Tag Archives: Gualala River

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Cathleen Crosby recently photographed the Gualala River -  it now sports a greenish tinge.

The river is still closed to the Pacific Ocean by the large sandbar and it has turned a beautiful green. I’ve learned from fly fisherman Charlie Ivor that this is called “Steelhead green,” and it means conditions for finding fish in the river can be excellent. Phytoplankton, single cell algae, along with a small amount of suspended mineral sediment, are turning the river water green. It’s very beneficial, helping to feed fish and other river inhabitants.

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

We are waiting for a pretty good-sized storm which is supposed to begin around 4 pm. We'll take it! I'll report soon on the rain totals. I'll also be watching to see if this storm opens the river to the ocean. TBD!

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I love these elegant birds. We often see Great Blue Herons near rivers and wetlands. Recently Mike Reinhart found this Great Blue Heron preening near the Gualala River.

Can you stand on one leg and preen your feathers? I thought not!

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

It's much cooler today. It's also windy with lots of clouds - it *feels* like we could get rain soon. Hope so! It's been well over a month since we got any meaningful rain.

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What a great photo! Rozanne Rapozo was at the Gualala River estuary when she saw this Bald Eagle, the male of the mated pair that call the Gualala area their home.

The pair have been seen mating this past week! X-rated sightings for you today.

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

Fog at the immediate coast, sunny elsewhere. Kind of sounds like spring, rather than winter.

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Eric Zetterholm has been trying to photograph North American River Otters at the Gualala River. There is a family that lives alongside the river. Eric recently photographed one of the elusive otters as he or she dove into the water.

The Gualala River was majestic yesterday with the high tide bringing huge waves over what is left of the sandbar. I will share some photos and video of that soon.

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

Tuesday started with rain showers. The next few days are suppose to be dry and mild. The ocean is still loud - it's quite amazing to hear.

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I went to check on the Gualala River yesterday, Friday. We have had 6.8 inches of rain and I knew the river would be a big beneficiary of the wet stuff. I drove in to Gualala Point Regional Park and parked at the iconic bend in the river site. Here's what I saw.

It is already raining here on the Mendonoma Coast today. I believe the Gualala River could open with this big rainstorm. A large - maybe the largest ever - sandbar has the river "closed" to the Pacific Ocean. When the river opens to the ocean for the first time in many months, bursting through the sandbar, it can be a spectacular event. The best place to watch it is from the Gualala Bluff Trail. Be safe and stay off of the sandbar - we don't want to lose anybody!

The weather today is WET! I also checked Quinliven Creek yesterday, a seasonal creek that crosses our property. It was running in the upper reaches but not the lower part. I'm sure that's going to change today. To have this early rain is such a blessing. Thank you, Mother Nature.