2021 Map of Petaluma River

About this map

The Petaluma River winds through a complex network of marshes and sloughs along the Sonoma Co and Marin Co border, defining the low-lying landscape between the rising slopes of Burdell Mtn and the uplands near Novato. This 2021 survey illustrates the extensive tidal geography of the region, where named features like Cloudy Bend, Hog Island, and Burdell Island sit amidst a maze of waterways including Donahue Slough, Tule Slough, and Black John Slough. To the north, the city of Petaluma serves as the primary hub, with its suburban reaches extending toward McNear and Haystack. The map clearly delineates the infrastructure supporting the area's movement, from the aeronautical facilities at Gnoss Field to the various roads and landings such as Lakeville that have historically connected these riverfront communities to the interior valleys and the San Francisco Bay beyond.