Humboldt Bay (California)
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The Humboldt Bay is a bay of the Pacific Ocean in Humboldt County in northern California . The cities of Eureka and Arcata are on the bay .
ecology
Areas that are regularly washed over by the tides adjoin Humboldt Bay . The bay and these wetlands are an important biotope for birds. Up to 100,000 migratory birds rest here at the same time, especially in winter .
Large parts of the coast of Humboldt Bay are overgrown by common beach grass ( Ammophila arenaria ). This invasive neophyte displaces native plants and is therefore fought all year round. To preserve the native flora, a botanical garden was laid out directly on the bay.
Geography and port
Humboldt Bay is the only deep bay between San Francisco and Coos Bay ( Oregon ) and is therefore an important port. But it can only be driven through a very narrow and deceptive passage.
history
Humboldt Bay was discovered in 1849 by an expedition of seven men led by Josiah Gregg . He had set out in Weaverville, about 150 miles away . The group progressed very slowly and reached the bay near starvation. In 1850, Humboldt Bay was first used by the ships General Morgan and Laura Virginia , which had set out from San Francisco . The Laura Virginia sailors named the bay after Alexander von Humboldt .
From 1963 to 1976 a boiling water reactor was in operation right on the bay. Today there are two thermal power plants that run on fossil fuels and a third is under construction.
Web links
- humboldtbay.org with lots of information (English)
- Information on nuclear reactor (English)
Coordinates: 40 ° 44 ′ 0 ″ N , 124 ° 14 ′ 0 ″ W.