Petaluma River

Petaluma River
The river flowing through Petaluma. View is to the southeast.
Petaluma River watershed (Interactive map)
EtymologyCoast Miwok
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
RegionSonoma and Marin counties
CityPetaluma, California
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • location1.5 mi (2 km) southwest of Cotati, California
 • coordinates38°18′18″N 122°43′3″W / 38.30500°N 122.71750°W / 38.30500; -122.71750[1]
 • elevation332 ft (101 m)
MouthSan Pablo Bay
 • location
5 mi (8 km) east of Novato, California
 • coordinates
38°6′38″N 122°29′15″W / 38.11056°N 122.48750°W / 38.11056; -122.48750[1]
 • elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length18 mi (29 km)[1]
Basin size370 km² (140 sq. miles)
Discharge 
 • locationPetaluma (USGS gage station 11459000)
 • average17 cu ft/s (0.48 m3/s)
 • minimum0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s)
 • maximum9,620 cu ft/s (272 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftLichau Creek, Lynch Creek, Washington Creek, Adobe Creek
 • rightSan Antonio Creek

The Petaluma River is a river in the California counties of Sonoma and Marin[1] that becomes a tidal slough for most of its length. The headwaters are in the area southwest of Cotati. The flow is generally southward through Petaluma's old town, where the waterway becomes navigable, and then flows another 10 mi (16 km) through tidal marshes before emptying into the northwest corner of San Pablo Bay.