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Coordinates: 40°46′13″N 122°18′13″W / 40.77028°N 122.30361°W / 40.77028; -122.30361
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{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Geobox
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
| River
{{Infobox river
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = McCloud River
| name = McCloud River
| native_name =
| name_native =
| name_native_lang =
| other_name = McLeod's Fork, McLoud River<ref name=Gudde/>
| other_name1 =
| name_other = McLeod's Fork, McLoud River<ref name=Gudde/>
| name_etymology =
<!-- *** Image *** --->
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = MiddleMcCloudFalls.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image = MiddleMcCloudFalls.jpg
| image_caption = Middle McCloud Falls on the McCloud River
| image_caption = Middle McCloud Falls on the McCloud River
| image_size = 300
<!-- *** Country etc. *** -->
| country = [[United States]]
| map =
| state = [[California]]
| map_size =
| region =
| map_caption =
| district =
| pushpin_map = USA California
| pushpin_map_size = 300
| city = [[McCloud, California|McCloud]]
| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the mouth of the McCloud River in California
<!-- *** Geography *** -->
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| length_imperial = 77
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| length_note = <ref name=NHD/>
| subdivision_name1 = United States
| watershed_imperial = 674
| subdivision_type2 = State
| watershed_note =<ref name="USGS">{{cite web|title=Boundary Descriptions and Names of Regions, Subregions, Accounting Units and Cataloging Units |url=http://water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc_name.html |publisher=United States Geological Survey |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref>
| subdivision_name2 = California
| discharge_location = near the mouth
| subdivision_type3 =
| discharge_imperial = 775
| subdivision_name3 =
| discharge_max_imperial = 51300
| subdivision_type4 =
| discharge_min_imperial = 109
| subdivision_name4 =
| discharge_note =<ref name="NWIS">{{NWIS|11368000|McCloud River above Shasta Lake, CA|2018-10-15}}</ref>
| subdivision_type5 = City
| discharge1_location =
| subdivision_name5 = [[McCloud, California|McCloud]]
| discharge1_imperial =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
<!-- *** Source *** -->
| source_name =
| length = {{convert|77|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=NHD/>
| source_location = Southeast of [[Mount Shasta]]
| width_min =
| source_district =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| source_region = [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]]
| source_state = [[California]]
| depth_min =
| source_country =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| source_coordinates = {{coord|41|13|12|N|121|46|21|W|display=inline}}
| source_coordinates_note = <ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|id=266985|name=McCloud River}}</ref>
| discharge1_location= near the mouth<ref name="NWIS">{{NWIS|11368000|McCloud River above Shasta Lake, CA|2018-10-15}}</ref>
| discharge1_min = {{convert|109|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| source_elevation_imperial = 4677
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|775|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="NWIS">{{NWIS|11368000|McCloud River above Shasta Lake, CA|2018-10-15}}</ref>
| source_elevation_note = <ref>[[Google Earth]] elevation for [[GNIS]] source coordinates. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.</ref>
| discharge1_max = {{convert|51300|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| source_length_imperial =
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source_confluence_location =
| source1 =
| source_confluence_district =
| source1_location = Southeast of [[Mount Shasta]], [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]], California
| source_confluence_region =
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|41|13|12|N|121|46|21|W|display=inline}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|id=266985|name=McCloud River}}</ref>
| source_confluence_state =
| source1_elevation = {{convert|4677|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>[[Google Earth]] elevation for [[GNIS]] source coordinates. Retrieved on January 10, 2008.</ref>
| source_confluence_country =
| source_confluence_coordinates_note =
| mouth =
| mouth_location = McCloud River Arm of [[Lake Shasta]], [[Sacramento River]], [[Shasta County, California|Shasta County]], California
| source_confluence_elevation_imperial =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40|46|13|N|122|18|13|W|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
| source_confluence_elevation_note =
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|1066|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis/>

| progression =
<!-- *** Mouth *** -->
| mouth_name =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|674|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="USGS">{{cite web|title=Boundary Descriptions and Names of Regions, Subregions, Accounting Units and Cataloging Units |url=http://water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc_name.html |publisher=United States Geological Survey |access-date=August 22, 2010}}</ref>
| mouth_location = McCloud River Arm of [[Lake Shasta]], [[Sacramento River]]
| mouth_district =
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| mouth_region = [[Shasta County, California|Shasta County]]
| mouth_state = [[California]]
| custom_label =
| mouth_country =
| custom_data =
| capital_coordinates =
| extra =
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40|46|13|N|122|18|13|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_coordinates_note = <ref name=gnis/>
| mouth_elevation_imperial = 1066
| mouth_elevation_note = <ref name=gnis/>

<!-- *** Tributaries *** -->
| tributary_left =
| tributary_left1 =
| tributary_left2 =
| tributary_right =
| tributary_right1 =
<!-- *** Free fields *** -->
| free_name =
| free_value =
<!-- *** Map section *** -->
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
}}
}}
[[File:Indian rhubarb (Darmera peltata) on McCloud River.jpg |thumb |upright|[[Indian rhubarb]] (''Darmera peltata''), on the edge of the McCloud River in May.]]
[[File:Indian rhubarb (Darmera peltata) on McCloud River.jpg |thumb |upright|[[Indian rhubarb]] (''Darmera peltata''), on the edge of the McCloud River in May.]]


The '''McCloud River''' is a river that flows east of and parallel to the upper [[Sacramento River]], {{convert|77.1|mi}} long,<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive |url=https://www.webcitation.org/66gupqQDM?url=http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=2012-04-05 }}, accessed March 10, 2011</ref> in [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]] and [[Shasta County, California|Shasta County]] in northern [[California]] in the [[United States]]. It drains a scenic mountainous area of the [[Cascade Range]], including part of [[Mt. Shasta]]. It is a tributary of the [[Pit River]], which in turn flows into the Sacramento River. The three rivers join in [[Shasta Lake]], formed by [[Shasta Dam]] north of [[Redding, California|Redding]].
The '''McCloud River''' is a {{convert|77.1|mi|adj=on}} long<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329155652/http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=March 29, 2012 }}, accessed March 10, 2011</ref> river that flows east of and parallel to the upper [[Sacramento River]], in [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]] and [[Shasta County, California|Shasta County]] in northern California in the United States. Protected under California's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1972),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-california-trump-water-rollbacks-20190326-story.html|title=How California is defying Trump's environmental rollbacks|last=Boxall|first=Bettina|date=March 26, 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> it drains a scenic mountainous area of the [[Cascade Range]], including part of [[Mount Shasta]]. It is a tributary of the [[Pit River]], which in turn flows into the Sacramento River. The three rivers join in [[Shasta Lake]], formed by [[Shasta Dam]] north of [[Redding, California|Redding]].


==History==
==History==
The river was originally known as the "McLeod River", after the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] hunter and trapper [[Alexander Roderick McLeod]] who explored it during the winter of 1829-1830.<ref>{{cite book |title=California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State |author=David L. Durham |year=1998 |page=275 |publisher=Quill Driver Books |isbn=1-884995-14-4 }}</ref> By the 1860s, the spelling "McCloud" was widely used, likely because that was the conventional American spelling of the Scottish name, and perhaps in part to honor California pioneer [[Ross McCloud]], who settled here in 1855.<ref name=Gudde>{{cite book |title=California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names |author=Erwin G. Gudde, William Bright |year=2004 |publisher=University of California Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kqwt5RlMVBoC&pg=PR10&dq=california+place+names+a+geographical+dictionary&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ojEuT52GBe_WiALLuMThCg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=mccloud&f=false |page=221 |accessdate=2012-02-04 }}</ref>
The river was originally known as the "McLeod River", after the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] hunter and trapper [[Alexander Roderick McLeod]] who explored it during the winter of 1829-1830.<ref>{{cite book |title=California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State |author=David L. Durham |year=1998 |page=275 |publisher=Quill Driver Books |isbn=978-1-884995-14-9 }}</ref> By the 1860s, the spelling "McCloud" was widely used, likely because that was the conventional American spelling of the Scottish name, and perhaps in part to honor California pioneer [[Ross McCloud]], who settled there in 1855.<ref name=Gudde>{{cite book |title=California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names |author=Erwin G. Gudde, William Bright |year=2004 |publisher=University of California Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kqwt5RlMVBoC&q=mccloud&pg=PR10 |page=221 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |isbn=9780520242173 }}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
The McCloud River watershed drains {{convert|674|sqmi|km2}}.<ref name="USGS"/> It rises from several spring-fed streams in Colby Meadows in the Cascades approximately {{convert|10|mi|0}} southeast of [[Mount Shasta]] in [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]]. It flows initially west, passing south of Mt. Shasta and receiving streams that drain the southern slope of the peak. From Mt. Shasta it flows generally southwest through [[Lake McCloud]] and through a deep canyon in the [[Shasta-Trinity National Forest]]. It joins Shasta Lake, formed by the Shasta Dam, approximately {{convert|15|mi}} northeast of Redding, with the lower {{convert|10|mi|0}} of the river forming the middle arm of the lake. The McCloud arm joins the Pit River arm just east of the [[Pit River Bridge]] on [[Interstate 5]], {{convert|5|mi}} north of the city of [[Shasta Lake, California|Shasta Lake]].
The McCloud River watershed drains {{convert|674|sqmi|km2}}.<ref name="USGS"/> It rises from several spring-fed streams in Colby Meadows in the Cascades approximately {{convert|10|mi|0}} southeast of [[Mount Shasta]] in [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou County]]. It flows initially west, passing south of Mount Shasta and receiving streams that drain the southern slope of the peak. East of [[McCloud, California|McCloud]] it forms a series of waterfalls which tumble over basaltic lava flows, known collectively as the McCloud River Falls or Falls of the McCloud River.


[[File:McCloud River below Middle Falls.jpg|thumb|McCloud River below Middle Falls]]
Major tributaries to the Upper McCloud River include Mud and Tate Creeks (plus Big Springs). Squaw Valley, Hawkins, Claiborne, and Chatterdown Creeks are the major tributaries to the McCloud River below McCloud Reservoir.<ref name=Watershed> {{cite web |title=McCloud River Watershed |publisher=Sacramento River Watershed Program |url=http://www.sacriver.org/aboutwatershed/roadmap/watersheds/northeast/mccloud-river-watershed |accessdate=May 25, 2017 }}</ref>


Below the falls the river flows generally south-southwest through the [[Lake McCloud]] reservoir and through a deep canyon in the [[Shasta-Trinity National Forest]]. It joins Shasta Lake, formed by the Shasta Dam, approximately {{convert|15|mi}} north of Redding, with the lower {{convert|10|mi|0}} of the river forming the middle arm of the lake. The McCloud arm joins the Pit River arm just east of the [[Pit River Bridge]] on [[Interstate 5]], {{convert|5|mi}} north of the city of [[Shasta Lake, California|Shasta Lake]].
The river is well known for a series of waterfalls which tumble over basaltic lava flows, known collectively as the [[Falls of the McCloud River]].

Major tributaries to the Upper McCloud River include Mud and Tate Creeks (plus Big Springs). Squaw Valley, Hawkins, Claiborne, and Chatterdown Creeks are the major tributaries to the McCloud River below McCloud Reservoir.<ref name=Watershed>{{cite web |title=McCloud River Watershed |publisher=Sacramento River Watershed Program |url=http://www.sacriver.org/aboutwatershed/roadmap/watersheds/northeast/mccloud-river-watershed |access-date=May 25, 2017 }}</ref>


==River modifications==
==River modifications==
The river is dammed at McCloud River Dam, to provide water for the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project. The McCloud Tunnel diverts water from the McCloud River east to Iron Canyon Reservoir; the water is discharged into the Pit River at James B. Black Powerhouse. Further downstream, the diverted water boosts power generation at [[Pit 6 Dam|Pit 6]] and [[Pit 7 Dam]]s before flowing into Shasta Lake. The overall generating capacity is 364 [[megawatt]]s. Built in the late 1960s, the system is owned and operated by [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company|PG&E]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fish_passage/ferc_licensing/california_river/mccloud-pit.html|title=McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=|accessdate=2018-10-15}}</ref>
The river is dammed at McCloud River Dam, to provide water for the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project. The McCloud Tunnel diverts water from the McCloud River east to Iron Canyon Reservoir; the water is discharged into the Pit River at James B. Black Powerhouse. Further downstream, the diverted water boosts power generation at [[Pit 6 Dam|Pit 6]] and [[Pit 7 Dam]]s before flowing into Shasta Lake. The overall generating capacity is 364 [[megawatt]]s. Built in the late 1960s, the system is owned and operated by [[Pacific Gas and Electric Company|PG&E]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fish_passage/ferc_licensing/california_river/mccloud-pit.html|title=McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=October 15, 2018}}</ref>


As a consequence of damming, the average flow in the lower McCloud River declined greatly, from an annual mean of {{convert|1699|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} between 1946 and 1965 to an annual mean of {{convert|775|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} between 1967 and 2013.<ref name="NWIS"/> The greatest impact on river flow is during the summer months when the dam release is only {{convert|200|cuft/s|m3/s}}. However, there is little impact on winter peak flows, which mostly originate in the watershed area below the dam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5370311.pdf|title=Lower McCloud Watershed Analysis, Shasta-McCloud Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity National Forest|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|date=Dec 2011|accessdate=2018-10-15|format=PDF}}</ref>
As a consequence of damming, the average flow in the lower McCloud River declined greatly, from an annual mean of {{convert|1699|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} between 1946 and 1965 to an annual mean of {{convert|775|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}} between 1967 and 2013.<ref name="NWIS"/> The greatest impact on river flow is during the summer months when the dam release is only {{convert|200|cuft/s|m3/s}}. However, there is little impact on winter peak flows, which mostly originate in the watershed area below the dam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5370311.pdf|title=Lower McCloud Watershed Analysis, Shasta-McCloud Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity National Forest|publisher=U.S. Forest Service|date=Dec 2011|access-date=October 15, 2018}}</ref>


==Recreation==
==Recreation==
The McCloud is generally divided into two sections. The Upper McCloud is considered to be above McCloud Reservoir, and the Lower McCloud stretches from the reservoir to Lake Shasta. The waterfalls mentioned above are all found on the Upper McCloud. The Upper McCloud is a popular destination for kayakers. There is an improved campground called Fowlers on the Upper McCloud. The Upper McCloud above Upper Falls is rarely stocked, and locating the fish often proves to be a challenge to most avid anglers, while the section from Lower Falls to Upper Falls is stocked and is open to bait fishing. The Lower McCloud is generally a fly/artificial lure fishery and catch and release fishing is greatly encouraged.
The McCloud is generally divided into two sections. The Upper McCloud is considered to be above McCloud Reservoir, and the Lower McCloud stretches from the reservoir to Lake Shasta. The waterfalls mentioned above are all found on the Upper McCloud. The Upper McCloud is a popular destination for kayakers. There is an improved campground called Fowlers on the Upper McCloud. The Upper McCloud above Upper Falls is rarely stocked, and locating the fish often proves to be a challenge to most avid anglers, while the section from Lower Falls to Upper Falls is stocked and is open to bait fishing. The Lower McCloud is generally a fly/artificial lure fishery and catch and release fishing is greatly encouraged.


The last several miles of the McCloud comprise two private fishing clubs&nbsp;&mdash; the McCloud River Club ({{convert|4|mi|km}}) and the [[Bollibokka Club]] ({{convert|10|mi|km}}), founded in 1902 and 1904, respectively. The land encompassing the lower {{convert|7|mi|km}} of Bollibokka Club was purchased in 2007 by the Westlands Water District, which continues to operate the historic Bollibokka Club. Westlands purchased the property to avoid risk of development of the property, to increase its entitlement to water releases from Shasta reservoir through ownership of {{convert|3,000|acre|km2}} in the watershed, and to quell opposition to plans for increases in the height of Shasta Dam, a project in which it is the largest stakeholder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Land sale leads to worries over dam |author=Greg Lucas, Tom Stienstra |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=2007-01-28 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/28/SHASTADAM.TMP |accessdate=2012-02-04 }}</ref> The upper {{convert|3|mi|km}} of the club's river holdings were purchased in 2006 by Silicon Valley real estate magnate [[John Arrillaga]]. Anglers are not allowed to set foot above the high water mark on either property. The Nature Conservancy has a site on the Lower McCloud, an outright gift from the neighboring McCloud River Club, that allows ten rods per day and unlimited hikers or birders.
The last several miles of the McCloud comprise two private fishing clubs&nbsp;&mdash; the McCloud River Club ({{convert|4|mi|km}}) and the [[Bollibokka Club]] ({{convert|10|mi|km}}), founded in 1902 and 1904, respectively. The land encompassing the lower {{convert|7|mi|km}} of Bollibokka Club was purchased in 2007 by the Westlands Water District, which continues to operate the historic Bollibokka Club. Westlands purchased the property to avoid risk of development of the property, to increase its entitlement to water releases from Shasta reservoir through ownership of {{convert|3,000|acre|km2}} in the watershed, and to quell opposition to plans for increases in the height of Shasta Dam, a project in which it is the largest stakeholder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Land sale leads to worries over dam |author=Greg Lucas, Tom Stienstra |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=January 28, 2007 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/28/SHASTADAM.TMP |access-date=February 4, 2012 }}</ref> The upper {{convert|3|mi|km}} of the club's river holdings were purchased in 2006 by Silicon Valley real estate magnate [[John Arrillaga]]. Anglers are not allowed to set foot above the high water mark on either property. The Nature Conservancy has a site on the Lower McCloud, an outright gift from the neighboring McCloud River Club, that allows ten rods per day and unlimited hikers or birders.


There are two campgrounds on the Lower McCloud River&nbsp;&mdash; Ash Camp and Ah Di Nah Campground. Ash Camp is a small unimproved camp area about {{convert|1|mi|km}} downstream of the McCloud Reservoir dam with 4 sites and a vault toilet. It sits at the junction of Hawkins Creek and the Lower McCloud.
There are two campgrounds on the Lower McCloud River&nbsp;&mdash; Ash Camp and Ah Di Nah Campground. Ash Camp is a small unimproved camp area about {{convert|1|mi|km}} downstream of the McCloud Reservoir dam with 4 sites and a vault toilet. It sits at the junction of Hawkins Creek and the Lower McCloud.
Line 105: Line 89:


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
The McCloud once hosted a native population of [[bull trout]] (Salvelinus confluentus), but the species became extinct in the McCloud watershed after McCloud Reservoir cut off the fish from their spawning grounds. The last reported Bull trout (misidentified as [[Dolly Varden trout]] (Salvelinus malma) at that time, Dollys are not from this southern latitude<ref>{{cite journal |title=Systematics and Distributions of Dolly Varden (''Salvelinus malma'') and bull Trout (''Salvelinus confluentus'') in North America |journal=Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |publisher=NRC Research Press |location=Ottawa |volume=48 |issue=11 |year=1991 |pages=2191–2211 |doi=10.1139/f91-259|last1=Haas |first1=Gordon R. |last2=McPhail|first2=J. D.}}</ref>) was caught in the 1980s.
The McCloud once hosted a native population of [[bull trout]] (''Salvelinus confluentus''), but the species became extinct in the McCloud watershed after McCloud Reservoir cut off the fish from their spawning grounds. The last reported Bull trout (misidentified as [[Dolly Varden trout]] (''Salvelinus malma'') at that time, Dollys are not from this southern latitude<ref>{{cite journal |title=Systematics and Distributions of Dolly Varden (''Salvelinus malma'') and bull Trout (''Salvelinus confluentus'') in North America |journal=Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |volume=48 |issue=11 |year=1991 |pages=2191–2211 |doi=10.1139/f91-259|last1=Haas |first1=Gordon R. |last2=McPhail|first2=J. D.}}</ref>) was caught in the 1980s.

The Upper McCloud and its tributaries above Middle Falls are home to the [[McCloud River redband]] (''Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei''), a native subspecies of [[rainbow trout]].<ref name=dfw>{{cite web|title=Redband Trout (native)|url=http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/REsources/WildTrout/WT_RedbandDesc.asp|work=Department of Fish and Wildlife: Resource Management|publisher=California Department of Fish and Wildlife|access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref> These [[redband trout]] were proposed for endangered species status, as their genetics have been introgressed by hybridization with hatchery stocked rainbow trout. The Falls of the McCloud River form a natural barrier to rainbow trout migration historically.<ref name=Redband>{{cite journal |author1=Rachel E. Simmons|author2= Phil Lavretsky|author3= Bernie May |year=2010 |title=Introgressive Hybridization of Redband Trout in the Upper McCloud River Watershed |journal=Transactions of the American Fisheries Society |volume=139 |issue=1 |pages=201–213 |doi=10.1577/t08-245.1|doi-access=free }}</ref> An amplified fragment length polymorphism study show Sheepheaven Creek (the type specimen) genetics to be sufficiently different to warrant subspecific status.<ref>{{cite thesis |title=Systematics, genetics and conservation of golden trout |author=Stephens, Molly Rebecca |publisher=University of California, Davis |year=2007 |pages=2007 |url=http://gradworks.umi.com/33/03/3303208.html |access-date=May 23, 2017 }}</ref> Conservation efforts have included transplanting the relative pure Sheepheaven Creek strain into Swamp and Trout Creeks.<ref name=Redband/>

== Threats ==
The McCloud ecosystem faces threats to the various cultural sites along the river and the general river ecosystem health. In November 2020, the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump Administration]] under the direction of then [[United States Secretary of the Interior|U.S. Secretary of the Interior]], [[David Bernhardt]], approved plans to increase the nearby [[Shasta Dam]] by 18.5 feet. The consequences would include the flooding of 5,000 acres of the local habitat which would harm the wild trout fishery as well as introduce permanent and seasonal flooding of roughly 39 sacred [[Winnemem Wintu]] Tribe sites that are located along the McCloud River.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Merrill |first=Amy |date=April 14, 2021 |title=McCloud River |url=https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/McCloudRiver_MER2021_FINAL_Report.pdf |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=American Rivers}}</ref>


The river system is closely tied to the Winnemem Wintu Tribe's culture as the tribe once lived in the greater [[Siskiyou Wilderness|Siskiyou]] Region and depended greatly on the river as a source of food and a setting for cultural ceremonies. In 1945, the completion of the Shasta Dam on the [[Sacramento River]] harmed the river's salmon population. It also led to the flooding of 95% of Winnemem Wintu territory, this included about 250 cultural sites, such as burial sites, and whole villages.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dallman |first1=Suzanne |last2=Ngo |first2=Mary |last3=Laris |first3=Paul |last4=Thien |first4=Deborah |date=February 1, 2013 |title=Political ecology of emotion and sacred space: The Winnemem Wintu struggles with California water policy |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755458611000831 |journal=Emotion Space and Society|volume=6 |pages=33–43 |doi=10.1016/j.emospa.2011.10.006 }}</ref> The [[Central Valley Project]] Land Acquisition Act of 1941 had issued portions of over 4,000 acres of land in order to recompense tribal territories that were flooded and damaged. However, the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Federal Government]] failed to deliver compensation and instead created a cemetery for the 183 Winnemem Wintu bodies that were displaced from their burial sites along the McCloud.<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Winnemem Wintu Tribe v. United States Dept. of Interior|court=United States District Court, E.D. California|reporter=F. Supp|vol=725|opinion=2:09-cv-01072|date=July 16, 2010|url=https://casetext.com/case/winnemem-wintu-tribe-v-us-department-of-interior/|postscript=|access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>
The Upper McCloud and its tributaries above Middle Falls are home to the [[McCloud River redband]] (''Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei''), a native subspecies of [[rainbow trout]].<ref name=dfw>{{cite web|title=Redband Trout (native)|url=http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/REsources/WildTrout/WT_RedbandDesc.asp|work=Department of Fish and Wildlife: Resource Management|publisher=California Department of Fish and Wildlife|accessdate=20 August 2013}}</ref> These [[redband trout]] were proposed for endangered species status, as their genetics have been introgressed by hybridization with hatchery stocked rainbow trout. The Falls of the McCloud River form a natural barrier to rainbow trout migration historically.<ref name=Redband> {{cite journal |author1=Rachel E. Simmons|author2= Phil Lavretsky|author3= Bernie May |year=2010 |title=Introgressive Hybridization of Redband Trout in the Upper McCloud River Watershed |journal=Transactions of the American Fisheries Society |volume=139 |issue=1 |pages=201–213 |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1577/T08-245.1 |accessdate=May 23, 2017 |doi=10.1577/t08-245.1}}</ref> An amplified fragment length polymorphism study show Sheepheaven Creek (the type specimen) genetics to be sufficiently different to warrant subspecific status.<ref> {{cite thesis |title=Systematics, genetics and conservation of golden trout |author=Stephens, Molly Rebecca |publisher=University of California, Davis |year=2007 |pages=2007 |url=http://gradworks.umi.com/33/03/3303208.html |accessdate=May 23, 2017 }}</ref> Conservation efforts have included transplanting the relative pure Sheepheaven Creek strain into Swamp and Trout Creeks.<ref name=Redband/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed heights=192px caption="Images of the McCloud River falls">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="192px" caption="Images of the McCloud River falls">
File:Lower McCloud Falls.JPG|Lower Falls
File:Lower McCloud River Falls.jpg|Lower Falls
File:Middle Falls.JPG|Middle Falls
File:Middle McCloud River Falls.jpg|Middle Falls
File:Upper McCloud Falls.JPG|Upper Falls
File:Upper McCloud Falls.JPG|Upper Falls
</gallery>
</gallery>
Line 124: Line 113:
{{Central Valley Rivers}}
{{Central Valley Rivers}}
{{Shasta Cascade}}
{{Shasta Cascade}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mccloud River}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mccloud River}}
[[Category:Rivers of Siskiyou County, California]]
[[Category:Rivers of Siskiyou County, California]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Sacramento River]]
[[Category:Mount Shasta]]
[[Category:Mount Shasta]]
[[Category:Pit River]]
[[Category:Pit River]]
[[Category:Shasta-Trinity National Forest]]
[[Category:Shasta-Trinity National Forest]]
[[Category:Rivers of Northern California]]
[[Category:Rivers of Northern California]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of California]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Pit River]]

Latest revision as of 22:59, 7 November 2024

McCloud River
McLeod's Fork, McLoud River[1]
Middle McCloud Falls on the McCloud River
McCloud River is located in California
McCloud River
Location of the mouth of the McCloud River in California
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CityMcCloud
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationSoutheast of Mount Shasta, Siskiyou County, California
 • coordinates41°13′12″N 121°46′21″W / 41.22000°N 121.77250°W / 41.22000; -121.77250[2]
 • elevation4,677 ft (1,426 m)[3]
Mouth 
 • location
McCloud River Arm of Lake Shasta, Sacramento River, Shasta County, California
 • coordinates
40°46′13″N 122°18′13″W / 40.77028°N 122.30361°W / 40.77028; -122.30361[2]
 • elevation
1,066 ft (325 m)[2]
Length77 mi (124 km)[4]
Basin size674 sq mi (1,750 km2)[5]
Discharge 
 • locationnear the mouth[6]
 • average775 cu ft/s (21.9 m3/s)[6]
 • minimum109 cu ft/s (3.1 m3/s)
 • maximum51,300 cu ft/s (1,450 m3/s)
Indian rhubarb (Darmera peltata), on the edge of the McCloud River in May.

The McCloud River is a 77.1-mile (124.1 km) long[4] river that flows east of and parallel to the upper Sacramento River, in Siskiyou County and Shasta County in northern California in the United States. Protected under California's Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1972),[7] it drains a scenic mountainous area of the Cascade Range, including part of Mount Shasta. It is a tributary of the Pit River, which in turn flows into the Sacramento River. The three rivers join in Shasta Lake, formed by Shasta Dam north of Redding.

History

[edit]

The river was originally known as the "McLeod River", after the Hudson's Bay Company hunter and trapper Alexander Roderick McLeod who explored it during the winter of 1829-1830.[8] By the 1860s, the spelling "McCloud" was widely used, likely because that was the conventional American spelling of the Scottish name, and perhaps in part to honor California pioneer Ross McCloud, who settled there in 1855.[1]

Geography

[edit]

The McCloud River watershed drains 674 square miles (1,750 km2).[5] It rises from several spring-fed streams in Colby Meadows in the Cascades approximately 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Mount Shasta in Siskiyou County. It flows initially west, passing south of Mount Shasta and receiving streams that drain the southern slope of the peak. East of McCloud it forms a series of waterfalls which tumble over basaltic lava flows, known collectively as the McCloud River Falls or Falls of the McCloud River.

McCloud River below Middle Falls

Below the falls the river flows generally south-southwest through the Lake McCloud reservoir and through a deep canyon in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It joins Shasta Lake, formed by the Shasta Dam, approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Redding, with the lower 10 miles (16 km) of the river forming the middle arm of the lake. The McCloud arm joins the Pit River arm just east of the Pit River Bridge on Interstate 5, 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the city of Shasta Lake.

Major tributaries to the Upper McCloud River include Mud and Tate Creeks (plus Big Springs). Squaw Valley, Hawkins, Claiborne, and Chatterdown Creeks are the major tributaries to the McCloud River below McCloud Reservoir.[9]

River modifications

[edit]

The river is dammed at McCloud River Dam, to provide water for the McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project. The McCloud Tunnel diverts water from the McCloud River east to Iron Canyon Reservoir; the water is discharged into the Pit River at James B. Black Powerhouse. Further downstream, the diverted water boosts power generation at Pit 6 and Pit 7 Dams before flowing into Shasta Lake. The overall generating capacity is 364 megawatts. Built in the late 1960s, the system is owned and operated by PG&E.[10]

As a consequence of damming, the average flow in the lower McCloud River declined greatly, from an annual mean of 1,699 cu ft/s (48.1 m3/s) between 1946 and 1965 to an annual mean of 775 cu ft/s (21.9 m3/s) between 1967 and 2013.[6] The greatest impact on river flow is during the summer months when the dam release is only 200 cubic feet per second (5.7 m3/s). However, there is little impact on winter peak flows, which mostly originate in the watershed area below the dam.[11]

Recreation

[edit]

The McCloud is generally divided into two sections. The Upper McCloud is considered to be above McCloud Reservoir, and the Lower McCloud stretches from the reservoir to Lake Shasta. The waterfalls mentioned above are all found on the Upper McCloud. The Upper McCloud is a popular destination for kayakers. There is an improved campground called Fowlers on the Upper McCloud. The Upper McCloud above Upper Falls is rarely stocked, and locating the fish often proves to be a challenge to most avid anglers, while the section from Lower Falls to Upper Falls is stocked and is open to bait fishing. The Lower McCloud is generally a fly/artificial lure fishery and catch and release fishing is greatly encouraged.

The last several miles of the McCloud comprise two private fishing clubs — the McCloud River Club (4 miles (6.4 km)) and the Bollibokka Club (10 miles (16 km)), founded in 1902 and 1904, respectively. The land encompassing the lower 7 miles (11 km) of Bollibokka Club was purchased in 2007 by the Westlands Water District, which continues to operate the historic Bollibokka Club. Westlands purchased the property to avoid risk of development of the property, to increase its entitlement to water releases from Shasta reservoir through ownership of 3,000 acres (12 km2) in the watershed, and to quell opposition to plans for increases in the height of Shasta Dam, a project in which it is the largest stakeholder.[12] The upper 3 miles (4.8 km) of the club's river holdings were purchased in 2006 by Silicon Valley real estate magnate John Arrillaga. Anglers are not allowed to set foot above the high water mark on either property. The Nature Conservancy has a site on the Lower McCloud, an outright gift from the neighboring McCloud River Club, that allows ten rods per day and unlimited hikers or birders.

There are two campgrounds on the Lower McCloud River — Ash Camp and Ah Di Nah Campground. Ash Camp is a small unimproved camp area about 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream of the McCloud Reservoir dam with 4 sites and a vault toilet. It sits at the junction of Hawkins Creek and the Lower McCloud.

While Ah Di Nah Campground is located only 3 miles (4.8 km) further downstream from Ash Camp, it is about 7 miles (11 km) of dirt road driving to get there. It is a Shasta-Trinity National Forest campground and a fee is charged for nightly camping. Ah Di Nah is popular with backpackers and anglers for its proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail and the Nature Conservancy area on the McCloud River. Bathrooms and water are available.

Ecology

[edit]

The McCloud once hosted a native population of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), but the species became extinct in the McCloud watershed after McCloud Reservoir cut off the fish from their spawning grounds. The last reported Bull trout (misidentified as Dolly Varden trout (Salvelinus malma) at that time, Dollys are not from this southern latitude[13]) was caught in the 1980s.

The Upper McCloud and its tributaries above Middle Falls are home to the McCloud River redband (Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei), a native subspecies of rainbow trout.[14] These redband trout were proposed for endangered species status, as their genetics have been introgressed by hybridization with hatchery stocked rainbow trout. The Falls of the McCloud River form a natural barrier to rainbow trout migration historically.[15] An amplified fragment length polymorphism study show Sheepheaven Creek (the type specimen) genetics to be sufficiently different to warrant subspecific status.[16] Conservation efforts have included transplanting the relative pure Sheepheaven Creek strain into Swamp and Trout Creeks.[15]

Threats

[edit]

The McCloud ecosystem faces threats to the various cultural sites along the river and the general river ecosystem health. In November 2020, the Trump Administration under the direction of then U.S. Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, approved plans to increase the nearby Shasta Dam by 18.5 feet. The consequences would include the flooding of 5,000 acres of the local habitat which would harm the wild trout fishery as well as introduce permanent and seasonal flooding of roughly 39 sacred Winnemem Wintu Tribe sites that are located along the McCloud River.[17]

The river system is closely tied to the Winnemem Wintu Tribe's culture as the tribe once lived in the greater Siskiyou Region and depended greatly on the river as a source of food and a setting for cultural ceremonies. In 1945, the completion of the Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River harmed the river's salmon population. It also led to the flooding of 95% of Winnemem Wintu territory, this included about 250 cultural sites, such as burial sites, and whole villages.[18] The Central Valley Project Land Acquisition Act of 1941 had issued portions of over 4,000 acres of land in order to recompense tribal territories that were flooded and damaged. However, the U.S. Federal Government failed to deliver compensation and instead created a cemetery for the 183 Winnemem Wintu bodies that were displaced from their burial sites along the McCloud.[19]

[edit]
  • Images of the McCloud River falls
  • Lower Falls
    Lower Falls
  • Middle Falls
    Middle Falls
  • Upper Falls
    Upper Falls

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Erwin G. Gudde, William Bright (2004). California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names. University of California Press. p. 221. ISBN 9780520242173. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "McCloud River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ Google Earth elevation for GNIS source coordinates. Retrieved on January 10, 2008.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived March 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 10, 2011
  5. ^ a b "Boundary Descriptions and Names of Regions, Subregions, Accounting Units and Cataloging Units". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c USGS Gage #11368000 McCloud River above Shasta Lake, CA: Water-Data Report 2013. National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 2013. Accessed 2018-10-15.
  7. ^ Boxall, Bettina (March 26, 2019). "How California is defying Trump's environmental rollbacks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  8. ^ David L. Durham (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Quill Driver Books. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-884995-14-9.
  9. ^ "McCloud River Watershed". Sacramento River Watershed Program. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  10. ^ "McCloud-Pit Hydroelectric Project". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  11. ^ "Lower McCloud Watershed Analysis, Shasta-McCloud Management Unit, Shasta-Trinity National Forest" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. December 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  12. ^ Greg Lucas, Tom Stienstra (January 28, 2007). "Land sale leads to worries over dam". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  13. ^ Haas, Gordon R.; McPhail, J. D. (1991). "Systematics and Distributions of Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) and bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in North America". Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 48 (11): 2191–2211. doi:10.1139/f91-259.
  14. ^ "Redband Trout (native)". Department of Fish and Wildlife: Resource Management. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  15. ^ a b Rachel E. Simmons; Phil Lavretsky; Bernie May (2010). "Introgressive Hybridization of Redband Trout in the Upper McCloud River Watershed". Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 139 (1): 201–213. doi:10.1577/t08-245.1.
  16. ^ Stephens, Molly Rebecca (2007). Systematics, genetics and conservation of golden trout (Thesis). University of California, Davis. p. 2007. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  17. ^ Merrill, Amy (April 14, 2021). "McCloud River" (PDF). American Rivers. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  18. ^ Dallman, Suzanne; Ngo, Mary; Laris, Paul; Thien, Deborah (February 1, 2013). "Political ecology of emotion and sacred space: The Winnemem Wintu struggles with California water policy". Emotion Space and Society. 6: 33–43. doi:10.1016/j.emospa.2011.10.006.
  19. ^ Winnemem Wintu Tribe v. United States Dept. of Interior, 725 F. Supp 2:09-cv-01072 (United States District Court, E.D. California July 16, 2010).
[edit]
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