Monumental Questions - What are Wild and Scenic Rivers

Nate Lillge • August 20, 2023

Rafting on a portion of Cache Creek designated as a Recreational River

In 1968, Congress passed the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; four years later, California’s legislature passed the state’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This state act preserves rivers, and their immediate environments, which “possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values”. California’s wild and scenic rivers are protected for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.


Both wild and scenic rivers are “those rivers or segments of rivers that are free of impoundments”. Wild rivers are “generally inaccessible except by trail” whereas scenic rivers are “accessible in places by roads.” The watersheds or shorelines of wild rivers are essentially primitive, and the waters are unpolluted. Scenic river watersheds and shorelines are still largely primitive, and the shorelines are largely undeveloped.


An additional classification is as a Recreational River. These are “rivers or segments of rivers” that are easily accessed via road or railroad. The shorelines may have some development and the river may have been impounded or diverted in the past.


Cache Creek, which flows east to west through Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument just south of CA-20, is, in various parts, a Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River. North Fork Cache Creek from where it crosses CA-20 to the confluence with the mainstem is a scenic river. The mainstem, from near Cache Creek Dam to just west of the confluence with Bear Creek near CA-16 is a wild river (with a few sections designated as scenic). The portion of Cache Creek from the confluence with Bear Creek to Camp Haswell is designated as a recreational river as it nearly parallels CA-16 through the canyon. This section is easily accessed via the three Yolo County Parks in the area.


The riparian habitat along Cache Creek is surrounded by oak woodland, grassland, and chaparral. This creates a diverse habitat. The area supports a large population of bald eagles in the winter and year-round habitat for tule elk, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and many other animals. Cache Creek has cut through hills and cliffs exposing amazing and unique geologic formations.


Cache Creek has been home to native tribes for many thousands of years. Because of the remoteness of the river, cultural resources have been left undisturbed. Respecting and honoring resources is another extremely important reason for protecting this amazing waterway.


For more information on Wild and Scenic Rivers, check out the information provided by Caltrans.


This pdf has information on the California Wild and Scenic River System including a description of designated areas.


An interactive map of nationally listed Wild and Scenic Rivers is available here.


-Nate Lillge (nlillge@tuleyome.org)


Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director


Certified California Naturalist

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