Humboldt Bay
Humboldt Bay is a natural bay and a multi-basin, bar-built coastal lagoon located on the rugged North Coast of California, entirely within Humboldt County, United States. It is the largest protected body of water on the West Coast between San Francisco Bay and Puget Sound, the second-largest enclosed bay in California, and the largest port between San Francisco and Coos Bay, Oregon. The largest city adjoining the bay is Eureka, the regional center and county seat of Humboldt County, followed by the city of Arcata. These primary cities, together with adjoining unincorporated communities and several small towns, comprise a Humboldt Bay Area total population of nearly 80,000 people. This comprises nearly 60% of the population of Humboldt County. The bay is home to more than 100 plant species, 300 invertebrate species, 100 fish species, and 200 bird species. In addition, the bay and its complex system of marshes and grasses support hundreds of thousands of migrating and local shore birds.
Commercially, this second-largest estuary in California is the site of the largest oyster production operations on the West Coast, producing more than half of all oysters farmed in California.The Port of Humboldt Bay (also referred to as the Port of Eureka) is a deep water port with harbor facilities, including large industrial docks at Fairhaven, Samoa, and Fields Landing, designed to serve cargo and other vessels. Several marinas also located in Greater Eureka have the capacity to serve hundreds of small to mid-size boats and pleasure craft. Since the 1850s, the bay was used extensively to export logs and forest products as part of the historic West coast lumber trade. There is now infrequent shipping of this product.
-
1
Geography
- 1.1 Geomorphology
-
2
History
- 2.1 Indigenous People
- 2.2 Early Settlement
- 3 Engineering
- 4 Ecology
- 5 Bay settlements
- 6 Bay tributaries and sloughs
- 7 Harbor management
- 8 Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
-
9
Restoration projects
- 9.1 Salmon Creek
- 9.2 Lanphere Dunes
- 10 See also
- 11 References
- 12 External links
Links
Images Gallery
-
-
View of the Middle Channel of Humboldt Bay and Indian Island taken on Woodley Island. Note the Memorial to lost fisherman in the foreground.
-
The Humboldt Harbor Historical District is California Historical Landmark #882
-
One of the 4,796 dolosse made on the South Spit for use on the south and north jetties protecting the mouth of Humboldt Bay. One dolosse is on display in front of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce.
-
Table Bluff Beach offers views of the South Spit Jetty. Fishermen are often seen fishing.
-
Mike Thompson Wildlife Area is a 4.5 miles (7.2 km)-long stretch of beach, dunes and tidal marsh that serves as a popular destination for waterfowl hunting, surf fishing, and clamming on the south spit of Humboldt Bay
-
A close up view of the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area located on Table Bluff Beach in Loleta, California
-
Easterly view from the docks of Eureka's Woodley Island Marina. Carson Mansion at dusk, with distant view of California Coast Ranges due east of the populated Humboldt Bay area.
-
Northerly view from Woodley Island of Monterey cypress trees on Indian Island, the largest of three islands, all of which are in the Eureka City limits. The great egret nests in these trees in large numbers each year.
-
Southerly view of Eureka Slough (left and midsection, larger stream), Freshwater Slough (right-mid portion, larger stream); and when photo is expanded Freshwater Creek (background and left near treeline), Ryan Slough (mid-upper top portion), Ryan Creek (furthest top midsection and barely visible when photo is expanded). Location is South of Highway 101 at the northern edge of the city of Eureka.
Comments
Share your experience with others and write the first comment about the location