The following rivers and segments thereof are designated as components of the system:
(a) Klamath River. The main stem from 100 yards below Iron Gate Dam to the Pacific Ocean; the Scott River from the mouth of Shackleford Creek west of Fort Jones to the river mouth near Hamburg; the Salmon River from Cecilville Bridge to the river mouth near Somesbar; the North Fork of the Salmon River from the intersection of the river with the south boundary of the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area to the river mouth; Wooley Creek from the western boundary of the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area to its confluence with the Salmon River.
(b) Trinity River. The main stem from 100 yards below Lewiston Dam to the river mouth at Weitchpec; the North Fork of the Trinity from the intersection of the river with the southern boundary of the Salmon-Trinity Primitive Area downstream to the river mouth at Helena; New River from the intersection of the river with the southern boundary of the Salmon-Trinity Primitive Area downstream to the river mouth near Burnt Ranch; South Fork of the Trinity from the junction of the river with State Highway Route 36 to the river mouth near Salver.
(c) Smith River. The main stem from the confluence of the Middle and South Forks to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean; the Middle Fork from its source about three miles south of Sanger Lake as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´“Preston Peak” topographic map to the middle of Section 7 T17N R5E; the Middle Fork from the middle of Section 7 T17N R5E to the middle of Section 6 T17N R5E; the Middle Fork from the middle of Section 6 T17N R5E to one-half mile upstream from the confluence with Knopki Creek; the Middle Fork from one-half mile upstream from the confluence with Knopki Creek to the confluence with the South Fork; Myrtle Creek from its source in Section 9 T17N R1E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Crescent City” topographic map to the middle of Section 28 T17N R1E; Myrtle Creek, from the middle of Section 28 T17N R1E to the confluence with the Middle Fork; Shelly Creek from its source in Section 1 T18N R3E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´“Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with Patrick Creek; Kelly Creek from its source in Section 32 T17N R3E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with the Middle Fork; Packsaddle Creek from its source about 0.8 miles southwest of Broken Rib Mountain as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to the eastern boundary of Section 3 T17N R1E; Packsaddle Creek from the eastern boundary of Section 3 T17N R4E to the northern boundary of Section 3 T17N R4E; Packsaddle Creek from the northern boundary of Section 3 T17N R4E to the confluence with the Middle Fork; East Fork Patrick Creek from its source in Section 10 T18N R3E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with West Fork Patrick Creek; West Fork Patrick Creek from its source in Section 18 T18N R3E as depicted on 1951 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with East Fork Patrick Creek; Griffin Creek from its source about 0.2 miles southwest of Hazel View Summit as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to the confluence with the Middle Fork; Knopki Creek from its source about 0.4 miles west of Sanger Peak as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to the confluence with Middle Fork; Monkey Creek from its source in the northeast quadrant of Section 12 T18N R3E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the northern boundary of Section 26 T18N R3E; Monkey Creek from the northern boundary of Section 26 T18N R3E to the confluence with the Middle Fork; Patrick Creek from the junction of the East and West Forks of Patrick Creek to the confluence with Middle Fork; the North Fork from the California-Oregon boundary to the confluence with an unnamed tributary in the northern quarter Section 5 T18N R2E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map; the North Fork from the confluence with an unnamed tributary in northern quarter of Section 5 T18N R2E to the southernmost intersection of eastern boundary Section 5 T18N R2E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map; the North Fork from the southern-most intersection of the eastern boundary Section 5 T18N R2E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with Stony Creek; the North Fork from the confluence with Stony Creek to the confluence with the Middle Fork; Diamond Creek from the California-Oregon state boundary to the confluence with High Plateau Creek; Diamond Creek from the confluence with High Plateau Creek to the confluence with the North Fork; Bear Creek from its source in Section 24 T18N R2E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with Diamond Creek; Still Creek from its source in Section 11 T18N R1E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Crescent City” topographic map to the confluence with the North Fork Smith River; North Fork Diamond Creek from the California-Oregon state boundary to the confluence with Diamond Creek; High Plateau Creek from its source in Section 26 T18N R2E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to northern boundary Section 23 T18N R2E; High Plateau Creek from the northern boundary Section 23 T18N R2E to the confluence with Diamond Creek; the Siskiyou Fork from its source about 0.7 miles southeast of Broken Rib Mountain as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to the confluence with the South Siskiyou Fork; the Siskiyou Fork from its confluence with the South Siskiyou Fork to the confluence with the Middle Fork; the South Siskiyou Fork from its source about 0.6 miles southwest of Buck Lake as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to the confluence with the Siskiyou Fork; the South Fork from its source about 0.5 miles southwest of Bear Mountain as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to Blackhawk Bar; the South Fork from Blackhawk Bar to the confluence with the Middle Fork; Williams Creek from its source in Section 31 T14N R4E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´“Ship Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with Eight Mile Creek; Eight Mile Creek from its source in Section 29 T14N R4E as depicted on 1955 USGS 15´ “Dillon Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; the Prescott Fork from its source about 0.5 miles southeast of Island Lake as depicted on 1955 USGS 15´ “Dillon Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; Quartz Creek from its source in Section 31 T16N R4E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Ship Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; Jones Creek from its source in Section 36 T16N R3E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Ship Mountain” topographic map to the middle of Section 5 T15N R3E; Jones Creek from the middle of Section 5 T15N R3E to the confluence with the South Fork; Hurdygurdy Creek from its source about 0.4 miles southwest of Bear Basin Butte as depicted on 1956 USGS 15´ “Preston Peak” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; Gordon Creek from its source in Section 18 T16N R3E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; Coon Creek from the junction of the two-source tributaries in the southwest quadrant of Section 31 T17N R3E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the western boundary Section 14 T16N R2E; Coon Creek from the western boundary Section 14 T16N R2E to the confluence with the South Fork; Craigs Creek from its source in Section 36 T17N R2E as depicted on 1951 USGS 15´ “Gasquet” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; Buck Creek from its source at Cedar Camp Spring as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Ship Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with the South Fork; Muzzleloader Creek from its source in Section 2 T15N R3E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Ship Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with Jones Creek; Canthook Creek from its source in Section 2 T15N R2E as depicted on 1952 USGS 15´ “Ship Mountain” topographic map to the confluence with South Fork.
(d) Eel River. The main stem from 100 yards below Van Arsdale Dam to the Pacific Ocean; the South Fork of the Eel from the mouth of Section Four Creek near Branscomb to the river mouth below Weott; Middle Fork of the Eel from the intersection of the river with the southern boundary of the Middle Eel-Yolla Bolly Wilderness Area to the river mouth at Dos Rios; North Fork of the Eel from the Old Gilman Ranch downstream to the river mouth near Ramsey; Van Duzen River from Dinsmores Bridge downstream to the river mouth near Fortuna.
(e) American River. The North Fork from its source to the Iowa Hill Bridge; the Lower American from Nimbus Dam to its junction with the Sacramento River.
(f) (1) West Walker River. The main stem from its source to the confluence with Rock Creek near the town of Walker; Leavitt Creek from Leavitt Falls to the confluence with the main stem of the West Walker River.
(2) Carson River. The East Fork from the Hangman’s Bridge crossing of State Highway Route 89 to the California-Nevada border.
(3) The Legislature finds and declares that, because the East Fork Carson River and West Walker River are interstate streams, and a source of agricultural water and domestic water for communities within the counties of Alpine and Mono where they originate, it is necessary that the following special provisions apply:
(A) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit the replacement of diversions or changes in the purpose of use, place of use, or point of diversion under existing water rights, except that (i) no replacement or change shall operate to increase the adverse effect, if any, of the preexisting diversion facility or place or purpose of use, upon the free-flowing condition and natural character of the stream, and (ii) after January 1, 1990, no new diversion shall be constructed unless and until the secretary determines that the facility is needed to supply domestic water to the residents of any county through which the river or segment flows and that the facility will not adversely affect the free-flowing condition and natural character of the stream.
(B) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as quantifying or otherwise affecting any equitable apportionment, or as establishing any upper limit, between the State of California and the State of Nevada of the waters of these streams.
(g) (1) The South Yuba River: From Lang Crossing to its confluence with Kentucky Creek below Bridgeport.
(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall prejudice, alter, delay, interfere with, or affect in any way, the existing rights of the Placer County Water Agency, the implementation of those rights; any historic water use practices; the replacement, maintenance, repair, operation, or future expansion of existing diversions, storage, powerhouses, or conveyance facilities or other works by the Placer County Water Agency; or changes in the purpose of use, places of use, points of diversion, or ownership of those existing water rights; nor shall anything in this subdivision preclude the issuance of any governmental authorization needed for utilization of those rights, except that no changes shall operate to increase the adverse effect, if any, of the preexisting facilities or places, or the purposes of use upon the free-flowing and natural character of the river segment designated herein.
(3) This subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2001.
(h) Albion River. The Albion River from one-fourth mile upstream of its confluence with Deadman Gulch downstream to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean.
(i) Gualala River. The main stem Gualala River from the confluence of the North and South Forks to the Pacific Ocean.
(j) (1) Cache Creek from one-fourth mile below Cache Creek Dam to Camp Haswell.
(2) North Fork Cache Creek from the Highway 20 bridge to the confluence with the mainstem.
(3) The designation of Cache Creek under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not prejudice, alter, delay, interfere with, or affect in any way, the existing water rights of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, or public water agencies within the Cache Creek watershed lying in the County of Lake, including the range of operations permitted under these existing water rights; any historic water use practices within existing water rights; or the replacement, maintenance, repair, or future expansion within existing water rights of existing diversion, storage, powerhouse, or conveyance facilities or other works by the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District or public water agencies within the Cache Creek watershed lying in the County of Lake.
(4) The designation of Cache Creek under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not prejudice, alter, delay, interfere with, or affect any changes to the existing water rights of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, including changes to the purpose of use, place of use, points of diversion, quantity of water diverted, or ownership, or applications by the district for new water rights; provided, that the changes or applications do not involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, diversion, or other water impoundment facility within the segments of Cache Creek designated in paragraphs (1) and (2). Any such change or application shall be subject to all applicable constitutional, statutory, and judicial requirements, including the public trust doctrine.
(5) As the waters of the Cache Creek watershed are the sole source of supply within that watershed for the County of Lake, the designation of Cache Creek under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not prejudice, alter, delay, interfere with, or affect any changes to the existing water rights of the public water agencies within the Cache Creek watershed lying in the County of Lake, including changes to the purpose of use, place of use, points of diversion, quantity of water diverted, or ownership, or applications by these agencies for new water rights; provided, that the changes or applications do not involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, diversion, or other water impoundment facility within the segments of Cache Creek designated in paragraphs (1) and (2). Any such change or application shall be subject to all applicable constitutional, statutory, and judicial requirements, including the public trust doctrine.
(6) (A) The designation of Cache Creek under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not impair or affect in any way activities to manage or remove invasive or nonnative plants and animal species.
(B) The designation of Cache Creek under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not impair or affect in any way activities to remediate mercury pollution; provided, that this activity does not involve the construction of a dam, reservoir, diversion, or other water impoundment facility within the segments of Cache Creek designated in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(7) (A) Neither the Governor nor an employee of a state agency or department shall apply to a secretary, department, agency, or other entity of the federal government for the designation of any portion of Cache Creek as a component of the national wild and scenic rivers system under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1271 et seq.).
(B) Neither the Governor nor an employee of a state agency or department shall expend funds preparing, filing, or otherwise submitting an application to a secretary, department, or other entity of the federal government for the designation of any portion of Cache Creek as a component of the national wild and scenic rivers system under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1271 et seq.).
(8) To the extent that this subdivision conflicts with other provisions of this chapter, this subdivision shall control.
(k) Other rivers which qualify for inclusion in the system may be recommended to the Legislature by the secretary.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 576, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2006.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018