California Aquatic Resource Inventory v3.3 has been published!

March 6, 2026

New wetland mapping for the Russian River and parts of SF Bay

Scientists and planners can now reference almost 19,000 acres of newly mapped wetlands in the latest release of the California Aquatic Resource Inventory (CARI) v3.3. CARI is California's primary statewide map for aquatic resources. This Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset standardizes information on wetlands, streams, and riparian areas from various local and regional sources into one critical map resource for scientists, planners, and policymakers.

This latest update integrates two of SFEI’s recent regional semi-automated mapping efforts into the CARI dataset. A major addition is the newly released Russian River Aquatic Resource Inventory (RRARI) v1.0, which spans the entire Russian River watershed and Sonoma County. This dataset provides a more precise look at the area's complex hydrography with greater detail and accuracy than previous mapping in the region. CARI v3.3 also includes an updated version of the Baylands Habitat Map 2020, which refines representation of aquatic habitat features across San Francisco Bay and adds Winter and Browns Islands.

CARI integrates over 28 distinct datasets overall, including federal layers such as the National Wetlands Inventory and the National Hydrography Dataset. It also incorporates higher resolution regional products developed by SFEI, such as the Bay Area Aquatic Resource Inventory and San Diego Aquatic Resource Inventory. In the CARI version 3.3 update, SFEI has added 77,223 new mapped wetland features, which translates to 18,945 acres of newly mapped wetlands across the state.

You can access the updated dataset and explore these new features through the EcoAtlas interactive map or by visiting the CARI project page.

Associated Staff