Redwood Reader

61. Sinking into summer: New guide looks at area's best swimmming spots
 Another quick snapshot of area rivers. All of these rivers are more heavily impacted than the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. Pools in these rivers should be on the order of dozens per mile of stream. Much of the damage is from too much sediment in the system at a time, and will take some time to clear out. Understanding glomalin can drastically reduce the amount of sediment cut loose from the landscape, speeding the recovery toward better conditions.
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127~2896~2295365,00.html
Monday, July 26, 2004 - Andrew Bird
The Times-Standard
RIO DELL --

If the lazy, hazy days of summer conjure up images of a favorite swimming hole on the river, Albert Miller's new booklet might interest you.
Miller, 80, just published his third edition of his local swim handbook, titled: "Guide to Natural Swimming Holes in the Eel River Valley and Mad River Wilderness."
The 16-page booklet, 5.5 by 8.5 inches, is easy to roll up and carry as you search out local favorite swimming spots on the Van Duzen, Eel, South Fork of the Eel and Mad rivers and Bull Creek.
Miller managed to fit descriptions of 30 swimming holes in his slim volume, including photos and details on how to find each one.
The booklet right now is available in just a few locations. The price is $5 for a black and white version and $10 for the color edition.
Miller, who moved to Humboldt County from Palo Alto in 1997, started researching local swimming holes several years ago for the Senior News, a monthly newspaper published by the Humboldt Resource Center, for a series titled, "Vacations at Home."
As his volume of work grew, Miller started publishing it as a Web guide posted to http://www.humguide.com/
Miller said he's already at work researching more swimming holes for an expanded fourth edition, which he plans to publish in the spring of 2005.
The best time to swim in Humboldt rivers is June through October, Miller said.
Miller said he learns about swimming holes from friends.
For example, Miller's barber, a lifetime Humboldt County resident, has given him the location of at least 15 locations. He's only had time to research about half of them, Miller said.
While locating holes he's been told about, Miller says often he will meet locals swimming in those holes who tell him about others.
Miller, a former Hughes Aircraft Co. engineer, said readers who follow his directions precisely will have no trouble locating the holes, many of which are not well-marked.
Miller said he discovered Humboldt County in 1997 during a vacation.
"Almost immediately it cleared up my breathing problems," said Miller, who suffers from respiratory ailments.
Miller said he's been a swimmer his entire life, and is a former coach of the sport.
The booklet is available at: Sport and Cycle in Fortuna; in Rio Dell at E&J Liquor and Deli, CSS New and Used store, Humboldt Gables Motel and River's Edge RV Park; In Redcrest at the Redcrest Resort and Gift Shop and Eternal Tree House Gifts; in Weott at Mama Su's Place and in Arcata at Adventure's Edge.
To contact Miller, e-mail to: albertmiller@cox.net .