It also provides recreation and navigation including 26 miles (42 km) of whitewater suitable for rafting and kayaking upstream of Rancheria Creek.

The river recharges groundwater for agricultural and industrial water supply for residents living along the western portion of California State Route 128.

Prior to colonial contact, the Navarro River watershed fed water sources for Northern California Native communities, including the Pomo people, who relied on salmon and riparian vegetation for cultural and subsistence practices.

[7] In 1848–1850, the California Gold Rush brought non-native settlers to the valley who forced the Pomo people up the Eel River northward to Round Valley Reservation, in an approximately 40 mile forced march known as Bloody Run, so called because the river ran red with blood.

[10] The Wendling sawmill operation included logging railway branches along the North Fork connecting over Keen's Summit to shipping facilities at Albion via an isolated segment of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad.