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1959 Map of Cannibal Island

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Cannibal Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The coastal marshes and tidal flats of Humboldt County define this landscape, where the Eel River and Salt River meet the Pacific Ocean. This survey reveals a complex network of waterways, including McNulty Slough and Sevenmile Slough, which weave around low-lying landforms like Cannibal Island and Mosley Island. These areas are protected by an extensive system of Levee structures, reflecting the historical efforts to manage the wetlands for agricultural and residential use.

On the higher ground of Table Bluff, the Table Bluff Lighthouse and a Coast Guard Reservation overlook the entrance to South Bay. Local life is anchored by the Eel River School and small clusters of settlement such as Ocean Ranch. The northern portion of the map is dominated by the narrow South Spit, separating the open ocean from the tidal muds of the bay, a topography that has historically influenced navigation and fishing in the region.