The Upper Eel Watershed (HUC 18010103) covers an area of 1,438 square miles and is located in the Coast Range and Inner North Coast Range in California. The watershed is dominated by steep, rugged terrain with elevations ranging from sea level to over 7,000 feet. Hydrologically, the watershed is characterized by high flows during winter storms and low flows during the dry season. The region receives heavy precipitation, with some areas receiving over 120 inches of rainfall annually. The snowpack in the region is an important source of surface water during the dry season. The reservoirs in the watershed provide water for agricultural, municipal, and industrial use. The climatic trends in the area include increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation, resulting in longer and more severe droughts. Additionally, there has been an increase in the intensity and frequency of wildfires in recent years.