The Napa River watershed supports a rich diversity of life, hosting around 30 native fish species alongside numerous introduced sportfish and marine species that migrate through the tidal estuary.
The endangered Chinook Salmon and steelhead spawn in the Napa River and in its many tributaries. The steelhead run has been reduced from historical levels of 6000 adults to a few hundred fish. Nonetheless, the river still supports a diverse population of native and non-native fish species and an active recreational fishery. We find bluegill, black bass in the upper river; and striped bass, sturgeon and many non-game species such as the endangered splittail, yellowfin goby and silversides in the lower river.
Watch Napa RCD Senior Biologist, Jonathan Koehler’s fascinating short video: Diversity in the Napa River to learn more about the native fish in the River.
Reptiles & Amphibians
The Napa River watershed supports a diverse range of herpetofauna. Amphibians like the threatened California red-legged frog and Pacific tree frogs frequent riparian edges, while reptiles such as the Northwestern pond turtle bask on logs and garter snakes hunt in the water.
The banks and upland oak woodlands also host various terrestrial species, including:
California slender salamanders (in moist areas)
Western fence lizards (commonly called “bluebellies”)
Southern alligator lizards
Pacific gopher snakes and ring-necked snakes
Western Pond Turtles
Birds
Bird species dependent on the river include mallards, green-winged teals, mergansers, wood ducks, herons, egrets, kingfishers, rails and grebes as well as the endangered Clapper Rail.
Great Blue Heron
Mammals
Beaver, river otter, mink, muskrat, raccoon, deer, gray fox and bobcat also live in the riparian habitat. This article in the New Humanitarian provides some basic information about beaver and their surprising impact on the ecosystem.
Occasionally, harbor porpoise make their way up the tidal portion of the Napa River as far as downtown Napa.
Beaver
Wildlife presentations
The Napa Library hosted and recorded Wild Napa lectures. You can view them on YouTube:
- Iconic Cats Dr. Quinton Martins talked about iconic cats, specifically highlighting the Mountain Lion Project.
- Western Pond Turtles Matthew Bettelheim talked about the Western Pond Turtle.