Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1968 Pescadero Creek (Book 3 of 5)
1968 Pescadero Creek (Book 3 of 5)
(Book 3 of 5 )
Bear Creek
Bradley Creek
Butano Creek (Big Butano Creek)
Evans Creek
Fall Creek
Honsinger Creek
Little Boulder Creek
Little Butano Creek
McCormick Creek
Oil Creek
Pescadero Creek
Peters Creek
Shaw Gulch
Slate Creek
Tarwater Creek
Waterman Creek
PESCADERO CREEK (continued)
FISHERIES CONDITIONS
AND
OTHER BIOTIC INVENTORIES
Fish Samplings
Length-Frequency Surveys
Salmonid Fisheries Conditions
Miscellaneous Scientific Studies
Data Sets
Fish Samplings
PXSCADERO FISH TXAP
steelhead trout.
A. Method of Trapping: 8 ' long, 4 ' deep, 4 ' v i d e box t r a p w i t h 70' long
Dec.
--.--
11 t-
o 14: 16 precocious SH; 16 a d u l t SR; 5 a d u l t S.S., 1grilse =
38 t o t a l .
trapped.
3) ----- 25 t o Dec. 26
Gec.
- - f e n c e ;a?asl~out: 5 E i s h t r a p p e d .
4) Dec. 2 9
Dec. 27- --t o------- - Relief channel CUE t o l o v e r f l o w s t h r o u g h :ence:
13 f i s h t r a p p e d .
t o enumerate b e c a u s e of t u r b i d , muddy v a t e r s .
T r a l -Vandalism
D* - - - - The t r a p was t o r n a p a r t and v a n d a l i s e d t h e n i g h t of
t h e c e n s u s t a k l n g from 1 t o 4 h o u r s , d e p e c d i n g on a v a i l a b l e t i m e of census-
taker.
(See T a b l e I).
f i s h i n g p e r man: O f 2 5 7 f i s h e r m e n , o n l y 13 f i s h v e r e c a u g h t , a n a v e r a g e
range.
(See T a b l e 11).
69% oi t h e p r e c o c i o u s f i s h (20 i n c h e s o r u n d e r ) -7ere males.
G* -Water
- - Temperatures
--- --.- - (See Table I V ) . :i r e c o r d i n g v a t e r thernometer -aas
a r r i v e d a t because of l a c k of s u f f i c i e n t sample.
;i-1
-
a
Memorandum
To 8 Eldon V e s t a l Dater November 5,
F i s h e r i e s Management S u p e r v i s o r
lw
.
The U. S Corps o f E n g i n e e r s and t h e San Plate0 County Flood C o n t r o l D i s t r i c t
have developed p l a n s t o c o n s t r u c t m u l t i p u r p o s e dams o n Pescadero Creek. Such
p r o j e c t s would b l o c k and i n u n d a t e most o f t h e s t e e l h e a d spawning and n u r s e r y
h a b i t a t i n t h e d r a i n a g e . Pescadero Creek i s one o f t h e few remaining s t e e l -
head s t r e a m s i n t h i s a r e a t h a t h a s n o t been s i g n i f i c a n t l y degraded by u r b a n o r
w a t e r developments. S e v e r a l t r i b u t a r i e s i n t h e w a t e r s h e d , i n c l u d i n g O i l , S l a t e ,
P e t e r s , and Tarwater Creeks, a r e a l s o u t i l i z e d by s t e e l h e a d .
METHODS
Station Stream M i l e s
No. Location From Mouth
RESULTS
M i l l a r d Coots
Assoc. F i s h e r y B i o l o g i s t
Region 3
TABU I
No. of s t e e l h e a d l f t .3 water
50
175
T o t a l w t . of a l l f i s h e s (gms.) 184
9
.lo
,/' z
0
906
.58
2L-L
%
It.
SEPARATION PAGE
State of California ,lry,+>'5
Memorandum
To :
Fisheries Management Date: August 17, 1978
Region 3
Sampling Results:
Steven G. Torres
Fish and Wildlife Seasonal Aid
Ivan L. Paulsen
Jr. Aquatic Biologist
Central Fishery District
Region 3
Length-Frequency Surveys
LENGTH FREQUENCY
,fi/da , J / ~ , / ~j dJ //I5
7-
; P E C J E S , ; , L E I # / JLR~cLf - ! 7 I O ~ A T ~ / C - F B C A ' J E R O - !L~. A
4
~ TEE.;;,/?-~!~~~MF~<
T / / v p n & c 2 7F.
Salmonid Fisheries Conditions
V
CENTRAL DIST2lCT ICCPY
' s
('
', CHECKED DATF
SEPARATION PAGE
SEPARATION PAGE
F-L:#<
4-
4 L,. .,2y-+
October 6, 1978 d--
S t a t e Water Resources C o n t r o l Board
D i v i s i o n o f l l ~ - t e rsights
77 C a d i l l z c Drive
S s c r a m e n t o , C-4 95825
ATTN: D.H. K i t e , A s s o c i a t e E n g i n e e r
SUBJECT : Water A p p l i c a t i o n s on P e s c a d e r o and Butano Creeks,
San Nateo County 312: CC : 25318, 25676, 25302, 25303
and o t h e r s Pending
fNTBO3UCTION : PROTEST TO BE CCXTINUSD
l i e have r e c e i v e d and c a r e f u l l y s t u d i e d t h e d i s n i s s a l t e r m s
s u b m i t t e d by t h e D e r a r t n e n t of F i s h and Game i n r e s p o n s e t o t h e
numerous w a t e r a p p l i c a t i o n s f o r P e s c z d e r o and Sutano Creeks. Fie
f i r d t h e terms i n a d e a u a t e f o r p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e s t e e l h e a d and
s i l v e r salmon r e s o u r c e and h e r e b y r e q u e s t t h a t o u r p r o t e s t s be
c o n t i n u e d on a l l t h e r e l e v a n t a p p l i c a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g t h o s e o n
which o u r p r o t ' e s t s have been p r e m a t u r e l y d i s m i s s e d ( e .g. 'uJA 25676).
ANALYSIS : INSTLWAQ4F ~ ~ u I I ~ E K E ~ ; RIPABIAN
Ts/ DIVERSIOITS
The Department o f F i s h and Gane has done an e x c e l l e n t s t u d y
o f t h e flopis needed t o p r o t e c t t h e anadronous f i s h e r y o f
P e s c a d e r o and Butano Creeks. lfe f i n d t h e i r a n a l y s i s i n a d e q u a t e ,
however, s i n c e i t f a i l s t o take i n t o a c c o u n t t h e numerous o t h e r
r i p a r i a n and e x i s t i n g a p p r o p r i a t i v e d i v e r s i o n s o n l o w e r P e s c a d e r o
and Sutano Creeks.
-
These o t h e r d i v e r s i o n s which. a r e n o t s u b j e c t t o t h e Depart-
m e n t t s r e c e n t minimum f l o w r e q u i r e m e n t s c a d e p l e t e t h e f l o w s
i n l o w e r P e s c a d z r o and Butano Creeks s o t h a t m i g r a t i o n of f i s h
i s n o t p o s s i b l e . K i t h o u t p r o t e c t i o n f o r a l l p h a s e s of t h e l i f e
c y c l e , t h e anadrornous f i s h e r y i s s u b j e c t t o s e v e r e d e g r z d z t i o n .
The c u . m ~ U . ~ . t ievf ~f e c t of t h e s e d i v e r s i o n s which are s o t
s u b 3 e c t t o t h e mininun flow r e q u i r e m e n t s can be e x t r e n e l y l a r g e .
The f i l e f o r X a t e r A p p l i c a t i o n 24788 (San f4zteo County Board o f
E d u c a t i o n , Pescadero C r e e k ) . c o n t a i n s i n f o m z t f o n o n t h e
magnitude of t h e s e d i v e r s i o n s .
The Notice of Hearing f o r ?{A 24788 l i s t s 7 r i ~ s w users x i t h
an e s t i a a t e d d i v e r s i o n r a t e of 4 . 5 cfs. A p p l i c a n t ' s e x h i b i t #15
( ~ e s c a d 2 r oS r e a X a t e r R e q a i r e m e n t s ) p r e s e n t e d st t h e h e a r i n g o n
WA 24788 l i s t s April-June r e q u i r e ~ e n t sa t 3 ; s - 6 . 0 c f s a t t h e
p r e s e n t t i n e and 4.9-8.3 c f s i n t h e f u t u r e . I t i s c l e a r t h e n
t h a t t h e u n r e s t r i c t e d r i g a r i z n and a l r e z a y e x i s t i n g ~ p p r o c r i s t i v e
r i g h t s r e p r e s e n t a s i g n i f i c a n t d e ~ l e t i o nof t h e minimum f l o w
r e q u i r e m e n t of 1 3 c f s on Pescadero Creek.
. S i n c e 13 c f s r e p r e s e n t s t h e nininum r e q u i r e d f o r f i s h m i g r a t i o n ,
: t h e u n r e s t r i c t e d d i v . ~ r s i o n sX i 1 1 r e d u c e f l o w s t o u n a c c e p t a b l e
l e v e l s . I t i s r e a s o n z b l e t o e x ~ e c tt h a t i n d r y y e a r s (when t h e
f i s h e r y r e s l l y needs t h e p r o t e c t i o n m o s t ) t h z t - r i p a r i a n u s e r s will
be p m p i n g a t maximum c a p a c i t y even i n M a c h . and A p r i l .
A C T I O F RSQU3ST3D OF THE BOARD
We r e s p e c t f u l l y r e q u e s t t h a t t h e STii'XCBmake e n a c c u r a t e
i n v e n t o r y of e x i s t i n g 2nd f u t u r e u s e s of w a t e r o n l o v e r
P e s c e d e r o and Sutano Creeks. The minimum f l o w r e q u i r e m e n t sholnld
be t h e 13 c f s r e q u e s t e d 5y t h e DF&G p l u s a n a d d i t i o n a l amount
e q u a l t o t h e u n r e s t r i c t e d do:~nstream u s e . S i n c e t h i s u s e i s
e x p e c t e d t o i n c r e a s e i n t h e f u t u r e , The S:XCB i s r e q u e s t e d t o i n s e r t
a p e r m i t term t o p e r i o d i c a l l y r e v i e x and i n c r e a s e t h e minimum
f l ~ wr z q u i r c n e a t so a s t o p r e s e r v e t h e 13 c f s r e q u i r e d f o r
p r o t e c t i o n of t h e f i s h s r y .
An an z l t e r n a t i v e t o t k i s a p p r o a c h , xe r e f e r t h e Board t o
the n o v e l 2nd e n l i g h t e n e d a p p r o a c h proposed by t h e z p p l i c a n t f o r
?;A 24788: c o n s t r u c t a. gage below t h e laxest d i v e r t e r and i n p o s e
a minimum f l o r~e q u i r e m e n t a t t h i s l o w e r gage 2 s w e l l . The
Department of F i s h znd Gane s h o u l d d e t e r m i n e t h e m i n i n u f l o w
a t t h i s lorcer gzge.
Sincerely,
PESCADERO AREA .
WATER REQUIREMENTS
(Cubic f e e t p e r second)
February
Apr U
!l BY 1.3 2.8 4.1 - 3.6
i
4.9 4.4 5.7
We r e s p e c t f u l l y r e q u e s t t h e S1;RCB c o n t i n u e o u r p r o t e s t u n t i l o u r
c o n c e r r s s r e addressed. I n pzrticul,:r, t h e f o l l o ~ i n gn e e d s t o be
done :
1 ) 1,nswer t h e q u e s t i o n s Ire h a v e r z i s e d i n t h e s e c t i o n a.bove
c a l l e d P r o blem D i s c u s s i o n .
2 ) G u z n t i f y 2nd l o c z t e t n e c u r - r e n t 3nd. f u S u r e r i r ; a . r z i a n
d i v e r s i o n s on l o w e r P e s c a d e r o and Butsno CreeKs.
I n vie-r.: o f t h e B o a r d ' s i n c o m p l e t e k n o v l e d g e o f ripzri.rirl d ~ v e r t e r s
i n t h i s v a t e r s h e d 2nd t h e l i k e l i h o o d t h a c z u c h d i v e r s i o n s ;;ill
i n c r e a s e i n f u t u r e y e a r s , i t i s o u r b e l i e f t n a t t h e follo~,,.ririg
-
t e r m i n s e r t e d i n t o c l l ? s n d l n n : r = t . ~ n l i c ? C i o n si n t h i s w a t e r s h e d 3 ~ 1 1 1
b e s t s e r v e t o p r o t e c t t h e fishery:
" F o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f f i s h a n d ~ i i l d l i ef , p e r m i t t e e s h a l l ,
d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d f r o m Xovember 1 t o Eiay I . , n o t d i v e r t
when t h e f l o w i m m e d i a t e l y d o ; ; n s t r e a n f r o m t h c f u r t h e s t
d o . r n s t r e a m u i v e r t z r i s l e s s t h a n 13 c i s ( o n P c s c z d e r o c r e e k )
o r 9.4 c f s ( o n d u t z n o c r e e k ) .
This t e r m ~ ~ o u lg du a r a n t e e t h a t anadromous f i s h a i g r - t i o n t o and
f r o m t h e s e a would be p o s s i b l e r a g 2 r d l e s s o f t h . 3 f u t u r e i n c r e a s e
i n doitnstreazn a,2tsr u s e ( a c t u z l l y i t d o e s n o t r e a l l y d o t h i s sl.nce
r i p a r i a n u s e r s c o u l d s t i l l t a k e a l l t h a t c o u l d be b e n e f i c i s l l y
u s e d ; hosrever i t would t e n d t o p r e v e c t t t e cornbin?"tion of
a p p r o p r i 2 , t i v e and r i p m i a n u s e r s f r o m r e m o v i n g t o o much water).
i$e hope t ~ l e3 o z r d w i l l g i v e s e r i o u s c o n z l c i e r a t i o n t o o u r
proposz.1 f o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e i n s t r e a m u s e s o f Y e s c a d e r o
and 3 u t a n o C r e e k s .
N o r t h e r n C z , l i f o r r ~ i aCcur_cil
o f P l y F i s n i n g Clubs
975 Teal Drive
S a n t z C l a r a , CA
95C 5 l
Attachnents :
Maps o f D i v e r t e r s o n Lower Butano 2nd P e s c a d e r o C r e e k s
P a r t i a l L i s t o f l i i p a r i z n U se r s o n PescaUero Cr e e k
P e s c z d e r o S:ater R e q u i r e m e n t s ( f r o m :%:A 24788 EIR)
PARTIAL LIST OY R I P A R I A N USER3 O N
LOWER PZSChD.EilO CXLSK *
Statenent o f Use - --
Dlvcrsion Ref e r a n r
1 ) Thelma A. Keyes S8621
2) l i d w a r d C ~ . m ~ . i n o t t i , none 0.67 c r s 1
Lena B m d i n i ,
Sylvia DiVecchio
3 ) Eva U u n z i z t i 2.nd none ? 1
e s t a t e of Jesse G
Nunziatti
4 ) F r e e C l a r ~IJunziati none
5 ) John C a s t z g n i t t o none 0.67 c f s 1
6 ) G. Giangini and none 0.67 cfs 1
Mary G i a n n l n i
7 ) Mary G i a n n l n i none 0.67 c f s 1
8 ) Tom P h i p ~ s none ? 2
9 ) C o a s t s i d e ?:Tholesale F l o r i s t S9550 1.0 c f s z
A
References:
1) Notice o f 'ienring WA 247E8, October 6 , 1976
2 ) Trcrnscriyt of K e u r i ~ g\:A 24759, p. 38, Petj. 1977
3 ) L e t t e r from G.2. P e t e r s o n , Xov. 1-3, 1 9 7 8
Sac,ramento , CB
95825
ATTN: D.W. ~abiston
SUBJECT : PESCADERO AND BUTANO CREEK 311 tLLE :25337, 25338
Thank you f o r your l e t t e r . o f December 1 4 g i v i n g i n f o r m a t i o n
about d i v e r s i o n s i n t h e ~ e s c a d e r o f ~ u t a nwatershed.
o You a r e
c o r r e c t i n your s t a t e m e n t t h a t o u r o b j e c t i o n i s t h a t a p p l i c a n t ' s
d i v e r s i o n t o s t o r a g e would be t a k i n g p l a c e a t t h e same time t h a t . .
o t h e r s ( ~ i p a r i a n)s would be d i r e c t l y d i v e r t i n g f o r i r r i g a t i o n along
w i t h o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t o r s ( n o t subdect t o t h e 13cf s/9.4 cf s bypass
- requirement ) .
We d i s a g r e e , however, w i t h your o p i n i o n t h a t t h e r e i s no problem
s i n c e ''the a p p l i c z t i o n s a r e f o r d i v e r s i o n ' t o s t o r a g e d u r i n g t h e
w i n t e r months when t h e r e i s v e r y l i t t l e demand on t h e stream and
surplus water i s generally available. "
We a g r e e t h a t t h e r e i s l i t t l e demand during t h e w i n t e r months of
December, January, and February. We a l s o a g r e e t h a t s u r p l u s
w a t e r i s g e n e r a l l y a v a i l a b l e d u r i n g t h e proposed season of Dec. 1
t o N2y 1. However, o u r concern i s t h a t t h e f i s h e r y be p r o t e c t e d during
d r y months when no surpSus water i s a v a i l a b l e . Consider t h e
following:
--. 1 ) D u r i n g t h e s ~ r i n gmonths, t h e demand f o r d i r e c t i r r i g a t i o n
w a t e r goes uv d r a m z t i c a l l y . The d i v e r s i o n f o r use from Pescadero
Creek Z ~ r i n ~ - ~i s~ er sit il a a t e d t o be 3.5 c f s c u r r e n t l y and 4 . 9 c f s
u l t i m a t e l y (air" ~ x n i b i t #i5 from S\iic;B n e a r i n g on
~:p p i i c r n i ; ' B
A p p l i c a t i o n 24788). I n a d d i t i o n , d i v e r s i o n t o s t o r z g e of 1 . 2 c f s
e x i s t s under A p p l i c a t i o n 19847 f o r a t o t 3 1 dive-ion of 4.7-6.1 'cfs
d u r i n g t h e month of A p r i l . ( ~ o t e :WA 19847 i s n o t s u b j e c t t o t h e
more r e c e n t 1 3 c f s b y ~ a s srequirement; a l s o s i n c e t h e e s t i m a t e of
Pescadero water requirements -was done by a p p l i c a n t ' s (bik 24788 )
'
c o n s u l t a n t , we c o n s i d e r t h e s e t o be minimum f i g u r e s . *
2 ) The Depzrtment o f F i s h and Game has s t z t e d t h a t 1 3 c f s i s
necessaky f o r f i s h e r y p r o t e c t i o n t h r o u s h o u t t h e l o c c r s t r e t c h e s of
Pescadero Creek (9.4 c f s i n ~ u t a n o 3 . These f l o w s a r e determined by
f i s h e r y r e q u i r e z e n t s i n t h e absence of f u r t h e r downstream d i v e r s i o h s .
The Department rnckes no a t t e m p t t o c o m ~ e n s r t ef o r water t ~ k e nby
.downstream u s e r s . I
p r o p o s e d t e r n t o more a d e q u a t e l y p r o t e c t t h e fishery r e s o u r c e s o f I
P e s c a d e r o and .Butan0 Creeks. ' i
Sincerely, i
Alvin Yo -.
Northern C a l i f o r n i a Council
of F l y F i s h i n g Clubs iI
975 Teal Drive
S a n t a Clara, CA
95051
E n c l o s u r e : P e s c a d e r o Area
Water Requirements
SEPARATION PAGE
6
CENTRAL DISTRICT COPY A p r i l 26, 1980
M r . David H o l t r y
A s s o c i a t e WRC Engineer
S t a t e Water Resources Control Board
D i v i s i o n of Water R i g h t s
77 C a d i l l a c Drive
SacPamento, CA 95825
Dear M r . H o l t r y :
SUBJ: WA 25302, 25303, 25318, 25676, '25868, 25950
and Butano Creek, San Mateo County .
- Pescadero Creek
I
A ) USGS r e c o r d s f o r Butano Creek stopped w i t h t h e 1974 w a t e r
year. However a simple c o r r e l a t i o n based o n t h e 1972 dry
year shows t h a t Butano f l o w s averaged 56% o f Peacadero, flows.
B ) Therefore i t i s easy t o show t h a t s e v e r e water d e f i c i e n c i e s
would have e x i s t e d i n t h e 1976 and 1977 w a t e r y e a r s .
3) Perhaps t h e most s e r i o u s e r r o r of a l l i n t h e o p e r a t i o n a l
analysis i s t h e i n p l i c i t assumption t h a t t h e upstream
a p p r o p r i a t o r s w i l l s t o p pumping u n l e s s t h e f u l l DF&G f i s h
bypass f l o w s plus t h e downstrean r i p a r i a n requirement i s
preserved.
A ) I n f a c t under t h e DF&G proposed t e r m s , t h e upstream
a p p r o p r i a t o r s x i 1 1 be a b l e t o pump down t o 13 c f s on
Pescadero w h i l e t h e dohmstrearp r i p a r i a n s and o l d e r
a p p r o p r i a t o r s w i l l c o n t i n u e t o withdrzw t h e i r full share.
The f i s h %ill g e t whatever i s l e f t . I n o t h e r words-
t h e f i s h have last p r i o r i t y .
B) I n o r d e r t o more e q u i t a b l y a c h i e v e t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of
fish and w i l a l i f e f l o w s , a c o m o n gauge downstrean from
the f u r t h e s t downstream d i v e r t e r should be used and no
d i v e r s i o n should be p e r m i t t e d i f f l o w s a r e l e s s t h a n
13 c f s on Pescadero ( o r 9.4 c f s o n Butano). This sugges-
- tion w a s made i n o u r F i e l d I n v e s t i g a t i o n Statement of
S e p t . 27, 1979 and i n t h e Oct. 10, 1979 l e t t e r from
K e i t h finderson (DF&G) t o David H o l t r y .
4 ) We b e l i e v e more emphasis should be p l a c e d on s p e c i f i c terms
t o p r o t e c t t h e f i s h e r y r a t h e r t h a n r e l y i n g t o o h e a v i l y on
h f s t o r i c a f d a t a t o demonstrate t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of c e r t a i n
events ( e - g . dry y e a r s ) . The p a s t i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e f u t u r e and t h e r e i s some evidence
t h a t we are i n t h e m i d s t of s i g n i f i c a n t chznges i n globa3
w e a t h e r p a t t e r n s - - - w i t n e s s t h e 3 v e r y d r y y e a r s ( i n 1972,
1976, and 1977) o u t of the last 8.
SUMMARY
The most r e l e v a n t sumnary of o u r p o s i t i o n i s g i v e n i n o u r -
S e p t , 27, 1979 Field I n v e s t i g a t i o n Statement where we d e n o n s t r a t e
. that s i g n i f i c a n t r e d u c t i o n o f t h e DP&G recommended flows i s p o s s i b l e
- by known dohastream r i p z r i a n u s e r s and o l d e r a p p r o p r i a t o r s ,
1,)Unquantified do.wnstream r i p a r i a n d i v e r s i o n s ,
2 ) Future growth of downstream r i p a r i a n u s e ,
3 ) P r i o r a p p r o p r i a t i v e r i g h t s n o t s u b j e c t t o t h e more r e c e n t
DF&G terms,
4 ) Future rights.
RECOMMENDST ION
I n view o f t h e l a r g e a g r i c u l t u r a l d i v e r s i o n s on Pescadero and
Butano Creeks and $ h e i r p o t e n t i a l f o r s i g n i f i c a n t harm t o the f i s h e r y ,
w e urge t h e Sh%CB t o consider t h e s e Creeks a s prime candidates f o r
i n c l u s i o n i n t h e Board's study of instream f l o w s . We a l s o urge the
i n s t a l l a t i o n of a common downstream gauge f o r a l l d i v e r t e r s ( a s i n
3 B above ) .
Sincerely,
'a--E-
Alvin Young
Northern C a l i f o r n i a Council of
F l y F i s h i n g Clubs
975 Teal Drive
Miscellaneous Scientific Studies
The E f f e c t s of Sandbar F o r m a t i o n and I n f l o w s
on Aquatic H a b i t a t and F i s h U t i l i z a t i o n i n
P e s c a d e r o , S a n Gregorio, Waddell a n d Pomponio Creek
Estuary/Lagoon Systems, 1985-1989
J e r r y J. Smith
Department of B i o l o g i c a l S c i e n c e s
San J o s e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
8an J o s e , CA 95192
21 December 1990
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 1
Water Q u a l i t y a n d H a b i t a t C o n d i t i o n s . . . . . . . . ... 3
Bar F o r m a t i o n a n d D e s t r u c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . ... 3
Lagoon Depth . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
salinity ... . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Temperature .. . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
D i s s o l v e d Oxygen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Phytoplankton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Aquatic V e g e t a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Toxic I n f l o w s . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Upstream H a b i t a t ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Invertebrates . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Fishes .......................... 27
Steelhead Trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . 33
Freshwater I n f l o w Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
~ u a l i t yo f I n f l o w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Sandbar B r e a c h i n g ............ . . . . . . . . 35
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
LITERATURE C I T E D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
TABLES . . s e e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
INDEX TO TABLES
Table 1. Dates of sandbar closure and streamflow at closure
Table 2. Lagoon conversion from salt water versus gaged flows
Table 3. Fish species collected
Table 4. Freshwater rearing habitat used by adult steelhead
INDEX TO FIGURES
Steelhead Sizes $ =
T e m p e r a t u r e , s a l i n i t y , a n d d i s s o l v e d oxygen p r o f i l e s were
d e t e r m i n e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y m o n t h l y a t a n a v e r a g e o f 1 6 s i t e s (see
A p p e n d i c e s f o r s i t e l o c a t i o n s , dates a n d d a t a ) i n P e s c a d e r o C r e e k
e s t u a r y / l a g o o n i n s p r i n g , summer, and f a l l o f 1985 and 1 9 8 6 .
L i m i t e d summer a n d f a l l w a t e r q u a l i t y s a m p l i n g a l s o t o o k p l a c e i n
1 9 8 4 , I n 1987, 1 9 8 8 , a n d 1 9 8 9 t e m p e r a t u r e , s a l i n i t y , and
d i s s o l v e d oxygen p r o f i l e s w e r e d e t e r m i n e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y m o n t h l y
i n s p r i n g , summer, a n d f a l l , b u t on most d a t e s s a m p l i n g was
l i m i t e d t o t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e s i t e o n l y .
I n ~ o m p o n i o , S a n G r e g o r i o , a n d Waddell c r e e k l a g o o n s
t e m p e r a t u r e , s a l i n i t y , a n d oxygen p r o f i l e s were d e t e r m i n e d t h r e e
times at 3 - 9 s i t e s i n 1985 a n d f o u r t i m e s i n 1986. L i m i t e d
a d d i t i o n a l w a t e r q u a l i t y s a m p l i n g a t t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e s was
p e r f o r m e d numerous t i m e s i n 1985 and 1986. I n 1987, 1988, a n d
1989 w a t e r q u a l i t y p r o f i l e s were d e t e r m i n e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y monthly
i n s p r i n g , summer a n d f a l l a t Highway 1 b r i d g e s i t e s a t San
~ r e g o r i oand Waddell c r e e k l a g o o n s .
USGS s t r e a m g a g e s a r e l o c a t e d on P e s c a d e r o and San G r e g o r i o
c r e e k s , b u t g i v e o n l y a n a p p r o x i m a t i o n o f l a g o o n i n f l o w s . The
P e s c a d e r o Creek g a g e is 5 . 3 m i l e s u p s t r e a m o f t h e mouth, a n d
t h e r e a r e numerous d i v e r s i o n s between t h e g a g e and t h e l a g o o n .
B u t a n o C r e e k , a m a j o r ungaged t r i b u t a r y , e n t e r s P e s c a d e r o C r e e k
a t t h e lagoon/estuary. The S a n G r e g o r i o C r e e k gage is 1 . 4 m i l e s
u p s t r e a m of t h e mouth, and s e v e r a l a g r i c u l t u r a l d i v e r s i o n s e x i s t
b e t w e e n t h e g a g e a n d t h e l a g o o n . Waddell Creek is ungaged, b u t
some s t r e a m f l o w d a t a e x i s t f o r t h e b y p a s s a t t h e d i v e r s i o n
immediately upstream of t h e lagoon.
Invertebrates
Fish Populations
F i s h p o p u l a t i o n s i n P e s c a d e r o l a g o o n were sampled by b e a c h
s e i n e s i x t i m e s e a c h i n 1985 a n d 1986 t o d e t e r m i n e s p e c i e s , a g e s
a n d s i z e c l a s s e s p r e s e n t . They were sampled twice by s e i n e i n
1 9 8 4 . G i l l n e t s a m p l i n g was a l s o e x t e n s i v e l y used i n e a r l y
summer 1985, b u t was u s e d o n l y s p a r i n g l y f o r t h e remainder of
1 9 8 5 and i n 1986 b e c a u s e of s u b s t a n t i a l s i z e and s p e c i e s c a p t u r e
s e l e c t i v i t y . L a t e r g i l l n e t s a m p l i n g was used p r i m a r i l y t o
c a p t u r e s t a r r y f l o u n d e r ( P l a t i c h t h v s s t e l l a t u s ) , which were
s e l d o m c a p t u r e d by s e i n e . F i s h p o p u l a t i o n s i n t h e lagoon were
s a m p l e d by beach s e i n e t w i c e i n 1987, t w i c e i n 1988, and twicjfe I n A
1 9 8 9 . I n a d d i t i o n , s t e e l h e a d p o p u l a t i o n s i n P e s c a d e r o Creek were
s a m p l e d by backpack e l e c t r o s h o c k e r i n t h e summer and f a l l of 1986
a n d t h e f a l l of 1987, 1 9 8 8 , a n d 1989.
I n Waddell and San Gregorio c r e e k lagoons f i s h p o p u l a t i o n s
w e r e sampled by beach s e i n e t h r e e t i m e s i n 1985 and f o u r t i m e s i n
1 9 8 6 . San Gregorio Creek l a g o o n was sampled once i n f a l l 1988,
a n d Waddell Creek l a g o o n w a s sampled t w i c e i n s p r i n g and once i n
f a l l 1988. Pomponio Creek l a g o o n was sampled t h r e e t i m e s i n 1985
a n d o n c e i n 1986.
S c a l e s t a k e n from 2 7 a d u l t s t e e l h e a d caught by a n g l e r s o r i n
o u r sampling a t P e s c a d e r o C r e e k lagoon from 1985 t o 1989 were
u s e d t o determine t h e p r o p o r t i o n of a d u l t s t e e l h e a d which r e a r e d
i n t h e lagoon a s compared t o r e a r i n g i n t h e remainder of t h e
w a t e r s h e d . B a c k - c a l c u l a t e d s i z e s a t a n n u l i and a t e n t r a n c e t o
t h e ocean and s e a s o n a l g r o w t h r a t e p a t t e r n s were used t o
d e t e r m i n e probable r e a r i n g s i t e s w i t h t h e watershed. S c a l e s
t a k e n from f i s h r e a r e d i n t h e lagoon and a t s t r e a m s i t e s were
used a s references f o r t h e r e a r i n g site determinations.
H a b i t a t c o n d i t i o n s a n d water q u a l i t y i n t h e l a g o o n s were a
r e s u l t o f i n t e r a c t i o n o f a v a r i e t y of f a c t o r s , i n c l u d i n g shape
a n d s i z e of t h e s t r e a m c h a n n e l , t i m i n g of b a r f o r m a t i o n ,
s u b s t r a t e dynamics and t y p e s , w e a t h e r , upstream h a b i t a t and land
u s e , and f l o w - r e l a t e d e f f e c t s upon lagoon d e p t h , s a l i n i t i e s ,
t e m p e r a t u r e s , and d i s s o l v e d oxygen. The i n t e r a c t i o n s and impacts
of t h e major h a b i t a t f a c t o r s a r e summarized below.
Laqoon Depth
e a r l y w i n t e r , when m i l d , e a r l y s t o r m s i n c r e a s e f r e s h w a t e r inflow
b u t waves a r e i n s u f f i c i e n t t o b r e a c h t h e bar. I n 1986 mild f a l l
storms produced e x t r e m e l y h i g h w a t e r l e v e l s a t Waddell Creek,
d o u b l i n g t h e n o r m a l l a g o o n s i z e and f l o o d i n g a r e a s n o r t h of t h e
creek a n d e a s t of Highway 1. Concern a b o u t f l o o d i n g and h i g h
w a t e r t a b l e s of u n l e v e e d a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d s a t P e s c a d e r o Lagoon
r e s u l t e d i n a r t i f i c i a l b r e a c h e s o f t h e bar b y f a r m e r s i n l a t e
O c t o b e r 1985 a n d 1986. I n b o t h c a s e s t h e s a n d b a r reformed a f t e r
s e v e r a l weeks, h i g h w a t e r s r e t u r n e d , a n d a s e c o n d e x c a v a t i o n of
t h e b a r was p e r f o r m e d ( F i g u r e s 2 and 6 ) .
salinity
Mean s a l i n i t y a n d s a l i n i t y p r o f i l e i n t h e l a g o o n a r e
d e p e n d e n t upon f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w , t h e amount of impounded s a l t
w a t e r a t t h e t i m e o f s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n , c h a n n e l volume a n d d e p t h ,
s e e p a g e and overwash a t t h e s a n d b a r , and mixing o f t h e w a t e r
column by wind. The s a l i n i t y of p o r t i o n s of t h e marsh a t
P e s c a d e r o is a l s o d e p e n d e n t upon c i r c u l a t i o n p a t t e r n s .
Freshwater I n f l o w . A f t e r b a r f o r m a t i o n t h e h e a v i e r s a l t w a t e r
f o r m s a l a y e r on t h e b o t t o m o f t h e l a g o o n . T h i s l a y e r is
g r a d u a l l y l o s t by s e e p a g e t h r o u g h t h e b a r and by m i x i n g a n d
d i l u t i o n w i t h t h e l i g h t e r f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w . I n 1985 t h e
f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w q u i c k l y c o n v e r t e d P e s c a d e r o Creek l a g o o n i n t o a
f r e s h w a t e r system f o r t h e summer ( F i g u r e 3 , T a b l e 2 ) . I n 1986
s t r e a m f l o w s were l o w e r p r i o r t o s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n ( T a b l e I ) ,
r e s u l t i n g i n more s a l t w a t e r i n t h e l a g o o n a t t h e t i m e of b a r
f o r m a t i o n and much s l o w e r c o n v e r s i o n t o a f r e s h w a t e r l a g o o n
( F i g u r e s 7 A and 7 B ) . Much o f t h e lagoon had s a l t w a t e r l e n s e s on
t h e bottom f o r t h e e n t i r e summer. I n 1984 t h e s a n d b a r was
b r e a c h e d e a r l y i n t h e summer a t P e s c a d e r o and t h e meager i n f l o w s
after breaching did not convert the lagoon fully to freshwater
(less than 2 PPT) until late October. In 1987 and 1988 low
streamflows after sandbar formation were insufficient to convert
the lagoon to freshwater; most of the lagoon remained saline and
stratified for salinity all summer (Figures 11 and 13, Table 2).
f S .
San Gregorio converted to an unstratified low salinity system
after sandbar closure in 1985 (Figure 19, Table 2). In 1986 the
sandbar was repeatedly breached (Figure 22), so conversion to
fully freshwater conditions never occurred. However, streamflows
were sufficient to reduce lagoon salinity after each new sandbar
formed (Figure 23, Table 2); if the early sandbars had not been
breached, full conversion to freshwater would certainly have
occurred. In 1987 summer streamflows were very low and the
lagoon remained brackish and stratified all summer (Figure 28).
The salinity of the lagoon did substantially diminish immediately
after sandbar formation in 1987, while freshwater inflows
persisted, and diminished further with late October rains and
increased streamflow (Figure 28, Table 2). However, no
significant change in lagoon salinity occurred in late summer (11
-
~ u g u s t 18 October), when freshwater inflows were negligible.
In 1988 the lagoon was partially converted to freshwater by 18
April, behind the early sandbar, but a late April storm breached
the sandbar (Figures 27 and 30). When the sandbar reformed,
streamflows were too low to substantially reduce lagoon salinity
(Figure 30, Table 2); the lagoon remained stratified and very
saline all summer. In 1989 low streamflows after sandbar
formation kept San Gregorio Creek lagoon shallow, stratified, and
very saline until streamflows increased in September and October
(Figures 27 and 33).
Waddell Creek lagoon converted fully to freshwater in 1985,
1987, and 1988. In 1987 the sandbar formed in mid to late May
and a salt water lens about 1 m deep remained on the bottom of
the 2.8 m deep lagoon on 7 June. The lagoon was fully converted
to freshwater by 6 August, but most of the conversion must have
occurred in June, as streamflows ceased below the upstream
diversion in July (Linda Ulmer, formerly DFG, pers. comm) ,
resulting in a sharp drop in lagoon level (Figure 36). In 1988
the lagoon was mostly converted to freshwater by 18 April,
following early sandbar formation (Figure 37). The sandbar was
breached on 22 April, following a late storm, and the sandbar
re-formed just prior to 12 May. Little salt water entered
the lagoon between the breach of the first sandbar and the
formation of the second, so the lagoon was still mostly
freshwater on 12 May (Figure 37). The lagoon was converted fully
to freshwater by 29 June, due to sandbar seepage and freshwater
inflow. In 1989 substantial conversion to freshwater occurred
between 6 May and 28 May behind a partially open sandbar (Figure
40). On 21 June the outlet was much wider and deeper, and lagoon
salinities were much higher (Figure 40); apparently tidal scour
o r sandbar formation a n d b r e a c h had opened t h e lagoon t o g r e a t e r
t i d a l i n f l u e n c e . When t h e sandbar f i n a l l y formed i n l a t e June
streamflows were low enough s o t h a t s t r a t i f i e d s a l i n e c o n d i t i o n s
remained f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e summer ( F i g u r e 4 0 ) . Streamflows
g r e a t l y increased f o l l o w i n g reduced f a l l d i v e r s i o n s and r a i n on
18 September; and t h e l a g o o n f u r t h e r c o n v e r t e d towards freshwater
i n September and O c t o b e r ( F i g u r e 4 0 ) .
Pomponio Creek l a g o o n remained very s a l i n e i n 1985 and 1986
because of l a c k of f r e s h w a t e r inflow i n summer.
Laqoon Water Level and Sandbar S e e ~ a u e . Seepage o f t h e s a l t i e r
w a t e r through t h e b a s e o f t h e sandbar i s s u b s t a n t i a l and is one
of t h e f a c t o r s l e a d i n g t o t h e conversion of t h e lagoon t o
f r e s h w a t e r a s t h e summer g o e s on. The s l o p e of t h e lagoon bottom
is g e n e r a l l y towards t h e s a n d b a r , r e s u l t i n g i n movement of t h e
h e a v i e r s a l t water t o w a r d s t h e bar. However, t h e i r r e g u l a r
bottom of much of t h e l a g o o n s s t i l l r e s u l t s i n i s o l a t e d l e n s e s of
s a l t water i n t h e d e p r e s s i o n s . Because of p a s t s e d i m e n t a t i o n ,
most of t h e lagoon volume of a closed lagoon i s "perchedff above
low t i d e ocean l e v e l , a l l o w i n g p e r c o l a t i o n t h r o u g h t h e sandbar.
T h e deepest water i s s u b j e c t t o t h e g r e a t e s t h y d r a u l i c p r e s s u r e
and i n t h e s e shallow, p e r c h e d lagoons moves more q u i c k l y through
t h e sandbar. The d e e p e s t w a t e r i s a l s o t h e s a l t i e s t , r e s u l t i n g
i n t h e p r e f e r e n t i a l s e e p a g e l o s s of t h e bottom s a l t w a t e r l a y e r .
The process i s w e l l shown by t h e e a r l i e r l o s s of t h e s a l t i e s t
l a y e r s during t h e p r o c e s s o f conversion of t h e lagoon t o
f r e s h w a t e r ( F i g u r e s 3 , 7B, 1 3 , 2 8 , 4 0 ) .
I f t h e very d e e p e s t p o r t i o n s of t h e lagoon a r e lower than
t h e ocean low t i d e l e v e l t h e seepage r a t e is probably lower, due
t o upstream water p r e s s u r e i n t h e sandbar from t h e ocean.
However, even t h e n t h e r e w i l l be seepage o u t from t h e lagoon if
lagoon water l e v e l s a r e s u b s t a n t i a l l y above ocean l e v e l s , s o t h a t
downstream water p r e s s u r e i s g r e a t e r .
Seepage i s i m p o r t a n t t o lagoon conversion, and lagoon water
e l e v a t i o n and t h e h y d r o s t a t i c pressure c r e a t e d d e t e r m i n e t h e r a t e
of seepage. T h e r e f o r e , lagoons w i t h h i g h e r water l e v e l s should
c o n v e r t f a s t e r t o f r e s h w a t e r . A t San Gregorio Creek lagoon t h e
i n i t i a l l y deeper lagoon i n 1988 required a s u b s t a n t i a l l y smaller
r a t e of freshwater i n f l o w p e r percent r e d u c t i o n i n lagoon
s a l i n i t y than d i d t h e s h a l l o w 1 9 8 7 lagoon (Table 2 ) .
Amount of Impounded Salt Water. Obviously, t h e g r e a t e r t h e
amount of t h e impounded s a l t water a f t e r sandbar formation, t h e
more freshwater i n f l o w n e c e s s a r y for d i l u t i o n . Also, more s a l i n e
lagoons w i l l t a k e l o n g e r t o convert t o f r e s h w a t e r , because t h e
l o s s of t h e s a l t w a t e r d u e t o seepage through t h e sandbar w i l l
t a k e much longer. The l a t e sandbar c l o s u r e a t Pescadero lagoon
i n 1986 r e s u l t e d i n p r o g r e s s i v e l y more s a l i n e c o n d i t i o n s p r i o r t o
c l o s u r e (Figure 7 A ) , a n d t h e lagoon d i d n o t c o n v e r t t o freshwater
u n t i l f a l l ( F i g u r e 7 B ) . I n 1 9 8 8 W a d d e l l C r e e k lagoon c o n t a i n e d
l i t t l e s a l t w a t e r a t t h e t i m e of s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n and was
q u i c k l y c o n v e r t e d t o f r e s h w a t e r ( F i g u r e 37), b u t i n 1989 Waddell
l a g o o n was v e r y s a l i n e a f t e r s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n and n e v e r d i d
convert t o freshwater conditions (Figure 40).
d C
Because o f t h e v a r i a t i o n i n t h e r e l a t i v e t i m i n g of b a r
f o r m a t i o n and d e c l i n e i n s t r e a m f l o w s , t h e amount o f s a l t w a t e r
p r e s e n t immediately a f t e r s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n w i l l v a r y
s u b s t a n t i a l l y from y e a r t o y e a r . I n y e a r s of e a r l y streamflow
d e c l i n e and r e l a t i v e l y l a t e s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n ( s u c h as 1 9 8 8 ) , t h e
l a g o o n may e x c e e d 60 p e r c e n t s a l t water i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r s a n d b a r
formation (Table 2 ) .
c h a n n e l Volume. Channel volume n o t o n l y a f f e c t s t h e r a t e o f
lagoon f i l l i n g , b u t a l s o t h e p o t e n t i a l rate o f conversion t o
f r e s h w a t e r . P e s c a d e r o l a g o o n c o n v e r t s more s l o w l y t o f r e s h
w a t e r a f t e r s a n d b a r f o r m a t i o n , b e c a u s e s o much s a l t w a t e r must b e
d i l u t e d and d i s p l a c e d . P e s c a d e r o C r e e k l a g o o n r e q u i r e d a n
a v e r a g e o f t h r e e t i m e s a s much i n f l o w t o a c h i e v e t h e same amount
of s a l i n i t y c o n v e r s i o n a s d i d S a n G r e g o r i o Creek l a g o o n from 1985
t h r o u g h 1988 ( T a b l e 2 ) .
~ l t h o u g ht h e s a n d b a r a t t h e much s m a l l e r Waddell l a g o o n
u s u a l l y forms o n e month a f t e r t h e bar a t P e s c a d e r o Creek ( T a b l e
I), Waddell Creek lagoon u s u a l l y c o n v e r t s f u l l y t o f r e s h w a t e r
e a r l i e r . Although Waddell C r e e k l a g o o n d i d n o t c o n v e r t t o f r e s h
w a t e r i n 1989, it d i d i n 1987 a n d 1 9 8 8 . Both P e s c a d e r o a n d S a n
G r e g o r i o c r e e k l a g o o n s r e m a i n e d v e r y s a l i n e t h r o u g h o u t t h e summer
i n t h e 1987-1989 d r o u g h t y e a r s .
T i d e s and overwash. While t h e s a n d b a r is s t i l l p a r t i a l l y o p e n ,
s u b s t a n t i a l s a l t w a t e r e n t e r s w i t h t h e h i g h t i d e s . The b o t t o m o f
t h e l a g o o n / e s t u a r y can b e q u i t e s a l i n e a t t h i s t i m e , d e s p i t e
freshwater inflow, because t h e h e a v i e r s a l t water does n o t l e a v e
w i t h t h e o u t g o i n g t i d e . F o r e x a m p l e , o n 8 June 1986 a t Waddell
C r e e k lagoon t h e s a l i n i t y o f o u t f l o w from t h e lagoon was 4 . 3 PPT,
w h i l e t h e bottom 1 / 2 t o 2/3 o f t h e l a g o o n had s a l i n i t i e s of 2 3 -
28 PPT. The d i f f e r e n c e s i n s a l i n i t y between i n f l o w and o u t f l o w
t h r o u g h t h e o p e n i n g i n t h e b a r become g r e a t e r a s t h e s a n d b a r
progressively closes.
AS i n d i c a t e d i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n o f l a g o o n d e p t h , overwash o f a
f u l l s a n d b a r c o n t r i b u t e s l i t t l e t o t h e t o t a l w a t e r volume o f
P e s c a d e r o , San G r e g o r i o , a n d W a d d e l l l a g o o n s . However, t h e
overwash is much s a l t i e r a n d u s u a l l y c o l d e r t h a n t h e l a g o o n
w a t e r , and b e c a u s e of i t s h i g h d e n s i t y , e v e n a s m a l l amount c a n
s p r e a d o u t and s h a r p l y i n c r e a s e s a l i n i t y on t h e bottom of t h e
l a g o o n . For example, a l a t e October s t o r m i n 1985 a p p a r e n t l y
r e s u l t e d i n t i d a l overwash, a s w e l l a s f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w , a t Sari
G r e g o r i o Creek l a g o o n ; t h e s t o r m p r o d u c e d b o t h a f r e s h e n i n g of
s u r f a c e w a t e r s a n d a s a l t w a t e r l e n s on t h e bottom o f t h e l a g o o n
(Figure 19). In the absence of strong mixing in the lagoon,
these salt water lenses may persist for several weeks.
Wind. The density differences between the different salinity
layers is sufficient to prevent mixing in the absence of strong
wind and wave action. In the narrow, vegetation-lined, upper
stream channels of the lagoons wind mixing is poor in the deeper
portions of the channel. In 1986 in Pescadero Creek lagoon these
were the last areas to retain salt water lenses on the bottom,
although they were closest to the freshwater inflow. In June
1985 on San Gregorio Creek a deep pool at the upper limits of the
lagoon contained salt water on the bottom, even though surface
waters and shallower portions of the lagoon downstream were
freshwater; the site was also upstream of a rancher's diversion
intake. However, prolonged windy periods can lead to
considerable mixing, especially in the relatively wide, main
embayments of the lagoons (immediately upstream of the Highway 1
bridge at Pescadero Creek and downstream of the bridges at San
Gregorio and Waddell creeks). In the brackish lagoon at
Pescadero in 1987 the main ernbayment was unstratified by 1
September (Figure ll), due to wind mixing of the unusually
shallow lagoon. However, all of the wind-sheltered sites
upstream of the main embayment remained stratified.
circulation Patterns. At Pescadero Marsh NP the salinity of
channels in Butano Marsh in late summer was often higher than for
the rest of the lagoon complex. For example on 29 July 1985 most
of the Pescadero lagoon complex had salinities of 1.3 PPT or
less. In Butano Marsh the salinity was 2.0 - 3.1 PPT. One of
two openings from Butano Creek into the marsh is at the
downstream end of the marsh, and freshwater circulation into the
marsh is restricted during summer. The second opening,
constructed in 1985, is at the upstream end of the marsh, but its
high elevation allows freshwater flow through the marsh only
during winter runoff periods.
The culvert connections from Pescadero Creek to North Marsh
and then to North Pond reduce salinity variation in those
habitats and greatly restrict the range of salinity of the
inflows to them. The main lagoon siphons water into North Marsh
only when the sandbar is in place and the lagoon fills to above
4 . 2 feet. In addition, since only the less saline surface waters
flow through the culvert, the marsh normally receives mostly
freshwater input. For Example, on 23 July 1986, only several
weeks after sandbar closure, the lower half of the water column
at site 18B on Pescadero Creek had salinities greater than 2 0
PPT, but the surface waters flowing through the culvert into
North Marsh were only 4.6 PPT. In 1985, when the main lagoon
converted quickly to freshwater, flows into North Marsh were
closer to 1 PPT for much of the summer. Salinities in North
Marsh were mostly between 3 and 4 PPT in 1984 but declined to
between and 2 and 3 PPT in 1985 and 1986. North Pond and North
marsh are usually shallow and wind-swept, and are therefore not
stratified. The culvert between them is not near the surface, so
there is no differential movement of fresher waters between them.
North Pond and North Marsh rose and fell together, and water
exchange appeared to gradually equalize salinities in the two
habitats from 1984 to 1986. In September 1984 North Pond had
salinities above 7 PPT; by October 1985 its salinities had
dropped to 3.2 - 3.6 PPT.
The salinity of North Marsh and Pond probably fluctuates with
yearly runoff conditions. Culvert flow into the marsh is more
saline during drought years (such as 1987), while in most years
freshwater flows dilute the marsh. In 1987, drought conditions
produced early sandbar closure at Pescadero, but only very slow
conversion of the lagoon to fresh water. Saline water (4+ PPT)
flowed into the marsh during April and May, raising the salinity
of the marsh.
Evaporation. In years of little summer inflow, evaporation
within shallow lagoons can substantially increase salinity. In
1988 mean lagoon salinity increased from August through October
at San ~regorioand Pescadero creek lagoons (Figures 14 and 30).
The effect was most pronounced for North Marsh at Pescadero ~ p ,
where lack of inflows in 1988 and 1989 resulted in drying of most
of the marsh in 1989 and very saline water water (10 - 15+ PPT)
in the ditch surrounding the marsh.
Temverature
Dissolved Oxyqen.
Phytoplankton d e n s i t i e s b e g a n t o i n c r e a s e i n l a t e s p r i n g ,
when t h e l a g o o n s were s t i l l open t o t i d a l mixing. Immediately
iPfter s a n d b a r c l o s i n g p h y t o p l a n k t o n d e n s i t i e s r a p i d l y i n c r e a s e d
( a n d s e c c h i d e p t h s d e c r e a s e d ) f o r a b o u t 1 month. Once pondweed
d e n s i t i e s began t o i n c r e a s e p h y t o p l a n k t o n d e c r e a s e d , presumably
d u e t o c o m p e t i t i o n with pondweed f o r n u t r i e n t s . I n l a t e summer
a f t e r pondweed was f u l l y d e v e l o p e d , p h y t o p l a n k t o n was scarce and
t h e l a g o o n s r e l a t i v e l y c l e a r . A f t e r pondweed d i e d back w i t h c o l d
w e a t h e r i n October, t h e r e was o f t e n a n o t h e r p h y t o p l a n k t o n bloom.
Very low phytoplankton abundance was o b s e r v e d d u r i n g t h e
d r o u g h t , presumably because o f t h e u s u a l l y abundant pondweed.
A q u a t i c Vesetation
Toxic Inflows
~ n t e n s i v ea g r i c u l t u r e s u r r o u n d s p o r t i o n s o f P e s c a d e r o Marsh
NP, e s p e c i a l l y a l o n g t h e e a s t e r n bank of B u t a n o C r e e k . I n May
1986 a t P e s c a d e r o Lagoon p e s t i c i d e s i n r u n o f f w a t e r e n t e r e d t h e
Butano Creek arm a s t h e t i d e was ebbing. The p e s t i c i d e was
p u l l e d down t h e B u t a n o C r e e k arm of t h e l a g o o n a n d e l i m i n a t e d a l l
f i s h and i n v e r t e b r a t e s i n t h e arm. F r e s h w a t e r f l o w down
P e s c a d e r o Creek a n d t i d a l m i x i n g a p p e a r e d t o h a v e d i l u t e d t h e
p e s t i c i d e and no m o r t a l i t y was observed i n t h e main body of t h e
l a g o o n . The s t r a t i f i e d e s t u a r y may a l s o h a v e k e p t t h e p e s t i c i d e
suspended and away f r o m b e n t h i c i n v e r t e b r a t e s . The i n c i d e n t
would have gone unnoticed if water quality sampling had not been
taking place at exactly the time and place of the kill; hungry
birds rapidly cleaned up most of the dead and dying fish and
invertebrates.
Upstream Habitat
Invertebrates
~ n a l y s i sis c o n t i n u i n g on t h e i n v e r t e b r a t e p o p u l a t i o n s of t h e
P e s c a d e r o Creek lagoon a n d t h e i r environmental d e t e r m i n a n t s .
However, some g e n e r a l i z a t i o n s can be made a t t h i s t i m e .
s a l i n i t y , d i s s o l v e d oxygen, p l a n t and d e t r i t a l food b a s e , and
s u b s t r a t e a r e p r o b a b l y t h e most i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r s i n i n v e r t e b r a t e
abundance and c o m p o s i t i o n .
salinity. Some small r o c k c r a b s (Cancer a n t e n n a r i u s ) e n t e r e d
P e s c a d e r o Creek lagoon when t h e system was open t o f u l l t i d a l
exchange i n s p r i n g . They were n o t abundant i n s p r i n g and were
n o t found l o n g a f t e r t h e s a n d b a r formed and t h e lagoon began t o
c o n v e r t t o f r e s h w a t e r . I n 1986 when t h e lagoon was open u n t i l
m i d J u l y and i n 1989 when it was open most of t h e summer t h e
c r a b s were q u i t e abundant.
Shrimp (Neomvsis s p . ) a r e very abundant i n Pescadero Creek
e s t u a r y b e f o r e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e sand b a r . H i g h e s t c o n c e n t r a t i o n s
a r e u s u a l l y from t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e upstream t o t h e confluence
of Butano and Pescadero c r e e k s . T i d a l a c t i o n appeared t o
c o n c e n t r a t e them a t t h e e n t r a n c e t o Butano Creek ( S i t e 8B); t h e
a r e a i s a l s o a zone of s e d i m e n t and d e t r i t a l d e p o s i t i o n . The
s h r i m p g r a d u a l l y d e c l i n e d a f t e r b a r formation i n 1985 and 1986
and were rare by l a t e summer. S i n c e t h e y a r e p r i m a r i l y a
p a r t i c u l a t e f e e d e r , t h e i r abundance probably d e c l i n e s due t o t h e
r e p l a c e m e n t o f p h y t o p l a n k t o n w i t h pondweed a f t e r t h e sandbar
closes. They almost completely disappeared through 1987 and
1988, with early sandbar closure, clear water, and dense pondweed
growth. They persisted in abundance in mildly brackish (3 PPT)
North Marsh throughout the summer of 1985 and 1986. Neomysis
were usually relatively rare in San Gregorio, Waddell, and
pomponio creeks. The lack of a large protecte&B$lb'ayment in
winter and the lack of protection provided by flooded vegetation
in summer may be responsible. Phytoplankton blooms are also less
common and dense than in Pescadero Lagoon. The very rapid
potential conversion of those small systems to freshwater after
sandbar formation may also be responsible.
~uryhalineamphipods (Gammarus spp. and Coro~hiumspp.) were
present throughout the year in the lagoons. Their abundance
appears to depend more upon detritus availability, dissolved
oxygen, and substrate conditions than upon salinity.
Freshwater insects, especially diving beetles (Dytisidae),
water boatmen (Corixidae), and midge larvae (Chironomidae) became
abundant in the pondweed after the lagoons converted to
freshwater. They were especially abundant in Pescadero lagoon in
1985, as were freshwater snails (Physa and Gvralus).
Dissolved Oxvcren. When the estuaries are open to full tidal
mixing, dissolved oxygen levels are high in most of the systems,
even at the substrate in deeper waters. After bar formation the
rapid rise in water level and accompanying salinity
stratification resulted in anoxic conditions at the substrate in
the deeper waters (Figures 9, and 15), eliminating the amphipods
from those areas. As salinity stratification is eliminated by
freshwater inflow and wind action, oxygen conditions and
invertebrate populations recover. The loss of invertebrates from
the deeper parts of the channel during the transition from tidal
conditions to freshwater is compensated for by the flooding of
additional areas as the waters rise. However, the incised
channels and relatively level cross-sections of much of the upper
portions of Pescadero (sites 9 - 14 and 18B - 2 4 ) , San Gregorio,
and Waddell creeks results in severe invertebrate depressions in
those areas during the transition; the only habitat available is
on the vertical portion of the banks above the salt water lens.
Temporary artificial breaching of the sand bars in summer
returns salinity stratification and bottom anoxia (Figures 23 and
26). Invertebrate populations again crash as the lagoon goes
through the transition to freshwater. Continuous breaching, such
as occurred at San Gregorio lagoon in summer 1986, results in low
overall invertebrate abundance.
Plants and Detritus. Amphipod populations, especially of
Gammarus, were extremely abundant in detritus provided by
dislodged sea lettuce and by pondweed and algae.
Diving b e e t l e s a n d w a t e r boatmen were most a b u n d a n t i n t h e
d e n s e s t a n d s o f pondweed. The boatmen presumably feed o n
d e c a y i n g pondweed a n d t h e a l g a e g r o w i n g on t h e pondweed. Their
eggs a r e a l s o l a i d o n t h e pondweed. S n a i l s were a b u n d a n t o n t h e
pondweed, and a p p a r e n t l y f e d o n p e r i p h y t o n on t h e pondweed.
't * -
S e c t i o n s o f t h e l a g o o n w i t h o u t d e n s e pondweed o r algae s t i l l
h a d d e n s e p o p u l a t i o n s of C o r o ~ h i u mwhen t i d a l a c t i o n w a s p r e s e n t ,
s u c h a s i n e a r l y summer 1 9 8 6 a n d 1989 a t P e s c a d e r o Lagoon. T i d a l
a c t i o n presumably d i s p e r s e s f i n e d e t r i t a l m a t t e r t h r o u g h o u t t h e
l a g o o n . The d e n s e p o p u l a t i o n s o f Neomvsis i n p o r t i o n s of t h e
t i d a l lagoon is p r o b a b l y i n r e s p o n s e t o d e t r i t a l p a r t i c u l a t e s
c o n c e n t r a t e d i n t h e w a t e r column and a t t h e s u b s t r a t e s u r f a c e , a s
w e l l a s p h y t o p l a n k t o n blooms.
Substrate. ~ u b e - b u i l d i n g Corophium were most a b u n d a n t i n s a n d
a n d s a n d - s i l t s u b s t r a t e s ; t h e y were r a r e i n c o a r s e r s a n d - g r a v e l
or very fine silt s u b s t r a t e s .
The f i r s t s t o r m s of w i n t e r i n 1985 and 1986 d e p o s i t e d v e r y
f i n e s i l t i n P e s c a d e r o Lagoon. The s i l t , which came f r o m t h e
a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d s s u r r o u n d i n g P e s c a d e r o and Butano c r e e k s , was
t h i c k l y d e p o s i t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e l a g o o n , d e s t r o y i n g most o f t h e .
b e n t h i c invertebrates. The 1 t o 6 inch t h i c k c a r p e t p e r s i s t e d
f o r s e v e r a l months, u n t i l l a t e r and s t r o n g e r w i n t e r s t o r m s
removed most of it. I n y e a r s w i t h o n l y v e r y m i l d s t o r m s t h e f i n e
s i l t might p e r s i s t t h r o u g h t h e e n t i r e y e a r , s e v e r e l y r e d u c i n g
i n v e r t e b r a t e s a s food f o r f i s h .
Fishes
~ w e n t y - f i v e s p e c i e s o f f i s h were c o l l e c t e d from t h e f o u r
e s t u a r y / l a g o o n s y s t e m s i n 1984 - 1989 ( T a b l e 3 ) . The number o f
s p e c i e s was g r e a t e s t f o r P e s c a d e r o Creek lagoon and d e c r e a s e d
w i t h t h e d e c r e a s i n g s i z e of t h e l a g o o n s . The number o f s p e c i e s
i n Pescadero Creek l a g o o n was g r e a t e s t i n 1986, when d e l a y e d
s a n d b a r formation a l l o w e d e i g h t s p e c i e s of j u v e n i l e s a l t w a t e r
f i s h e s t o e n t e r t h e e s t u a r y t h r o u g h mid J u l y . Although t h e
s a n d b a r a t P e s c a d e r o Creek was open t h r o u g h much of t h e summer i n
1 9 8 9 , t h e only s t r i c t l y s a l t w a t e r j u v e n i l e s found i n S e p t e m b e r
w e r e cabezon ( ~ c o ~ a e n i c h t h emsa r m o r a t u s ) .
~ l four l l a g o o n s s h a r e d f i v e s p e c i e s of e u r y h a l i n e f i s h e s :
t h r e e s p i n e s t i c k l e b a c k ( G a s t e r o s t e u s a c u l e a t u s ) and p r i c k l y
s c u l p i n (Cottus a s ~ e r ) ,w h i c h were a l s o p r e s e n t i n t h e s t r e a m s
a b o v e t h e lagoons; s t e e l h e a d , which were h a t c h e d u p s t r e a m and
u s e d t h e lagoon f o r r e a r i n g o r a s a m i g r a t i o n pathway; a n d
s t a g h o r n s c u l p i n ( L e ~ t o c o t t u sa r m a t u s ) and s t a r r y f l o u n d e r , which
h a t c h e d i n s a l t water and e n t e r e d t h e lagoons i n w i n t e r o r s p r i n g
for one to two years of rearing. Large resident populations of
tidewater goby (Eucvclocrobius newberrvi) were present in
Pescadero and San Gregorio creek lagoons; they were present in
Waddell Creek lagoon until 1973 floods (Dr. C a m Swift, L.A.
County Museum, pers. corn.).
s * * -
The large estuarine embayment, with good tidal exchange,
appeared responsible for the high diversity of species present in
Pescadero Creek lagoon in 1986. Conversion of the lagoon to
freshwater after sandbar formation in 1986, however, appeared to
eliminate saltwater species and even some euryhaline species,
such as shiner perch (Cvmatosaster assresata) and topsmelt
(~therinopsaffinis). Tidewater goby, which is normally common
in Pescadero Creek lagoon, was extremely rare in the main
embayment in 1989, apparently because it avoids areas of strong
tidal mixing; in 1986 they only became abundant in the main
embayment several months after sandbar closure.
In the brackish Pescadero Creek lagoon of 1988 topsmelt and
shiner perch survived all summer, and shiner perch were the most
abundant fish in November. Low dissolved oxygen, high water
temperatures, and very low invertebrate abundance were present in
the brackish lagoon in late summer 1988 (Figures 14 and 15).
Stickleback, steelhead, staghorn sculpin, and starry flounder
numbers drastically dropped from August to November, and Pacific
herring (Clu~eaharenaus), the second most abundant fish in
~ugust,disappeared by November. At San Gregorio Creek lagoon in
1988 water quality conditions were similarly poor and steelhead
and staghorn sculpins, which are normally abundant, were rare by
December.
Natural history accounts for the fish species for 1984 -
1986 are given in Smith (1987). Steelhead sampling results for
1985 - 1989 are treated in detail below.
Steelhead Trout
Freshwater i n f l o w i n t o t h e l a g o o n a f t e r b a r formation i s
i m p o r t a n t i n d e t e r m i n i n g d e p t h , s a l i n i t y , temperature, and
d i s s o l v e d oxygen p a t t e r n s i n t h e lagoon. Streamflow d i v e r s i o n s
c a n t h e r e f o r e g r e a t l y a l t e r t h e q u a l i t y of t h e lagoon a s a
h a b i t a t f o r i n v e r t e b r a t e s and f i s h . Summer streamflow i n San
G r e g o r i o and Pescadero c r e e k s is h e a v i l y u t i l i z e d by s t r e a m s i d e
u r b a n and a g r i c u l t u r a l i n t e r e s t s . D i v e r s i o n s a r e a l r e a d y
s u f f i c i e n t t o d e l a y o r p r e v e n t f r e s h w a t e r conversion and s e v e r e l y
i m p a c t lagoon c o n d i t i o n s i n d r o u g h t y e a r s (Table 2 ) , and
a p p l i c a t i o n s f o r a d d i t i o n a l d i v e r s i o n a r e expected. Waddell
C r e e k p r e s e n t l y s u f f e r s r e l a t i v e l y less d i v e r s i o n impact, b e c a u s e
t h e lagoon is s m a l l e r , b u t t h e l a g o o n is s t i l l f r e q u e n t l y
impacted. I n l i g h t of o u r f i n d i n g s t h a t t h e lagoons p r o v i d e a
c r u c i a l percentage of w a t e r s h e d r e a r i n g h a b i t a t f o r s t e e l h e a d ,
c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h o u l d b e g i v e n by management a g e n c i e s
(Department of F i s h and Game, Water Resources Control Board,
C o r p s of Engineers, e t c . ) t o t h e impact of water d i v e r s i o n upon
l a g o o n s . The Department o f P a r k s and Recreation should p r o t e s t
water a p p r o p r i a t i o n s which t h r e a t e n lagoon h a b i t a t .
The amount of w a t e r n e c e s s a r y t o c o n v e r t t h e lagoons t o
f r e s h w a t e r w i l l v a r y s u b s t a n t i a l l y w i t h t h e amount of s a l t w a t e r
impounded at the time of sandbar formation, the depth and volume
of the lagoon, and the size and configuration of the sandbar, but
can be loosely estimated using 1985 - 1988 observations (Table
2). Lagoons can contain in excess of 60 percent sea water at the
time of sandbar formation (Table 2), so bypass flows should be
set high enough to convert a lagoon ofk6$ percent sea water to
full freshwater conditions. At Pescadero Creek lagoon the amount
of gaged streamflow required to achieve 1 % conversion of salt
water to fresh water varied from 7 to 50 acre feet (Table 2),
with 4 of the 7 values ranging from 11 to 1 3 acre feet. It
appears that 12 acre feet per percent fresh water conversion
miqht be sufficient. Assuming 66 % salt water, this would
require 6 cis for 66 days or 12 cfs for 3 3 days to convert
pescadero Creek lagoon to freshwater, once the lagoon has closed.
Quality of Inflows
Sandbar Breachinq
Pescadero
late April 9.0 cfs
mid July 4 . 5 - 5.5
-
Pescadero
1985 16 Mar - 25
1 June
1 June - 7
16 June
1986 23 July - 49
24 Aug
24 Aug - 28
27 Sept
1987 10 Apr - 42
8 June
8 June - 32
3 Aug
1988 24 May - 61
27 June
1985 1 9 July - 36
11 Sept
11 Sept - 6 1.5 4.5 1.5 138/4.5= 30.7
27 Oct
Stickleback 3
Tidewater Goby 4
Steelhead 2
Staghorn Sculpin 5
Prickly Sculpin 2
Starry Flounder 2
Shiner Perch 3
Pacific Herring 1
Topsmelt 2
Striped Bass
Yellowfin Goby
Coho
Bay Pipefish 1
English Sole
N. Anchow
Cabezon
Brown Rockfish
Kelp Greenling
Pacific Sanddab
Saddleback Gunnel
Walleye Surfperch
White Perch
Table 3 icontinuedj
San Gregorio Creek Waddell Creek
-
1985 1986 a 2880 1985 1986 1988
Species Jn ND 53 Ot Dc Jn N v D c Ap JJ Ot Mr My Ot
Stickleback 3 5 5 5 5 2 3 1 3 5 1 3 5
Tidewater Goby 3 3 3 2 3
Steelhead 3 3 5 5 2 5 5 3 3 5 5 2 4 4
Staghorn Sculpin 5 2 2 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 3 3
Prickly Sculpin 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2
Starry Flounder 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1
Shiner Perch 2 1
Pacifc Herring 1
Topsmelt 2
Coho
Coastrange Sculpin 1
Penpoint Gunnel
Golden Shiner
Table 3 (Continuedi
Pomponio Creek
Species
-- - -
Stickleback 3 3 5
Steelhead 1
Staghorn Sculpin 3 1
Prickly Sculpin 1 1
Starry Flounder 2
.ble 4 . Freshwater rearing habitat utilized by adult steelhaad
collected on Pescadero Creek 1985 - 1989, based upon
freshwater growth rates and sizes determined from scales.
% ' -
Rgaring Location Number of Fish Percent of Fish
1 year stream 0 5
2 years stream 3 11.1
Undetermined:
1 year stream or lagoon*
1 year stream, plus 1 year
lagoon
2 years stream, plus heavy lagoon
growth prior to entering ocean 1
Totals 27 100
Fish with substantial
lagoon rearing
0 4 8 1 2 16 2 0 2 4 2 8
S A L I N I T Y (PPT)
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 3. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2: Highway 1
b r i d g e ) i n 1985, showing: A ) s a l t water lens on t h e bottom t h i r d
of t h e lagoon on 16 May; and B ) gradual e l i m i n a t i o n o f t h e s a l t ,
water l e n s by 19 J u l y due t o freshwater i n f l o w and sandbar seepme.
a
JULY
TEMPERATURE PC>
Figure 4. Water temperature profiles for Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2 )
for 1985, showing: A ) higher temperatures within the s a l t water
lens present on 27 May; and B ) lack of temperature stratification
after salinity stratitication was eliminated i n mid June.
DATE
----
--2-
4 - 1 6 JUNE
5
I \L-- -4 \\
\
1
IC 1 MAY t
I'
I'
11
'-
I
I -----do
MARCH -----
APRIL
SALINITY (PPT)
1.5 -
I
1 OCT
2.0- 1986
-
5 1 I I I 1 I I 1 I I 8 I I 1 1 1
10 15 20 25
TEMPERATURE PC)
F i g u r e 8. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2) f o r
1986, showing: A) low bottom temperatures compared t o s u r f a c e p r i o r
t o sandbar t o r m a t l o n ( 1 May and 2 J u l y ) , due t o t i d a l mixing;
r e l a t i v e l y h i g h e r temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t w a t e r lens a f t e r
sandbar formation (30 J u l y and 29 August); C) very h i g h water column
temperatures w i t h t h e t h i c k s a l t water lens on 30 J u l y ; and 0) lack
of temperature s t r a t i f i c a t i o n a f t e r s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f i c a t i o n had been
e l i m i n a t e d ( 1 October).
0 -
-.
0.5-
-. #
2 July,/
1-0- I'
n
Z
u II
1.5-
I-
e -
W
n
2-01
1
1 Oct
I I I I
I
V 1 V I 1 I I 1 I 1 8 I I I 1 I 8 I v *
10 16 20 26 30
TEMPERATURE
SALINITY (PPT)
F i g u r e 13. S a l i n l t y p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2 ) f o r 1988,
showing: A) r e l a t i v e l y low s a l i n i t i e s on 18 A p r i l p r i o r t o 24 A p r i l
sandbar breaching; ti) h i g h s a l i n i t y l e v e l s a f t e r sandbar reformed
(24 May); C ) t h i n n i n g of t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r between 24 May
and 27 June, due t o freshwater i n f l o w s and sandbar seepage; and
U) l i t t l e change i n mean water column s a l i n i t y between 27 June and
30 October, due t o lack o t i n t l o w s , b u t less pronounced stratification,
due t o wind m i x i n g .
TEMPERATURE
F i g u r e 14. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2) f o r 1988,
showing: A) h i g h e r water temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens
f o r a l l dates except e a r l y s p r i n g (18 A p r i l ); 8) extremely h i g h w a t e r
temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens on 27 June; and C ) lower
s a l t water lens water temperatures on 7 August, due t o s e v e r a l days o f
o v e r c a s t and t o shading by dense pondweed growth.
I 27 JUNE
0 1 I
I
- 1
I
I
1989
0.5 -
I
I
I
- 2 SEP
-
n
Z
x
1.0-
I
I
I
)I. -
II
W 1.5-
n
-
2.0-
.
I
m I I I I I r'
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
SALINITY (PPT)
F i g u r e 16. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2 ) f o r 1989,
showing: A ) pronounced s t r a t i f i c a t i o n i n t h e c l o s e d lagoon on
28 May; B ) u n s t r a t i f i e d c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e t i d a l l y mixed open
lagoon on 2 September; C ) r e s t r a t i f i c a t i o n o t t h e lagoon a f t e r
sandbar c l o s u r e i n m i d September; and D ) near-conversion o t t h e
lagoon t o freshwater by October r u n o t f t o l l o w i n g t h e Lorna P r i e t a
earthquake and dn e a r l y storm.
TEMPERATURE &)
F i g u r e 17. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2) f o r 1989,
showing: A ) h i g h e r water temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens o f
t h e c l o s e d lagoon on 28 May, 30 September, and 11 October; B) v e r y h i g h l e n s
water temperatures on 28 May; and C) v e r y low, u n s t r a t i f i e d water temperatures
i n t h e t i d a l l y mixed, open lagoon on 13 J u l y and 2 September.
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (MG/L)
TEMPERATURE
Figure 20. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1985,
showing: A) r e l a t i v e l y higher water temperatures w l t h i n t h e bottom s a l t
water lens on 11 June, 19 J u l y and 27 October, when the lagoon was s t r a t i f i e d
f o r s a l i n i t y ; and B ) equalized water temperatures on 11 September, when the
lagoon was n o t s t r a t i f i e d f o r s a l i n i t y .
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (MG/L)
Figure 21. Morning dissolved oxygen profiles for San Gregorio Creek lagoon
(site 5) for 1985, showing complex dissolved oxygen stratitication
within the bottom salt water lens in the partially closed (16 June)
and recently closed (19 July) lagoon.
DATE
-
(solid llnes). (Dates: 1 = 19 May; 2 = 23 June; 3 = 8 J u l y ; 4 = 16 J u l y ;
5 24 J u l y ; 6 24 August; 7 = 24 September; 8 = 19 October)
TEMPERATURE
SITE 5' 0
\
\
0
/'
MH
I 7
I I
/SITE 7 1
/ / /SIT
TEMPERATURE
F i g u r e 25. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon on 23 June 1986
(when t h e sandbar was open), showing: A ) r e l a t i v e l y low water temperatures
w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r a t s i t e 3 and 5, which were c l o s e t o t h e
mouth and s u b j e c t t o t i d a l i n f l o w and c o o l i n g ; and B) r e l a t i v e l y h i g h water
temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r a t s i t e s 7 and 8. whlch were
f u r t h e r upstream and n o t s u b j e c t t o t i d a l m i x i n g and c o o l i n g .
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (MG/L)
*&
Figure 26. Dissolved oxygen p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r .;
1986, showing: A) u n s t r a t i f i e d d i s s o l v e d oxygen c o n d i t i o n s on 19 June
r
and 16 J u l y , when t h e sandbar was open t o t i d a l mixing; and
B ) s t r a t i f i e d d i s s o l v e d oxygen c o n d i t i o n s , w i t h supersaturated oxygen
a t t h e top of the s a l t water lens and very low bottom d i s s o l v e d oxygen, on
24 July and 24 September, when t h e sandbar was closed.
I
I
4 - I
I
1
3- I
I
I
2- I
I
I
I
1 - 0
0
*
-4'
o - ' J S O ~ W D . '~
DATE
Figure 27. Water l e v e l s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon f o r 1987, 1988, and 1989, showing:
A ) progressive d e c l i n e i n sumner water l e v e l i n 1987, due t o very low streamflow,
evaporation. and sandbar seepage, w i t h r i s e i n l a t e October, due t o r a i n ;
B ) e a r l y sandbar formation i n 1988, l a t e A p r i l breach due t o r a i n , bar r e f o r m a t i o n
i n May, and progressive d e c l i n e i n sumner, due t o very low streamflows, evaporation,
and sandbar seepage; and C ) e a r l y J u l y sandbar formation i n 1989, w i t h d e c l i n i n g
water l e v e l s u n t i l October increase i n streamflow.
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 28. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1987,
showing: A ) t h i n n i n g o f t h e s a l t water lens from 8 June t o 11 August,
due t o freshwater i n f l o w and sandbar seepage; 6 ) l i t t l e change i n mean
water column s a l i n i t y between 11 August and 18 October, due t o l a c k o f
freshwater i n f l o w s ; and C ) r e d u c t i o n i n lagoon s a l i n i t y between
18 October and 30 October, due t o freshwater inflows from l a t e October
rains.
TEMPERATURE fk)
Figure 29. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1987,
showing: A ) temperature s t r a t i f i c a t i o n w i t h water temperatures w i t h i n t h e
bottom s a l t water lens on 8 June and 11 August; and B) o n l y s l i g h t temperature
s t r a t i f i c a t i o n on 18 October, when s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f i c a t i o n was l e s s pronounced.
MAY
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 30. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5) f o r 1988,
showing: A) s u b s t a n t i a l freshwater conversion behind e a r l y sandbar
on 18 Apri 1 ; B) much s a l t i e r conditions on 24 May, a f t e r l a t e A p r i l
sandbar breach and mid May sandbar formation; C ) t h i n n i n g o f the
s a l t water lens between 24 May and 1 J u l y due t o freshwater i n f l o w and
sandbar see a e. 0) no chan e I n mean water column s a l i n i t y between
1 J u l y and! 9
8u{ust, due t o ack of freshwater inflows; and E ) increase
i n bottom s a l i n i t y between 7 August and 30 October, p o s s i b l y due t o
seepage of ocean water through the sandbar i n t o the shallow lagoon.
SALINITY (PPT)
F i g u r e 23. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1986,
showing: A ) a t h i c k bottom s a l t water l a y e r when t h e lagoon was open
(dashed l i n e s ) ; and B ) t h i n n l n g o f t h e s a l t water l a y e r due t o
f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w and sandbar seepage a f t e r each sandbar c l o s u r e
-
(solid llnes). (Dates: 1 = 19 May; 2 = 23 June; 3 = 8 J u l y ; 4 = 16 J u l y ;
5 24 J u l y ; 6 24 August; 7 = 24 September; 8 = 19 October)
TEMPERATURE
SITE 5' 0
\
\
0
/'
MH
I 7
I I
/SITE 7 1
/ / /SIT
TEMPERATURE
F i g u r e 25. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon on 23 June 1986
(when t h e sandbar was open), showing: A ) r e l a t i v e l y low water temperatures
w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r a t s i t e 3 and 5, which were c l o s e t o t h e
mouth and s u b j e c t t o t i d a l i n f l o w and c o o l i n g ; and B) r e l a t i v e l y h i g h water
temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r a t s i t e s 7 and 8. whlch were
f u r t h e r upstream and n o t s u b j e c t t o t i d a l m i x i n g and c o o l i n g .
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (MG/L)
*&
Figure 26. Dissolved oxygen p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r .;
1986, showing: A) u n s t r a t i f i e d d i s s o l v e d oxygen c o n d i t i o n s on 19 June
r
and 16 J u l y , when t h e sandbar was open t o t i d a l mixing; and
B ) s t r a t i f i e d d i s s o l v e d oxygen c o n d i t i o n s , w i t h supersaturated oxygen
a t t h e top of the s a l t water lens and very low bottom d i s s o l v e d oxygen, on
24 July and 24 September, when t h e sandbar was closed.
I
I
4 - I
I
1
3- I
I
I
2- I
I
I
I
1 - 0
0
*
-4'
o - ' J S O ~ W D . '~
DATE
Figure 27. Water l e v e l s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon f o r 1987, 1988, and 1989, showing:
A ) progressive d e c l i n e i n sumner water l e v e l i n 1987, due t o very low streamflow,
evaporation. and sandbar seepage, w i t h r i s e i n l a t e October, due t o r a i n ;
B ) e a r l y sandbar formation i n 1988, l a t e A p r i l breach due t o r a i n , bar r e f o r m a t i o n
i n May, and progressive d e c l i n e i n sumner, due t o very low streamflows, evaporation,
and sandbar seepage; and C ) e a r l y J u l y sandbar formation i n 1989, w i t h d e c l i n i n g
water l e v e l s u n t i l October increase i n streamflow.
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 28. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1987,
showing: A ) t h i n n i n g o f t h e s a l t water lens from 8 June t o 11 August,
due t o freshwater i n f l o w and sandbar seepage; 6 ) l i t t l e change i n mean
water column s a l i n i t y between 11 August and 18 October, due t o l a c k o f
freshwater i n f l o w s ; and C ) r e d u c t i o n i n lagoon s a l i n i t y between
18 October and 30 October, due t o freshwater inflows from l a t e October
rains.
TEMPERATURE fk)
Figure 29. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1987,
showing: A ) temperature s t r a t i f i c a t i o n w i t h water temperatures w i t h i n t h e
bottom s a l t water lens on 8 June and 11 August; and B) o n l y s l i g h t temperature
s t r a t i f i c a t i o n on 18 October, when s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f i c a t i o n was l e s s pronounced.
MAY
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 30. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5) f o r 1988,
showing: A) s u b s t a n t i a l freshwater conversion behind e a r l y sandbar
on 18 Apri 1 ; B) much s a l t i e r conditions on 24 May, a f t e r l a t e A p r i l
sandbar breach and mid May sandbar formation; C ) t h i n n i n g o f the
s a l t water lens between 24 May and 1 J u l y due t o freshwater i n f l o w and
sandbar see a e. 0) no chan e I n mean water column s a l i n i t y between
1 J u l y and! 9
8u{ust, due t o ack of freshwater inflows; and E ) increase
i n bottom s a l i n i t y between 7 August and 30 October, p o s s i b l y due t o
seepage of ocean water through the sandbar i n t o the shallow lagoon.
AUG
TEMPERATURE &>
Figure 31. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1988,
showing: A) lower water temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r
immediately a f t e r sandbar formation on 18 A p r i l and 24 May; B) h i g h e r water
temperatures w l t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens on 1 J u l y and 7 August; and
C) l a c k of temperature s t r a t l f i c a t i o n i n t h e very shallow lagoon on 30
October.
AUG
TEMPERATURE &>
Figure 31. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5 ) f o r 1988,
showing: A) lower water temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r
immediately a f t e r sandbar formation on 18 A p r i l and 24 May; B) h i g h e r water
temperatures w l t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens on 1 J u l y and 7 August; and
C) l a c k of temperature s t r a t l f i c a t i o n i n t h e very shallow lagoon on 30
October.
0 9
0.5-
-
1Do-
n
E
u
1.5-
l-
a -
W
P
2.0-
September raln.
1 1 OCT
*
TEMPERATURE
SALINITY (PPT)
TEMPERATURE -1
F i g u r e 38. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r Waddell Creek lagoon ( s i t e 3 ) f o r 1988,
showing r e l a t i v e l y low and u n s t r a t i f i e d temperatures i n t h e f r e s h w a t e r
lagoon throughout l a t e s p r i n g and summer.
MAR
SALlNlTY (PPT)
F i g u r e 37. S a l i n i t y p r o f i l e s f o r Waddell Creek lagoon ( s i t e 3 ) f o r 1988,
showing: A ) t h i n n i n g and d i l u t i o n of t h e s a l t water lens between
4 March and 18 A p r i l , due t o freshwater i n f l o w and sandbar seepage;
B) r e l a t i v e l y small s a l t water l e n s on 12 May, a f t e r l a t e A p r i l
sandbar breach and r e f o r m a t i o n ; and C ) l o s s of t h e s a l t water l e n s
between 12 May and 29 June, due t o freshwater i n f l o w and sandbar seepage.
DATE
F i g u r e 39. Water l e v e l s f o r Waddell Creek lagoon f o r 1989, showing: A ) p o s s i b l e sandbar
f o r m a t i o n and breaching i n e a r l y June (based upon s a l i n i t y d a t a ) ; B ) f l u c t u a t i o n
i n lagoon water l e v e l w i t h v a r i a t i o n i n d i v e r s i o n r a t e upstream o f lagoon i n J u l y
and August; and C) maintenance o f h i g h lagoon l e v e l s i n October - November
d e s p i t e p a r t i a l opening o f sandbar, due t o increased streamflows a f t e r t h e
Lorna P r i e t a earthquake and e a r l y r a i n s .
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 40. S a l i n i t y p r o f i les f o r Waddell Creek lagoon ( s i t e 3 ) f o r 1989, showing:
A ) r e d u c t i o n i n thickness o f t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r i n t h e p a r t i a l l y
closed lagoon between 6 May and 24 May, due t o freshwater i n f l o w and sandbar
seepage; B ) increased thickness of t h e s a l t water l a y e r between 28 May and
21 June, due t o increased o u t l e t s i z e and t i d a l m i x i n g ( p o s s i b l y sandbar
formation and breaching); C ) r e d u c t i o n i n t h e thickness o f t h e bottom s a l t
water l a y e r between 2 1 June and 13 J u l y , due t o sandbar formation, treshwater
~ n f l o w , and sandbar seepage; and 0) r e d u c t i o n i n lagoon s a l i n i t y between,
30 August and 11 October, due t o increased streamflow.
0 - /
/
- f
I
0.5 - /
1
.
I
/
1.0-
1.5- 1
I'
\
.. 30 AUG
\
I
I
2.0-
-
% 1 1 1 1 1 I I 8 8 I 8 1 1 1 8 8 V 8 8 *
TEMPERATURE (%>
Figure 41. Water temperature p r o t i l e s f o r Waddell Creek lagoon ( s i t e 3 ) f o r 1989, stibwing:
A ) cool bottom waters i n open, t i d a l l y mixed lagoon on 6 May; B ) h i g h water
temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l a y e r i n the p a r t i a l l y c l o s e d (28 May)
and c l o s e d (13 J u l y ) lagoon; and C) cool bottom waters on 30 August, d e s p i t e
t h e s a l t water layer, due t o water column shading by v e r y dense pondweed.
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (MG/L)
F i g u r e 42. D i s s o l v e d oxygen p r o t i l e s f o r Waddell Creek lagoon ( s i t e 3 ) t o r 1989,
showing: A ) good d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s i n t h e p a r t a i l l y open and
t i d a l l y mixed lagoon on 6 May and 28 May; and B ) very low d i s s o l v e d
oxygen l e v e l s a t t h e bottom o f t h e s a l t water l e n s i n t h e c l o s e d lagoon
on 13 J u l y and 30 August, due t o poor m i x i n g and dense pondweed growth.
PESCADERO CREEK STEELHEU) STANDARD LENGTHS (an)
15
(n -
JUNE
121) (n -
2 JULY
109) (n -
27 SEPTEMBER
233)
XXXX X
MO( X
XX XXX
XX XXX
XXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXX xx
xxxxxXXXXX XXXM
XXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX- t
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXMOUOOOOt
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXX xx
XXXXXXXxxxxx XXX XX
XXXXXXXXX xxxxX XXXXX
XXXXXXXXX XXMX XXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXMXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXWO( XXXMXMX XXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXxxxxxXXXXXX XXXXMXXXXXX XXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X [XXXXXX
XXX XXXXX XXXXXXMXXXXXXXXXM XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X ~XXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X (XXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXM XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X :xxxxxx
XX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX X ~XXXXXXXXXXXX
XX xxxxw XXXXXXXXXXX X ~XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXX X :XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXX X ~XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
MX XXX X ~XXXXXXXX
XXX XXX X ~XXXXXXXX
x X X ~XXXXXXXXXX
X X x ~XXXXXXXXXX
x tx
)I (X
-
1988
7 AUGUST 30 SEPTEMBER
(n 37) (n = 25)
XXXXX
XXXXX
XxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XMXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
XX
XX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXX
XXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
150 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
160 XXXXXXXX XXX ZXXXXX
XXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX
170 XXX :XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX mXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX :XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX xXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX :XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX :XX
XXX :XX
Figure 46. Standard lengths o f s t e e l head from Pescadero Creek Lagoon i n 1988
and 1989, showing re1 a t i v e l y small f i s h and bimodal size
d i s t r i b u t i o n from the s t r a t i f i e d , brackish lagoon of 1988 and
uniformly large f i s h from t h e t i d a l l y mixed lagoon of 1989.
SAN GREGORIO CREEK LAGOON STEELHUD STANDARD LENGTHS (m)
1985
(n -
11 JUNE
59)
10 NOVEMBER
(n = 59)
XXXXX
X X m
XXXXXXXXXXXX
xxxxxxxXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
xXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
x x m
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXX
X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
X XXXXXXMXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXMXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXWOOOOOO(XX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXxx
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
Figure 47. Standard lengths o f steelhead from San Gregorio Creek Lagoon i n
1985, showing f a s t sumner growth and conversion o f bimodal size
d i s t r i b u t i o n present i n June to unimodal s i z e d i s t r i b u t i o n by
November.
SAH 6RE60RIO CREEK LAGOON STEELHEAD STANDARD LENGTHS (m)
-
2 3 JUNE
(n 482) (n -
16 JULY
318) (n -
19 OCTOBER
246)
40 XXX
XXX
50 XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXX xxxxx XX
60 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XMXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
70 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
80 XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
90 XXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
100 XXXXXX X U XXXXXXXX
XXXXXX XXX XXXXXXXX
110 XXxxXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX
120 XMXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXX
130 XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX
140 XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXX
150 XXX
XXX
XX
XX
X
X
Figure 48. Standard lengths o f steelhead from San Gregorio Creek Lagoon i n
1 9 8 6 , showing relatively l i t t l e sumner growth, due t o summer
sandbar breaching and lagoon s t r a t i f i c a t i o n .
SAN GREGORIO CREEK LAGOON STEELHEAD STANDARO LENGTHS (m)
1985 1986 1988
10 NOV 19 OCT 4 DEC
(n = 59) (n = 246) (n = 12)
XX
XX
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXM(XXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXxXxxxX
xxxXXxmxXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XxxxxxXXXXMXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXxxxxxXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX
XXX
XXX
220 XXX
XXX
Figure 49. Standard lengths of steelhead from San Gregorio Creek Lagoon in
October - December of 1985, 1986 and 1988, showing unimodal large
sizes in 1985, when the lagoon converted to unstratified, low
salinity conditions, and smaller mean size and bimodal size
frequency in 1986, when periodic sumner breaching maintained a
stratified, sal ine lagoon. The re1 atively large fish collected
in 1988 are from a lagoon population estimated at less than 50
fish and represent the survivors of a shallow, warm, saline
sumner 1 agoon.
WADOELL CREEK LAGOON STEELHEAD STANDARD LENGTHS (mu)
1985
16 JUNE 14 NOVEMBER
(n = 273) (n = 321)
" ,6$ =
4
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx~
XXXXXXXXXMXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX
XXX
X X
X X
XXXX XX
XXXX XX
XXX mxxx
XXX WOO(XX
X XXXXXXXXXXX
X XXXXXXXXXXX
X XXXXXXXXXXXXX
X XXXXXXXXXXXXX
t XXXXXXMOU(XXXXXXXX
t XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
t XXXXXXXXXXWOOUOOOO(XXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX~XXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXWOO(XXXXXX
XX
XX
X
X
Figure 50. Standard lengths o f steelhead from Waddell Creek Lagoon i n 1985,
showing f a s t sumner growth and conversion of the bimodal sizes of
the June population t o unimodal s f zes by November, due t o
re1 a t i v e l y greater growth by young-of-year fish.
WADOELL CREEK LAGOON STEELHEAD STAHDARD LENGTHS (ma)
William E. Lawrence
-
for
Watershed Management
NRM 440
N. H. Pillsbury
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I . .............
I n t r o d u c t i o n and Physical S e t t i n g 1
I1 . D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IV . Recommendations f o r Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
V . Management P r a c t i c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
F i gure Page
1 . L o c a t i o n Map .......................... 9
2 . Pescadero Creek Watershed ................. 10
3. IsohyetalMap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4 . S o i l A s s o c i a t i o n Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
iii
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION WITHIN PESCADERO CREEK:
A DISCUSSION OF FACTORS,
hiking. McDonald County Park i s 800 acres with youth camping, equestrian
and hiking t r a i 1s . Joining t h e s e two parks together, Pescadero creek'
County Park i s 6200 acres and presently has only h i king and r i d i n g t r a i l s .
Within the c e n t e r of t h i s park i s the s h e r i f f ' s correctional f a c i l i t y .
Portola S t a t e Park is adjacent t o the e a s t e r l y boundary of Pescadero
Creek Park. I t i s 1200 acres and has 50 campsites and 70 picnic s i t e s .
/
The plant communities a r e coast redwood, mixed-evergreen, coastal /
scrub, grassland and r i p a r i a n . All of the area w i t h i n the watershed has
been logged except f o r Memorial and most of Portola parks. Extensive
logging occurred on the northerly slope of Butano ridge and t h e head-
water basin from 1910 t o 1970. Sustained-yield harvesting i s practiced
w i t h i n the headwater basin on private land.
The Pescadero Creek basin area encompasses 45.9 square miles. .Flow
measurements a r e periodically recorded a t a gaging s t a t i o n located approxi-
mately f i v e miles from t h e mouth a t l a t i t u d e 3715t39" N and longitude
122~19'39" (Portervi 11e , 1972) ; see figure 2. Some of the morphological
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e watershed a r e as follows:
1. Stream order ( S t a h l e r method) - fourth.
2. .Total stream length - 25.4 miles.
3. Average basin w i d t h - 1.81 miles. L
4. Drainage pattern
*
- dendritic.
5. Maximum basin r e l i e f - 2800 f e e t .
Average annual runoff has been calculated a t 31,200 acre-feet w i t h
an extrapolated range of 3,300 t o 94,200 acre-feet. The average low
Tables are available within the text which can supply the data for
each factor.
The National Engineering Handbook i denti f i e s s i x sediment yield
factors: 1) cl imate, 2 ) watershed, 3 ) topography, 4 ) channel density,
5 ) s o i l s and cover condition, and 6 ) land use. Yield can be calculated
*
for a watershed i f the sediment yield i s known from a comparable water-
shed. To calculate the yield the Handbook recommends the following
formula: Se = Sm (k)0.8 .
Where Se = sediment yield i n tonlyear from unmeasured watershed
Sm = sediment yield from a measured watershed.
V. Management Practices
plugs culverts
landslides --c
--r
For example: 1 and clearing
causes water t o c o l l e c t -
deposits sediment i n t o creek channel.
produces sediment --c
s o i l saturation --r
U.S.D.A. S o i l C o n s e r v a t i o n S e r v i c e . 1961. S o i l s u r v e y -
San Mateo a r e a s e r i e s , 1954, No. 1 3 . U.S. Government P r i n t i n g
O f f i c e , Washington, D . C .
SCALE OF M I L E S
I 0 I 2 3
Pescadero Point
SOIL ASSOCIATION MAP
SAN MATE0 AREA, CALIFORNIA
SOIL ASSOCIATIONS
SOILS OF UPLANDS
Hugo.Butano. Stecp and very steep, brownish, moderately deep and deep soils or1
sedimentary rocks under coniferous forest.
Miramar6heridan. Stecp and very steep, dark colored, shallow to deep soils on acid
igneous rocks under shrubs or forest.
Sweeney.Mindego. Sloping to very steep, dark colored, moderately deep soils on basic
Igneous rocks under grass or forest.
Lobitos-Santa Lucia.Gazos. Sloping to very steep, grayish brown, very shallow to dccp
soils on sedimentary rocks under shrubs and grass with some trees.
122"30'
SOILS OF MARINE TERRACES, ALLUVIAL FANS, AND FLOOD PLAINS
TierraXolma. Gently sloping to steep, dark colored, shallow to deep soils on high,
dissected marine terraces; composed of weathered products of sedimentary rocks or
alluvium from them; under grass and shrubs.
Tunitas-Lockwood. Nearly level t o sloping, grayish or brownish deep soils on fans and
flood plains of alluv~umfrom various rocks; under grass with some shrubs and trees.
Scale
3 4 M~les
I J
. i
306 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Process
Richard Wood
Associate F i s h e r y B i o l o g i s t
s teelhead.
The U, S. Army Corps of Engineers and t h e San Mateo County Flood Control
Water P r o j e c t s S e c t i o n of t h e Region.
management problems .
A t t h e beginning of t h e s t u d y , c e r t a i n g u i d e l i n e s were drawn t o h e l p each
l e s s i n t o t a l length.
c l a s s i f i e d a s "catchable" t r o u t .
. were t o be counted,
- 3 -
TABLE I - Pescadero Creek - Creel census, 1968.
Unmarked Trout of Total % Total % Total % Total
Hours Marked Steel- Trout Previous Fish Marked % Total Unmarked Previous
Date Fished Trout head Caught Marks Caupht Trout S,H. Trout Marks
C
J u l y 23 6 days 165,5
24 808 marked 187,5
25 Trout planted 137.5
26 Mark: 5 Dorsal 102,5
27 Inc
28 Inc
593.0
A summation of t h e d a t a c o l l e c t e d i s shown i n t a b u l a r form (Table 1).
r a t h e r t h a n numbers of f i s h .
DISCUSSION.
from t h e u s e counts (Fisk, 1966; F i g u r e 1). During t h e May and June censuses,
j u s t f o r t h e weekend.
proceeding census.
The c a t c h of s t e e l h e a d e x h i b i t e d an i n v e r s e r e l a t i o n s h i p t o t h e c a t c h of
t h e r e was p r e f e r e n c e f o r t h e l a r g e r t r o u t , b u t t h e y would r e t a i n s m a l l f i s h
36% of t h e f i r s t census t o 5% of t h e l a s t .
Pescadero Creek ,'Sari Nateo County, Catch per Hour, Daily Chtch and
Angler ours use for Catchable Trout and Steelhead. 1968
- -
P Marked Trout
Steelhead
t
-
May 29 31, June 17 July 23 - 28
June 1 & 2.
.'.bGTA
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-DAY OF CENSUS-
200
100
0
1 Fb= t L L L
hundred .
TABLE 2 - S t e e l h e a d Catch, Pescadero Creek, 1968.
f pi< . i Grand T o t a l -
2923
(Shapova l o v e t . a 1. 1954).
90% 210,600 II
95% 105,300 II
98% 42,120 11
i s b u t a s m a l l p e r c e n t a g e of t h e t o t a l f i s h involved.
m a t t e r of p o l i c y , r a t h e r t h a n a management d e c i s i o n .
i n d i c a t o r of t h i s movement of s t e e l h e a d .
e v i d e n c e a l o n g t h e s t r e a m banks. No r e p o r t s were r e c e i v e d e i t h e r d u r i n g o$
T h i s i s t r u e , n o t o n l y of t h i s a r e a of t h e c r e e k b u t o t h e r s e c t i o n s and on
o t h e r l o c a l creeks. Therefore, i t i s assumed t h a t t h i s b i a s i s n o t c r i t i c a l .
t o o v e r l a p i n t o t h e next p l a n t i n g of c a t c h a b l e s ; census c o n c u r r e n t l y o t h e r
3. Make a p h y s i c a l count of a d u l t s t e e l h e a d i n t h e c r e e k t h i s w i n t e r ,
L i t e r a t u r e Cited
PEscADERo MARSH /S ~ n i i i ~ ~
AND ENVIRONS
E.C. F u l l e r t o n , D i r e c t o r
a1d e s s e n t i a l data.
&!M~vs
James Ray P a t t o n , Roger IJerts, iind Jmes Smmth of t h e C z l i f o r n i a
U n i v e r s i t y of C a l i f o r n i a . ? g r i c u l t u r a l E:rtensioii S e r v i c e - Henry S c i a r o n i
si t u l t i o ~ ,
F e d e r a l &lid t o V i l d l i f e progrzms,
'E>R2Fl
TJAtBLE07 CONTENTS
Pzge No.
History 13
Drainage I?
zrosim and of 1s 15
L a d Use 20
Agricultural 20
C m e r c i a l ?ad R e s i d e n t i a l 23
Habitat Inventory 25
Forest: 25
Wood land ,, .25
Riparf a? 26
Cultivate L p d s and G r ~ s s L m d s 26
C o a s t n l Scrub 27
Co::ntal Stra17.d 27
Lagoal 78
Wildlife Zcology 32
Amphibians and Reptiles 33
b1-1~ 3s
Birds 37
Water ,lssociated Birds 3'1
Pelagic and C o ~ s t a lBirds 37
ldnterf a51 39
Wading Birds - 41
Land B i r d s L45
Sozg b i r d s - hS
Game Dirds 46
Raptors 96
Xarine Xesources 9s
Ocean ~ i s h Y8
&adrmous F ish '47
RESOURCE USE 51
Recreatiwal use 51
Hunt ing 53
Sport Fishing S'i
Ocean Fish 59
:madrcunous Fish 55
Nature Study 55
S c i a ~ t i f i cand Educational Use 57
w i t h i n a small a r e a the p o t e n t i a l f o r f u l f i l l i n g a l l t h e h z b i t a t r e q u i r e m i t t s
v e g e t a t i o n r e s u l t s i n t h e presence of a l a r g e v a r i e t y of e c o l o g i c a l niches-:
I
A n i c h e-- is -.the manner .i&tr%ich each ani;oal s p e c i e s lives within its
i n e x a c t l y t h e same way?'
important b i o l o g i c a l a r e a on t h e S a n F r m c i s c o peninsula';'
This r e p o r t is n u m b e r L s e ~ ~i ~
n a s e r i e s of papers enunersting t h e
a s s i s t p r i v a t e c i t i z e n s , p l a m e r s , a d m i n i s t r a t o r s and o t h e r s concerned
than 500 .zcres i n San l i a t e o County between Saii Frc-rtcisco and S m t a Cruz.
by t h e c l o s e p r c x i m i t y of a v a r i e t y of r e l a t i v e l y unspofled h a b i t a t s ,
&*Si
i n c l u d i n g redwood f o r e s t , w o o d l a ~ d , e x t e n s i v e r i p a r i a n wodl -ad, expanses
The n z t u r n l r e s o u r c e s of t h i s l r e a a r e d i v e r s e , aad a m s t i t u t e a
f o r a wide v a r i e t y of w i l d l i f e . F l m a l s and r e p t i l e s a r e c m m i n t h e
c o n t o u r s of t h e land i t s e l f , b u t nore d i r e c t l y a s t h e r e s u l t of t h e r i c h
k
meeting t h e very t e a l demai?& of p u b l i c +&eat-fansl)use. Expansicn of
Bb
,I moderate degree of hunting a n d f i s h i n g r e c r e - t io?.al opportunities
s i l t a t i o n , c m t r o l of developme~tthrough zoning a ~ d
o t h e r regulations t o
prever,t un~qisepernare-ilt a l t e x a t i m of e x i s t i z g v a l u s b l e w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t ,
U p s t r e m development can a l s o h ~ v ep o t e n t i a l l y d i r e e f f e c t s of
contrminC~tim
and pollution. Local p a s t flood-drcxt&t c y c l e h i s t o r y has
t h e c i r c u 1 ~ t i o ~flow
l e v e l of s t u d y t h a t a d e f i a i t e need f o r i n c r e s i ~ g - 2nd
r e c r e . l t i o ~ - ? are,?s
l i n which o::e cr~.. ~ l : y , le-?rn ?r.d relax, t h e charge
effort.
RECWC.IEP?Di\TIONS
s u b m i t s t h e f o l l o w i n g recommendatials:
d r a i n a g e system t h e t w i l l p r w i d e f o r the p r e s e r v a t i o n , m a i n t e n a c e ,
q u a l i t y water i n s u f f i c i e n t quantity t o p r w i d e f o r e x i s t i n g
a d d i t i m a l c o n s i d e r s t ions:
and p r w i d e q u z l i t y w a t e r f o r i n p r w e d c i r c u 1 r : t i m and f l u s h i n g .
s u i t a b l e o f f s t r e m s t o r n g e f o r s e a s o n a l wa.ter r e l e a s e r , ? t h e r than
o n s t r e a n dnms t h a t would i n h i b i t f i s h n w a e n t ,
?,
B. Implement n p r o g r m of enhancement f o r t r i b u t a r i e s of Pescildero ---/
and Butsno Creeks t h :t w i l l m i n t li?. then in optirmun
housing developinent.
through excess ive s?ili n ity i n t n t s ion, both subsurface 2nd t idal.'
m m i p u l a t i o n p o t e n t i a l s f o r incre:.sed f l u s h i n g and c i r c u l a t i o n of
designs available.
3, P r e c l u d e f u r t h e r development of e x i s t i n g w r s h l m d o u t s i d e the
\c* 0- '0"'+
should be a d j u s t e d s o a s t o encourzge I d i i d O m e r ~w i t h i n t h e
'immedizte v i c i n i t y of t h e m,lrsh t o develop t h e i r property ix w :ys
t h ~ zre
t most compatible w i t h r , - t u r a l resource use. This most
l i k e l y would prove t o be ? z r i c u l t u r e ,
4 . Withi2 t h e ~ c q u i r e dS t a t e - m e d -nd o p e ~ z t e dp o r t i m s of t h e m x s h
t o t h e following:
i~ o t h e r ~ ~ e t l m dslang
s C s l i f o r n i ~ ~co
s s t l i n e i n t h e future,
San Francisco Peninsula Adopted from Sari &!ate0
1n
Co. Dept. of Parks
THE PESCrDERO P1,IRSH ENVIROHS
Description of Area
c a l i f omid:
southern f l a n k of t h e rn,lrsh;
Mwrb or. Flooded l=Nu\
CuitivatcJ L O H ~
Co2*2.\ Scrub
History
S t a t e - m e d p o r t i o n of t h e a t t e s t t o a b o r i g i n a l residency on t h e land
In 17695 portol: and h i s pzrty passed through San i.lateo County while
i n c i d e n t i a l l y p r w i d e d f o r the e s t a b l i s b n t of S a n Mcltea a s a s e p a r a t e
County line: Thus, Pescadero Marsh and its approximately s i x t y square mile
-
Climate
along the i m e d i a t e coast and over Pescadero ?.Iarsh, t h e s-er fog remai->s
Dra inege
a v a i l a b l e p r e c i p i t a t i o n t h u s is r e s t r i c t e d t o w i n t e r m o n t h s and t h e marsh
196s; S i n c e t h e r e a r e no f a c i l i t i e s f o r s t o r i n g w a t e r i n q u u t t i t y on this
c a n t annual w a t e r t h a t is a v a i l a b l e t o t h o s e p o r t i o n s of t h e marsh s t i l l
EraSicrr, and S o i l s
LAND fKJhERSH IP
Active dune l m d
Cf Coastal Beach
ClD2 Colma Loan, moderately steep, eroded
C1E2 Colma lorn, steep, eroded
ClF2 Colma loan, very steep, eroded
CmD2 Colma sandy loam, moderately steep, eroded
cm2 Colma s m d y loam, steep, eroded
CmF2 C o h a sandy loan, very steep, eroded
CW3 Colma sandy loan, steep and very steep, s e v e r l y eroded
C0 A Coqaille loam, nearly level, s a l i n e
C rl. C o r r a l i t o s loamy sand, nearly level, i n p e r f e c t l y drained
CsB C o r r a l i t o s smdy loan, gently slopi3g
Cy!: C o r r a l i t o s sandy loam, aver clay, n e a r l y level, imperfectly drained
Mixed a l l u v i a l land
Terrece escerpments
T i e r r a loam, sloping, eroded
T i e r r a l o f a , steep, eroded
T i e r r a sandy loam, moderately steep, eroded
a r e w e l l upstrexn i n t h e drainage:
'4- %~.rt%
A very d i f f e r e n t type of s e t t i n g e x i s t s a t t h e S t::te Beach rlnd 42eeeme
even f o r l i m i t e d r e c r e - l t i o n a l use;
LI'G<D USE
Agricultural
~ ~ n t pe e rd y e x . T h i s r e s u l t s i n a average - m u d l c u t of 3 t o 3.5 m i l l i o n
t h e f o o t f i i l l g r a s s l a n d s r e a i n u s e f o r g r a z i n g beef pi d a i r y c a t t l e , and
/'
s o i l and i n t h e c a s e of b a l e y , t o co17trol c l u b r o o t d i s e ~ t s ec s s o c i a t e d
t h e l o c a l r e s i d e n t s plus t h e s c ~ t t e r i ~ofg t o u r i s t s a d b w c h v i s i t o r s t h a t
~ o s of
t t h i s is conceztrated z t Pescadero ar.d Lorn3 N;!r, c a r l i t i e s with a
.
T.
-'&
may extend down~?ardt o near s e a level. ,'iltshough few r e m ~ m . t s of the o r i g i n a l
-
I
., L
Wood 1-ind
R i p -,rim.
species, The s u r r m n d i n g g r z ~ s 1 ~ 1 . d
oil~ l ~ n dt o o s t e e p for e f f i c i e n t crop
product i m a r e ded i c=:ted t o livestoclc gr :.z i:-kg. C ' . t t l e predoninate, but
u x p . ~ l s.ble
t :is for-?ge bec;,use of t h e i r o i l s , nzny .>nin!ls, especi-..ll y c e r t . i n
Coast21 Scrub
Coasts1 Str:lnd
astollishmei:t a t l u p i ~ ~ eth--t
s grow h e r e ii-ko cl l z r g e bushy shrub. Consideri.?g
t h e ntddy a,rgiA;sof the 1 goo-. -rd the creek cha.;nels within the nzrsh,
n e \*tee
&T is c s p e c j a l l y true duri2.l:t h e retur:~a i g r t i o i - mid-s-er xihe: the
but a fe17 songbirds z r e r e s idat here ,:.d nwerous laxd b i r d mi-=-ts follow
and sever21 rodent forms which in turn .ttrl.ct nunerous r - p t o r s tfi t prey on
then'.
Lrgocr.
are fr! large p?rt the residue of p r e c i p i t s t i o r , runoff from winter r.;i:ls
toler;ince levels:
Elarshla-td
through t h e cha ,riels of both creeks and nourishes nuneraus aquatic platzt
l o c a l l y breeding rr :terfcmli
F r ~ ~ : c i s cBdy,
o Pescadero Marsh cont i s d v l r i e t y of w i l d l i f e t h t r i v , l s
o t h e r r e s i d e n t nn i m p 1s,
proximity t o the oce.in: The presence of the oce?n beqch 2nd i t s trener,dous
c a p z c i t y t o prcrvide i ~ v e r t e b r ~ h.:bitt.t
~te t ~ d d s3 dimension of food ~v 1 i b i l i t y l i
a
th-zt ~ ~ o u lbed l a c k i n g in a m lrshland of s i m i l $ r d i u e n s i o : ~ , but located ir,
is o f t e n e s s e n t i q l f o r t h e p r e s e r v t i o n of t h e s u r v i v d l of L- species.
a s c e r t a i n n m b e r s and d i s t r i b ~ t of
i ~ such annus1 p.?tterns, s monthly
'ppendix G:
. ~ m p h ~ b i s n2 s d R e p t i l e s
l i t t l e pushups, a s o r t of c o o l i n g pushup e x e r c i s e t h a t r e p l a c e s p x t t i n p i n
F r l n c i s c o g a r t e r snake is of m . ~ j o ri n p o r t a c e i : ~
.ny conSiderction of r e p t i l e s
t h e highwcly bridge ( :
: reef used -s . m::jor tih:~uli-g'! spot l i e s a s h o r t
p o r t i o n of n a t u r e t s misquito c o n t r o l p r o g r m ,
l , ~ c ka p p r e c i < ;ion
t of t h e b z ~ v e r ' s goum&t i n c l i n a t i o n s . ~t such times, t h e
fe:.cerows.
P e l ~ g i cand C o q s t a l Birds
nuklets,
3n
Dunes a d c o a s t a l scrub, a l m g western border of the marsh
hleqai,0t NO.
Waterfowl
. r e s i?. Ca1ifor:i.
wetl-nds within t h e United S t < ; t e s . W e t l ~ - ~ d th t w c e
is at*cil<ble i n m i r t i m - i l q u ~ n t i t i e scmtinued
~ reduction of C j l i f o m i a w e t 1 2 d s
v i - b i l i t y of the w t e r f o w l p o p ~ l a t i o ~t h
s - t use t h i s m i g r - ~ t i o p.lUlw=y is
39
L ~ f r e q u e n t l y-7ad most geese occur ol-ily s c ~ s u winter
~ 1 visitors. The most
c-cv-sblcks 1i7d ring-necked ducks wfiich s r e Less frequent here ,,long the
out the year 2nd h,-tch t h e i r young from v7ell-cunce? led n e s t s hidden ?midst
f - t o f o r ~ g efrom t h e pmd or the ne-:rby creek channel, especi .lly wha the
puddle ducks; That36 species do _lot d i w f o r food, but f o r ?ge i-. shxllow
food itelns ~rithinre-.ch on the bottom. biz11 rds, gldwells, -1:d some of t h e
i n t o its a=. ,:bout the middle of ' u p s t the f i r s t pirrt ils a d shovelers
Rozd -nd behi!?d t h e Pest.-dero Creek levee t o feed j-:d f i l l t h e sky overhe ld
ne lr t h e Pesczdero Rosd e s p e c i s l l y r i t t r c t i v e .
p z r t of t h e m r s h s h o r t l y a f t e r - n o t h e r l a r g e -iggreg,tio? h - s s e t t l e d i n t o
Wading Birds
but only the ph 1l;)ropes ~ n docc sion 7lly t h e boldly p :tter!.ed s t i l t s -j:-d
GRASS -
Various a ~ n u a 1
and perenn Pa l
grassy spec iesb
CULTIVATED - Land u ~ d e r
cultivation,
i r r i g a t e d , pasture
fallow land and urbaq
are as.
- . -.
tcld be ch s - ~ d en
s route t o summer or w i 7 t e r qu-rrters, flmever, sme i : . d i v i d u ~ l s
migr-tim.'.
heror s and egrets: No l e s s th:n six lzrge 2nd irrrposizg species of this group
occur.' The e g r e t s :?ppepr iri s m < > l lnumbers 2s v i s i t o r s , while the night heron
borderi * g t h e North 3ln.rsh for dec ides,' Orr came;-ted o? t h e i r presezce (1942)
elthough he d i d sot .,ate then breeding!' ,: few yezrs -go, there was some fecr
evi ced t h e t colony wc!s l o s t when a w i ~ l t e rs t o m tore 211 the old nest:
p l ~ t f o m sfram the treetops, but during the spring of 1974 .~t:l e a s t ni-e
h.is ever been recorded here. Gre 9t blue h e r o s a r e more prone thril? o t h e r
of t h e l o c ~ h
l m t i - : g club 1 ~ d where
s sever '1 birds were shot .:ad k i l l e d .
ore the rclils. The Ilneric-m coot, the l a r g e s t species in the group appears
by t h e i r d i s t i n c t i v e c a l l notes.
L .1.;d Birds
Smg Birds
h ) b it d t spectrum present.
G ]me Birds
\
..
'
.
The l o c - 1 hunter i s -.ot h ~ i t h a r tup1 .nd g ne b i r d s Co hold h i s d t t e r i t i m .
,721 h b i t :ts (they are even c m o l 310.g the bushy levee-tops) , lttenpts
Birds of Prey
t u r k e y v u l t u r e is -. sc venger nd is e s p e c i - l l y cc3inmo7 d u r i - g t h e s p r i g
grassl-ads a3d open scrub searching for rodents: .:.~.~rnz:y is three p3ir.s
visitor)-; The hor ed mrls occur i:: c7lnost every habit-t; f r m the forest:
periods of daylight.
FI ri'7.e ,Pcso\k-ces
Oce-2: Fish
\.&en t h e eatrance t o ?Ae creek 73:s mch wider and deeper, a d t h e present
t o suppose th t cert ? i n
lagoo: wss =ore l i k e a t r u e c s t u :ry, it is r e ..so-~.!bPe
s p 377'
'.: d r a m s Fish
estim-tsd
-: 1500 f i s h --i1urllly i s t h e 1 r g e s t 7-d most inport n t 2 .dromous
f i s h e r y s t r e - m ix S - h ? i . ~ t e o
Corslty. Its : l e - r e s t r i v L - l is the S -la Lore zo
Closer t o the marsh, the stre-.nf low lessens, t h e r e is more s ~ n dmixed wiCh
Recrect io.~;.lUse
-*
dichotmous h a - n d i s t r i b u t i o l . The intensely Ceveloped e stern h:+lf of
atiest. The Tescldero S t - l t e Be;:ch enjoyed 433,315 recorded user days during
1972 i ~ r ~certair~ly
d mk: y of these visitors u t i l i z e d the n:irsh trail system f o r
One ca-1 observe from reviewing the above fi,nures t h a t over three-qu~rters
of a m i l l i o ? v i s i t o r s cq
:e t o play, l e r m and rel-.x f- the PescL?dero..Z;iutmo
watershed I;. o:~e years time: A11 i:-dic-itior?~ nre t h a t t h i s dema:.d cax only
pmser?t resources ;Ire mcy.?ged 3:-d protected s o a s t o preserve a-.d enh.?nce them:
The urb\:n origi;: of most of these v i s i t o r s is important t o lcecp i3 mi~ld,
of t h e envirorune~t1-
o r a i i m ~ resources,
l
-
N ature stude-ts, hikers, c xnpers, p i c - ickers zid photogr-phers a l l m?ke use
manner thr?tr e q u i r e s :o .:clxal rmw.;l of its pl? , t
s u r p l u s f o r co.~sumptim.
hiking, p i c ~ : i c k i : ~ g
a:?d sun-bsthing e c t i v i t y during t h i s period;
:.ll year.
sesso ,most l o c a l d e e r nre --ot;fou.;d 1:: LILY numbers i.1 the p-arks, but ,.re
. .. \ -
widely dispersed it? the c o o l e r wo&lncld :::.d c o z s t a l s c r u b 02 privzte I x d
- -3
( t .+. L,, .' . \ 6 -2\,
drsi-age systea i .
L.
have p o s i t i v e v;;lue f o r p u b l i c recreation;
Wuntf q
d r ~ i n - ~ e . The
' reported Leg.:l k i l l f o r t h e e n t i r e dr;.inage is q u i t e s n a l l
s h i f t i n a g r i c u l t t ~ r ~emphzsis
~l frcm f l z productio t o s p e c i a l i t y crops, a
coyotes u r e cilso hunted, but there are 110 figures .rrvafli?ble to gu,:ge the l e v e l
of use, Probzbly it: does not: exceed t h e amow.t of t i m e spe;lt &?ti g deer.
duck c l u b remains iri operation end its hunter use is restricted.' There sre
a wr -
'4
-
i
Loc.31 i ~ t e r e s ti7 Uplc. d g m e shooti g is . ot highly developed;
locally: On t h e oeher hmdg both deer pad upland g~mehunting have a good
potent is1 f o r s ignif ic&-:t enhzncement under proper mrinagene-it and educat i m
2:3d rzys. The rocky promr:tcries p r w f d e 2 ch-:rice for c :be20 , lingcod znd
m cri le d e l i c z c i e s :
,!nadrmous F i s h
c m p e t e for t h e ~ t t e n t of
i ~ s m e of the nost e x c i t i n g g m e f i s h i n .:meric.:n
Nature Study
w i t h plants md ,mimals.
mental e f f e c t QI w i l d l i f e a d ~ e g e t ~ t l oMuch
~ i of the most i n t e r e s t i n g
inport~~n
wti l d l i f e ?re-: betwee3 S :- F r : ~ i ~ c i s c :><id
o >loss L m d i n g in 3Io:terey
Scic-tific c: d E d u c . - t i ~ . Use
~l
d r y afiexd here during the school year thzt 3 o t h i . g could be further f r o a tke
truth':'
c a l l y a l t e r e d by itmzn use:'
const-1 S.;nta Cruz County t o the south. The University of C-1iforr.i; clmpuses
l o c a t i o n a t t h e f o o t of a watershed t h z t p r w i d e t h e requirements f o r t h e
a ~retland;
Q \ t ~ t & & p-- - - &&-&
dence indicate; t h a t ground water derived f rm t h e percolation
y( , p , . < - ( , .-.-
--
of ~ .runoff
aand l a t e r s u r f a c i n g f a r t h e r along t h e Pescadero-Butano
7 1 00C: i - . ~
&-..--A
p o r t i o : ~of
~ tile r x r s h e x I ~ e s c - d c r obc-;n.- t o silt in, Ithour-h t h e p-ce of
t l - r i s s e c l i ~ c . ~ t y t i obcr
.~ -I t o slcx~c:bcxt t h e tur.1 of t h c cc-,ttrzg xith the
cesscrtim of h e w y IWberin,a z c t i v i t y , 2 new attempt by nm t o c h ~ n g et h e
h i ~ hs ~ c s ~ etides
r r:ortld ofteri overt02 t h e s s ? d h < ~5rl o c l : i n ~t h e nouth of t h e
some success was achieved a t North liarsh and f o r a time t h e l a i d wzs dry
Cmp-ding t h e s e c o n d t i t i a ? ~a r e t w o z d d i t i o n a l f a c t o r s : t h e e x i s t w c e
-
Department of Fish and Game photo by Bruce E l l i o t t , . l p r i l 1974
( ~ o t et o E d i t o r n e g a t i v e f o r S c i a r o n i photo is borrowed < m d should be
w e l l cared f o r and r e t u r n e d t o E l l i o t t )
boulders m d p i l i n g s driven i n t o t h e sand. Upon completion of t h e bridge,
t h i s t i m e (pers, c m , ) , This a l s o a p p l i e s t o i n d i c a t i o n s of s e r i o u s
p o l l u t i o n o r c o n t a n i n a t i o n from a g r i c u l t u r a l p e s t i c i d e s o r h e r b i c i d e s .
T h i s is of m c h i m p o r t a c e t o t h e b i o l o g i s t f o r t h e e f f e c t s of cay of t h e
m i n e r a l c o n t e n t or hzrdness is s a t i s f a c t o r y f a r a g r i c u l t u r z l use a l t h m g h
U
)\! b i o l o g i c a l q u a l t i y for the marsh, t h e n i n e r a l c o x t e n t is x c e p t a b l e .
However, t h e r e a r e i n d i c a t i o n s , p a s t and p r e s e n t , t h a t thir.gs c w l d
q u m t it i e s of p r e c i o u s wzter.
%.-I;-
~P$pi~~ultural
'9 .
'
i
,
,eclmation &
(,*,
The p o t e n t i a l of f u r t h e r l o s s of v a l u ~ b l ew i l d l i f e l a n d in c n a g r i c u l -
w
t u r a l a r e a is e1wc.y~ ir-itiroately l i n k e d t o t h e r e c l ~ m a t i o np o t e n t i a l oE
o t h e r c r o p s s u c h a s f i e l d f l o v e r s wzs p o s s i b l e i f nppropr i a t e i r r i g a t i o n
d u e t o d r a i n ? g e and t h e r e a r e r e s t r i c t i o n s on t h e use of m e c h m i c a l
p o r x r y p r o b l e c s related t o uxeven n a t u r z l m t e r d i s t r i b u t i w . , , s i l t ? . C i m
is t o be retained.
\ ,*8,'
CI
h - b i t t.
i ' e s t r u c t i o - . of ~ : i l S l i % e .?,d
i: C a L i f oEiz.
DISCUSS IQ; :'Q:D OVERVIj3.J
t o i t s i n i t i a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o p r e s e n t a preliminary assessment of t h e
-
T,!e h;lve a t t e n p t e d t o enumerate t h e w i l d l i f e and i t s h , ~ b i t ; t , r e a l i z i ~ gf u l l
w e l l t h ~ much
t remains t o be l e a n e d about 6 e t ; : i l s of numbers and d i s t r i b u -
t i o n of p l a n t s 2r.d z~?;lirn<lls
throughout t h e d i f f e r e n t pox%ian,s of t h e Pescadero-
c r i t i c a l elenenes of a l l - - ? ~ a t e r m d l o c a l l a d use,
become an i n p o r t a - t r e c r e ~ t i e ~ zeal
al of a s i g : ? i f i c ~ : n tsemeyt of t h e public,
be ignored.
310 pp.
3 o u b l e - c r e s t e d Cornorant --,
ih?lacrocora:; a u r i t u s
-
-4 /
Great Blue Heror? :rdez h e r o d i a s -T':- 6 :?re
"- Q l o r buccinator -- 15 /
/'- -, "-
Canada Goose
Black Brant
..
Sihite-fronted Goose .'insor a l b i c r o n s -.I
-5/
.
2no~: Goose
c- Chcn hyyerborez 2.
'
-5/
'-c?&rell nas s t r e a c r n
?i n t a i l 3,:s cc~tz
C i n n ~ n o nT e a l :nas c y a n o ~ t c r ? .
i:ood Duc!c ix S D O ~ ~ S ~
-,ins-necked mc!:
9
.:vtrhyz c0113ris
L e s s e r Sczup ,ythya s f f i n i s
3uf f l e h e a d 3uce.silais a l b e o l e
-5 /
31.icIc Y c o t e r !'clani'sta zizra L . -5 /
2uddy Duck ia
',%-yura .j .-;?ceEs is
326-brested 2 - e r ~ z n s e r
.,
. , c r , ~ sscrr~tor
c.
Tcr!:cy Vulture , 't1137t" 3 x 3
cc i7 i t e r s t r i ? t u s - -;/
c c i ~ i t e rcoopei*ii - A -3 /
i ' c i e n t i f i c I:SLICS
Iled-shou l c c r c d : f a ~ ~ l ; Gutco l i n e z t u s
~ C a l i f o r n i nq u a i l Lophortyl~c a l i f o n i c u s
V i r s i n i a 12il ? a l l u s 1irnicola
Co~mor:G a l l i n u l e Gallinule c h l o r o ~ u s
Ruddy T u r n s t m e
1';
?'
Long-billed Curlei7 P;uzeni u s a n e r i crnus LI
S p o t t e d 'andpiper
'.-!illet
Greater Yellovle=;s
Lesser Yello~.:Lcgs
P e c t o r a l S clndp i p e r
Curle1.r S a n d p i p e r Cll i d r i s E e r n ~ y i n e a I L
-5 /
Red-backed Sandpiper (Cunl i n ) Cal i d r i s a l p in.:
Xed F h a l a r o ~ e Phalaxqms f u l i c a r i u s
Pf i l s o a s P h a l a r o ~ e Stezano?us t r i c o l o r
NorCherr, P h s l a r o p e Lobipes l o b e t u s
Glaucous-winged G u l l L a m s zlaucescens
Western. G u l l Sirus o c c i d e n t a l i s
Black-Legged K i t t i w k e Z i s s s tridactyla
h r s t c r ? s Tern Stem'a f o r s t e r i
;am O r ~ l T s o zlba
:!Izitc-thrmted Zr:ift
&':nnat s IIumingbird
.
. l l e n t s i-!u~min,-bird S e l n s ~ h o m ss a s i n I.*:..,- --
Belted I< in$ i s h e r l.e,.:aceryle a lcyon 7:' --
C o!mon F 1i c k e r C o l a ~ t e sa u r n t u s -.
T;? ..-
corn Iloodpeckcr 1 - e l m e r p e s fom.icivorus -2;': --
Y a l l m - b e l l i e d Sapsucker S ~h!,crapictis vsr i u s >
AA
-
-3 /
Hairy :loodpecker .Denclrocopos v.il l osus 7 3.
'..i .LL
ri'illor? F l y c a t c h e r Znpidmax t r a i l l i i ( --
ilestern F l y c a t c h e r Erzpidmax d i f f i c i l i s - -;..-
%
...a. ..C
Olive-sided F l y c a t c h e r 1 : u t t a l l o m ~ i sborealds 1;
:* --
Horned Lark
-.
Violet-green S~.?allm.7 Tachycineta t h a l a s s i n a --
i
..-
Om
3am Sr.ralloir
C l i f f S ~ n lf m ~
? u r p l e i k r t in
S t e l l c r f s Jay Cyenocitta s t e l l e r i -4 /
S c i e n t i f i c ::zzes
Chestnut-bac!;cd Chiclcaden
P y g q nuthatch S i t t a ':~y~-ea~'
? ? r e n tit
? i n t e r Yren T r o ~ l o d y t e stroglodytes
.'.nerican Robin
Cathzrus u s t u l a t a
.'nthus s p i n o l e t t a
Y c l l o ~ ri l a r b l e r 3cndroica ~ e t e c h i a
alack-t11roated Groy ; i a r b l e r
T1
DeiiLdroic2 n i ~ e s c c n s
ortl-zlern v?.i o l e
I, I c t e m s zalbula - r..
.....,
-A
,*
Turple Finch Camodacus numureus ;'i
7,J -
I-iouse Finch Carnolacus z e ~ i c a n u s LL"
I:
Tine Si s k i n Ssirtus yinus *1
- n e r i c a n Goldfinch S ~ i n u st r i s t i s r
1
--.-
--
Goldelr-crmmcd S p n r r o ~ ~ Z o n o t ~ i c h i aa t r i c c p i l l a
2m-z Sparrmr
rs ;.elosaiza n e l d i a
Family a i d e l p h i idae
Ornate Shrew
Faslily T a l p idae
Scspmus l a t imnus
Family V e s p e r t i l i m i d a e
L i t t l e Brmm kt
Long-eared Eyot is
Fringed ::yet is
C a l i f o r n i a ?dyotis I i y o t i s calif o r n i c u s
I?estcrn P i p i s t r e l
i:ccr>7 kt
!Jestern Big-eared Eat
iIe:~.icanF r e c t a i l C a t ,Tzdr?ride b r a s i l i e n s i s
:Jestern i ; a s t i f f &it z u c o ~ s~ e r oi ts
C?34R C :P2?ffJQX:
T a n i l y Procym idae
Panily Bassbriscidae
Fanily f : u s t e l idae
Coyote
Grzy Fos
Family F e l idae
bIaunta i n E ion
Bobcat
5R1>9;1 RODZI?TI 1
Faclily S c i u r i d a e
-.Jestem G r ~ yS q u i r r e l S c i u n s ,qiseus
F a n i ly Georiy i d a e
Farzi ly I i e t e r m y i d a e
F'cnily C z s t o r i d a e
3eevcr
T m i l y Cricetidee
j:cstem- l i c r ~ e s tlJous@
C ; . l i f o r n i ~ I-ouse P e r q s c u s californicus
Smsh Xouse
C a l i f 0~rni-z Vole f , i c r o t is c a l i f o r n i c u s
l:usicrat ( i n t r o d u c e d a ~ d
e::pcqated) Cndet r2 z i b e t h i c.zi
Fanily ihridae
P : o n ~ y2s.t
House 1:ouse
OPJSB L'.CG:O?2Rt
F a n i l y Leporieae
3lacL%ail J a c k r z b b i t
Brush Rabbit
5?3iiXR ?,ET103L'CTf'L's
F a n i l y Ccr-vidae
'.'~?r!ily ,xbystoriidr?c
T i ~ e :r.cl z n a n d e r
7 c l i ly 2l ~ ~ ~idze
x d r
2 o u & - s k i ~ x x ? I'cih
Czliforniz ; e:A
F a x i l y Plct!~&ont i d a e
Y e l l a ~ ~ e y eSaZcmnder
d Zns,:t in2 c s c h s c h o l t z i
C e l i f o r n i a S l e d e r Salsl;lz:der 3atrzchoszos a t t e n u ~ t u s
~ b o r e a lS o l a m r - d e r a e i d e s lta,wbris
Black S a l a ~ ~ ? a d c r .s.e i d e s f l a v i p r t n c t t t u s
FaniLy 2ufonidee
Family Ryl i d z e
P a c i f i c Treefrog Hyla r e z i l l n
F a n i l y Eanidse
E e d - l e ~ g e d Yro: Rena e u r o r a
3 u l l f roz Rana c z t e s b e i a n a
F a n i l y Testud inidae
X e s t e m Yozd T u r t l e
E ~ 3 ~ i 9 I9q, 2 n idae
;Testern Fence L i z a r d
S idc-blotched Lizcird
Coast !?orncd L i z e r d
7 a : ~ i l y!: c i n c i d s e
'Tcstem.-kink
G o m m :l;i.ncs
72nily T c i i d ~ e
.-fester;? :;hipta i l
;'nr:ily nyyidcle
S o u t h c i ~-~1 1 i s t o r L i z a r d
?.-.:lily .'n?iellic?.?e
C a l i f in L e ~ l c s sL i z a ~ d
F,?r?ily Eoidze
Cubber 30;1
F ~ n i l yColuSridnc
2 i n s c c l ; Sna!:e
:harp-tailed Zna!ie
S t r i p e d ?.acer
C~echi~l~i~
PLacer
Gopher Enalrc
C m o n Garter Snzlce
Y 2 i . i ly V f p e r i d a e
:restem 2 a t t l c s n ~ l : e
Northern i'inchavy
S t r i p e d Bass E i n r m e saxat;l,lis 0
S t a r r y Flounder PlntichthYs s t e l l c t u s 0
.",rra? Goby
BS2y Goby
Jccksaelt
P l a i n f i n midshipman
P i l e Perch
Shizer Perch
B .ttRay Myliobat is c s l i f o r I i c s Pr
Rockf ish
Speckled S anddab
S t r i p e d Se-)perch Embiotic2 1 a t e r : : l i s Po
ISnite senperch
Shad
.!mericc?, Shld
Topsmelt ,:therinopsis ~ f i fn i s PO
Red Crab
Kelp Crab
shr*
Ghost; Shrimp
Bay S h r i q
'~nphipods
5.11.!nus nubil is
B :l:~.;ust i r ~ t i n ~ ~ - ~ b u l u n
Isopods
Boring Isnpod
V o l s e l l a czpax
Vorsella diegeqsis
S hipwonn Bankia s e t a c e a
P u r p l e Olive Olivellz b i p f i c a t a
Shell
?~locm Pol in ices f e w 3 s i i . z
Blcck Turb2::
Toredo
-i.1~ l i s t ?rescr,tcd b e l a ? reprc~cil"i s1.l~2 7 o r t i o z of t ! ~ e?1-.nt s;,ecies
.'7 r:1 1.
-- ?
<
.. r7
A C - I I o r s c t z i l 'aeily
Cornm~I < o r s c t a i l ,auiset.dr.; s-i?r@-se
7
T
iL
-.
:-;e o t e x - :Scourin2 :?~sh Z q u i s e t ~l?yczzle
~~ vcr, aff ine ?.
..,..,,?.~~.?.,,v7.>F
-.. .lLi ,
"
:
-
,
A :,.: - 2 e?pemort Fxiily
Clover 1?cm
..- ~ T iSle3
*
-,iestsi t e ::c
Vestern S s r o r l ? e m F o l y s t ichu,? c e l i f o r . i c =
m
Zr:lifor;:.Lil- :.ut~:e: Lorrcya c.21 if o z . i c 2
:: c i ent i f i c ;!ar!cs
3ra?deleaved .rrm.~hesd S a - i t t a r i c l a t if 01 ia
P z n p s Grass Cort?c?eri3 s e l l m n a
l a ~ e r c d .T;ro:le G r x s
!:r.;:.i-ra~-f 3roms v ~ 1 g c z - i ~
-.*.\.2'-m
---
- 7 % -
l n L - .cs :: c l c r ~itf i c ;::-=cs 1:b i t z t
z*ri~:!ry
:Ieador: C z r l e y -
II ord
-. - cun S r a chvc:rtfic-;1.irrr n
A,
xer!caa Dune G r x s X ~ ~ T . ; U Si . 1 0 l l . i ~ C
at S r n s s
3eard G r x s Poly~o,?ai.i?Lter-tc12fxs
;Icoch<-.ris r-zcrostc?chva
S c i r ~ u sr o b u s t u s
B a l t i c 3usk Junclls b 3 l t i c u s
?:fLk;TI.I,CZ.3 - 3unch F l m e r F z n i l y
?recor.tVs S t - r L i l y Zv-aderaus f r ~ ~ m - tvar.
i i zii:?oi-
LILI'CS,2 - L i l y FeniLy
Celifomla T i ~ e L
r ily % i l itti ~ a r d laintm
Clue 3ic::s
Goldex 3 r o d i ~ c . ;
S i s : , ~ i l c h i c 2c ? l i f o ~ . i c u 7
! f ~ b e ~ ~uitz
. r ilascens
.~ is vnr. e f , ? k
S p o t t e d C o r a l Boot
~ t wde e d Orchid
C
,LIC'_Cz.'Iz L. :Ji110?7 Fzixily
Black Cottm:rood
CG'J;:on
- ;:?i:es
n r n - , r ~
., n - -- :?EZC 1 1:~
?~i.li
-
7
cI 2 . czi: i7-xiL;r
Tz:. 3; T!; C c k
I n t c r i o r Live Ock
9 - l i f o n i : l i v e Cak
U 1 T I C .L" 2 -I c C X e F-?nily
' ~ ~ : : T ~ L ~ c !21
II -- 3irch:oPt F z n l l y
Doc<: ?-~m.cscrzssus
Golden 30ck 7
-,LL?C:: f u c r ixus
:,;lter2r:;;:ti;ced polyr;a~~w
~ c. t , ~ . r t s
- 7
!A? '
c!y s T h u ~ b 2oly.;mun ~ c r i sc n r i a
Co: ~~onr-;:::-cs - cicntiZic 2::~s
I!en
lTL?t: t i ~ l ca?tuln
: 7 ~ kst~t:
~ . S
S p incch I-
; ) i r L ~ c i -O?~ C T ? C C T ~ - -+
C ~ . l i f o ~ - i:nndvort:
;l rennriz c~~lifornicz-
!.!iaGzi 11 P irk ., i l e n c
a- rf,?ll i cc
N;'>IIZ';CZ ;, - \lc:ter 5i l y F a a i l y
Indian.. -6 Lily
-,.p?h.zic2
-
~;olysc~c?l.z
? , - zuttercup F:~qily
:Yest cim 3cnebcr1-y ;' c t z e a cr.-t?.
C a - s t :,?ricspr Del-hiniuc w t e z s
T?estem. L a r k s l u r D e l o h i n i ~ ~hr rm e r i m
Berberis nervosa
Gerber is p i m , a t a
:,? -.tcrCress
.i.,xtrurt
. iuq off f c i r , . l e -
A':
<
Lesser :inecress C o r o ~ o ~ uc sl i d ~ r n s A A
-,;?-ys
- i d e ?c?per Srass 3 c ~ i d i strictx~
r ~ .
- A
,
2:S
' CY JT
;, C ,.", ,
, ;7
- 2tw.e C r o p Xanily
C O Z s t SOV?'."
- . 1- : -\ 1
Zoykinis efetz.
.: lu~200t i-Ieuchern n i c r a n t l ~ a
;,i&csty '.Z~inslee~ l o c i e s t a
b..rv'>
7.
A1 cz ,z .. :7.0Sc 17-'--.
<..2,:1 l y
;-cc?clt T tr:::bcrry
-, ?r:.yc--i.: chiloens is
i:cic?.flifi c ::.zzes ::.ri:;-.ry :I:-bit.?t
~ ~ o r ! : cc~, ?
i ~i~o~:~~c,~ <-.
V
--
J.
.-
i-,otcnti 11:; cc:cd i i v c . -r?_.tbis
2'
--
::olm!isc~s C';~SPO~OT C
dcz?cstorl?, fescicul.r~t1-111 -r
,:
: ~e c t . > b i l -y;?-rfl-.-.--nc
2 ~ 1 3 ~s ~ , i s c n ~ t s9
T-ubirs l e u c d c m i s n
A
~ s f nus
- 2 ~ 5 u.rs
2osc c . ? l i f ~ r i - ~ i c e C
,. ;..-,
F.S'r... - Pec Z'sr?ily
L G$nus
~ t-cri i c o l o r Sr
invs ch:r:issoris C
3-ttr,tts ~ ~ . c ~ c s s L ? L ~ - J . u s -
--, '
1
A
.
.-
: ot-:!s ~ o : ~ : o s a' -i-x-i s --
120t:y..; st iqul;.rls -.
-,
?oY.T.OTi ::~Y.cf, :.:cic:t i"c :-.-.:,::~s :y-3
> - , - ~ ~ p i2,:-
~ ~ ~ ~
--
;0012y 2-cf o i l :',oe.!s c T i o ~ ~ x o = ? l ~ C
2e:.t:.-r~.r.:~sIrc?oil :.O~L:S l
bc::tfi~~::i 7 r
- .
. .crr;il :,oca:cc2 ' z tr;:-:c iirs ?:rc~osisclch;n.~s --
:.'c;l I%-ZXC~SCO
~'.?~~Ic;:ccc! s t y , z r ; ; f c s :-Lutt,zll5 5 v?:r, vfr,y?h:s P
CI
T'ctcl1 ,-.
-.V ~ C ? : : 523. :7
.d\perl ye::
2s il-:~ :2::tilyi-us 1st ifox :us _- A:
:; i 1 ! ~~ ; C _ Z C ? ICE:
I :F:.-.tI?y:-L~s 1% tt or2 1 is ,-
8d
30i-;
.;.dcrts
- Tea I.z.th:m?s vest ifxs s ? ~ . bolander i L
?l.
G~,=pe-lcaf? c l : : r ~ ; ~ . f m i ~ . l 01i:~.
7 ~ l r ? - r ? m ivifiif C
Cut-lc~vcc!Gcrznim Gersrii~x: 6 s s c c a r , .
P, r
.?
?.-.-.,L&
,,.,
,. ."- v ,. n.-
;.
7.
- 2ur;ling :>US!I F::,?;-:iPy
1:csten _ J u n i n 2:sh
~ ,Llm?.mc occ i d e n t ? i is
<?-.->.p.,
.~ . > L L. " . A
-
.> " A . L . ? ~ ?*?~:~ily
c
Yerba -7,erra
-rar-kwiz
i. ti3 0 1 ia
Viola ocellzta
V i o l ? se&$rvirems
??.cif i c ;:~^-rsh
i?ursl~nd Luci~:iyia ~ ~ l u s t r Vi CsZ T . ~ a c i c i c ~ l 1
A
Z l l : Clover
CO-211. CZ .Z - Do.~;s:ood
Faxily
Pacific Z t a r f Bmqer
",i-;:3.,G'T
A
( O T -
ii<;LU -L,
' -- - lTnrit ? ' ? ~ i l y
Sea. 2 in!:
Sea :,2vaniler
Oresm .sh
Co:-.voZvulus sol6znella
Crn\rol\rulus occilent2lls
Crcss,? tnc:i?_lcl?s
ls
Baby Slcc-eues
3 r a ~ c h i n y2hzccl f c
c
.t i n ~ i n gThaccl i?
C c l i f oit1i.r: ::atnt<:in 321n
-loot! lozgat-:le-not
i7usty T q c o m ~F L a ~ e r Tlz,qiob~Y-;_'~cvs
zothofulvus
Golden Lippia
, ~ : c n m h c ~ , ~c rc i?cl l f o m i c r 2 2~
-.i? lzcus <?~ra-it
i:as i.; g
iIi;XIllts 711ttr3b~s ,:
i,
f c d i c u l . ~ . r i sd u d l c y i -
7
. ~ o r d ~ i l , : . n t ~ ~ sit ~ L - S
; 7 2 r ,.
.>
CYchoc.?r>t!s c - s tf l l c joides C
C:ei~~,?;-~~~ f ~ - ~ c i b i ? - r b ~. JtZu~s, z l b i d u s C
C c s t i l l e f a l a t i f o l i a vrrr. ~.:i,<qtii SF
P z c i f ic S e,:s i d e P l e n t a i2
l : c . < i c a Lsilta in
r2uzI Co.r..st F l a n t z g o
--.--,
L :, : L . b ~ r ~
--
:IS rr?;
. .-
:~m~cysUc!:lc
-
7 , . T - , 7 , . , - . . - - ~ ~ ~ 7
, . . ; A ~ , _ . ~ - Vnleri.zn PaciZy
Fink PLcctritus
,-^p,V-
L.,
m r r r
1L - 5 w ~ fol ~ e ?r c z i l y
C s ~ s it : i c r o s c r i s
-.
- lcroseris b i , y c l w i i C
1:icrcci~tr.~ ~ 1 b103:
if
Sacchzris n i l u t e r i s v2r. c w - s c ~ ~ ~ t S
n ce e
Grindcl ic h t ~ i i Z
is S
Grindeli2 l z t i f o 2 i l Sr, C
I i a ~ L o ~ : r ? ~ cr
usi c o i d e s C
t 01i d ~ . ; occ
~ ide,cit~lis 1;
S o l ids70 sozd3-ml2ta C
3ou~las ster S ~ C Ts u b s ~ i c 2 t U s
denoc2uf on bicolor
n77h2 l is rzr;-r i t z c c c
%;.~h - l irm ~ ~ u r - , u r c u ~ . ~
.?;j:?h? 1 i a r ci-ri1cnsc
athexis c o P ~ l - .<
1.
S oLvi'- sess i l is 51
I;cech S r;cr:ort:
: ! e s t e : ~C o i t s f o o t
Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, is a confirmed locality for the freshwater shrimp4
Streamflow in lower Lagunitas Creek is now subject to near complete regulation
and appropriation for municipal water supply by Marin Municipal Water District
and North Marin County Water District.
The water districts operate five impoundments and one direct diversion facility
in the Lagunitas Creek drainage. The runoff pattern is drastically altered.
Magnitude and duration of high, winter flows are greatly reduced. Since the
shrimp apparently breed during the period of winter flow, this streamflow regu-
lation by the districts must have a detrimental impact on the shrimp population.
Summer flow often becomes intermittent. To clarify a statement in Dr. Hedgpeth'~
- -
1975 report on this species, there is no minimum flow requirement on Lagunitas
-- ---
Creek for maintenance of fish and wildlife resources.
Recently, NMCWD applied for water rights to increase the Point Reyes Station
direct diversion from 186AF to 505AF/year, with a maximum diversion rate of
1.66 CFS. This proposed increase has the potential of completely dewatering the
stream during low-flow periods. Because of saltwater intrusion at the existing
point of diversion, the District may relocate the facility upstream toward the
Nicasio Creek confluence. This reach of Lagunitas Creek apparently supports the
most significant shrimp population in the drainage.
I believe water regulation and diversion, combined with the impacts of severe
drought, may depress the shrimp population below the level necessary to maintain
a viable resource.
Steve Nicola April 28, 1977
I hope these comments are informative and useful i n the preparation of your
report. If I can be of further assistance, please telephone. I would
appreciate receiving a copy of your f i n a l report.
ORIG. SIGNED BY
K, & ANDERSON
Keith R. Anderson
Associate Fishery Biologist
Region 3
Subject: Pescadero Marsh Nater Ccuality Monitoring Program, San b'lateo County
Following a r e s t a t i o n descriptions:
S t a t i o n B i s l o c a t e d immediately a c r o s s t h e d i k e f r o n S t 2 t i o n i n t h e northern
p o r t i o n of t h e l-{arsh. This s t a t i o n ~ 2 ap2arzntly
s n d i t c h which borders t h e
edges of t h e Marsh.
-
S t a t i o n C i s l o c a t e d a t t h e moilth of Pesc:idero Sreek, bsneath t h e Highway 1
bridge. Data from t h i s s t a t i o n would r e f l e c t t h e conbined water flow and
q u a l i t y of Pescadero and Butano Creeks tind I'larsh drainage.
PARAMETE2
Dissolved oxygen ( D O )
IgXTHOD
dinkler t i t r ~ t i o n
.
Temperature ( % ) YSI Model 33 SCT Meter
PH C hemtrix Type 40 Pleter
Conductivity (EC) YSI F!odel 33 SCT Meter
S a l i n i t y ($s) YSI ILIodel 33 SCT I~ieter
Nitrite ( ~ 0 ~ 4 ) ilzo Dye 14iethod (APICI 1980)
Nitrate -N) Brucine I'iethod ( ~ I P W L1980)
Ammonia ( N H ) ~ ~ j p e c i f i c Ion Probe
T o t a l Phosphorus ( P) Acid Hydrolysis ( AI'HA 1980)
H2
SOIL
H2
SOIL
H2
SOIL
SOIL
SOIL
Mr. Jack Hiehle August 26, 1982
Historian Perspective
When Native Americans were the only people present i n the area, Pescadero and
Butano Creeks probably flowed year-long, w i t h much larger flows in the dry
portion of the year than e x i s t s today. The lowlands a t the confluence of
these two streams would be much wetter due t o old stream channels and low
spots t h a t would pond water when the streams would overflow t h e i r banks i n the
wet times of the year. Some of these low areas m i g h t have retained water f o r
most of the year. There were no levees t o hold streams w i t h i n defined
channels and no ditches to drain water away from places where i t would c o l l e c t .
Under the above-ment ioned conditions , the wet land areas would have been much
more extensive than they are today and generally wetter f o r longer periods of
time.
When European man s e t t l e d in the area, changes began to occur.
- .
Probably, the f i r s t changes made were t o farm the r i c h e s t bottom land. Water
f o r i r r i g a t i n g t h e crops would have been diverted from the creeks which would
have reduced t h e amount that would reach the marsh. In places, attempts were
made t o keep both Pescadero and Butano Creeks w i t h i n certain channels so
additional land could be farmed. ,,The higher land, less susceptible to
flooding, was converted to agricultural uses f i r s t , and t h i s was fo1.lowed by
reclamat ion of t h e wetter lands.
I t i s not known when the farmers f i r s t breached the sandbar a t the mouth of
Pescadero Creek t o keep the water in the marsh from backing up and inundating
the farmlands. This may have f i r s t occurred before the Soil Conservation
Service a s s i s t e d the landowners i n a program of building levees in the marsh
area to control water, o r i t may have occurred a f t e r these levees were
constructed. The levee system was most favorable t o those ranchers i n the
lower wetter areas and, by constructing them, both Butano and Pescadero Creeks
could be held t o defined channels in a l l b u t exceptional high-flood years.
The levee system also kept s a l t or brackish water from g e t t i n g into certain
fields. This allowed some of the wetlands t o be farmed, which would have been
otherwise too wet or saline.
Water control devices were installed in the levee system to a c t as drains and
t o prevent s a l t o r brackish water from backing up and inundating areas subject
t o farming. We know for certain that when the levee system was installed, t h e
farmers had t o breach the sandbar when the waters of the marsh backed up t o a
certain height, f o r i t would go over the t o p of the control devices and
inundate the rec 1aimed f arm1 and.
Some of the control devices in the levees are no longer functional, and some
were physically removed j u s t prior t o the State getting control of the
property. This removal occurred on the Muzzi acquisition, and there are now
openings i n a l l the levees bounding t h i s acquisition. This allows f r e e water
exchange r e s t r i c t e d only by the s i z e of the openings and a change of water
levels depending on how high the water i s i n the main marsh area; whether a
sandbar i s present a t the mouth backing up water; or whether i t i s draining
f r e e l y and j u s t subject t o t i d a l action.
A sumner season dam was used on Pescadero Creek near Round Hill t o separate
the freshwater of the creek from the brackish water of the marsh t h a t would
backup when a sandbar blocked the mouth of Pescadero Creek. This a1 lowed
freshwater t o be used f o r agricultural purposes a t a lower location on the
creek than would be possible if the dam was not there. I t i s also believed
t h a t the dam raised the level of the water h i g h enough t o i r r i g a t e lands in
the north marsh area by gravity instead of by pumping. The dam was reportedly
constructed i n such a manner t h a t flood waters would release the dam i f i t had
not been dismantled. This dam has not been used for over ten years and i t s
foundation i s partly s i l t e d in.
There are a number of other factors t h a t affected the amount of wetlands a t
~ e s c a d e r oMarsh .
Another factor t h a t has cut down the amount of wet lands i n the marsh area i s
simply the appropriation of water for agricultural purposes t h a t has taken
place upstream. Pescadero Creek nearly goes dry i n some years, and summer
dams are constructed t o pond up enough water f o r j r r i g a t i o n .
All of the a c t i v i t i e s t h a t have taken place a t Pescadero haie had the tendency
t o dry the marsh up and keep water, both fresh and brackish, away from
rec 1 aimed 1and.
Proposed Pl an
10. The natural preserve will be enlarged t o include a l l the new natural
lands t h a t were acquired since the General Plan was formulated.
11. Mosquito breeding areas will be held to a minimum through good
drainage.
North Pond
2. Pump or drain water out and develop one or more s6a1 low gradient
islands in main water area, b u t leave most of the pond in open water.
3. Clean out and deepen ditch next t o the road t o improve conditions
for fisheries.
North Marsh
b&e
2. Gi-;-', potholes in marsh that are located in areas easily viewable
from the levee trail going along the south side of the marsh.
7. Clean and deepen the ditch along the perifery of the west and south
side of the marsh. The spoils could be used to establish a trail
bed along the western side of the marsh. (Highway 1 side) from
North Pond to the south levee.
Delta Marsh
East D e l t a Marsh
t o 3 f e e t h i g h e r than t h e t o p o f t h e levee s e p a r a t i n g t h i s f i e l d
from D e l t a Marsh.
2. E s t a b l i s h a d i t c h on t h e e a s t s i d e o f t h e levee w i t h f l a p gates on
f r o m b a c k i n g up.
Marsh .
h a b i t a t f o r b o t h p l a n t s and animals.
o b t a i n e d by new p o r t i o n s o f t h e d i t c h .
-11-
North Muzzi
5. Develop a small pond where the overflow from the proposed pond on
t h e west side of the road drains water t o t h e marsh.
o f c a t t a i l s and t u l e s .
East Muzzi
2. E s t a b l i s h a low maintenance v a n d a l - r e s i s t a n t w a t e r c o n t r o l d e v i c e a t
Creek.
3. E s t a b l i s h a low maintenance v a n d a l - r e s i s t a n t water c o n t r o l device a t .
4. Reshape t h e f i e l d so no s i g n o f p l o w i n g i s s t i l l v i s i b l e .
between t h e i s l a n d and an o f f - r o a d p a r k i n g l o t t h a t i s p r e s e n t l y
a v a i l a b l e a l o n g Pescadero Road.
d r i v i n g on t h e beach b u t would f a c i l i t a t e t h e u n l o a d i n g o f
mouth.
appears t h a t t h i s m a t e r i a l i s adding s i g n i f i c a n t l y t o t h e f o r m a t i o n
Coastal Terrace ( P a r d i n n i P r o p e r t y )
on N o r t h Muzzi.
o f maintenance equipment o n l y .
5'. At this time, it is not recommended that the water system coming
from Lake Lucern be repaired, for this water is not needed to
re-establish the native flora.
3. Allow the land between Round Hi1 1 and the upland to revert to native
vegetation.
4. Modify reservoirs to make them more natural looking and add some
vegetation to make it more attractive to wildlife and, specifically,
the red-legged frogs and the San Francisco garter snake. An island
on the reservoir might be a possibility. A few willows and alders
may make it more attractive to birds.
a 5. Plan on pumping water from Pescadero Creek into the reservoirs i f
they do not f i l l up naturally. This will require a power supply t o
t h i s location.
Pescadero Beach
Pescadero Marsh
ccn Ed=& Y. B m
Cctn.rt;l.dk Coast Rep$.mil Co-sfm
701 O G t j a ~S%at Boom 3W
S 8 n b CEL~&Z;)
CA 95060
PESCA1)mQ MARSH CENTRAL DlSTfilCT COPY
Natural Resource P l m i . n g and P4anagement I ssues
-
lnt r o d u c t i a
blarsh and t h e s ~ w r o u n ~
upland
g t r a n s i t i o n zone c o n s t i t u t e arr environmentally
unit, l,md use planning mist address f a c t o r s which affect both IiabitnL q u m t i t y
and q u a l i t y *
shed art? impo.&w,t as .;uaw:ing and nursery araas, ; ~ h i l ethe lagoor, i s importcnt ns
- - L
Itesag.rce Uses
-
Marsh mst focus oil tile Limi.ting facto', water. The amount and q u a l i t y of t h i s
1 S c i e n t i f i c 2nd e d u c a t i c ~ a l .
2 Nonconsw9tive reereat ion ( n a t u r e photographyp Girding, e%c ).
3. Cocs~mptivc~ t - c r e a t i o n (hunting, f ;shing) a
5 C on'~fersSont o s g r i c i ~ l t u r a lproduction .
6. Con~rersisnt G\ r e s i d e n t - a 1 deve9opment.
7. S t a t e Pa=.k, Preserve.
-4-
--
Resource and b n a g e x e n t Problems
of balancing water supply with competing demands must be solved i n order t o effec-
i s essential.
p o t e n t i a l f o r sedimentation, l o s s of r i p a r i a n h a b i t a t , maintenance of f i s h h a b i t a t
n a t i v e v e g e t a t i o n b d f e r s along t r i b u t a r i e s , c ~ n t , ~ over
ol water d i v e r s i o n s and s t r i c t
management, e f f o r t . K o ~ e \ ~ e ri ,f it i s fi>~ulat h a t r e s t o r a t i o n of t i d a l f l u s h i n g i s
t h e e n t i r e watershed.
w e l l as e x i s t i r i g water c o n t r o l st,rucLu.res ix t h e m r s h .
c u l t u r a l a r e a s adjacent t o t h e marsh.
ansdrsrr~ousfi,:h n ~ i g ~ a t i o lr i s
carice 02 F ~ r ; c ~ c l ~ : i *l',arshl
'j
I n J.i&ht o r 3,::
C o ? ~ t : 1 1Ar? p o l i c i e s srid t h e C . i l i f o m i a Resoi~xce4gencyqs
-,cct2ar.&o, t h e DftparLment of' Fish and Garne wiX1. firml.~'seek t o prr;P,ect t h e Pescadero