2018 Map of Cannibal Island

About this map

Cannibal Island and the surrounding marshlands of the Eel River delta define this coastal landscape where fresh and salt water meet. In this 2018 survey, the intricate network of tidal channels including McNulty Slough, Sevenmile Slough, and Ropers Slough illustrates the complex hydrology of the region south of Humboldt Bay. The map details the low-lying island topography of Mosley Island and Cock Robin Island, which are hemmed in by the Salt River and the Pacific coast. Cultural features are concentrated along the eastern edge and the South Spit, with rural routes like Copenhagen Rd and Table Bluff Rd providing access to the wetlands. This record of the coastal environment captures the intersection of traditional land use and natural drainage patterns, showing how the river delta remains dominated by its sloughs and seasonal inundation zones.