A CRUCIAL PIECE OF THE RESTORATION PUZZLE
Western Rivers Conservancy conserved a critical 288-acre property on the Sacramento River, adjacent to the Sacramento River Bend Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The property, known as the Jelly's Ferry parcel or Sacramento River Bend Ranch, includes a mile of river frontage in a rare reach of “the Sac” with mature riparian forests, quality habitat for salmonids and prime boating, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching and boat fishing. In December 2024, WRC purchased and then immediately transferred the property to the Bureau of Land Management for inclusion in the ACEC, which will enhance recreational opportunities while restoring floodplain, riparian and off-channel habitats.
PRECIOUS OLD-GROWTH ALONG THE SACRAMENTO RIVER
At 377 miles long, the Sacramento River is the largest river in California and, on the West Coast, second only to the mighty Columbia in terms of volume. The Sacramento supplies over 30% of California’s water supply, has more fish species than any other river system in the state and provides key habitat for an incredible array of wildlife. Between the cities of Redding and Red Bluff, the river dips into a large, low-elevation channel with an impressively healthy riparian reach. This 56-mile section represents the only stretch of the Sacramento below Shasta Dam that remains in a relatively natural condition. This portion of river also includes the Sacramento River Bend ACEC, a lush expanse of wetlands, important steelhead and salmon habitat, winter range for mule deer, archaeological sites, excellent recreational lands and scenic vistas. The BLM is exploring designating this segment of the Sacramento for recreational classification under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, a testament to how unique this stretch of the river is.
The property we conserved lies within this section of the river. With some of the best remaining old-growth riparian forest on the entire river, the property's extensive tree canopy helps create prime habitat for Chinook salmon, green sturgeon, Pacific lamprey and other rare species. The diverse mix of sycamores, valley oaks and cottonwoods lining the river here create what is essentially a fish food buffet, producing larval and adult invertebrates that are essential to anadromous fish.
A BOON FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE, ENHANCED ACCESS FOR PEOPLE
Because of its importance for imperiled fish and its adjacency to the ACEC, the Jelly's Ferry parcel was one of the BLM’s highest priorities for acquisition in the state. Now that WRC has conveyed the property to the BLM, the agency will be able to restore the property's riparian forests and enhance habitat connectivity, work that builds upon BLM’s extensive and ongoing recovery efforts throughout the ACEC. This will benefit fish as well as wildlife like threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle, western yellow-billed cuckoo, western monarch and Swainson’s hawk. Conserving Sacramento River Bend Ranch will also enhance opportunities for hikers, anglers and equestrians within the ACEC, and set the stage for the BLM to explore the possibility of opening the first public campground in the area, adjacent to the existing Oak Slough Trailhead. The trailhead connects to the popular Yana Trail system, which allows hikers and equestrians to explore the eastern portion of the ACEC.
