Humboldt Baykeeper - Humboldt Baykeeper

King Tide Photo Initiative: January 20-21, 2023

The highest tides of this winter (known as King Tides) are predicted on Friday & Saturday, January 20-21.

These tides may be much higher than predicted due to the southerly winds and Eckman Transport, which piles water up along our coast. Please USE EXTREME CAUTION when viewing the King Tides! And remember to wear bright colors so drivers can see you.

To get involved, all you need is a camera or a smartphone. Submit your photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or upload them to the California King Tide Photo Project.

Photo: Erosion along New Navy Base Road in Samoa dislodged a PG&E vault during the December 23-24 King Tides.

Rising Groundwater: Flooding from Below

Humboldt Baykeeper recently received a grant from the California Environmental Protection Agency to prioritize contaminated sites around the bay that are most at risk from rising sea level and groundwater.

We first began assessing the risks to contaminated sites due to flooding and erosion from sea level rise in 2012. But rising groundwater is also a concern, since it will likely impact low-lying areas around the bay before they are affected by surface inundation.

This Land is Their Land

Most of us know that what we call Humboldt Bay was part of the territory of the Wiyot people. And most us of know of the terrible mass killing that occurred in 1860 on what was called Indian Island.

But most of us do not know much more about the Wiyots and what has happened to their homeland over time. Here is part of that story.

Last month, Moonstone Beach ranked as the sixth most polluted beach in the state on Heal the Bay’s Beach Report Card. This annual report compares water quality at recreational beaches throughout California in terms of fecal bacteria. Most concerning to swimmers and surfers are sewage spills, but these pathogens also live in the guts of livestock, pets, and wildlife, and are often flushed into streams and the ocean by rainstorms.

Coastal Commission Approves Offshore Wind Exploration Plan—with Conditions

On April 7, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s plans for studying marine life in the proposed Humboldt Wind Energy Area, 21 miles west of Humboldt Bay. The Bureau, known as BOEM, plans to hold auctions this summer for offshore wind developers to bid on lease areas in federal waters off Humboldt and Morro Bay. Lessees will then begin “site assessment activities” to better understand potential impacts in these understudied ocean environments.

Dioxin Hot-Spot in Arcata Marsh To Be Assessed

On March 7, Humboldt Baykeeper, the City of Arcata, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields* Program staff met for a tour of a contaminated site at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. This site has been on our radar since 2015, when a dioxin hotspot was identified in nearby Humboldt Bay sediments during a study of areas proposed for wetland restoration.

The Climate Crisis on the North Coast (& what we can do about it)

In November, world leaders met in Glasgow for the 26th time since 1992 to grapple with ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Taking action to slow climate change has become more urgent in recent years, as catastrophic storms, fires, drought, and heat waves are becoming more and more common. This is no longer some abstract future scenario, and the North Coast is facing many challenges as a result of the unfolding climate crisis.

Keep reading