King Tide Photo Initiative

Sea Level Rise and King Tides at Eureka Slough

King Tides are the highest tides of the year which happen during full or new moons around the winster solstice. They provide a glimpse into the future, when higher tides will become more frequent as sea level rises.

On the north end of Eureka, along Eureka Slough just behind Target, there's a pole showing the height of the water level. And there's a sign explaining the relationship between certain water levels and scientific projections of sea level rise.

King Tide Photo Initiative: February 8-9, 2020

Another set of King Tides are coming on February 8-9. Please join our King Tide Photo Initiative to help document rising sea levels around Humboldt Bay!

Photo: Jackson Ranch Road in the Arcata Bottoms, Dec. 13, 2012 (Ted Halstead).

King Tide Photo Initiative: Nov. 26 & 27, 2019

On Tues. and Wed. (Nov. 26-27), the first “King Tides” of this winter will coincide with a winter storm, which could lead to coastal flooding. Be very cautious of rising water, eroding shoreline, flooded roadways, and high winds.

Baykeeper volunteers have been documenting King Tides since 2011. To get involved, all you need is a camera or a smartphone. Submit photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photo: Arcata's Wastewater Treatment Facility, 12-14-16. Photo by Rich Ridenhour.

King Tide Photo Initiative, 2017-18

The highest tides this winter - known as King Tides - will occur on Dec. 4-5 and Jan. 1-2. To help document this year’s King Tide, all you need is a camera or a smartphone. Submit photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Be very cautious of rising water, eroding shoreline, flooded roadways, and high winds during any extreme high tide events.

Left: View from the Del Norte Street Pier in Eureka.

King Tides Tour, December 14, 2016 in Arcata

At 11:30 am on Wed. Dec. 14, Humboldt Baykeeper and Sea Level Rise Planner Aldaron Laird will host a tour during the highest tide of 2016-17. The tide is predicted to reach 8.6' at noon, although it could be up to a foot higher in stormy conditions.

We'll meet at the Arcata Wastewater Treatment Facility on South G Street. From there, we'll walk to the King Tides Observation Bench, which was donated to the City by Aldaron & Christy Laird in January.