Abstract |
The Noyo River watershed is a forested, coastal watershed in Mendocino County, California, that encompasses approximately 113 square miles (72,323 acres). Its logging history dates back to 1853 when the first water-powered mill was built in the lower Noyo River. Old growth logging continued into the early part of the 20th century. Second growth logging began in the 1960s, primarily in the lower main drainage area, and continues today. Removal of residual old-growth stands began in the 1960s and continued into the mid-1980s (M. Jameson pers. comm. w/ A. Mangelsdorf as reported in Regional Water Board, 1999). The California Western Railroad operates the Skunk Train that traverses the Noyo River watershed along the mainstem channel. Other minor land uses found in the basin include ranching and recreation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing the Noyo River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for sediment to identify sediment loading allocations that, when implemented, are expected to result in the attainment of the applicable water quality criteria for sediment, which are established to protect the beneficial uses of the Noyo River. The primary beneficial use of concern in the Noyo River watershed is the salmonid fishery, particularly the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fishery. |