Monday August 3, 2026
CalTrout —
Construction is officially underway on the Elk River Estuary Restoration Project, marking a major milestone in a decades-long effort to restore one of Humboldt Bay’s most important watersheds. Led by California Trout (CalTrout) in partnership with Tribal Nations, local landowners, public agencies, scientists, and community partners, the project will restore critical estuary habitat, improve conditions for native fish, and help the Elk River adapt to rising sea levels and a changing climate.
The first phase of construction will restore approximately 40 acres at Swain Slough, part of a larger 857-acre restoration effort designed to bring back natural tidal processes, expand habitat, and reconnect the river to the landscape that surrounds it.
“Construction beginning at Elk River represents years of science, collaboration, and commitment coming together on the ground,” said Katy Gurin, North Coast Senior Project Manager at CalTrout. “This project is about restoring the natural processes that make estuaries thrive — bringing back tidal connections, creating habitat for native fish, and helping this landscape adapt to the future. It’s also about working alongside the people who know and care for this place to create a restoration vision that can last for generations.”