Salt River (California)
General data
- Name: Salt River (California)
- Water system: Pacific Ocean
- Water type: River
- Progression: Pacific Ocean -> Planet Earth
- Climates: Temperate
- Continents: North America
- Countries: United States of America
The Salt River is a formerly navigable hanging channel of the Eel River which flowed about 9 miles (14 km) from near Fortuna and Waddington, California, to the estuary at the Pacific Ocean, until siltation from logging and agricultural practices essentially closed the channel. It was historically an important navigation route until the early 20th century. It now intercepts and drains tributaries from the Wildcat Hills along the south side of the Eel River floodplain. Efforts to restore the river began in 1987, permits and construction began in 2012, and water first flowed in the restored channel in October 2013.