Garcia River

{{Short description|River on the northern coast of California}}

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Garcia River

| name_native = {{plainlist|

• {{native_name|es|Río García}}
• {{native_name|poo|P'da Hau}}

}}

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| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = United States

| subdivision_type2 = State

| subdivision_name2 = California

| subdivision_type3 = Region

| subdivision_name3 = Mendocino County

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| length_mi = 44

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| discharge1_location= near Point Arena

| discharge1_min = {{convert|4.6|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_avg = {{convert|342|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}

| discharge1_max = {{convert|30300|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}

| source1 = Pardaloe Creek

| source1_location =

| source1_coordinates= {{coord|38|52|02|N|123|17|0|W|display=inline}}{{gnis|230336|Pardaloe Creek}}

| source1_elevation =

| source2 = Mill Creek

| source2_location =

| source2_coordinates= {{coord|38|54|41|N|123|17|33|W|display=inline}}{{gnis|228669|Mill Creek}}

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| source_confluence = confluence

| source_confluence_location = {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} south of Boonville

| source_confluence_coordinates= {{coord|38|53|48|N|123|22|1|W|display=inline}}

| source_confluence_elevation = {{convert|856|ft|abbr=on}}

| mouth = Pacific Ocean

| mouth_location = Point Arena

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|38|57|16|N|123|44|1|W|display=inline,title}}{{gnis|224039|Garcia River}}

| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|ft|abbr=on}}

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| basin_size_mi2 = 144

| tributaries_left = Inman Creek

| tributaries_right = North Fork Garcia River

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The Garcia River is a river on the northern coast of California, in southern Mendocino County. The river's watershed covers {{convert|144|sqmi|km2}} and its mainstem is {{convert|44|mi|km}} long. The watershed receives {{convert|45|in|mm}} of precipitation per year near the coast and {{convert|75|in|mm}} inland. The watershed's elevation ranges from sea level near the ocean to {{convert|2470|ft|m}} in the Coast Range. The Garcia River empties into the Pacific Ocean just north of Point Arena. This place is called P'da Hau in the Native California Indians' language who reside on the outlet of the coast. {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1696880010352888&set=g.434905853338108&type=1&theater&ifg=1|title=Sal Pko Martinez|website=www.facebook.com}} Barrett, Samuel (1908). Frederick Ward Putnam, ed. The Ethno-Geography of the Pomo and Neighboring Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology. 6. Berkeley: The University Press.

It is named for the settler Rafael Garcia who was granted ownership of the land in 1844.{{cite book|last=Gudde|first=Edwin G. |title=California place names: The origin and etymology of current geographical names|year=2004|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley and Los Angeles, California|isbn=0-520-24217-3|pages=140}}

The river provides recreation, agricultural and industrial water supply for the community of Point Arena, California, and wildlife habitat including cold freshwater habitat for fish migration and spawning.State of California Water Quality Control Plan North Coastal Basin 1B July 1975 p.13 Excessive erosion caused by logging, grazing and gravel mining is the most serious issue facing the Garcia River. Logging in the area began in the 19th century, but the most damage occurred in the decades after World War II. During this time, modern machinery was available, increasing production, but environmental regulations and industry good practices had not yet been developed. The river and its tributaries were often clogged with logging slash. In addition, skidding the logs over streams destroyed their protective vegetation. The streams were eventually cleared of this debris, naturally and through human efforts. Unfortunately, there is now a lack of large woody debris in the streams because of the extensive logging. This debris is needed for salmonid reproduction, to help prevent erosion and to create pool habitat for aquatic organisms.

About 80 percent of the land in the watershed is privately owned. Coast Forestlands is the largest landowner in the area, followed by Louisiana Pacific and Mailliard Ranch.{{Cite web|last=Kovner|first=Guy|date=2021-02-10|title=‘An exquisite place’: Mendocino County old-growth forest protected in $24.7 million deal|url=https://www.petaluma360.com/article/news/mendocino-county-old-growth-redwood-forest-protected-in-24-7-million-deal/|access-date=2021-02-11|website=Petaluma Argus-Courier|language=en-US}} There are several more large landowners that own the bulk of the rest. However, some land of the land consists of private residences and small ranches and farms. Public access to the river and the rest of the watershed is limited due to this private ownership.