The Clavey River – wild and free flowing
Most of the rivers in the Sierra Nevada are dammed and diverted, but the Clavey River flows freely for its entire 47-mile length. Still, the peril of potential man-made structures or water diversions will continue to threaten the Clavey until Congress moves to give the Clavey permanent protection by designating it as a Wild and Scenic River.
From its headwaters high in the Emigrant Wilderness to its low elevation confluence with the Tuolumne River, the Clavey is the lifeblood of a long, wild corridor of unique and diverse habitat. The river offers beautiful camping spots, challenging fishing for native rainbow trout, and great photographic opportunities.
The diverse ecosystem of the wild Clavey River
The tributaries of the Clavey River begin at over 9,000 feet in elevation in the Emigrant Wilderness. Those small streams then join the main stem as the Clavey flows down granite slopes and enters into miles of fir, pine, cedar, and oak forests.
Once the River flows past Thompson Peak, the Clavey carves a rocky canyon and descends to brushy slopes and oak woodlands -- rushing toward its confluence with the main stem of the Tuolumne River.
Wild and scenic protection for the Clavey River
The Clavey River has been found to be both eligible and suitable for Wild and Scenic designation by the U.S. Forest Service. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides the most effective protection for rivers by mandating strict protection for their “outstandingly remarkable” features. Despite a recommendation by the Forest Service for Congress to formally designate the river as Wild and Scenic, political opposition in Congress has kept the Clavey from receiving this designation.
For roughly 30 years, CSERC has partnered with the Tuolumne River Trust, Friends of the River, and other groups in efforts to protect the Clavey from utility company dams or other water-diverting threats. CSERC has worked to publicize the river's value and collaborated with local community activists to build support for long-term protection.
Protecting other streams and rivers of the region
In addition to the Clavey, there are many other streams and river segments within the local region that also deserve special protection. If you would like to be an advocate for protecting such streams, contact our center ([email protected]) to join our activist efforts.
Watch Clavey Reflections below, an “informational documentary covering the historical, biological and current human/ecological relationship of an exemplary watershed.”