“We must begin thinking like a river if we are to leave a legacy of beauty and life for future generations.”
David Brower, Environmentalist
Confession time — it's not very often I find myself on the Petaluma River with the perspective of viewing the riverbank and city's waterside from the actual waterway.
This July it was a treat to board a small, private yacht for a friend's birthday brunch and cruise (according to a perfectly timed tide) south under the D St Bridge, the freeway and the Smart Train bridge and back.
How most of us do take this waterway for granted. The current debacle of a chronic 14 year build up of silt choking the tidal slough is all the more obvious in the dry summer months and so it was a small miracle to me that we were able to move along at all.
According to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance (O&M) is responsible for providing dredging of a channel 200 feet wide to a depth of -8 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) across the flats in San Pablo Bay to the mouth of the 14 mile Petaluma River, located on San Pablo Bay in Sonoma and Marin Counties (Across-the-Flats Channel), 100 feet wide and -8 feet MLLW thereafter to Western Avenue in Petaluma (River Channel), and a turning basin 300 to 400 feet wide to -8 feet MLLW.
The Corps of Engineers has been undergoing a roughly $600,000 study to figure out how much build-up there is in the channel that was last dredged in 2003. The cost factor of the dredging project is a major issue due to limited funding availability of millions of federal dollars required as well as the number of more high profile, high traffic competing projects.
Come low tide, parts of the river are impassable. Recreational boaters and commercial shippers alike continue to be impacted, at least until summer 2019, when, it is hoped, but not yet secured that funding will be forthcoming for dredging to start. The Petaluma Marina has been badly hit by a 40% dip in moorage, according to reports. The Chamber of Commerce sites a tremendous loss to downtown businesses since recreational boats have had a hard time mooring at the deserted downtown dock.
Non-profit Petaluma Yacht Club at the Turning Basin is a local gem that was forced to cancel a vital fundraiser due to impassable waters on Memorial Weekend.
The City of Petaluma is hoping to utilize dredge spoils to restore habitat along the river bank and the wetlands at Shollenberger Park.
Petaluma Argus Courier reported that in the future, to avoid this happening again every decade or so, the City of Petaluma is working toward a new partnership with the Sonoma Water Agency, Marin County, the City of San Rafael and the Napa Flood Control District to dredge a series of overlooked channels across the North Bay with the Corps of Engineers. Cutting costs with combining projects makes sense and I hope this plan is established for the future of the historic Petaluma River and neighboring waterways.
What can we do as individuals to take more of an active interest in and support our Slough?
In 2005 Friends of the Petaluma River formed to connect our community with the wonders of the Petaluma Watershed. While much of this active non-profit's work focuses on conservation and education surrounding this sensitive habitat, it also believes that celebration plays a large role in its mission. Through events at the River Heritage Center, family programming around the Watershed and access opportunities for the public, Friends of the Petaluma River brings our Watershed to life.
Experience the Petaluma Watershed for yourself on one of the Friends of the Petaluma River tours, kayak trips or through programming at the David Yearsley River Heritage Center. Sunset Wine & Cheese tours are a great way to relax as you meander down the River on a 17-foot cruising barge with knowledgeable River docents. Or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, come explore the Watershed on your own steam by checking out one of a fleet of canoes, kayaks and row boats during the free Boating at the Barn program every Sunday from 10am to 1pm.
Friends offers unique hands-on programming at the River Heritage Center to engage the community on the River. Summer break Green Heron Nature Camp for 6-12 year olds builds nature awareness through outdoor exploration and meaningful play. Individual and family programming at the DYRHC includes workshops on boat-building, marsh medicinals, wilderness survival and nature awareness.
Sunday’s Boating at the Barn program is shepherded by volunteers. Find the crew at the David Yearsley River Heritage Center every Sunday from 10am to 1pm checking out boats to the community. A growing fleet includes rowboats, canoes, kayaks and a sailboat, all of which can be checked out for free after a short safety demonstration.
*Please check the tides before going to the barn. Due to the lack of dredging in the River, when the tide is beneath 2ft, you cannot go out. Upcoming closure is August 12th.
This year's Moonlit Fandango Event fundraises for the Friends of the Petaluma River and takes place at the beautiful and exclusive Rockin' H Ranch on August 18th, 2018.
I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the North Bay Rowing Club, both the Junior Crew (boys and girls 12 to 18) and adult crew programs that make the very most of the Petaluma River year-round.
The Rowing Club's Masters Program refers to the age category of 21+, and includes people of all skill levels. Thanks to the mild climate and protected waterway of the Petaluma River, North Bay rows year round both recreationally and competitively. NBRC’s Masters program offers coached and independent sweep and sculling and is available to anyone regardless of experience level, fitness level, mobility concerns, or competitive spirit. Whatever you want to get out of the sport, the Rowing Club can provide it for you!
With a general membership, both incoming experienced rowers and first time learners have the opportunity to take boats out on their own time. NBRC members have access to all club equipment and facilities at all times of the day, so you can find the time in your schedule that works best for you. Once you've been cleared by a coach and have demonstrated your understanding of rowing and the required safety checks, club equipment becomes your equipment. Many NBRC members self-organize group practices and these can be found on club calendars.
Middle School Learn to Row Team teaches the fundamentals of the rowing stroke, practice both sweep rowing and sculling and get experience working together in different kinds of boats. The focus is on technical proficiency and enjoying the time spent on the water, while also learning teamwork and developing the skills to compete at the high school level. No rowing experience is required to join the Learn-to-Row team.
The High School Competitive Team trains extensively to compete at both the regional and national level against some of the fastest crews in the country. There's no experience necessary, and the basics of the sport will be taught to everyone during tryouts.
My afternoon on the water renewed my appreciation of our heritage waterway that was the lifeblood to our community in its heyday during the Gold Rush.
It all comes back to the Turning Basin when we talk about our history and the docks that carried passengers into the fledgling town and dairy and farm produce back down to San Francisco.
We must not turn our backs on the crumbling waterfront in the heart of our downtown. Petaluma River Promenade is a vision for the future of this important place that has been so woefully neglected over the past couple decades.
I'm looking forward to the first annual Petaluma Promenade Honky-Tonk Piano Competition fundraiser on September 15th where we'll be treated to the spectacle and sound of all the bright and colorful handpainted pianos we've been spotting around town these past few months. Brainchild of Petaluma Pete, this event will help raise money for a much needed pedestrian friendly boardwalk.
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