandbar.

The Gualala River Goddess by Peter Cracknell

We have a big storm due in tomorrow, Thursday. Heavy rains and strong winds are forecast. We might get as much as TEN inches of rain before the storm is over. After our dry January rain is very welcome, though we wish it wouldn't come all at once! The Gualala River is sure to open soon after it begins raining. Batten down the hatches!

Thanks to Irene and Peter for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

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Earth Day saw the last of a  recent series of small storms. The last one brought another beautiful rainbow, as vibrant as can be. Peggy Berryhill got this photo from Gualala Point Regional Park.

Beautiful Rainbow on Earth Day by Peggy Berryhill

This  view spot is on the way into the park. It is a favorite of many of us for taking photos of the Gualala River and the Pacific Ocean. How fortunate for us that Peggy was there at the exact moment this rainbow appeared.

The Gualala River closed Sunday night and has since filled up. I will share some photos of that soon. It's a perfect time to go kayaking on the river.

Now we are having a heat wave. With no wind the ocean looks like a lake. Locals went diving for abalone today and tomorrow looks ideal too.

Thanks to Peggy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.