1968 Pescadero Creek (Book 3 of 5)

PESCADERO CREEK
(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
Date I n s t a l l e d : November 1, 1968

/-/v- 6 P
Location: Approximately 150 y a r d s u p s t r e a m of t h e Sutano Cutoff B r i d g e ,
about 1%m i l e s e a s t of t h e town of Pescadero.
Purpose: Enumerate, s e x and measure l e n g t h s of upstream migrant a d u l t
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
w i r e f e n c e s t r e t c h i n g d i a g o n a l l y from back of t r a p t o halfway a c r o s s
stream. G r a v e l and d i r t berm a t dot7nstrearn edge of f e n c e c r e a t e s a
b a r r i e r t o f l o w s , f o r c i n g a l l streamflow through t r a p and fence. At
h i g h e r f l o w s , 3erm i s washed o u t , c r e a t i n g a new channel and r e l i e v i n g
flows through f e n c e and t r a p .
B. F i s h Trapped: F i r s t upstream m i g r a n t s v e r e t r a p p e d on December 11, 1968.
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 .
Dec. 15 t o 21: 13 precocious SH, 9 a d u l t SH, 1 g r i l s e .
Dec. 22 t o Dec. 28: 3 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 3 a d u l t SH.
Dec. 29, 1968 t o Jan. 4 , 1969 - 3 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 18 a d u l t SH.
Jan. 5 t o Jan. 11, 1969: 1 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 2 a d u l t SH.
/i / Jan. 11 t o Jan. 15, 1969: 1 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 5 a d u l t SH.

/'
/'
I C. Trap o r Fence Washouts: The primary d i f f i c u l t y i n t r a p p i n g t h e f i s h i n
Pescadero Creek i s washout of f e n c e and f o r g r a v e l berm, c r e a t i n g bypasses
around t r a p and p e r m i t t i n g f i s h t o r a k e a n a l t e r n a t e m i g r a t i o n r o u t e up-
stream. The number of times washouts occurred and d a t e s t h e f i s h could
~ ", bypass t h e t r a p a r e enumerated below.

1) Pec. 1 0 t h . ?I& - 2ence -:ashouil, . m d e m i i i i n g o f f e n c e ; I 5Fsh
trapped.
2) 3ec. 4 (eve) t o Dec. 13 - r'ence :;ashou?, Serm washout: i 2 Eish ~ r a p p e d ,
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 .
5) Dec. 3 1 t o Jan. 1 - Fence washout: 2 f i s h trapped.
6) 2an. 12 t o p r e s e n t - F e n c e , berm ??ashout: 6 fisH trapped.
Note t h a t even though t h e r e w e r e a l t e r n a t e n i g r a t i o n r o u t e s , f i s h rlere
s t i l l coming i n t o t r a p ; p e r c e n t a g e of f i s h t h a t b y p a s s e d t r a p .:as impossible
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
Dee. 30, 1968. An e s t i m a t e d 1 0 t o 12 f i s h were poached.
E. C r e e l Checks - C r e e l checks of s t e e l h e a d f i s h e r m e n v e r e made ~ . i h e n e v e r
possible. Below a r e r e s u l t s . N o t e t h a t t h e c r e e l c h e c k s v e r e spo-2 c h e c k s ,
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).
A. hben manhours w e r e r e c o r d e d ( n e a r e s t 1/4 h o u r ) , i t was found t h a t a t o t a l
of 35.4 h o u r s w e r e f i s h e d p e r f i s h c a u g h t : Spent a n a v e r a g e o f 2.54 h o u r s ,
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
of .05 o r 1 / 2 0 t h f i s h / m a n ; 5 of t h e f i s h c a u g h t v e r e RT/SH, 13" o r s m a l l e r .

.
-
--
--
-
--
-,
d -
-
.
*- A '
a * -- "-A-
F. Length F r e q u e n c i e s : It ims found t h a t 36.6% of f i s h t r a p p e d - r e r e ir, the
14.0 t o 17.9 i n c h s i z e r a n g e and 36.6% :rere i n t h e 25.0 t o 23.9 i n c h s i z 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.
42% o f t h e f i s h 21" o r over v e r e -.ales.
(Note - Length Frequencies cf SiEvsr Salmon not recorded because c?
s m a l l count - Only 7 trapped t h u s f a r ) .
G* -Water
- - Temperatures
--- --.- - (See Table I V ) . :i r e c o r d i n g v a t e r thernometer -aas
i n s t a l l e d next t o t h e f i s h trap. I s y e t , no c o r r e l a t i o n s have been
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
H. O p e r a t i o n s Suspended On morning o f &c. i 3 , h i g h flows down Tescadero

P
Creek c r e a t e d by a continuous r a i n f a l l p s d e : l a t e r l e v e l above t r a p and
f e n c e and completely washed o u t berm. F l o ~ ~were

s estimated O 800 t o 900
c.f.s. @ peak flows. Flows had receded by 1 4 t h , exposing t r a p and f e n c e ,
but :rap had s i l t e d i n and much of t h e f e n c e 57as e i t h e r s i l t e d i n o r
washed out. O p e r a t i o n w i l l b e suspended u n t i l flows have receded enough
t o permit c l e a n i n g of t r a p and r e b u i l d i n g of berm and f e n c e .

SEPARATION PAGE
S+w*.t'of California
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
From Department of Fish and Game Region

/
t
Subject r J u v e n i l e S t e e l h e a d Sampling - Pescadero Creek, San Mateo County. August 25-

September 1, 1970.
.
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 .
Pescad.ero c r e e k , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e P o r t o l a S t a t e P a r k and San Plateo County

~ e m o r i a lPark a r e a s , r e c e i v e s h i g h r e c r e a t i o n a 1 u s e , i n c l u d i n g a n g l i n g .
The Department o f F i s h and Game h a s conducted s t u d i e s d e s i g n e d t o e v a l u a t e t h e

i m p o r t a n t s t e e l h e a d r e s o u r c e . These e f f o r t s have i n c l u d e d a s e i n i n g s u r v e y i n
1965, f i v e s h o r t - t e r m c r e e l c e n s u s e s t h r o u g h t h e s p r i n g and summer o f 1968, and
a w i n t e r a d u l t s t e e l h e a d t r a p p i n g and c o u n t i n g program i n 1969. During August,
1970, t h e f i s h p o p u l a t i o n s i n t h e c r e e k were sampled w i t h p o r t a b l e e l e c t r o -
f i s h i n g g e a r t o d e t e r m i n e t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d . T h i s s t u d y was
conducted by James Crunlc, F i s h and W i l d l i f e A s s i s t a n t , and Len b i t l a n d and
C h a r l e s McCormick, S e a s o n a l Aids.
METHODS
E i g h t s t a t i o n s , e a c h 100 f e e t long, were sampled i n t h e 16-mile s t r e t c h o f c r e e k

between t h e town o f P e s c z i , ,-:. and P o r t o l a S t a t e Park. According t o t h e shocking
crew, l i m i t e d a c c e s s and I , . . , . t a t i o n s o f t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e p o r t a b l e f i s h
shocking equipment i n f l u e n c e ; t h e l o c a t i o n s of t h e s t a t i o n s which were a s f o l l o w s :
Station Stream M i l e s
No. Location From Mouth
0 . 1 m i l e below P o r t o l a S t a t e Park Sewage P l a n t . 18.2

J u s t above S h e r i f f ' s Honor Camp Swimming Pool. 15.5
0 . 5 m i l e above J o n e s Gulch. 14 .O
J u s t above f i r s t b r i d g e o n Wurr Road. 9.4
J u s t above b r i d g e a t U. S. G . S. Gaging S t a t i o n 6.8
7B Ranch o p p o s i t e g a r a g e . 5.2
A t b r i d g e o n De Lemos Ranch Road. 4.1
Under b r i d g e n e a r Pescadero High School. 2.3
E s t i m a t e s of t h e f i s h populations i n t h e 100-food. sample s t a t i o n s were made by
u s i n g a Smith-Root Type V E l e c t r o f i s h e r . Block n e t s were s e t a t both ends o f
a s t a t i o n t o prevent f i s h m i g r a t i o n i n and o u t o f t h e sample a r e a . Two passes
w i t h t h e shocker were made i n each a r e a . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e number and s p e c i e s
o f f i s h , l e n g t h and v o l u m e t r i c displacement o f t h e f i s h , stream temperature, and
flow d a t a were a l s o o b t a i n e d .
RESULTS
The o n l y salmonids recovered i n t h e sample a r e a s were j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d . F i s h

p o p u l a t i o n s i n each a r e a were e s t i m a t e d by u s i n g t h e r e g r e s s i o n formula N = c12
c1 4 2
where N e q u a l s t h e population e s t i m a t e , C 1 t h e c a t c h i n t h e f i r s t run, and C2 t h e
c a t c h i n t h e second pass. (Seber and '& Cren, 1967). The p o p u l a t i o n e s t i m a t e f o r
t h e 800 f e e t o f stream sampled was 1,703 j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d , ranging from 4 1 t o
961 f i s h i n each a r e a sampled. The average number o f f i s h per 100 f e e t of stream
was 213 f i s h . The j u v e n i l e salmonids were i n good c o n d i t i o n w i t h a n average
c o n d i t i o n f a c t o r o f 1.31. Over 96 p e r c e n t of t h e s t e e l h e a d c o l l e c t e d were f i s h -
of-the-year . The e s t i m a t e of non-game f i s h e s recovered i n a l l t h e a r e a s was 12
4' P a c i f i c lamprey amocoetes, 35 s t i c k l e b a c k s , and 207 s c u l p i n s . J u v e n i l e s t e e l -
head accounted f o r s l i g h t l y over 72 p e r c e n t o f t h e weight o f f i s h e s c o l l e c t e d
i n t h e sample a r e a s . Steelhead p o p u l a t i o n s ranged from .03 t o .75 f i s h per c u b i c
f o o t of water i n t h e a r e a s sampled w i t h a n average o f .30 f i s h . Table I i s a
summary of t h e f i e l d d a t a c o l l e c t e d d u r i n g t h e s t u d y .
Assuming t h e a r e a s sampled a r e comparable t o t h e 30 m i l e s o f s t e e l h e a d spawning

and n u r s e r y a r e a i n t h e drainage i n terms of f i s h p o p u l a t i o n , t h e s t a n d i n g c r o p
o f j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d during t h e study was between 120,000 and 206,000 f i s h a t
t h e 95 percent confidence i n t e r v a l .
' ::
DISCUSSION
The sampling program i n d i c a t e d a f a i r l y l a r g e p o p u l a t i o n o f j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d

i n t h e c r e e k . With s u p e r v i s i o n and a d v i c e , I am c e r t a i n t h a t more s t a t i o n s
could have been sampled during t h i s p e r i o d , which would provide a b e t t e r e s t i m a t e
o f t h e s t e e l h e a d r e s o u r c e . I f f u t u r e s t u d i e s a r e planned i n t h e f u t u r e , important
t r i b u t a r i e s should be i n c l u d e d . V i s u a l c o u n t s o f f i s h should be made i n conjunction
w i t h t h e shocking program t o s u b s t a n t i a t e t h e r e s u l t s .
Reference: Seber, G . A . F. and E . D. Le Cren

E s t i m a t i n g p o p u l a t i o n parameters from c a t c h e s l a r g e r e l a t i v e t o t h e
p o p u l a t i o n . J o u r . Animal Ecology, Vol. 36, No. 3, Oct. 1967.
p. 631-644.
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
SUMMARY OF THE FESCADERO CREEK FISH SAMPLING STUDY
Date : 8/25 8/26 9/ I

S t a t i o n No. 1 2 3
Water Temperature OF. 57 58 62
Flow c . f . s .
No. Steelhead Run No. 1
No. Steelhead Run No. 2
2 10
*96
8
$1.99. 2.63
97
57
T o t a l Weight, (gms .) 63 24 3 517
Fork Length Range, ( i n . ) 1.7/4.5 1.615.1 1.715.4
Mean F. L. ( i n . ) 2.5 2.5 2.4
.
Mean W t (gms ) . 3.5 3.9 2.5
Condition Factor 1.37 1.52 1.11
E s t . no. lampreys 3 0 0
.
E s t no. s t i c k l e b a c k s 0 8 0
E s t . no. s c u l p i n s 0 0 0
E s t . w t . rough f i s h (gms.)
E s t . no. s t e e l h e a d
E s t . w t . s t e e l h e a d (gms.)
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
From : Department of Fish and Game - Menlo Park

Subiect: Pescadero Creek, San Mateo County; Fish Population Sampling, August 8,
1978
On August 8, 1978, Central Fishery District personnel electroshocked

a 75-foot reach of Pescadero Creek, beneath the Butano Road cutoff
bridge. A Smith-Root V backpack electroshocker was employed to sample
fish species present and relative abundance.
A malfunction in the electroshocker limited collection and representa-

tive species and numbers present.
Sampling Results:
Species Nuabers FL Range (in.)

-
FL (in.)
SH T 3.2 -
SCP 2 6.4 - 6.7 6.55
-
Many more small salmonids were seen, FL 2.5, but could not be collected
for identification and measurement.
Observations were made on Pescadero Creek in San Mateo County Memorial

Park, by the fish ladderlL Approximately 15 SH were observed immediately
upstream of the ladder (FL 3.0 in.). Also seen was a sculpin approxi-
mately 6.0 inches FL which had been caught by a fisherman.
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,
Attachment: Pescedero N o r t h e r n c a l i f o r ~ i zCouncil o f

Area :?zter acquirements F l y F i s h i n g Clubs
975 Teal Drive
S m t a Clzra, C-4
95051
QUSSTION? 'Iihat i s t h e s t a t u s of 6iA 247881

n r p l i c a n t f s ~ x h i b i tB 15'-
SNRCB Hearing on
i.ra 24788
SAN MATE0 COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Proposed Outdoor E d u c a t i o n F a c i l i t y .
Lorna Mar, San Mateo County
PESCADERO AREA .
WATER REQUIREMENTS
(Cubic f e e t p e r second)
Pescadero Present Future Ultimate

=nth Marsh Agri. Total Agri. Total Agri. Total
October 0.9 1.9 2.8 2.5 3.4 3.1 4.0

IT-.-
ember G.5 1.1 1.6 1.5 2.0 1.8 2.3
December 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.9 1.2
January 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.9 1.2
February
March 0.7 1.5 2.2 2.0 2.7 2.4 3.1
Apr U
!l BY 1.3 2.8 4.1 - 3.6
i
4.9 4.4 5.7
June 1.9 4.1 6.0 513 7.2 6.4 8-3
July 1.8 3.8 5.6 5.1 6.9 6.1 7.9
August 1.7 3.7 5.4 '419 6.6 5.8 7.5 \

September 1.4 3.0 4-4 4.0 5.4 4.8 6.2
SEPARATION PAGE
CENPRA..L DISTRICT COPY
State l k t e r R e s o u r c e s C o n t r o l Board 1 1 : CC : p 7 , 253%

3 i v i s i o n of w3te.r Bights 2 5 5 7 6 ~ 530i'
77 C a d i l l a c Drive 25593, -43<=3
Szzr-xiento, CA 24788, e t c .
95825
SUBJECT: >:A 25337/25338 ( ~ u t a n o / ? e s c a d e r o C r e e k ) znd O t h e r

Pending k p p l i c z t i o n s i n This liatershed
By o u r l e t t e r o f O c t o b e r 5, 1178 t o D.H. K i t e (312:CC: 1

we h a v e a d v i s e d t h Board o f - o u r an3.$~gi,S o f t h e p r o b i e ~ ~ i sn t h e
~ e s c ~ d e r o / ~ x t w- ~ tos r s h e d . 3 z s i c 8 l l y we f i r d t h e 3 e p a r t ~ e n to f
F i s h a i d G m e ' s d i s a i s s a l t e r x i s t o be i n a d e q u a t e s i n c e t h e y f a i l
t o t a k e i n t o zccount t h e nucerous o t h e r r i p a r i a n aad e x i s t i n g
z p p r o ~ r i s t i v ea i v e r s i o n s w h i c h E r e n o t s u b j e c t t o t h e D e p a r t ~ s e n 's
t
r e c e n t dismiss21 terms.
The Bozrd s h o u l d n o t c o n s i d e r e z c h a p p l i c a t i o r s e p a r a t e l y
(as t h e E e p a r t m e n t had done ) w i t h o u t c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e e f f e c t s
o f t h e o t h e r z.lre3d.y e x i s t i ~ gdiversions i n t h i s t : s t e r s h e d . The
r e c e n t D r ~ f tX e ~ o r to f t h e G o v e r n o r ' s C o z m i s s i o n t o Revieki Y a t e r
R i g h t s Law h a d d i s c u s s e d t h e ~ r o b l e m sw i t h t h e c u r r e n t s y s t e m
which h a v e l e d t o c o n t i n u a l d e g r a d a t i o n o f o u r s n a d r o n o u s f i s h e r y
resources :
1 )"one o f t h e m o s t f u n d a m e n t a l p r o b l e m s i s t h a t d a t a a r e
o f t e n i n a d e q u c . t e t o a l l o c a t e t : i s e l y t h e 1dzter o f 2 s t r e a m
... L a c k of a d e f i n i t i v e b a s e o f i n f o r m z t i o n n e c e s s i t z t e s
c a s e by c a s e d , e t s r n i n a t i o n , a ' h i t o r n i s s p r o p o s i t i o n '
t h a t many f e e l g i v e s o n l y h a p h a z a r d p r o t e c t i o n t o i n s t r e a m
u s e s I' p . 108-3
2 ) " F u r t h e r m o r e , f l o w s r e ; i u i r e d by t h e B o a r d f o r i n s t r e a m
p r o t e c t i o n u n d e r or,e a p p r o ~ r i a t i o na r e s u b $ e c t t o s u b s e q u e n t
a p p l i c s , t i ~ nt o a p p r o p r i z t e " p . 1 0 9 (2s w e l l as e x i s t i n g
downstrean a p p r o p r i a t i o n s o r r i p e r i a n u s e r s )
The t::o p r o b l e m s d i s c u s s e d above a r e p r e s e n t irr t h e ~ e s c a d e r o /

Butzno v j a t 2 r s h e d s . By l e t t 2 r o f Xoveaber 1 3 , 1978, G . R . P e t e r s o n
o f y o u r s t a f f S e t ~ i l e d2. l i s t , o f w a t ~ ru s e r s and l o c a t i o n i n t h i s - .
r ~ a t e r s h e dz l o n g -;;-it'n the s t z t b m e n t "You s h o u l d be a:t:zre t h a t o t h e r

p z r t i e s may b e d i v e r t i n s w a t e r t h a t t:e are n o t a x z r e o f and a b o u t
II
w h i c h we h s v e no 51afor:nation z v a i l a b l e .
Ve f o u n d h i s L i s t o f u s e r s t o be v e r y h e l p f u l b u t i n c o m p l e t e .
F o r e x m p l e we b e l i e v e t h z t t h e f o l l o w i n g q u e s t i o n s n e e d t o be
answered :
1 ) ?{A 20711 (Butano ) - maximum d i v e r s i o n r a t e , t o t a l d i v e r s i o n ,
sezson?
2 ) :!A 1 9 8 4 7 ( ? e s c a d e r o ) - s ? m e a s zbove
3 ) S 8 4 2 1 ( 2 e s c a d e r o ) - s a m e as above
4 ) \ b a t i s t h e l b c a t i o n of S1047 (Elutano ) w i t h r e s p e c t t o
the other users?
5 ) I s 'i?-A. 25311.3 (San L a t e 0 C o u n t y ) s u b j e c t t o t h e i l e ~ a r t m e n t ' s
r e c e s l i niiniraun f l o w requirements: :Thy d i d r:e n o t r e c e i v e
n o t i c e o f t h i s a p p l i c l t i o n ? :;h2t i s t h e s t a t u s o f t h i s
applicati3n?
6 ) Are t h e r e o t h e r u s e r s downstream fron; ',,A 25343 (Butano )
and lid 25318 ( p e s c a d e r o ) b e s i d e s t h o s e l i s t e d i n C . 3 .
p e t e r s o n ' s l e t t e r ? iihere a r e t h y l o c a t e d ~ i i t hr e s p e c t t o
the other diversions?
RIP-43I-Gt RIGHTS
We b e l i e v e t h e ansi.:er t o t h e q u e s t i o n 6 a b o v e i s a d e f i n i t e
y e s . T12e S o t i c e o f H e a r i n g f o r ;;A 2478.3 l i s t s 7 r i p a r i z n u s e r s
o n 1 o r ; e r P e s c a d e r o Creek ~ i t han e s t i m a t e d c u r r e n t a i v e r s i o n r a t e
o f 4.5 c f s . Fe:i of t h e s e a r e l i s t e d i n Pir. P e C e r s o ; a l s l e t t k r .
Nor i s 1.k. Tom E h i ~ p s\.;no t e s t i f i e d a t t h e m u l t i - d a y h e a r i n g o n
>{A 24758 ( s e e p . 3 8 , Feb. 1 9 7 7 t r a n s c r i p t ) . ;-ie b e l i e v e t1m.t a
s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o r ~may e x i s t o n Butano C r e e k .
The s i g n i f i c a n c e of t h i s , of c o u r s e , is t h a t e v e n i f t h e
r e c e n t a p p l i c ? . t l o n s a r e c o n s t r a i n e a by t h e D e p s r t m e n t ' s miniaum
f l o w r e q u - i r e m e n t s , o t h e r do w n s t r e a n d i v e r t e r s c o u l d d e p l e t e t h e
f l o v s s i g n i f i c a n t l y beiov: t n e mlnlmurn f l o ~ ? sand c a u s e s i g n i f i c a n t
harm to t h e f i s h e r y .
It i s i r o y r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t t h e D e p z r t n i e n t ' s miniaum f l o w
r e q u i r e n e n b s assume no f u r t h e r downstream diversions. I t i s a l s o
i n p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h z t r i p a r i a n requiremen-cs z r e l i k e l y t o i n c r e a s c
i n t h e f u t u r e ( s e e a t t a c h m e n t f r o m '([A 24788 S I R ) .
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
* Recent recommendations I n t n e G o v e r n o r ' s C o n n i s s i o a ' s Drzft R e p ~ s t

s u g g e s t t h a t v o l u n t a r y s t x t e m e n t s o f u s e mzy be i n t h e ~ i n o r i t y
(p* 30)
SEPARATION PAGE
CENTRAL. DISTRtCT COPY December 17, 1978
S t a t e at& Resources Control Board

D i v i s i o n of Water Rights
77 C a d i l l a c Drive '
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
* Note also t h a t i n a d r y y e a r , i t i s likely t h a t t h e s e requirements

w i l l be s i g n i f i c e n t l y h i g h e r .
3 ) T h e r e f o r e i n a d r y y e a r when f i s h e r y p r o t e c t i o n i s needed
t h e most, t n e D e p a r t c e n t t s 1 3 c f s f l o w i n P e s c a d e r o Creek c o u l d be
reduced d r a m a t i c a l l y t o 7 c f s . T h i s f l o w would n o t p r o t e c t t h e
f i s h e r y . U l o w i n g t h e "h-inter" d i v e r s i o n s t o t a k e lace i n a
d r y A p r i l when f l o w s a r e o n l y m a r g i n a l l y above 13 c f s compounds
t h e problem.
4 ) I n o u r Bovember 18 l e t t e r t o you, we proposed t h e fbLlowlng
t e r m which you have n o t y e t commented on:
% o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n of f i s h and v : i l d l i f e , 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 o f Nov. 1 t o May 1 n o t d i v e r t when t h e
f l o w immedietel-y downstrean f r o n t h e f u r t h e s t downstreem .
d i v e r t e r i s l e s s t h a n 1 3 c f s ( P e s c a d e r o ) o r 9.4 c f s (Buatano).
T h i s t e r n r o u l d & o r e z d e q u s t e l y d e a l c i t h t h e problem of sub-
s e q u e n t downstream d i v e r t e r s b u t would a l l o w a p p r o p r i a t i o n -
, when t h e r e r e a l l y was s u r p l u s w a t e r . -..-
- a
f
1
A C T I O N REQUESTED OF THE BOABD %
.-* - i
Respond t o t h e problem p o i n t e d o u t h e r e and comment o n t h e rr2; 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
Thank you f o r sending me a P r e l i m i n a r y Draft of your Engineering

A n a l y s i s concerning the above a p p l i c a t i o n s . We found your o p e r a t i o n a l
a n a l y s i s t o be q u i t e i n t e r e s t i n g . However w e f e e l t h a t t h e r e are
s e v e r a l s e r i o u s e r r o r s / o m i s s i o n s i n t h i s ana3.ysls.
1 ) N o t a l l r i p a r i a n u s e r s a r e considered.
A)The a n a l y s i s of Pescadero Creek i n c l u d e s o n l y two r i p a r i a n
d i v e r t e r s . These have f i l e d s t a t e m e n t s o f use w i t h t h e
SWBCB. However, i t i s widely b e l i e v e d t h a t v o l u n t a r y
s t a t e m e n t s of use may be i n t h e a i n o r i t y (Goverxor's
Commission t o Review Water R i g h t s Law D r a f t Report, p . 30)
. B)SWRCB documents show t h e e x i s t e n c e of a d d i t i o n a l downstreaa
r i p a r i a n d i v e r s i o n s t o t a l l i n g a ~ p r o x i n a t e l y5 c f s f o r
Pescadero Creek. These were c i t e d i n o u r l e t t e r of
. Seatember 29, 1979 t o you ( e n c l o s u r e e n t i t l e d F i e l d I n v e s t i -
g a t i o n Sept. 27, 1 9 7 9 ) .
C )Additional r i p a r i a n d i v e r t e r s e x i s t on Pesczdero and Butano
Creeks and a r e documented i n DF&G f i l e s . Some of t h e s e
were l i s t e d i n o u r S e p t . 29, 1979 l e t t e r t o you (enblosure
.
t i t l e d A d d i t i o n a l L i s t of R i p a r i a n D i v e r t e r s )
D ) I t i s p r o b a b l e t h a t a p p r o p r i a t o r s on Butano Creek a l s o have
r i p a r i a n r i g h t s b u t few have s t a t e m e n t s o f u s e l i s t e d i n
your a n a l y s i s .
2)The analysis of Butano Creek f a l l s t o i n c l u d e the f a c t t h a t

t h e r e would have been s e r i o u s water d e f i c i e n c i e s i n w a t e r
y e a r s 1976 and 1977 ( i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e 1963, 1964, and 1972
yegrs d i s c u s s e d i n the a n a l y s i s ) .
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 ,
The b e s t s t a t e m e n t of this problem i s i n K e i t h Anderson's (DF&G)

l e t t e r of o c t . 1 0 , 1979 t o David Holtry: . .
"The Department's bypass f l o w recommendstions a r e t h e minimum

f l o w s t h a t should be s u s t a i n e d *a t azy and a l l p o i n t s along t h e
l o w e r r e a c h e s of t h e two s t r e m s . They r e p r e s e n t I n s t r e a n
-
f l o w needs from a b i o l o g i c a l p e r s p e c t i v e , and do n o t i n c l u d e
corrective f z c t o r s t o a c c o u n t f o r s e q u e n t i a l downstream
d i v e r s i o n s by r i p a r i a n and prior a p p r o p r i a t i v e d i v e r t o r s . "
n o t e : emphasis i s t h a t o f NCCFPC
What i s needed f o r ~ r o t e c t i o nof t h e f i s h e r y now a s w e l l As i n
f u t u r e y e a r s i s t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n o f i n s t r e a m f l o w all t h e way t o t h e
-
sea. This p r o t e c t i o n ( a s i n 3B above) would more f u l l y guard against
t h e variables of:
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
R e p o r t Prepared Under I n t e r a g e n c y Agreement

84-04-324, between T r u s t e e s f o r C a l i f o r n i a
S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y and t h e C a l i f o r n i a
Department of Parks and R e c r e a t i o n .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... i
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 1
STUDY AREA AND METHODS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 1
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 3
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
P e s c a d e r o Creek L a g o o n Habitat a n d Water Chemistry
Figure 1. Temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen for 31

July 1984
Figure 2. Water levels for 1985
Figure 3. Salinity profiles for 1985
Figure 4. Temperature profiles for 1985
Figure 5. Pondweed abundance for 1985
Figure 7A. Salinity profiles prior to sandbar closure for 1986
Figure 7B. salinity profiles after sandbar closure for 1986
Figure 9. Dissolved oxygen profiles for 1986
Figure 10. Water levels for 1987 and 1988
Ban ~ r e q o r i oCreek Lacroon H a b i t a t and Water Chemistry
Figure 19. Salinity profiles for 1985 ? = 3

Figure 25. Temperature profiles by site for 23 June 1986
Figure 27. Water levels for 1987, 1988 and 1989
Waddell Creek laaoon H a b i t a t and Water Chemistry
Figure 35. Salinity and dissolved oxygen profiles for

30,31 July 1986
Figure 36. Water levels for 1987 and 1988

Figure 41. T e m p e r a t u r e p r o f i l e s f o r 1989
Figure 42. D i s s o l v e d o x y g e n p r o f i l e s f o r 1989
Steelhead Sizes $ =
F i g u r e 43. P e s c a d e r o Lagoon f o r 1985
F i g u r e 44. P e s c a d e r o Lagoon ( 1 9 8 5 ) v e r s u s stream (1987-89)
F i g u r e 45. P e s c a d e r o Lagoon f o r 1986
F i g u r e 46. P e s c a d e r o Lagoon f o r 1988 and 1989
F i g u r e 47. San ~ r e g o r i oC r e e k Lagoon f o r 1985
F i g u r e 48. San G r e g o r i o C r e e k Lagoon f o r 1986
F i g u r e 49. San G r e g o r i o C r e e k Lagoon f o r 1985, 1986 and 1988
F i g u r e 50. Waddell C r e e k Lagoon f o r 1985
F i g u r e 51. Waddell Creek Lagoon f o r 1986
F i g u r e 52. Waddell Creek Lagoon f o r 1985, 1986 a n d 1988

ABSTRACT
The fish habitat quality of the small lagoon/estuaries at
Pescadero, San ~regorioand Waddell creeks was generally good,
but limited in extent, when the stream mouths were open to full
tidal mixing iQ winter and early spring. In late spring, summer
and fall, habitat quality depended primarily upon the timing of
sandbar formation and breaching and upon the quantity and quality
of freshwater inflows to the lagoons after sandbar formation.
Adequate inflows to these shallow lagoons after bar formation
resulted in rapid conversion of the lagoons to unstratified fresh
water, relatively cool water temperatures, high dissolved oxygen
levels and high invertebrate abundance. Low inflows to the
lagoons, due to late sandbar formation, drought or upstream
diversions, resulted in delay or failure of salinity
destratification. Saline, stratified lagoons acted as solar
collectors and had higher water temperatures, especially within
the more saline bottom waters. Stratified lagoons also often had
low bottom dissolved oxygen levels and reduced invertebrates.
Summer or early fall natural or artificial sandbar breaching
was usually rapidly followed by sandbar re-formation, resulting
in stratified, saline, warm and unproductive lagoons. However,
in the summer of 1989 the sandbar at Pescadero Lagoon
remained open for several months after artificial sandbar
breaching. Although the upstream portions of the estuary were
shallow, stratified and warm, the well-mixed main embayment was
cool and well-oxygenated.
Fish populations utilizing the lagoons consisted of
freshwater, estuarine and saltwater species. The number of
species increased with lagoon size. The highest diversity
occurred at Pescadero Lagoon in early summer of 1986, when many
juvenile saltwater fishes were present in the open lagoon. After
lagoon conversion towards freshwater conditions, following
sandbar closure, many saltwater species declined or disappeared.
Many species also declined or disappeared in the warm, saline,
unproductive lagoons associated with the drought years.
Juvenile steelhead survival and growth was excellent when the
lagoons were open to full tidal mixing and when the closed
lagoons were converted to fresh water. Growth was poor during
long, stratified transition periods between sandbar closure and
conversion of the lagoons to fresh water. Survival was poor
during periods of prolonged warm, stratified conditions. The
high numbers and/or large sizes of steelhead reared in the
lagoons during years of freshwater conversion demonstrate that
these lagoons can potentially contribute the majority of
steelhead smolts produced in these small coastal watersheds.
Managing these lagoons for production of juvenile steelhead
requires: 1) prevention of artificial summer sandbar breaching;
and 2) insuring sufficient inflows after sandbar formation to
rapidly convert stratified, saline lagoons to fresh water.
INTRODUCTION
The annual summer drought in California results in sharp

declines in streamflows in coastal streams. For smaller streams,
declining streamflow and summer beach developnent result in
development of a sandbar which dams the stream mouth to produce
a lagoon. These lagoons may provide warm, deep-water areas for
swimming and boating and habitat for fish and wildlife. The
raised water levels behind the sandbar can also flood adjacent
lands, producing valuable wetlands and/or threatening
agricultural or urban developments. Despite recent interest in
wetlands and estuaries, relatively few studies have been done on
~aliforniacentral coast lagoons, although they were long ago
shown to be important for steelhead (Oncorvhnchus mvkiss) and
salmon (0.kisutch) (Shapovalov and Taft 1954) . Lagoons and
their associated wetlands have been actively managed by diversion
of inflow waters for agricultural and municipal uses, diking of
surrounding land, and artificial breaching of the sandbar for
flood, odor, and insect control. This report summarizes the
results of studies undertaken for the California Department of
Parks and Recreation to determine habitat dynamics and fish
utilization in four small coastal lagoons. The goals of the
studies were: A ) to provide information to guide the restoration
and management of wetlands and the estuary/lagoon at Pescadero
Marsh Natural Preserve (NP); and B) to provide information on
sandbar management and lagoon inflows necessary to maintain
aquatic habitat in the face of upstream diversions and drought
conditions.
STUDY AREAS AND METHODS
~lthoughthe primary management interest was in the lagoon at

Pescadero Marsh NP in San Mateo County, two smaller San Mateo
County and one Santa Cruz County estuary/lagoon systems were also
investigated. Pescadero lagoon receives the waters of Pescadero
and Butano creeks on a broad lowland; the summer water levels can
inundate over 300 acres of wetlands, including partially leveed
former farmlands, within Pescadero Marsh NP. San Gregorio Creek
lagoon primarily occupies a large incised channel. High water
levels spread over the sandy beach area, but upstream of Highway
1 they seldom flood much land outside of the main stream channel.
Waddell Creek lagoon generally has an even smaller embayment, and
is primarily a narrow, drowned stream channel. Pomponio creek
lagoon is at the mouth of a very small stream with negligible .
summer flow; the embayment behind the summer sand bar usually
contains mostly saline water impounded at the time of sandbar
formation and from wave overtopping of the bar.
Water Quality
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
I n v e r t e b r a t e p o p u l a t i o n s a t seven sites i n Pescadero lagoon

w e r e sampled w i t h d r e d g e , s l e d , and p l a n k t o n n e t s i x times i n
1 9 8 6 and s i x t i m e s o v e r t h e 1987 - 1989 d r o u g h t p e r i o d . Ongoing
i n v e r t e b r a t e s t u d i e s a r e t h e s u b j e c t of a m a s t e r ' s t h e s i s p r o j e c t
b y Mark Robinson (Department o f 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 University).
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.
~elativeIm~ortanceof LaCIOOnS for Steelhead Rearinq
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.
RESULT8 AND DI8CU8SION
Water oualitv and Habitat Conditions
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.
Bar Formation and Destruction
Bar formation and d e s t r u c t i o n is dependent upon a number of

v a r i a b l e s , i n c l u d i n g : wave dynamics, sand abundance and
distribution, coastline shape, streamflow, and channel width and
volume.
Wave ~vnamics.High energy winter storm waves (high, steep) erode
beach sand and remove the sandbar, and high stream runoff can
widen and deepen the mouth of the lagoon. Inal$8g storms were
weak and few, and much of the beach near all four streams
remained intact. Spring and summer low-energy waves rebuilt the
beach and sandbars early. At Pescadero Creek the stream mouth
had been blocked by a sandbar by early May (see Table 1 for dates
of sandbar closure). In 1987 the drought conditions and lack of
late winter storms resulted in bar formation in late March at
pescadero, and mid to late May at San Gregorio and Waddell. In
1988 sandbars were closed by late March or early April at
Pescadero, San Gregorio and Waddell lagoons, but were breached
during a late April (22-24th) storm; sandbars re-formed by mid to
late May.
In February of 1986 intense storms removed much of the sand
from the beaches at all four streams. The beach at Pescadero
Creek was gradually rebuilt, and the sandbar was not fully formed
until mid July. Because of the estuary's large size, tidal
action on the winter-eroded beach was sufficient to keep the
mouth open long after streamflow had been sharply reduced by
summer drought and water diversions. At San Gregorio Creek the
1986 winter storms removed much of the beach, but also shifted
the stream mouth to the north. Since bar formation usually
starts at the north end of the beach, the sandbar at San Gregorio
actually closed off earlier in 1986 than in 1985.
Once formed, the sandbars normally persist until eroded by
winter storms or until they are artificially breached. The
buildup of large lagoon water volumes and even substantial tidal
overwash are insufficient to breach the summer sandbar, unless
accompanied by steep, erosive waves. In fact, tidal overwash
usually strengthens the bar by depositing sand on the crest and
inboard side, raising and widening the bar. Artificial breaches
at pescadero Creek in October 1985, October and December 1986
(Figures 2 and 6), and at Waddell and San Gregorio (Figure 22)
creeks in the summer of 1986 were quickly plugged by wave-
deposited sand. Even though the open lagoons were quickly
closed, substantial harm was done to lagoon resources.
In summer 1986 very high waves from a tropical storm were
probably responsible for temporary sandbar breaches at San
~regorioand Waddell creek lagoons.
Sand Abundance and ~istribution. The general pattern of wave
dynamics and sandbar formation and destruction may hold in most
years, but may be altered by sand distribution in drought years.
In 1989 sandbars formed--lateat both San Gregorio and Waddell
creek lagoons, despite the relatively mild winter of 1988-89.
The slow closure of the sandbars was especially suprising, as the
beaches at the stream mouths remained unusually wide all winter.
~t appears that during periods of drought and weak wave action
much of the sand in the littoral cell may become stockpiled in
the enlarged beach. This may leave little sand to move with
summer waves and to close off thqstream mouth.
~t is also possible that as summer progresses more sand is
stored in the beach and progressively less sand movement occurs
with regular wave action. In 1989, Pescadero Creek lagoon
remained open for most of the summer after artificial sandbar
breaching. The bar re-formed in September, however, after a mild
storm. The storm may have eroded some of the beach sand and made
it "availablew to plug the stream mouth.
coastline Shape. Prevailing summer wind and waves are from the
northwest, resulting in southward littoral drift of sand along
the beaches. Therefore, the length of the beach and the position
of the stream mouth in relation to bluffs on the north or south
boundaries of the beach are major factors in bar formation.
Waves and wind accompanying major storms are usually from the
southwest, so coastline shape similarly has a major effect on bar
persistence. The position and design of the Highway 1 bridges
may also influence beach and bar dynamics by constraining the
position of the stream mouth.
~t Pescadero Creek the mouth is adjacent to the projecting
headlands at the southern end of the beach. In addition, the
Highway 1 bridge is within 180 m of the ocean, restricting
lateral movement of the mouth. Southward sand movement quickly
accumulates and is trapped by the hook-like northward projection
of the headlands. This fact was recognized years ago and a
tunnel was drilled through the cliff to retard the closing of the
lagoon. Despite the tunnel, the sand bar at Pescadero Creek
normally will completely close about a month or more before the
bars at San Gregorio or Waddell creeks (Table 1). Because of the
location, orientation, and narrowness of the mouth, the complete
closure of the bar is often very quick and unpredictable. In
1986 the bar was still open in mid July, with tidal flows of over
one hundred cfs streaming in and out; 3 days later only the
tunnel was open, and the tunnel was fully closed within a week!
The headlands also protect the bar from storm waves from the
southwest. In 1986 unusual summer storm waves apparently eroded
and temporarily breached the bars at San Gregorio and Waddell
Creeks, but the Pescadero bar was unaffected. Similarly, small
storms in November and December 1986 breached the bars at San
~regorioand Waddell creeks, but actually increased the volume of
sand in the Pescadero bar.
At San Gregorio, Waddell, and Pomponio creeks there are no
protective headlands, and the southward summer sand movement
tends to displace the stream mouths southward and to very
gradually close them off completely. At San Gregorio and Waddell
creeks the long, meandering outlets may remain open for one to
two months after the sandbar has substantially formed, delaying
the rise in lagoon water level and potentially delaying the
conversion of the lagoon to freshwater. Under partially closed
conditions, occasion8ikLtidal inflows renew the bottom salt water
layer, but outflow is primarily fresher surface water.
~t San Gregorio Creek the Highway 1 bridge is farther back
from the ocean, and the location and shape of the lagoon vary
from year to year. In 1986 storm waves eroded the beach and
displaced the stream mouth against the northern bluff, resulting
in a deeper lagoon than usual and also hindering public access to
the beach.
s t r e a m f l o w and T i d a l f l o w .
For these relatively small streams,
streamflow is a not the dominant factor in sandbar formation and
destruction. Streamflow at the time of bar formation (Table 1)
can vary substantially from year to year, and in most cases bar
formation occurs long after spring streamflows are reduced below
levels sufficient to prevent bar formation. At Pescadero Creek,
because of the mouth configuration, partial sandbar closure is
quickly followed by full closure, even at relatively high
streamflows (Table 1). However, at San Gregorio and Waddell
creeks streamflow may be an important factor in maintaining the
outlet channel through the wide sandbars and producing a
relatively long transitional period to full sandbar closure.
Tidal flow usually substantially exceeds streamflow at the
time of sandbar formation, and is probably more important than
streamflow in retarding sandbar formation. During bar formation
in late spring and summer, tidal flow might exceed 50 cfs at
Pescadero or San Gregorio creeks, while freshwater inflows to the
lagoons might be less than 5 cfs. At San Gregorio and Waddell
creeks the gradual widening of the partially-formed sandbar
reduces the amount and frequency of outlet scouring, allowing the
sandbar to fully close.
Once the bar is fully formed there is still sufficient
seepage through the bar to prevent its being overtopped and
eroded by moderate inflows (5 - 15 or more cfs, depending upon
bar length and width and lagoon depth). In the winter storms
that caused breaching of the sandbars at the lagoons in 1985 and
1986, the storm waves accompanying the rain eroded and breached
the bars before any significant flood flows reached the lagoons.
High streamflow between storms at Waddell Creek did appear to
produce a cycle of lagoon filling and breaching in late fall and
winter 1986. In October 1989 increased streamflow after the Loma
Prieta earthquake and an early storm partially opened the sandbar
at Waddell Creek lagoon, producing a long meandering outlet that
lasted well into winter; normally such heavy streamflow would
have been accompanied by storm waves, which would have eroded the
sandbar. Similarly, substantially increased streamflow on
Pescadero Creek followed the earthquake, but the sandbar remained
because of the absence of erosive wave action.
C h a n n e l Width and Volume. At Pescadero Creek over a hundred
acresgare potentially open to full tidal exchange, much of it in
the vgry large embayment immediately upstream of Highway 1.
During the period of sandbar formation, the large volume of tidal
exchange results in scour at the mouth and retards its blockage
with sand. The Highway 1 bridge, which is very close to the
ocean, concentrates outflowing tides and increases their scouring
ability.
In 1989 artificial breaching of the Pescadero Creek lagoon
sandbar to facilitate work on the new Highway 1 bridge maintained
an open lagoon for much of the summer. Apparently the deep
sandbar cut caused by artificial breaching, together with the
very large tidal prism, resulted in the need for only a few
artificial breaches to keep the lagoon open for summer and fall.
In addition, inflowing tidal water produced a "reverse delta,"
with a fan of tidal-deposited sand extending over 50 m upstream
of the bridge. The new Highway 1 bridge is slightly closer to
the ocean, but has fewer, smaller pillars, and may modify tidal
scour and the timing of sandbar formation at Pescadero Creek.
At San Gregorio and Waddell creeks, most of the lagoon volume
is normally in the narrow, incised stream channel upstream of the
Highway 1 bridges. The shape of those lagoons normally greatly
reduces the upstream extent of tidal mixing and amount of tidal
exchange and scouring at the mouth. In 1986 the San Gregorio
Creek mouth moved north against the cliff, rather than directly
opposite the highway bridge, creating a much larger embayment
downstream of the bridge. Tidal mixing in the open lagoon was
increased by the larger tidal prism, but the effect was still
largely confined to the embayment downstream of the bridge. rf
the present benchlands on the north side of San Gregorio Creek,
upstream of the bridge, were excavated and opened to the creek to
create wetland habitat, tidal mixing in the estuary and scouring
at the mouth might be somewhat increased.
Laqoon Depth
Lagoon depth is a function of fill and scour in the stream

channel and adjacent wetlands and of the interaction of
streamflow, bar formation, seepage, overwash, and channel volume.
scour and F i l l . Although local residents report that Pescadero,
San Gregorio, and Waddell lagoons were originally in excess of 5
m deep, those conditions reflected the drowning of river mouths
cut at lower ocean levels (during the ice ages). Recent
watershed e r o s i o n h a s f i l l e d t h e lagoon b a s i n s , s o t h a t now a l l
three a r e less t h a n 1 meter d e e p when a t low t i d e and open t o
f u l l t i d a l a c t i o n . Pomponio i s o f t e n less t h a n 0 . 2 5 meter deep
during winter.
P r e s e n t rates of s e d i m e n t i n p u t t o t h e l a g o o n s o f f e r l i t t l e
hope of improvement i n b a s i n d e p t h , b u t a l s o d i d n o t appear t o
reduce t h e d e p t h d u r i n g 1985 o r 1986. A t P e s c a d e r o Marsh NP t h e
February 1986 s t o r m s r e s u l t e d i n s u s t a i n e d f l o o d f l o w s f o r n e a r l y
2 weeks. P e s c a d e r o C r e e k , upstream o f t h e main e s t u a r i n e
embayment ( s i t e s 1 8 - 2 4 ) , showed s u b s t a n t i a l movement of sediment,
w i t h some a l t e r a t i o n i n p o o l / r i f f l e s e q u e n c e s , s c o u r on t h e
o u t s i d e of b e n d s , and d e p o s i t i o n on t h e i n s i d e o f t h e bends. The
a v e r a g e d e p t h o f t h a t p o r t i o n of t h e c h a n n e l , however, d i d n o t
appear t o be a l t e r e d , a l t h o u g h s u b s t a n t i a l amounts of g r a v e l were
added t o t h e s u b s t r a t e . On Butano Creek, which j o i n s Pescadero
Creek immediately u p s t r e a m from t h e main ernbayment, much f i n e
sediment was a d d e d t o t h e s i d e s of t h e c h a n n e l a t s i t e s 8 - 11.
Maximum channel d e p t h w a s n o t reduced, b u t t h e c h a n n e l bottom
changed from a r e l a t i v e l y uniform t o a v-shaped c r o s s - s e c t i o n .
I n t h e main embayment n o s i g n i f i c a n t change i n c h a n n e l depth
appeared t o o c c u r , even a t t h e b r i d g e where f l o o d w a t e r s might be
expected t o s c o u r . . T h e bedrock s i l l a t t h e r e s t r i c t e d mouth of
t h e s t r e a m a p p e a r s t o p r e v e n t s i g n i f i c a n t s c o u r below t h e p r e s e n t
channel bottom.
~t P e s c a d e r o , San G r e g o r i o , and Waddell l a g o o n s t h e d e e p e s t
w a t e r i s n e a r t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e s , where l o c a l s c o u r i s
i n c r e a s e d around t h e p i l i n g s and abutments. P r i o r t o t h e drought
a d d i t i o n a l d e e p a r e a s w e r e p r e s e n t on t h e o u t s i d e o f channel
bends w i t h i n e a c h lagoon.
During t h e d r o u g h t w i n t e r s of 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89
s u b s t a n t i a l d e p o s i t i o n a p p a r e n t l y o c c u r r e d i n P e s c a d e r o , San
Gregorio, and Waddell c r e e k lagoons b e c a u s e t h e m i l d w i n t e r
storms were a b l e t o move sediment t o t h e l a g o o n s , b u t flows were
t o o weak and t o o s h o r t i n d u r a t i o n t o move t h e s e d i m e n t through
t h e lagoons. A t S c o t t C r e e k , immediately s o u t h o f Waddell Creek,
t h e lagoon was n e a r l y f i l l e d by aggraded s a n d and g r a v e l s i n
s p r i n g of 1988. Dense g r o w t h s of pondweed (Potamoueton f o l i o s u s )
i n t h e lagoons i n t h e summers of 1 9 8 7 - 1989 were n o t completely
scoured by w i n t e r f l o w s and appeared p r o g r e s s i v e l y e a r l i e r and i n
g r e a t e r abundance each summer. Winter s e d i m e n t d e p o s i t i o n was
e s p e c i a l l y g r e a t w i t h i n t h e pondweed. A t Waddell Creek lagoon
s e d i m e n t a t i o n u p s t r e a m o f t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e h a s reduced lagoon
d e p t h t h e r e by a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 m s i n c e 1986.
A t San G r e g o r i o Creek t h e February 1986 s t o r m waves moved t h e
mouth a g a i n s t t h e n o r t h b l u f f , and t h e f o c u s e d waves
s u b s t a n t i a l l y s c o u r e d t h a t p o r t i o n of t h e b e a c h , making it n e a r l y
a s deep a s a r e a s under t h e b r i d g e i n 1986. The mouth r e t u r n e d t o
i t s former p o s i t i o n , o p p o s i t e t h e b r i d g e , i n 1987, and t h e "north
embaymentn has partially filled in.
Sandbar Formation and Inflow. Most of the depth of the summer
lagoons is the result of ponding of streamflow and tidal overwash
behind the sandbar; by the end of summer more than three-fourths
of the lagoon water volumes is due to the inflows impounded by
the sandbar. Lagoon depth and volume, however, are critically
dependent upon the relative timing of bar formation and summer
streamflow reduction. In 1985 streamflow was still relatively
strong when the early sandbar formed at Pescadero Creek (Table
1) ; the lagoon rapidly filled in May (Figure 2). In 1986
streamflow was relatively low by the time the sandbar formed in
~ u l y(Table I), and the lagoon filled much more slowly (Figure
6). September rain and reduced agricultural diversions pushed
the lagoon level up again in September and October 1986. In 1987
the sandbar was partially formed by March and fully closed by
late March, when streamflows were still high (Table 1); early
lagoon water levels were quite high, but progressively declined
over the summer due to low inflows and sandbar seepage (Figure
10, Table 2). In 1988 the sandbar again formed early and the
lagoon was deep in April. However, a late April storm breached
the sandbar, and when the bar re-formed in late May streamflows
were insufficient to achieve former lagoon levels (Figure 10,
Table 1). Lagoon level progressively declined throughout the
summer, due to sandbar seepage and evaporation, but November rain
and runoff quickly brought up lagoon water levels (Figure lo).
~t San Gregorio Creek early sandbar formation in 1986 (due to
the change in location of the mouth) resulted in extremely high
lagoon water levels, before the sandbar was breached in early
~ u l y(Figure 22). Streamflows were sufficient in summer of 1986
to raise lagoon water levels each time the sandbar re-formed
(Figure 22). In 1985 the mouth was displaced to the south by
littoral sand movement and did not close off completely until
after streamflows had declined greatly; the lagoon remained quite
shallow all summer. In 1987 and 1988 the sandbars formed early,
but lagoon water levels progressively declined over the summer
due to low streamflows (Figure 27, Table 2), and the lagoon was
quite shallow in late summer. In 1989 the sandbar formed in mid
~ u l y ,and the lagoon remained shallow until October rains (Figure
27).
The sandbars at Waddell Creek formed in early July in both
1985 and 1986. Because of the higher streamflows after bar
formation in 1986, the water levels rose quickly before the bar
was apparently artificially breached. In 1987 and 1988 sandbars
formed early, but lagoon water levels fluctuated substantially
with the rate of diversion upstream (Figure 36). In 1989 late
June sandbar formation and upstream diversion kept the lagoon
relatively shallow until inflows increased after mid August
(Figure 39).
pomponio C r e e k s e l d o m h a s s i g n i f i c a n t f l o w by t h e t i m e t h e
s a n d b a r forms i n summer, and t h e l a g o o n c o n t a i n e d m o s t l y
impounded t i d a l f l o w s a n d ocean o v e r w a s h . I t s d e p t h remained
less t h a n 1 m u n t i l f a l l r a i n s p r o v i d e d some f r e s h w a t e r i n p u t t o
t h e lagoon.
Highest lagoon water l e v e l s u s u a l l y o c c u r i n l a t e f a l l or

f =
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 ) .
Seepaqe Through t h e Bar. Seepage t h r o u g h t h e b a r i s p o t e n t i a l l y

s u f f i c i e n t t o s t a b i l i z e l a g o o n w a t e r l e v e l s a t low i n f l o w s .
However, s i n c e s e e p a g e depends upon l a g o o n w a t e r l e v e l and t h e
h y d r a u l i c p r e s s u r e t h a t it p r o v i d e s , r i s i n g w a t e r s may n o t
s t a b i l i z e u n t i l t h e l a g o o n i s q u i t e d e e p ( F i g u r e 2 ) . Lagoon
d e p t h s a t P e s c a d e r o , San G r e g o r i o , and W a d d e l l c r e e k s appeared t o
s t a b i l i z e a t a maximum o f 2 - 2 1 / 2 meters ( 6 - 8 f e e t ) , o r about
1 - 1 1/2 m (3 - 5 f e e t ) above t h e l e v e l o f t h e open e s t u a r y ,
e v e n a t high i n f l o w r a t e s such a s t h o s e o c c u r r i n g with t h e first
f a l l r a i n s . A t l o w e r i n f l o w s , s u c h a s t h o s e e x p e r i e n c e d i n 1987
- 1 9 8 9 , l a g o o n w a t e r l e v e l s were much l o w e r , a n d p r o g r e s s i v e l y
d e c l i n e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e summer due t o s a n d b a r s e e p a g e and
e v a p o r a t i o n ( F i g u r e s 10 a n d 2 7 ) .
When summer l a g o o n l e v e l s become v e r y low, due t o low
f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w s a n d / o r t o e v a p o r a t i o n ( F i g u r e s 1 0 and 2 7 ) ,
s e e p a g e from t h e o c e a n t h r o u g h t h e s a n d b a r c a n p o s s i b l y occur a t
h i g h t i d e . T h i s seepage could i n c r e a s e s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f i c a t i o n
o r mean s a l i n i t y o f t h e l a g o o n . I n 1988 a t S a n G r e g o r i o Lagoon
s i g n i f i c a n t o c e a n s e e p a g e may have e n t e r e d t h e l a g o o n , a s bottom
s a l i n i t i e s i n c r e a s e d 5 PPT between 7 A u g u s t a n d 30 October
( F i g u r e 30).
T i d a l Ovemash. A f t e r b a r formation d a i l y h i g h tides often
c o n t i n u e t o wash o v e r t h e b a r f o r s e v e r a l weeks. Some overwash
may o c c u r d u r i n g e x t r e m e h i g h t i d e p e r i o d s t h r o u g h o u t t h e summer.
However, t h e volume o f t h i s a d d i t i o n t o t h e l a g o o n s is u s u a l l y
r e l a t i v e l y i n s i g n i f i c a n t compared t o f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w . Pescadero
Lagoon i n e a r l y J u n e o f 1985 i n c r e a s e d i n h e i g h t 0 . 3 f e e t during
3 n i g h t s of h i g h t i d e overwash ( 0 . 1 f e e t / d a y ) ; however, i n t h e 4
c l o u d y d a y s p r i o r t o t h e overwash t h e l a g o o n i n c r e a s e d i n h e i g h t
n e a r l y a s much ( 0 . 3 5 f e e t o r 0.09 f e e t / d a y ) d u e t o f r e s h w a t e r
inflow. In s m a l l e r lagoons o r those w i t h l i t t l e freshwater
i n f l o w t h e e f f e c t o f overwash is g r e a t e r . A t Waddell Creek
lagoon in July 1986 overwash increased the lagoon height by 0.2
feet in one afternoon. Pomponio Creek lagoon, which receives
little summer freshwater inflow, appears to depend upon overwash
of the forming sandbar for 1/4 to 1/2 of its summer lagoon water
volume.
--$- -
Despite occasional tidal overwash, Pescadero, Waddell, and
San Gregorio lagoons were gradually converted to substantially
freshwater conditions (salinities less than 2 PPT) by freshwater
inflow in the summers of 1985 and 1986. Only Pomponio Creek
Lagoon remained very brackish in summer.
Channel Volume. Pescadero lagoon spreads over an extensive area
of low gradient streambed and adjacent wetlands, and substantial
inflow is required to raise the water level. In 1985 inflows of
greater than 5 cfs raised the water level only about 3 feet in 5
weeks (Figure 2). Even in Fall of 1985 light rains took nearly 2
weeks to raise the lagoon a similar amount. The narrow, incised
channels of Waddell and San Gregorio Creeks require less inflow
to increase lagoon depth. Waddell Creek lagoon rose
approximately 2 feet within one week of sandbar closure in ~ u l y
1986. Early bar closure at San Gregorio Creek resulted in
approximately a 4 foot rise in 2 weeks in June 1986 (Figure 22)
at streamflows of approximately 7 cfs (Table 1); lagoon levels at
San Gregorio lagoon continued to sharply rise after each sandbar
closure throughout the summer (Figure 22).
Leveed Marshland. At Pescadero nearly 1/2 of the normally-
flooded wetlands complex is behind levees. North Marsh and North
Pond (map in appendix) are connected to each other by one 10 inch
diameter culvert and to the remainder of the complex by one 10
inch diameter culvert. East Delta Marsh flows via a tide gate.
~ l of
l these structures greatly restrict water movement and water
level fluctuation. The Butano Marsh levees have small breaches
which restrict tidal movements when the lagoon is open, but do
not restrict the extent of flooding after sandbar closure. The
elevation of the culvert from Pescadero Creek to North Marsh
allows water to enter North Marsh only after the lagoon water
level has reached approximately 4 feet on the Highway 1 staff
gage; the sandbar must be in place to raise the water level that
high. In wet years the lagoon rises rapidly above that level,
then water siphoned into North Marsh slows the rise in depth in
the nonleveed portion of the preserve. The loss of water to
North Marsh may be a factor in the lowering of main lagoon depth
in late summer (Figures 2 and 10). The lag in water movement
through the culvert also operates in winter when the sandbar is
breached and the main lagoon level drops. At that time North
Marsh water levels are considerably higher than in the lagoon and
only slowly subside.
In February 1986 flood waters topped the north levee along
Pescadero Creek and flooded North Marsh to the highest levels
e n c o u n t e r e d d u r i n g t h e s t u d y . Loss t h r o u g h t h e c u l v e r t b r o u g h t
t h e Marsh w a t e r l e v e l t o t h e bottom o f t h e c u l v e r t b y J u n e .
Levels continued t o d r o p (due t o e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n ) f o r another
month, p r o d u c i n g t h e lowest w a t e r l e v e l s o f t h e y e a r . R i s i n g
l a g o o n w a t e r l e v e l s t h e n b e g a n t o f e e d i n t o North Marsh. North
Marsh u s u a l l y r e t a i n s c o n s i d e r a b l e watt& b n d e r t h e p r e s e n t l e v e e
arrangement, while o t h e r marshlands w i t h i n t h e system, such a s
B u t a n o Marsh a r e c o m p l e t e l y d r a i n e d when t h e b a r is o p e n . During
1 9 8 8 , however, N o r t h Marsh w a t e r l e v e l s d e c l i n e d d u e t o low
summer w a t e r l e v e l s i n t h e main l a g o o n ( F i g u r e 1 0 ) a n d r e d u c e d
flow through t h e c u l v e r t . I n 1989 a r t i f i c i a l b r e a c h i n g of t h e
s a n d b a r i n summer, t o f a c i l i t a t e ~ 0 n ~ t r ~ ~otf i t 0h en new Highway
1 b r i d g e , e l i m i n a t e d m o s t c u l v e r t f l o w from t h e l a g o o n . North
Marsh d r i e d u p , e x c e p t f o r t h e d i t c h a r o u n d t h e e d g e o f t h e
marsh.
Because s o much of t h e marsh i s d i k e d o f f , w i t h s m a l l
c u l v e r t s o r t i d e g a t e s , t h e main l a g o o n r i s e s and c o n v e r t s t o
f r e s h w a t e r f a s t e r t h a n i f t h e e n t i r e s y s t e m were open t o
u n r e s t r i c t e d w a t e r movement; however N o r t h Marsh d o e s b e g i n t o
s i p h o n o f f w a t e r l o n g before a d j a c e n t a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d s a r e
f l o o d e d . The f l o w r a t e t h r o u g h t h e c u l v e r t i n c r e a s e s w i t h t h e
h e i g h t (and h y d r a u l i c p r e s s u r e ) of t h e main l a g o o n , t h u s a c t i n g
a s a " s a f e t y v a l u e M t o s l o w t h e rise i n lagoon h e i g h t w i t h t h e
first rains i n f a l l . I n September and O c t o b e r 1986 a b o u t h a l f o f
t h e i n c r e a s e d f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w t o t h e l a g o o n was s i p h o n e d o f f
i n t o North Pond and N o r t h Marsh.
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
Lagoon water temperatures were dependent salinity conditions,

tidal mixing, shade and weather.
salinity. stratification by salinity also resulted in
temperature stratification in the lagoons. In these shallow ( 2
m) lagoons daytime heating occurred throughout the water column,
but only surface waters were able to lose heat at night. Saline
bottom waters acted as a solar collector and trapped the heat,
resulting in progressively higher relative water temperatures
within the salt water lens. In Pescadero Lagoon the saline
bottom waters in July 1984 (Figure 1) and May of 1985 (Figure 4)
did not mix with those above and had higher temperatures. In
1985 rapid conversion to fresh water resulted in thorough
temperature mixing in the lagoon for most of the summer (Figure
4). In 1986, however, Pescadero Lagoon showed a variety of
summer temperature profiles (Figure 8). Prior to sandbar closure
the water was warmer at the surface, due to solar warming at the
surface and tidal cooling at the bottom. After sandbar closure
the saline bottom waters acted as a solar collector; bottom
waters were warmest and the mean water column temperature was
much higher than in 1985. In summer of 1987 and 1988 and spring
o f 1989 s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f i c a t i o n r e s u l t e d i n t e m p e r a t u r e
s t r a t i f i c a t i o n and v e r y h i g h l a g o o n w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s a t
P e s c a d e r o Creek lagoon ( F i g u r e s 1 2 , 1 4 and 1 7 ) .
S a n G r e g o r i o Creek l a g o o n w a s s t r a t i f i e d f o r s a l i n i t y i n e a r l y
summer o f 1985 and t h r o u g h o u t t h e summers of 1987, 1988; *en& !
1 9 8 9 , and showed s t r o n g t e m p e r a t u r e s t r a t i f i c a t i o n , w i t h v e r y
h i g h w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t w a t e r l e n s e s
( F i g u r e s 20, 2 9 , 3 1 a n d 3 4 ) . By l a t e summer of 1985 t h e l a g o o n
h a d d e s t r a t i f i e d f o r s a l i n i t y , a n d water t e m p e r a t u r e s were much
l o w e r and n o t s t r a t i f i e d ( F i g u r e 2 0 ) . I n 1986 r e p e a t e d s a n d b a r
c l o s u r e and b r e a c h i n g k e p t t h e l a g o o n s t r a t i f i e d f o r s a l i n i t y a l l
summer ( F i g u r e 2 3 ) . When t h e l a g o o n was c l o s e d , w a t e r
temperatures within t h e bottom s a l t water layer quickly r o s e t o 3
t o 1 0 d e g r e e s h i g h e r t h a n s u r f a c e w a t e r s , and even r e a c h e d 30
degrees C w i t h i n t h e b o t t o m s a l t w a t e r l a y e r on 2 4 September
( F i g u r e 2 4 ) . A t u p s t r e a m s i t e s w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s i n t h e bottom
s a l t water l a y e r were s u b s t a n t i a l l y h i g h e r than s u r f a c e
t e m p e r a t u r e s even when t h e l a g o o n was open t o t i d a l mixing
( F i g u r e 2 5 ) , because o f s o l a r h e a t i n g of t h e bottom l a y e r s and
l a c k of t i d a l c o o l i n g .
Waddell Creek l a g o o n c o n v e r t e d t o f r e s h w a t e r c o n d i t i o n s i n
1 9 8 5 , 1987, and 1988 ( F i g u r e 3 7 ) , and w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s were
cool a n d u n s t r a t i f i e d i n t h o s e y e a r s ( F i g u r e 3 8 ) . I n 1986
s a n d b a r breaching produced s a l i n i t y and temperature
s t r a t i f i c a t i o n i n t h e l a g o o n w i t h h i g h bottom water t e m p e r a t u r e s .
I n 1989 Waddell Creek l a g o o n remained s t r a t i f i e d f o r s a l i n i t y
( F i g u r e 40) and had h i g h water t e m p e r a t u r e s w i t h i n t h e bottom
s a l t w a t e r l e n s i n l a t e s p r i n g and e a r l y summer ( F i g u r e 4 1 ) .
In ~ o m p o n i oCreek l a g o o n , which was b o t h s a l i n e and s h a l l o w
b e c a u s e of a l a c k of f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w , summer w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s
i n 1986 averaged g r e a t e r t h a n 2 7 d e g r e e s C. Near t h e bottom,
t e m p e r a t u r e s exceeded 35 d e g r e e s .
T i d a l Mixing. When f u l l y open t o t i d a l a c t i o n t h e l a g o o n s showed
a v a r i e t y of t e m p e r a t u r e p a t t e r n s . Near t h e bar t h e t i d a l i n f l o w
o f o c e a n water tended t o k e e p w a t e r temperatures c o o l . Upstream,
where t i d a l movement was a t t e n t u a t e d , t h e s a l i n e bottom w a t e r s
continued t o collect heat. I n San Gregorio Creek lagoon on 2 3
J u n e 1986 water t e m p e r a t u r e s a t t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e and a t a
s i t e e v e n c l o s e r t o t h e mouth a v e r a g e d near 2 0 d e g r e e s C , w i t h
much c o o l e r bottom w a t e r s ( F i g u r e 2 5 ) . Upstream s i t e s were
warmer on t h e t h e bottom t h a n a t t h e s u r f a c e and had bottom water
t e m p e r a t u r e s r e a c h i n g 23- 26.5 d e g r e e s C (Figure 2 5 ) .
I n 1989 Pescadero Lagoon t h e s a n d b a r was opened t o a i d work
on t h e new Highway 1 b r i d g e . P e s c a d e r o Creek l a g o o n ' s v e r y l a r g e
embayment produces good t i d a l exchange, and water t e m p e r a t u r e s
w i t h i n t h e open embayment were n e a r l y a s c o o l a s t h e ocean
(Figure 17).
shade. Most the surface area of the lagoons is unshaded.
However, in the upstream portion of Waddell Creek, riparian
vegetation provides significant shading; water temperatures
tended to be several degrees cooler. At Pescadero Marsh NP the
coolest waters in 1985 and 1986 were at sites 15, 16 and upstream
on Butano Creek, where the narrow channel 'aI$dsdense border of
cattails, willows, and alders kept the water less than 20 degrees
C all summer.
In 1988 at Pescadero Creek lagoon and 1989 at Waddell Creek
lagoon dense pondweed growth restricted sunlight penetration to
near the surface and reduced water column heating in late summer.
The shading eliminated the temperature stratification and high
bottom water temperatures that were present earlier in summer
(Figures 14 and 41).
Weather. Water temperatures in the lagoons are very sensitive to
periods of overcast, which reduce the heating of the lagoons.
After nearly a week of overcast at Pescadero in summer 1985 water
temperatures were reduced 2 - 3 degrees C. Daily temperature
fluctuation in the top meter of the lagoons can be 2 - 4 degrees
c on sunny days. In general, summer overcast appeared to occur
less often and was less persistent south of Pigeon Point, so
Waddell lagoon experienced slightly greater solar heating than
the other lagoons.
Strong winds, which break up salinity and temperature
stratification, tend to result in lower average lagoon
temperatures. Winds can quickly bring unstratified lagoon waters
to near average air temperature, and are responsible for much of
the rapid cooling that usually occurs in October.
Dissolved Oxyqen.
Dissolved oxygen is affected by salinity and temperature

stratification, tidal and wind mixing, abundance of aquatic
plants, and presence of decomposing organic matter.
salinity and Temperature Stratification. Salinity
stratification usually resulted in pronounced dissolved oxygen
stratification in the lagoons. After sandbar formation saline
bottom waters often became anoxic because of a lack of mixing;
this condition usually persisted until freshwater inflow and wind
mixing broke up the salinity stratification. In 1986 bottom
anoxia quickly followed mid July sandbar formation at Pescadero
Creek lagoon (Figure 9), although dissolved oxygen was
supersaturated near the top of the saltwater lens. In 1989
bottom oxygen sharply dropped following sandbar formation in both
mid May and September (Figure 18). In 1988 the bottom still had
high oxygen levels one month after sandbar formation (27 June),
but was anoxic in late summer and fall (7 August and 30 October)
(Figure 15). When algae was present on the bottom or pondweed
was abundant, extreme diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen
often occurred, with supersaturated conditions in late afternoon
due to photosynthesis and anoxia by morning due to respiration
(Figure 1). Artificial breaeibg Of the sandbars at Pescadero
Creek lagoon in fall of 1985 gnd 1986 resulted in a return of
stratification and anoxia of bottom waters.
San Gregorio Creek lagoon had low dissolved oxygen levels at
the bottom of the salt water layer after each sandbar closure in
1986 (Figure 26). In 1988 the stratified, brackish lagoon had
very low dissolved oxygen levels at the bottom of the salt water
layer throughout August through November) (Figure 32), despite
the shallowness of the lagoon (approximately 1 m).
Waddell Creek lagoon had high water column dissolved oxygen
levels in the unstratified, freshwater lagoons of 1987 and 1988,
but low bottom dissolved oxygen levels in the brackish,
stratified 1989 lagoon (Figure 42).
T i d a l and Wind Mixinq. Highest dissolved oxygen levels at the
substrate occurred when the lagoons were open to full tidal
exchange. After sandbar formation the deeper water, which was
often below the compensation depth for aquatic plants, generally
had low dissolved oxygen levels for at least part of the day.
LOW bottom oxygen levels tended to occur in the narrower channels
of the lagoons, where wind mixing was reduced. When aquatic
plants were not abundant, a period of calm days resulted in water
column oxygen level drops of several Mg/l.
quat tic P l a n t s . Dense pondweed concentrations produced sharp
diurnal swings in dissolved oxygen and persistent low dissolved
oxygen levels in the lower half of the water column. In 1985
steelhead appeared to utilize areas of dense pondweed in channels
in Butano Marsh (Pescadero Marsh NP) during the day and evening
when oxygen levels were high and leave the marsh channels as
oxygen levels dropped at night. The other areas where pondweed
densities were high enough to seriously affect oxygen levels and
fish populations in non-drought years, however, were in North
Marsh at Pescadero Marsh NP. There the shallow water and silt
bottom resulted in nearly 95% of the water column being filled
with pondweed by the middle of summer. Under those conditions
dissolved oxygen levels were extremely low (less than 2 mg/l)
below approximately 0.25 - 0.5 meters deep. The deep channel
along the west and south sides of the marsh did retain some open
water with higher average oxygen levels, but even there oxygen
was periodically severely depressed during overcast periods.
Near midday at site 50 on 28 July 1985 the highest water column
oxygen level was only 2.8 mg/l at the surface, and below 0.5
meters deep levels were 0.6 mg/l or less.
North Pond m a i n t a i n e d a v e r y p e r s i s t e n t , d e n s e phytoplankton
bloom throughout t h e s t u d y , a l t h o u g h d e n s i t y d e s c r e a s e d i n mid
w i n t e r . Near-surface d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s were h i g h and
u s u a l l y s u p e r - s a t u r a t e d i n t h e a f t e r n o o n . Good wind mixing i n
t h e pond u s u a l l y k e p t water column oxygen l e v e l s h i g h , e x c e p t i n
t h e p r o t e c t e d c h a g n e l near t h e l e v e e s e p a r a t i n g t h e North Pond
from North Marsh.' The c o n t i n u o u s d e n s e bloom o f phytoplankton
s u p p r e s s e d pondweed g r o w t h , e x c e p t f o r a s m a l l p a t c h a l o n g t h e
e a s t e r n shore.
Pondweed was g e n e r a l l y more a b u n d a n t i n P e s c a d e r o , San
~ r e g o r i o ,and Waddell l a g o o n s d u r i n g t h e 1987, 1988 and 1989
d r o u g h t years. Very Abundant pondweed i n P e s c a d e r o lagoon i n
1988 was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r v e r y low d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s i n l a t e
summer (Figure 1 5 ) ; t h e pondweed shaded t h e bottom and k e p t t h e
bottom anoxic, b u t a l s o s h a r p l y reduced w a t e r column d i s s o l v e d
oxygen l e v e l s a t n i g h t o r d u r i n g p e r i o d s of o v e r c a s t . High
pondweed abundance a t Waddell Creek lagoon was a f a c t o r i n t h e
low bottom d i s s o l v e d l e v e l s p r e s e n t i n l a t e summer and f a l l of
1989 ( F i g u r e 4 2 ) .
~ o s of t t h e a d v e r s e w a t e r q u a l i t y e f f e c t s of pondweed o r
a l g a e were observed i n q u i e t b a c k w a t e r s ( N o r t h Marsh) o r i n t h e
d r o u g h t y e a r s (1987-1989) when l a c k o f w i n t e r s c o u r allowed e a r l y
growth and high pondweed d e n s i t y . However, t h e a d v e r s e e f f e c t s
a r e probably more l i k e l y t o o c c u r i n a s t r a t i f i e d lagoon; t h e
h i g h e r bottom t e m p e r a t u r e s p r o b a b l y s t i m u l a t e growth r a t e s , and
t h e l a c k of v e r t i c a l m i x i n g makes d i s s o l v e d oxygen f l u c t u a t i o n s
more s e v e r e .
~ e c o m p o s i n uo r q a n i c H a t t e r . Pondweed d i e d back i n t h e lagoons i n
l a t e October and November 1985, p r o b a b l y due t o c o o l e r w a t e r
temperatures (Figure 5 ) . Increased t u r b i d i t y with f i r s t r a i n s
and t i d a l c u r r e n t s a f t e r s a n d b a r b r e a c h i n g may have a l s o
contributed t o t h e die-back. Oxygen l e v e l s were somewhat
d e p r e s s e d by dead pondweed i n t h e upper arms a t Pescadero lagoon,
b u t n o t i n t h o s e a r e a s s u b j e c t t o s i g n i f i c a n t wind o r t i d a l
a c t i o n ; mixing by t h e w i n d s and t i d e s k e p t oxygen l e v e l s high.
Sandbar b r e a c h i n g a t Waddell Creek i n e a r l y J u l y 1986 a l s o
a l l o w e d t i d e s t o b r i n g i n p i l e s of k e l p , which decomposed and
used up most of t h e d i s s o l v e d oxygen i n t h e lagoon ( F i g u r e 3 5 ) .
~ l t h o u g ht i d a l i n f l o w a t h i g h t i d e p a r t i a l l y r e s t o r e d d i s s o l v e d
oxygen l e v e l s , a t low t i d e t h e o n l y oxygenated r e f u g e f o r t h e
f i s h was t h e 1 0 - 2 0 cm o f f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w a t t h e s u r f a c e of
t h e lagoon.
Phytoplankton
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
The growth of f i l a m e n t o u s a l g a e a n d pondweed i n t h e l a g o o n s

may p e r i o d i c a l l y reduce d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s , b u t it a l s o
p r o v i d e s food and s u b s t r a t e f o r i n v e r t e b r a t e s . Temperature and
t u r b i d i t y a p p e a r t o c o n t r o l t h e t i m i n g of pondweed growth, and
s u b s t r a t e and d e p t h p u r b i d i t y a p p e a r t o c o n t r o l t h e l o c a t i o n of
pondweed and s e a l e t t u c e (Ulva l a c t u c a ) i n t h e lagoons.
T e m p e r a t u r e . I n Late October o f 1985 w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s had
d r o p p e d t o 14 - 16 degrees C i n P e s c a d e r o Creek lagoon, compared
t o 18-19 d e g r e e s C i n e a r l y S e p t e m b e r , and most of t h e pondweed
h a d d i e d back (Figure 5). Water t e m p e r a t u r e s i n l a t e May were
m o s t l y l e s s t h a n 18 d e g r e e s C a n d pondweed growth had j u s t begun.
I n 1986 t h e temperature regime a n d t i m i n g o f pondweed growth was
s i m i l a r i n t h e upper arms o f t h e l a g o o n , d e s p i t e t h e open sandbar
a n d h i g h s a l i n i t i e s . However, pondweed growth i n t h e main
embayment was delayed compared t o 1985. 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 u p p e r arms r e s u l t e d i n warmer bottom w a t e r s compared t o t h o s e
i n t h e t i d a l l y - m i x e d main embayment, and may have accounted f o r
t h e d i f f e r e n c e i n timing of pondweed growth between t h e two
a r e a s . I n 1987 and 1988 t h e s a n d b a r s c l o s e d e a r l y ( A p r i l ) , w a t e r
t e m p e r a t u r e s and s a l i n i t i e s were h i g h , and pondweed growth was
advanced a b o u t one month compared t o 1985 and 1986.
Depth and ~ u r b i d i t v . When t h e l a g o o n s r a p i d l y f i l l a f t e r sandbar
f o r m a t i o n much of t h e d e e p e s t p o r t i o n s of t h e lagoons ( s u c h a s
t h e main embayment a t P e s c a d e r o l a g o o n ) a r e deeper than s e c c h i
d i s k depth, especially i f phytoplankton d e n s i t i e s a r e high.
~ l t h o u g ht h e lagoon g r a d u a l l y c l e a r s o v e r t h e n e x t 2 months, it
is p o s s i b l e t h a t pondweed and f i l a m e n t o u s a l g a e growth a r e
s u p p r e s s e d i n deepest p o r t i o n s o f t h e lagoon ( g r e a t e r t h a n 2
meters deep) by low l i g h t a v a i l a b i l i t y . The problem is p r o b a b l y
greatest f o r a l g a e , s i n c e t h e pondweed, once s t a r t e d , can grow
r a p i d l y t o w a r d s t h e s u r f a c e . The m a j o r i t y of f i l a m e n t o u s a l g a e
i n t h e l a g o o n s w a s u s u a l l y found growing o n t h e u p p e r p o r t i o n s of
t h e pondweed.
Substrate. When o p e n t o f u l l t i d a l a c t i o n a n d f o r a b o u t a month
a f t e r t h e b a r h a s c l o s e d , s e a l e t t u c e c a n b e p r e s e n t i n Pescadero
l a g o o n . I n 1 9 8 6 , a t t a c h e d s e a l e t t u c e w a s f o u n d o n t h e rocky
ledges a l o n g t h e s o u t h side of t h e main embayment. Unattached
s e a l e t t u c e was f o u n d p r i m a r i l y i n t h e " n u l l z o n e w of t i d a l
m i x i n g upstream of t h e m a i n embayment n e a r t h e c o n f l u e n c e of
Butano and Pescadero creeks ( s i t e s 7B, 8 , 9 , a n d 18B) .
Pondweed a p p e a r e d t o be most a b u n d a n t i n a r e a s of s o f t
s u b s t r a t e . The P e s c a d e r o C r e e k arm a t P e s c a d e r o l a g o o n normally
r e c e i v e s c o n s i d e r a b l e w i n t e r scour, has sandy t o g r a v e l y
s u b s t r a t e , and h a s m e a g e r pondweed g r o w t h . The B u t a n o arm of t h e
s y s t e m h a s l o w e r g r a d i e n t , h a s f i n e r s u b s t r a t e ( s i l t - s a n d ) , and
u s u a l l y h a s d e n s e pondweed. I n 1986 t h e F e b r u a r y s t o r m s removed
much of t h e f i n e r s i l t i n t h e Butano Creek arm a n d i n t h e main
embayment, and pondweed abundance was g r e a t l y r e d u c e d . Pondweed
was s t i l l a b u n d a n t i n 1 9 8 6 i n t h e a r e a o f s i l t d e p o s i t i o n n e a r
s i t e s 8 8 and 9 a n d i n t h e s h a l l o w p o r t i o n of t h e main embayment
u p s t r e a m of t h e Highway 1 b r i d g e . I n 1987 a n d 1988 l a c k of
w i n t e r s c o u r a t P e s c a d e r o l a g o o n r e s u l t e d i n a b u n d a n t pondweed
t h r o u g h o u t t h e m a i n embayment by t h e end o f May. I n 1989 t h e
s a n d b a r a t P e s c a d e r o was k e p t open, and t h e pondweed was less
abundant i n t h e areas s u b j e c t t o t i d a l s c o u r a n d c o o l i n g .
A t San G r e g o r i o a n d Waddell c r e e k s , t h e i n c i s e d c h a n n e l s and
n o r m a l l y g r e a t e r w i n t e r s c o u r r e s u l t i n less pondweed t h a n i n
p e s c a d e r o l a g o o n . M o s t o f t h e pondweed is u p s t r e a m of t h e
Highway 1 b r i d g e s , w h e r e s p r i n g t i d a l s c o u r i n g o f t h e s a n d does
n o t o c c u r . Lack o f f l o o d s c o u r i n 1987, 1 9 8 8 , a n d 1989 r e s u l t e d
i n much h i g h e r pondweed abundance. The pondweed a c t e d a s
sediment t r a p i n t h e m i l d w i n t e r s , producing t h e t h i c k deposits
of f i n e s e d i m e n t i n w h i c h it seems t o be most s u c c e s s f u l .
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
Habitat conditions in the lagoons cannot be treated as

independent of upstream habitat and land use conditions in the
watershed. In addition to the potential of toxic inflows from
agricultural (or urban) areas, the lagoons were affected by
sediment conditions, water temperatures, and flow rates in the
streams entering the lagoons.
Substrate and Sediment. The developed upstream watersheds on sari
Gregorio and Pescadero creeks are contributing tremendous
quantities of sediment to the downstream stream channels and
lagoons. The lagoons may no longer suffer much additional
filling, because they have become so shallow that scour and
filling may be nearly balanced. However, the wintertime cycles
of deposition and scour probably have severe effects upon benthic
invertebrates. The influx of fine sediment also contributes to
winter turbidity of the estuary, making it much less suitable as
a feeding area for steelhead smolts.
sedimentation of the stream channels upstream of the lagoons
at San Gregorio and Pescadero creeks has also severely reduced
the quality of spawning substrate for steelhead. The juvenile
steelhead which populate the lagoons in summer now hatch far
upstreamand in far fewer numbers. Undoubtedly fewerjuvenile
steelhead utilize the lagoons than in the past, when significant
spawningtook place near or in channels inundated by thesummer
lagoons. At Waddell Creek the stream above the lagoon is largely
protected and relatively undisturbed. Substantial spawning takes
placeimmediately upstream of the lagoon and large numbersof
juvenile fish are able to easily migrate the short distance to
the lagoon. The lagoon at Waddell Creek, although much smaller
than either San Gregorio or Pescadero lagoons, may rear more
juvenile steelhead in some summers than the other two lagoons
combined.
Temperature. Summer water temperatures Upstream of the lagoons
at San Gregorio and Pescadero creeks may represent an additional
problem for juvenile steelhead attempting to move downstream to
utilize the lagoons. At San Gregorio Creek the stream channel
above the lagoon is broad and unshaded, and water temperatures
are very high by early summer. On 19 June 1986 water
temperatures in the stream immediately above the lagoon had
reached 24.8 -
26.3 degrees C by 14:40 in the afternoon; they had
increased 3 degrees C since 12:30 and probably reached 28 degrees
c b y 16:OO. A t P e s c a d e r o Creek t h e channel u p s t r e a m from S t a t e
P a r k p r o p e r t y is l e v e e d , s h a l l o w , and s p a r s e l y shaded. On 3 j u l y
1986 water t e m p e r a t u r e s c l i m b e d from 21.5 d e g r e e s C a t 11:45 t o
26.5 d e g r e e s C by 16:OO.
-
T e m p e r a t u r e s of s t r e a m f l o w i n t o t h e l a g o o n s p r o b a b l y ha"; t l
o n l y minor e f f e c t s on summer lagoon w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s . ow ever,
a t p e s c a d e r o Creek l a g o o n t h e c o o l e s t summer l a g o o n w a t e r
t e m p e r a t u r e s are i n t h e u p p e r Butano Creek arm, where well-shaded
B u t a n o Creek d i s c h a r g e s i n t o a narrow, and e q u a l l y well-shaded
p o r t i o n of t h e lagoon.
streamflow. A g r i c u l t u r a l pumping t a k e s p l a c e on San Gregorio,
p e s c a d e r o , and Waddell c r e e k s . The s h a r p r e d u c t i o n s i n
s t r e a m f l o w t h a t accompany t h e pumping s e a s o n g r e a t l y a f f e c t t h e
r a t e o f l a g o o n f i l l i n g b e h i n d t h e s a n d b a r s and t h u s t h e depths,
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 l e v e l s i n t h e
l a g o o n s . The most d r a m a t i c e f f e c t s of d i v e r s i o n s a r e seen a t
Waddell Creek lagoon, b e c a u s e i t s s m a l l volume r e s p o n d s more
q u i c k l y t o changes i n s t r e a m f l o w ( F i g u r e s 3 6 and 3 9 ) , b u t t h e
water q u a l i t y and s i z e o f a l l t h r e e lagoons a r e s e v e r e l y impacted
by d i v e r s i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y i n d r y y e a r s .
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
siqnificance of the Laqoons to Steelhead. San Gregorio,

Pescadero, and Waddell creek lagoons can be heavily used by
juvenile steelhead for rearing, despite their shallowness and
warm summer water. For Pescadero lagoon in 1986 the best
estimates of large fish (mostly 100 - 200 mm standard length, see
Figure 45) using the main embayment were 6308 on 28 July, 7422 on
26 September, and 9893 on 28 November; three estimates for the
number of steelhead in the entire lagoon complex on 28 November
all exceeded 17,000. At San Gregorio lagoon the 19 October 1986
estimate, based upon fish marked in June and July, was 10,713.
~t Waddell lagoon the 12 October 1986 estimates, based upon fish
marked earlier in the summer, ranged from 8653 to 14,716. Four
estimates for the number of yearling steelhead in Waddell lagoon
i n J u l y and October 1986 r a n g e d from 2032 t o 2654. I n addition,
most of t h e lagoon f i s h had grown b i g enough t o s m o l t and e n t e r
t h e ocean by t h e end o f t h e y e a r ( F i g u r e s 45, 4 8 , a n d 5 1 ) .
To p u t t h e above f i g u r e s i n p e r s p e c t i v e t h e y s h o u l d be
compared to s t e e l h e a d p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e w a t e r s h e d s . A t Pescadero
Creek, November 1986 estimates o f s t r e a m d e n s i t i e s o f s t e e l h e a d
a t two r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s i t e s ( f a r upstream, above t h e d e g r a d e d
lowland h a b i t a t ) a v e r a g e d 2368 f i s h p e r m i l e . I t would t a k e 8
m i l e s of stream t o equal t h e numerical p r o d u c t i o n o f s t e e l h e a d i n
Pescadero lagoon i n 1986. When f i s h s i z e i s t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t
t h e v a l u e of t h e l a g o o n is even g r e a t e r . I n t h e stream t h e r e
w e r e only a n e s t i m a t e d 467 f i s h p e r m i l e t h a t w e r e l o n g e r t h a n
100 mm SL. The e n t i r e 2 5 m i l e s of a c c e s s i b l e s t r e a m s i n t h e
watershed would p r o b a b l y be a b l e t o produce o n l y t w o - t h i r d s a s
many l a r g e f i s h a s t h e l a g o o n , and t h o s e f i s h would s t i l l b e
s m a l l e r t h a n most of t h e f i s h r e a r e d i n t h e l a g o o n ( F i g u r e s 4 4
and 45).
~ n a l y s i so f s c a l e s f r o m 27 a d u l t s t e e l h e a d c o l l e c t e d on
Pescadero Creek from 1 9 8 5 - 1989 showed t h a t 16 f i s h , o r 59.3
p e r c e n t , r e a r e d i n t h e l a g o o n (Table 4 ) . Another 2 f i s h ( 7 . 4 % )
s p e n t t h e i r f i r s t y e a r i n t h e s t r e a m and t h e i r y e a r l i n g y e a r i n
t h e lagoon, and 1 f i s h ( 3 . 7 % ) s p e n t 2 y e a r s i n t h e s t r e a m , b u t
g r e w 40% of its l e n g t h i n t h e lagoon b e f o r e e n t e r i n g t h e ocean i n
1986. A t l e a s t 70 p e r c e n t of t h e a d u l t s t e e l h e a d i n t h i s l i m i t e d
sample r e a r e d i n t h e l a g o o n . I n a d d i t i o n , 5 o f t h e f i s h (18.5%)
had back-calculated f i r s t y e a r s i z e s i n t e r m e d i a t e between t h o s e
of f i s h c o l l e c t e d i n t h e s t r e a m and t h e l a g o o n . T h e s e might
r e p r e s e n t f i s h r e a r e d i n e s p e c i a l l y f a v o r a b l e s t r e a m s i t e s , but
a l s o might r e p r e s e n t f i s h r e a r e d i n upstream p o r t i o n s o f t h e
lagoon, where growth r a t e s t e n d t o be lower.
Pattern of Utilization. Y e a r l i n g s t e e l h e a d e n t e r e d t h e lagoons
i n l a r g e numbers b e g i n n i n g i n A p r i l , b u t some e n t e r e d a s soon a s
r a i n s began i n w i n t e r . Many of t h e y e a r l i n g s were s m o l t s which
p a s s e d on through t o t h e o c e a n , b u t o t h e r s c h o s e t o remain i n t h e
lagoon. I n 1986 s e v e r a l t h o u s a n d s m o l t - s i z e d y e a r l i n g s remained
i n San Gregorio, Waddell, and probably P e s c a d e r o l a g o o n s , even
though a c c e s s t o t h e o c e a n was p o s s i b l e i n J u l y . A t b o t h Waddell
and San Gregorio l a g o o n s , y e a r l i n g s even remained a f t e r
a r t i f i c i a l b r e a c h i n g o f t h e s a n d b a r s d r a s t i c a l l y r e d u c e d lagoon
water l e v e l s . I n 1985 e a r l y c l o s u r e (by 1 May) o f t h e s a n d b a r
t r a p p e d numerous smolted s t e e l h e a d a t Pescadero l a g o o n .
young-of-the-year s t e e l h e a d a r e p r e s e n t i n s t r e a m c h a n n e l s
inundated by t h e l a g o o n s i n summer and a l s o m i g r a t e down i n t o t h e
lagoons. A t Waddell Creek lagoon l a r g e numbers o f j u v e n i l e f i s h
w e r e still e n t e r i n g t h e l a g o o n i n J u l y 1986. The l a r g e r number
of f i s h p r e s e n t i n t h e l a g o o n s i n 1986 was p a r t l y due t o h i g h e r
streamflows, which a l l o w e d j u v e n i l e f i s h t o move down t o t h e
lagoon throughout much o f t h e e a r l y summer. I n d r i e r y e a r s
s t r e a m f l o w s would q u i c k l y d e c l i n e a n d restrict p a s s a g e ; i n
a d d i t i o n , lower s t r e a m f l o w s m i g h t s t i m u l a t e l e s s downstream
migration.
S t e e l h e a d u s e d a l m o s t a l l h a b i t a t s i n San G r e g o r i o ,
Pescadero, and Waddell l a g o o n s , b u t l a r g e r f i s h t e n d e d t o be
a s s o c i a t e d w i t h d e e p e r areas. During p e r i o d s of low w a t e r , such
a s a f t e r s a n d b a r b r e a c h e s a t Waddell a n d San G r e g o r i o l a g o o n s ,
l a r g e r s t e e l h e a d were o f t e n c o n f i n e d t o d e e p e r h o l e s , s u c h a s
n e a r t h e b r i d g e a b u t m e n t s . The a t t r a c t i o n t o t h e b r i d g e s may
i n v o l v e more t h a n j u s t d e p t h , s i n c e a t Pescadero lagoon s c h o o l s
o f s t e e l h e a d c o n g r e g a t e d i n t h e s h a d e o f t h e b r i d g e , even though
t h e s i t e is no d e e p e r t h a n much o f t h e embayment upstream.
A t Pescadero lagoon s c h o o l s of s t e e l h e a d e n t e r e d t h e d e e p e r
c h a n n e l s of Butano Marsh t o f e e d , d e s p i t e l a r g e d i u r n a l oxygen
v a r i a t i o n n e a r t h e d e n s e pondweed o f t h e c h a n n e l s . I n 1985 and
1986 s t e e l h e a d were p r e s e n t e a r l y i n t h e summer i n North Marsh,
a f t e r having e n t e r e d t h r o u g h t h e c u l v e r t (1985) and d u r i n g t h e
s t o r m overflow i n t o t h e marsh ( 1 9 8 6 ) . The f i s h had grown t o o v e r
300 mm SL on t h e i n c r e d i b l y a b u n d a n t i n v e r t e b r a t e s i n t h e f l o o d e d
marsh by e a r l y summer, b u t h i g h mid-summer t e m p e r a t u r e s and low
oxygen l e v e l s a p p a r e n t l y k i l l e d any s t e e l h e a d p r e s e n t .
Early s a n d b a r c l o s u r e commonly t r a p s some downmigrating
a d u l t s t e e l h e a d . I n 1985 t h e s a n d b a r a t Pescadero was c l o s e d by
1 May, and 11 a d u l t s t e e l h e a d were c a p t u r e d by s e i n e o r g i l l n e t
sampling i n J u n e t h r o u g h August. A l l a d u l t s caught were
e x t r e m e l y e m a c i a t e d , and t h e i r stomachs were mostly empty. Based
upon t h e i r c o n d i t i o n i n midsummer, it i s l i k e l y t h a t many t r a p p e d
a d u l t s do n o t s u r v i v e u n t i l t h e n a t u r a l f a l l / w i n t e r s a n d b a r
b r e a c h . I n 1987 e a r l y s a n d b a r c l o s u r e a l s o t r a p p e d l a r g e numbers
o f a d u l t s a t P e s c a d e r o Creek lagoon.
A f t e r heavy w i n t e r s t o r m s t h e open e s t u a r i e s a r e u s u a l l y v e r y
t u r b i d (secchi depths of 0 . 1 - 0.5 m e t e r s ) and probably do n o t
p r o v i d e very good f e e d i n g a r e a s f o r s t e e l h e a d . I t a p p e a r s t h a t
most of t h e s t e e l h e a d r a i s e d d u r i n g t h e summer i n t h e l a g o o n s
e n t e r t h e ocean i n w i n t e r , r a t h e r t h a n w a i t i n g u n t i l t h e normal
s p r i n g s m o l t i n g p e r i o d . Within one month of sandbar b r e a c h i n g i n
l a t e f a l l of 1985 most o f t h e s t e e l h e a d i n San G r e g o r i o ,
Pescadero, and Waddell l a g o o n s had t a k e n on a t l e a s t p a r t i a l
s m o l t c o l o r a t i o n . However, i n mild w i n t e r s , w i t h reduced i n f l o w
o f t u r b i d w a t e r and s e d i m e n t , l a g o o n c o n d i t i o n s probably remain
good f o r s u r v i v a l and growth. Large numbers of lagoon-reared
s t e e l h e a d were s t i l l p r e s e n t i n Waddell Creek lagoon i n March of
1988 and 1990. S c a l e a n a l y s i s from f i s h c o l l e c t e d i n March of
1990 showed r e l a t i v e l y p o o r growth from summer 1989, when water
q u a l i t y was g e n e r a l l y p o o r ( F i g u r e s 4 1 and 4 2 ) , b u t e x c e l l e n t
growth i n l a t e w i n t e r ; most of t h e i r s i z e was due t o w i n t e r
growth.
In December of 1985 two steelhead smolts full of Neomysis
were collected in Pomponio Creek lagoon, confirming the creek as
a steelhead stream. It appears that even tiny lagoons, grossly
unsuitable for summer rearing, can contribute to the maintenance
of steelhead populations by providing feeding areas during winter
or during spring smolt outmigration.
C o n d i t i o n s Reauired for Laqoon Gurvival and Growth. In general,
growth and survival of steelhead in the lagoons was good when the
lagoons were open to full tidal mixing. Growth and survival were
also good after lagoons had converted to unstratified
(freshwater) conditions, which resulted in lower water
temperatures and higher bottom dissolved oxygen levels. Survival
and growth were poor when salinity was stratified, which resulted
in high water temperatures and poor bottom dissolved oxygen
levels.
Fish grew rapidly in the freshwater lagoons in 1985 (Figures
43, 47, and SO), and young-of-the-year fish quickly caught up to
the yearling fish in size (fish length-frequency distribution was
unimodal by August). By the end of the year fish in Pescadero
and San Gregorio lagoons averaged over 150 mm long (SL). Fish in
Waddell.Creek lagoon were slightly smaller, possibly because of
much higher densities in Waddell lagoon.
At Pescadero Creek lagoon in 1986 the fish grew extremely
fast in the main embayment in June and July (Figure 45), while
the sandbar was fully open. Food was extremely abundant; clouds
of ~eomysiswere present, and the bottom was thick with
coro~hium. By the end of June steelhead already averaged nearly
130 mm long (SL), and by the end of July they averaged 150 mm
long (SL). After sandbar closure, however, water temperatures
increased (Figure 8) and bottom dissolved oxygen levels dropped
(Figure 9). The fish showed little growth in August and
September (Figure 45), while the lagoon was converting to
freshwater. By late September the lagoon had finally
destratified for salinity (Figure 7B) , temperatures had dropped
(Figure 8) and dissolved oxygen levels had recovered, except for
the very deepest parts of the lagoon (Figure 9). Steelhead
growth was again good in October and November (Figure 45).
Fish in the upper arms (site 18B and upstream) of Pescadero
Creek lagoon in 1986 showed a different growth pattern in the
early summer compared to those in the well-mixed main embayment.
The upper arms were shallow, stratified for salinity and static;
bottom water temperatures were high, dissolved oxygen levels were
low and invertebrates were scarce. While main embayment fish
averaged 130 mm long (SL) by the end of June, those in the arms
averaged only 80 mm. The major differences in fish size in early
summer 1986 in Pescadero Lagoon had little to do with fish age,
but were primarily the result of how soon the fish moved down
into the food-rich embayment .
At San Gregorio Creek lagoon in 1986 fish sizes averaged nuch
less than in 1985 (Figure 49). In mid October average size vas
only about 110 mm long (SL). Part of the reduction may have been
due to slightly higher densities than in 1985, but the major
reason for the reduction in growth rates was the multiple
breachings of the sandbar throughout the summer. The breaching
greatly reduced lagoon depth and maintained salinity
stratification (Figure 23), resulting in periodic high water
temperatures (Figure 24) and low bottom dissolved oxygen levels
(Figure 26). High water temperatures and poor food availability
resulted in little fish growth in summer (Figure 48). Because of
the much smaller fish size in 1986 ocean survival was probably
substantially reduced and the potential contribution of the
lagoon to the adult steelhead run was probably cut by at least
half.
~t Waddell Creek lagoon in 1986 fish size was also greatly
reduced compared to 1985 by sandbar breaching (Figure 52).
Several artificial breaches, and possibly one natural breach,
resulted in lower water levels and higher temperatures for much
of the summer. The lagoon also went through a severe episode of
anoxia, due to kelp, which washed in with the tide after a
sandbar breach. Most of the invertebrates in the lagoon were
killed. However, it appears that most of the fish remained in
the lagoon, even though only the surface waters were oxygenated
(Figure 35). Because of the lack of substantial growth, yearling
and young-of-the-year fish retained different size modes (Figure
51), with young-of-year fish averaging only about 95 mm long (SL)
and yearlings only about 140 mm long (SL) by mid October. They
had grown only about 20-25 mm since early July.
In 1987 and 1988 Waddell Creek lagoon converted to freshwater
(Figure 37), and steelhead growth was very good in 1988 (Figure
52). No fish sampling took place in 1987, but growth and
survival were presumably very good in that year also.
Pescadero Creek lagoon in 1987 and 1988 and San Gregorio
Creek lagoon in 1987, 1988, and 1989 remained shallow and
stratified for salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen
(Figures 10-15 and 27-34). Fish sampling in June 1987 (Table 3)
at Pescadero Creek lagoon showed low steelhead abundance and poor
growth, but no fall sampling was done to determine over-summer
survival and growth. In 1988 Pescadero Creek lagoon was sampled
in August and again in November. Steelhead were collected in
rather low abundance in August and showed relatively poor gro~th
(Figure 4 6 ) , equivalent to that of the stratified 1986 San
~regorioand Waddell creek lagoons (Figures 48 and 51). However,
intensive sampling in November produced only 5 steelhead in 13
seine hauls. Apparently very few steelhead survived the poor
late summer conditions in Pescadero Creek lagoon in 1988, and it
is likely that survival was very poor in 1987 also. December
1988 sampling of the very shallow lagoon at San Gregorio Creek
c a p t u r e d o n l y 1 2 s t e e l h e a d , 1 0 o f which were under t h e Highway 1
b r i d g e . The lagoon p o p u l a t i o n w a s p r o b a b l y l e s s t h a n 50
s t e e l h e a d , a l t h o u g h t h e f i s h were r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e ( F i g u r e 4 9 ) .
R e a r i n g s u c c e s s was p r o b a b l y s i m i l a r l y poor i n San G r e g o r i o Creek
l a g o o n i n 1987 and 1989.
*$-?
I n 1989 l a t e s a n d b a r c l o s u r e and low steamflows a t P e s c a d e r o
C r e e k lagoon probably would h a v e r e s u l t e d i n a s t r a t i f i e d s a l i n e
a n d warm lagoon a l l summer. However, b r e a c h i n g of t h e s a n d b a r
f o r b r i d g e c o n s t r u c t i o n k e p t t h e main e m b a p e n t c o o l and w e l l
mixed f o r most of t h e summer ( F i g u r e s 16-18). Food was a b u n d a n t
a n d s t e e l h e a d grew w e l l i n 1 9 8 9 ( F i g u r e 4 6 ) , a l t h o u g h numbers
w e r e probably low compared t o 1 9 8 5 o r 1986.
MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
These r e s u l t s from f o u r d i f f e r e n t lagoons and from v e r y d r y ,

below average, and r e l a t i v e l y w e t r u n o f f y e a r s s u g g e s t t h a t two
p r i m a r y e f f o r t s a r e r e q u i r e d t o improve t h e management o f
P e s c a d e r o , San Gregorio and Waddell c r e e k lagoons and o t h e r
s i m i l a r c o a s t a l lagoons: m a i n t e n a n c e of q u a l i t y and q u a n t i t y of
i n f l o w s ; and r e g u l a t i o n of a r t i f i c i a l sandbar breaching a n d
construction.
Freshwater Inflow Requirements
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.
San Gregorio Creek lagoon is smaller, and required less

inflow for conversion (Table 2). The amount of water required
for each 1 % conversion to fresh water varied from 1.4 to 3 0 . 7
acre feet, with 4 of the 5 values at 4.5 or less. If 4.5 acre
feet is assumed to be sufficient and 66 % salt water at the time
of sandbar formation is planned for, 2.25 cfs for 66 days or 4.5
cfs for 3 3 days would be necessary to convert the lagoon to
freshwater and produce good steelhead rearing conditions. Since
salt water loss due to sandbar seepage is greater if the lagoon
water levels are higher, and since poor rearing conditions exist
during the freshwater conversion period, the higher rate (4.5
cfs) for the shorter period ( 3 3 days) is greatly preferable.
However, more inflow might be required, as none of the data used
for the estimate are from years when full freshwater conversion
occurred. In addition, it should be noted that present lagoon
inflows at the time of sandbar formation (Table 1) rarely meet
these requirements, due to present heavy diversion rates.
No data for the comparison of inflows and freshwater
conversion is available for Waddell Creek lagoon, but a very
rough estimate of flows needed for freshwater conversion can be
made based upon relative sizes of Waddell, Pescadero, and San
Gregorio creek lagoons. It appears that Waddell lagoon might
need flows of as much as 1.5-2 cfs for 3 3 days if it was very
salty at the time of sandbar formation.
Because inflows necessary for salt water conversion probably
vary from year to year, periodic sampling of the lagoon for
salinity conditions should be a part of the bypass flow
regulation procedure. Once the lagoon converts to freshwater
(approximately 1 PPT), unstratified conditions the inflows can be
reduced. Since the deepest part of each lagoon is normally at
the Highway 1 bridge, a representative lagoon salinity profile
can be easily determined from the bridge in 10 - 15 minutes. The
profile should be determined in deepest portion of the channel. A
salinity meter with a cable at least 75 feet long would be
n e c e s s a r y a t San ~ r e g o r i oCreek lagoon, a s t h e b r i d g e sidewalk i s
n o r m a l l y 45 f e e t above t h e t h e water s u r f a c e n e a r t h e s o u t h
abutment ( t h e u s u a l l o c a t i o n of t h e d e e p e s t p o r t i o n of t h e
channel) .
I n a d d i t i o n t o i n f l o w s . ~ u rf r e s h w a t e r c o n v e r s i o n , t h e lagoons
need s u f f i c i e n t inflow throughout t h e summer t o m a i n t a i n t h e i r
d e p t h . The amount of i n f l o w s would depend upon t h e d e s i r e d
d e p t h , a s lagoons with h i g h e r water l e v e l s would have g r e a t e r
s a n d b a r seepage l o s s . The amount of i n f l o w s would a l s o depend
upon t h e sandbar c o n f i g u r a t i o n , a s w i d t h and l e n g t h of t h e b a r
would a l s o a f f e c t seepage r a t e s . S i z e o f t h e lagoon and t h e
e x t e n t and t y p e of a d j a c e n t land f l o o d e d would have t o be
determined f o r v a r i o u s w a t e r s t a g e s a t t h e lagoons i n o r d e r t o
a r r i v e a t a d e s i r e d lagoon h e i g h t and r e q u i r e d inflow. Very
rough e s t i m a t e s , based upon lagoon h e i g h t s and gaged flows i n
1985 - 1988, show t h a t Pescadero Creek lagoon can probably
m a i n t a i n Highway 1 s t a f f gage water h e i g h t s of 4 . 5 - 5.0 feet a t
f l o w s of 2.5 - 3 . 0 c f s a t t h e USGS gage. A t San Gregorio Creek
lagoon Highway 1 s t a f f gage h e i g h t s of 3 . 0 f e e t probably r e q u i r e
f l o w s p a s t t h e USGS gage of 1.5 - 2.0 c f s . A t Waddell C r e e k
lagoon Highway 1 s t a f f gage h e i g h t s of 4 . 0 f e e t probably r e q u i r e
f l o w s of 0 . 5 - 0.75 c f s . (Note: t h e s t a f f gages on t h e b r i d g e s
w e r e a r b i t r a r i l y placed, and a r e not r e f e r e n c e d t o mean s e a
l e v e l ) . A s shown by t h e summer-long d e c l i n e s i n lagoon l e v e l s i n
1987 - 1989 ( F i g u r e s 10 and 2 7 ) , p r e s e n t s t r e a m d i v e r s i o n s a r e
a l r e a d y t o o g r e a t t o a l l o w s u f f i c i e n t lagoon i n f l o w s t o maintain
summer depth i n drought y e a r s .
Quality of Inflows
A g r i c u l t u r a l (and p o t e n t i a l l y urban) waste w a t e r s can have

d r a s t i c , although d i f f i c u l t t o document, impacts upon t h e s e
s e n s i t i v e and important h a b i t a t s . Levees o r o t h e r b a r r i e r s t o
contaminated runoff from surrounding l a n d s should be e v a l u a t e d .
Sandbar Breachinq
summertime breaching of sandbars s e v e r e l y a l t e r i h a b i t a t

c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e lagoons. For s t e e l h e a d t r o u t t h e s e a l t e r a t i o n s
a d v e r s e l y a f f e c t f i s h abundance and growth r a t e s . Despite t h e s e ,
a d v e r s e e f f e c t s and d e s p i t e t h e Department of F i s h and Game,
C o a s t a l Commission, and Corps of Engineers p e r m i t s r e q u i r e d f o r
b r e a c h i n g , l e g a l and i l l e g a l lagoon openings r e g u l a r l y occur. ~t
Pescadero lagoon t h e b a r is opened t o reduce f l o o d i n g of
a r t i c h o k e f i e l d s . A t San Gregorio lagoon t h e b a r is a p p a r e n t l y
opened t o p r o t e c t water d i v e r s i o n s and t o provide beach a c c e s s .
~t Waddell lagoon o c c a s i o n a l a r t i f i c i a l sandbar breaching
a p p a r e n t l y o c c u r s , b u t t h e r e a s o n s and p e r s o n s r e s p o n s i b l e a r e
n o t known. The s a n d b a r s h a v e a l s o a p p a r e n t l y b e e n b r e a c h e d i n
e a r l y w i n t e r by f i s h e r m e n w a n t i n g t o a l l o w s t e e l h e a d a c c e s s t o
t h e lagoon; i n t h e a b s e n c e o f s u f f i c i e n t f l o w s t o a l l o w e a s y
u p s t r e a m m i g r a t i o n , t h e o n l y b e n e f i t is t o f i s h e r m e n a n d
poachers. g s -
A t Pescadero l a g o o n t h e l o n g t e r m s o l u t i o n t o t h e c o n f l i c t
s h o u l d be t h e p u r c h a s e of l a n d s t h r e a t e n e d by n o r m a l l a g o o n w a t e r
l e v e l s . Levees m i g h t a l s o be used t o p r o t e c t some l a n d s s u b j e c t
t o v e r y h i g h l a g o o n w a t e r l e v e l s . A c q u i s i t i o n a n d l e v e e s may
a l s o reduce t h e t h r e a t t o t h e lagoon/marshland s y s t e m from
pesticides i n runoff.
A t San G r e g o r i o l a g o o n t h e p e r c e i v e d c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n lagoon
water l e v e l s and w a t e r d i v e r t e r s might b e r e l i e v e d b y s i t u a t i n g
t h e d i v e r s i o n i n t a k e s a t t h e lagoon s u r f a c e . I n t h e u p p e r end of
t h e lagoon, s u r f a c e waters were f r e s h , even when b o t t o m w a t e r s
w e r e m i l d l y b r a c k i s h ; i f t h e b a r remained i n p l a c e t h e e n t i r e
l a g o o n would be f r e s h w a t e r by mid summer. A m i n o r c o n f l i c t
between r e c r e a t i o n a l a c c e s s and lagoon w a t e r l e v e l s c a n b e
e x p e c t e d whenever t h e l a g o o n s h i f t s t o w a r d s t h e n o r t h b l u f f .
T h i s can be a v o i d e d b y c r e a t i n g a sand ramp a l o n g t h e c l i f f p r i o r
-
t o sandbar c l o s u r e .
I n s e v e r e d r o u g h t y e a r s , when t h e r e i s no p r o s p e c t of i n f l o w s
s u f f i c i e n t t o convert t h e lagoons t o freshwater c o n d i t i o n s ,
m a i n t a i n i n g an open s a n d b a r might improve c o n d i t i o n s f o r
s t e e l h e a d a t some l a g o o n s . However, t h e l a g o o n must h a v e a
l a r g e , wide embayment t o p r o d u c e good t i d a l e x c h a n g e and mouth
s c o u r , s o t h a t s u b s t a n t i a l r e a r i n g h a b i t a t is c r e a t e d and
f r e q u e n t b r e a c h i n g is n o t r e q u i r e d . Among t h e l a g o o n s s t u d i e d ,
o n l y Pescadero Creek l a g o o n m i g h t b e n e f i t . P e s c a d e r o Creek
l a g o o n d i d manage t o r e a r f a s t - g r o w i n g s t e e l h e a d i n t h e open
l a g o o n i n 1989, a l t h o u g h t h e numbers o f f i s h were p r o b a b l y n o t
l a r g e . However, t h e o p e n l a g o o n i n 1989 may h a v e r e d u c e d
t i d e w a t e r goby numbers a n d r e s u l t e d i n t h e d r y i n g of most o f
N o r t h Marsh, s o 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 be g i v e n t o t h e
effects on t h e e n t i r e e c o s y s t e m b e f o r e a c t i o n i s t a k e n .
A t San 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 h e s a n d b a r
p a r t i a l l y forms and t h e n t h e l o n g , meandering o u t l e t s l o w l y
c l o s e s a s t h e s a n d b a r w i d e n s . F u l l s a n d b a r c l o s u r e and
c o n v e r s i o n of t h e l a g o o n s t o f r e s h w a t e r m i g h t be s p e e d e d by
a r t i f i c i a l l y c l o s i n g o f f t h e narrow o u t l e t . Such a n a c t i o n would
r e q u i r e c a r e f u l s t u d y , b e c a u s e of t h e Department o f F i s h and
Game, C o a s t a l Commission a n d Corps of E n g i n e e r s p e r m i t s t h a t
would be r e q u i r e d . S u c h a c t i o n s h o u l d n o t b e u n d e r t a k e n u n t i l
l a t e June, s o a s n o t t o i n t e r f e r e w i t h s t e e l h e a d s m o l t
o u t m i g r a t ion.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T h i s s t u d y was funded t h r o u g h I n t e r a g e n c y Agreements 4-823-

6004 and 84-04-324 from t h e C a l i f o r n i a Department of Parks and
-3 R e c r e a t i o n , Resource P r o t e c t i o n D i v i s i o n , Natural H e r i t a g e
S e c t i o n , Sacramento, C a l i f o r n i a . Mark Robinson, Colleen P e l l e s ,
Thomas T a y l o r , David Lonzarich, Tim H e r r i n g , P h i l Oseguada,
Donald A l l e y , Linda Ulmer, Dean S a k a e , S t a f f o r d Lehr, and
numerous o t h e r s helped w i t h t h e f i e l d work. Mike Baumgartner
p r o v i d e d d a t a on lagoon water l e v e l s a t Waddell Creek f o r 1986,
and R o b e r t Briggs provided Waddell Creek streamflow d a t a f o r 1988
and 1989.
LITERATURE CITED
Shapovalov, L. and A. C. Taft. 1954. The life histories of the

steelhead (Salmo sairdneri sairdneri) and silver salmon
(Oncorhvnchus kisutch) with special reference to Waddell
Creek, California, and recommendations regarding their
management. Fish Bulletin 98. 303 pp + apps.
Smith, J. J. 1987. Aquatic habitat and fish utilization of
Pescadero, San Gregorio, Waddell and Pomponio creek
estuary/lagoon systems. Report prepared for the Department
of Parks and ~ecreation. 35 pp + apps.
USGS, 1987-1990. Water resources data California water year
1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989. Volume 2.
Table 1. Approximate dates of sandbar cldsure and streamflow
iUSGS 1987, 1988A, 1988B, 1989, 1990) at time of
closure for Pescadero, San Gregorio and Waddell creeks.
(Lagoon inflows are approximate, as exact dates of
closure are not known and diversions exist downstream
of the USGS gages on Pescadero and San Gregorio creeks.
Butano Creek also enters Pescadero lagoon.)
Year Date of Sandbar Streamflow at Gage

Closure at Time of Closure
Pescadero
late April 9.0 cfs
mid July 4 . 5 - 5.5
late March > 8.5

1988 late March or early April > 4.9
May 21-23 2.6-2.9
1989 mid May 2.8-3.5
San Gregorio
1985 early July
1986 mid June
1987 late May
1988 late March or early April
mid May
1989 mid July
Waddell
1985 early July
early July
mid-late May
early April
mid May
early June?
late June
Table 2. Amount of lagoon conversion from salt water ( 3 5 ppt) to
freshwater ( 1 ppt) compared to gaged flows (USGS 1987,
1988A, 1988B, 1 9 8 9 ) for Pescadero and San Gregorio
creeks for 1985 - 1 9 8 8 .
(Gaged flows are approximations of lagoon inflow* as .
diversions exist downstream of the USGS gages on-both
streams, and Butano Creek enters downstream of the
gage on Pescadero Creek.)
Year Ijates % Salt Water Percent Mean AcreFeet/

Begin End Conversion Flow X Conversion
-
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
1987 8June- 43.5 29 11.5 0.4 51/11.5= 4.5

11 Aug
18 Oct - 23 11 12 2.0 48/12= 4 . 0

30 Oct
1988 24 May - 65 49 16 0.3 22/16= 1 . 4

1 July
Table 3. Fish species collected in Pescadero. San Gregorio,
Waddell, and Pomponio creek lagoon/estuary. Abundances
rated from 1 (rare) to 5 (abundant). il below date
indicates sandbar was open.
P s -~
Pescadero Creek L d o n
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Species J1 Dc My JJ Nv A p JJ SP Nv F'b Jn Ag Nv
0 0 0 0 0 0
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
1 year lagoon 16 59.3
Totals 27 100
Fish with substantial
lagoon rearing
*Fish with undetermined rearing location showed growth

intermediate between that expected for the stream or the lagoon.
TEMPERATURE ('c) OXYGEN (MG/L)
~ I I I ~ W ~ I I ~ I I ~ V ~
0 4 8 1 2 16 2 0 2 4 2 8
S A L I N I T Y (PPT)
F i g u r e 1. Temperature ( T ) , s a l i n i t y ( S ) and d i s s o l v e d oxygen p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero

Creek lagoon ( S i t e 6: mid-embayment) t o r 31 J u l y 1984, showing:
s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f c a t i o n and r e s u l t i n g temperature and d i s s o l v e d oxygen
s t r a t i t i c a t i o n . D i s s o l v e d oxygen a t t h e bottom ranged trom 0.5 mg/l
i n morning (11:03) t o 20+ mg/l i n t h e evening (19:35).
DATE
Figure 2 . Water l e v e l s a t Pescadero Creek lagoon i n 1985, showing: A) r a p i d

f i l l i n g o f t h e lagoon a t t e r sandbar f o r m a t i o n i n l a t e A p r i l ; 0 ) gradual
d e c l i n e i n l a t e sumner due t o low streamflows and sandbar seepage; and
C) increase i n water l e v e l i n October due t o r a i n and r u n o f f . The
sandbar was a r t i f i c i a l l y breached (arrows) on 31 October and a g a i n on
28 November.
0 JULY
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
F i g u r e 5. Estimated abundance o f pondweed a t Pescadero Creek lagoon s i t e s i n 1985, ,

"*
showing: A ) i n c r e a s e i n abundance i n t o August and September; and B ) d e c l i n e
w i t h c o o l e r water temperatures and increased i n f l o w t o t h e lagoon i n October.
'x* - ---_
--- 2 JULY
----
--2-
4 - 1 6 JUNE
5
I \L-- -4 \\
\
1
IC 1 MAY t
I'
I'
11
'-
I
I -----do
MARCH -----
APRIL
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 7A. S a l i n i t y p r o f i les f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2) p r i o r t o

sandbar closure i n 1986, showing: A ) freshwater conditions during
heavy w i n t e r r u n o f f on 1 March; and B ) the gradual development o f
a t h i c k s a l t water wedge on t h e bottom as freshwater i n f l o w s d e c l i n e d
trom 19 A p r i l t o 2 J u l y .
DATE
F i g u r e 6. Water l e v e l s a t Pescadero Creek lagoon i n 1986, showing:

A ) d e l a y i n sandbar c l o s u r e u n t i l J u l y and r a p i d f i l l i n g o f
t h e lagoon f o r t h e f i r s t 2 weeks a f t e r c l o s u r e ; B) much slower
i n c r e a s e i n August and September; and C ) i n c r e a s e w i t h l a t e
September and October r a i n s and r u n o t t . The sandbar was
a r t i f i c i a l l y breached ( a r r o w ) on 31 October.
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 78. S a l i n i t y p r o t i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2 ) a f t e r

sandbar c l o s u r e i n 1986, showing: A ) s a l t water lens on t h e
bottom t w o - t h i r d s of t h e lagoon on 23 July; and B ) l e n s t h i n n i n g
and n e a r - e l i m i n a t i o n due t o treshwater i n t l o w and seepage through
t h e sandbar by 27 September.
I
I /
- I
1 2 JULY
/
I
1 /
1.0- ( 1 MAY 1
I
I l
a
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
DISSOLVED OXYGEN (MG/L)
F i g u r e 9. Oissolved oxygen p r o t i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2) f o r 1986,

showing: A ) r e l a t i v e l y well-mixed d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s p r i o r t o sandbar
formation ( 1 May and 2 J u l y ) ; and 6 ) supersaturated oxygen a t t h e t o p o f
t h e s a l t water lens and low bottom d i s s o l v e d oxygen i n t h e c l o s e d lagoon
on 31 J u l y .
DATE
i g u r e 10. Water l e v e l s a t Pescadero Creek lagoon i n 1987 and 1988, showing:
A ) e a r l y sandbar f o r m a t i o n i n 1987, f o l l o w e d by g r a d u a l d e c l i n e I n lagoon
w a t e r l e v e l due t o sandbar seepage, e v a p o r a t i o n , and low i n f l o w s ; and
0 ) b r e a c h i n g o f e a r l y sandbar by l a t e A p r i l s t o r m i n 1988, f o l l o w e d b y
sandbar r e f o r m a t i o n and g r a d u a l d e c l i n e i n lagoon w a t e r l e v e l s u n t i l
November r a i n and r u n o t f .
SALINITY (PPT)
F i g u r e 11. 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 ) i n 1987,
showing: A ) s a l i n e s u r t a c e waters and o n l y s l i g h t change i n s a r N i i t y
trom 10 A p r i l t o 3 August, due t o v e r y low i n f l o w s ; and B ) b r a c k i s h
u n s t r a t i f i e d c o n d i t i o n s on 1 September, due t o wind m i x i n g i n t h e
wide, shal low embayment ( w i nd-she1 t e r e d arms o t t h e lagoon remained
strati tied).
i 10 MAY 3 AUG
I
I
I
1
1
\
\
\
\ 20 FEB
\
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
F i g u r e 12. Water temperature p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2) f o r 1987,

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
on 10 May, 24 June, and 3 August; B) e x t r e m e l y h i g h s a l t water lens water
temperatures on 24 June; and C ) l a c k of temperature s t r a t i f i c a t i o n on
1 September, when t h e main embayment no longer showed s a l i n i t y s t r a t i t i c a t l o n .
\
18 APR
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
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
F i g u r e 15, D i s s o l v e d oxygen p r o f i l e s f o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s l t e 2) f o r 1988

showing: A) supersaturated conditions w l t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l e n s
on 27 June; 8 ) v e r y low d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s 4 t the bottom o f t h e s a l t
water l e n s on 7 August and 30 October; and C) low water column d i s s o l v e d
oxygen on 7 August, due t o dense pondweed growth and overcast,
-*
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 &)
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.
F i g u r e 18. Dissolved oxygen p r o f i l e s t o r Pescadero Creek lagoon ( s i t e 2 ) f o r 1989,

showing: A ) h i g h , u n s t r a t l f i e d d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s i n t h e t i d a l l y
mixed, open lagoon on 13 J u l y ; and B) low d i s s o l v e d oxygen on t h e bottom
o f t h e s a l t water lens i n t h e s t r a t i f i e d , closed lagoon on both 28 May and
11 October. ..*
;&
SALINITY (PPT) S
F i g u r e 19. S a l i n i t y p r o t i l e s f o r San Gregorio Creek lagoon ( s i t e 5: Highway

1 b r i d g e ) f o r 1985, showing: A ) t h i c k s a l t w a t e r lens on t h e bottom
o f t h e p a r t i a l l y c l o s e d ( 1 1 June) and r e c e n t l y c l o s e d (19 J u l y )
lagoon; B) u n s t r a t i f i e d , low s a l i n i t y c o n d i t i o n s on 11 September,
due t o f r e s h w a t e r i n f l o w s , sandbar seepage, and wind m i x i n g ; and
C ) increased depth w i t h f r e s h e r surface waters, due t o 2 1 October
r a i n and r u n o f f , and s a l t water lens on bottom, p r o b a b l y due t o
t i d a l sandbar overwash.
JUNE
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 .
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
F i g u r e 22. Water l e v e l s f o r San Gregorlo Creek lagoon f o r 1986, showing

showing w i l d l y f l u c t u a t i n g l e v e l s , due t o repeated sandbar
formation and breachi ng.
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
F i g u r e 24. 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 1986,

showing: A ) c o o l e r water w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens when t h e lagoon
was open t o t i d a l m i x i n g ( 1 9 May, 23 June); and B) r e l a t i v e l y warmer water
w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l e n s when t h e lagoon was c l o s e d ( 8 J u l y ,
24 September, and 19 October), i n c l u d i n g extremely h i g h bottom water
temperatures on 24 September.
II F\ \ \ ''
i 23 JUNE 1986
1 \
I
i
'
t
b
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 .
*&
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)
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

showing: A ) c o o l e r water w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water lens when t h e lagoon
was open t o t i d a l m i x i n g ( 1 9 May, 23 June); and B) r e l a t i v e l y warmer water
w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t water l e n s when t h e lagoon was c l o s e d ( 8 J u l y ,
24 September, and 19 October), i n c l u d i n g extremely h i g h bottom water
temperatures on 24 September.
II F\ \ \ ''
i 23 JUNE 1986
1 \
I
i
'
t
b
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 .
*&
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)
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 &>
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 &>
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-
Figure 32. 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 1988,

showing: A ) good d i s s o l v e d oxygen l e v e l s throughout water column a f t e r
e a r l y sandbar formation on 18 A p r i l ; B ) very low dissolved oxygen a t t h e
bottom of t h e s a l t water lens on 1 J u l y , 7 August, and 30 October.
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 33. Salinity profiles for San Gregorlo Creek lagoon (slte 5) for
1989, showing: A) stratlflcation in the brackish lagoon on
13 July and 2 August; and B ) lack of stratification on 11 Octobe*
after streamflows increased due to reduced diversion and mid- II
September raln.
1 1 OCT
*
TEMPERATURE

showing: A ) h i g h water temperatures w i t h i n t h e bottom s a l t w a t e r lens on
13 July and 2 August; and 8 ) l a c k o f temperature s t r a t i f i c a t i o n on 11 October,
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 by stream i n f l o w s .
HIGH T I D E LOW TIDE
SALINITY (PPT)
Figure 35. S a l i n i t y ( s o l I d 1 ines) and dissolved oxygen (dashed 1ines) p r o f i l e s f o r Waddell

Creek lagoon ( s l t e 3: Highway 1 bridge) f o r 30, 3 1 July, f o l l o w i n g sandbar breaching
and t i d a l k e l p deposition, showing: A) moderate dissolved oxygen l e v e l s w i t h i n the
s a l t water wedge during high t i d e ; and B) depletion o f dissolved oxygen w i t h i n the
s a l t water wedge 12 hours l a t e r , during low tide.
DATE
Figure 36. Water levels for Waddell Creek lagoon for 1987 and 1988, showing:
A) substantial fluctuation in lagoon level in 1987, due to variation in
diversion rate upstream of the lagoon; and B) early sandbar formation
and subsequent breaching in 1988 and variable lagoon level after sandbar
reformed, due to variation in diversion rate upstream o f the lagoon.
AUG
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.
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)
25,27 HAY 13 AUGUST 2 NOVEMBER

(n 1 108) (n = 236) (n = 347)
J t
::
X
X
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX XXW000(
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XMXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXM XXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXxx XXMXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXmXXX
XXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XX XXXX XMXXXXXXX
XX XXXX XXXXXXXXXX
X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXMXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XX
XX
X
X
X
X
Figure 43. Standard lengths o f steelhead from Pescadero Creek Lagoon i n

1985, showing rapid growth from Hay t o November In the
unstrati f ied, freshwater 1 agoon.
PESCADERO CREEK STEELHEAD STANDARD LENGTHS (m)
U600N
1985
2 NOVEMBER
(n-347)
5 <
XX
XX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX~XXXXXXXxxXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
X XXXXXXXXX
X XXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXX
XXX XXXXXX
XXXXXX XX
XXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXX X
XXXxxxxX X
XXXxxxxx
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXW(XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XX
XX
X
X
X
X
Figure 44, Standard lengths o f steelhead from Pescadero Creek lagoon i n

November, 1985 and frcnn Pescadero Creek i n October-November of
1987-1989, showing the much l a r g e r sizes acheived by f i s h reared
i n the lagoon. Also note t h e bimodal sizes o f stream-reared fish.
PESCADERO CREEK U606n STEELHEAD STAWDAW LMCTMS (r)
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
Figure 45. Standard lengths o f steolhord from Poscadero C r w k Lagoon i n 1986

showing: (a) f a s t growth through June and July, when t h o lagoon
was open t o strong t i d a l mixing; (b) l i t t l e growth d u r i n g August
and Septeakr, when t h e lagoon was s t r a t l f l e d m d subject t o
temperature and dlssolvod oxygen p r o b l m : and (c) f a s t growth
I n October and Novmber, whon th. lagoon was no longer
s t r a t i fled.
PESCAOERO CREEK LAGOON STEELHEAD STANDARD LENGTHS (ma)
1989
-
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)
8 JUNE 25 JULY 12 OCTOBER

(n = 397) (n = 436) (n = 269)
J
30 XXXXXH
XXXXXXX
40 XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
xxxxXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx XXXXX X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XMXXXXXXXX XX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XMXXXMXXX XX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
xxxxxxxxxxx XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXX XXXXXXX
XXX XXXX XXXXXXX
X XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
X XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
* XXXXXXXXXXX
* XXXXXXXXXXX
XX
XX
F i g u r e 51. Standard l e n g t h s o f s t e e l head from Waddell Creek Lagoon i n 1986,

showing r e t e n t i o n o f bimodal s i z e frequency throughout summer, due
t o reduced growth o f young-of-year f i s h compared t o 1985.
UADOELL CREEK LAGOON STEELHEAD STANDARD LENGTHS (mn)
1986 1988
12 OCTOBER 30 OCTOBER
(n = 269) (n = 215)
X
X
XX
XX
xxxxx X
xxxxx X
X XXXXXXXX XXX
X XXXXXXXX XXX
XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxx
XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxx
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxx
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxx
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxxxxxxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXW XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
XX XXXX
XX XXXX
XX
XX
F i g u r e 52. Standard lengths o f steelhead from Waddell Creek Lagoon i n October

- November o f 1985, 1986, and 1988, showing large, unimodal f i s h
sizes i n 1985 and 1988, when the lagoons coverted t o freshwater,
and smaller mean sizes and bimodal s i z e frequency i n 1986, when
l a t e J u l y sandbar breaching resulted i n s a l i n i t y s t r a t i f i c a t i o n
and poor d i ssol ved oxygen condi t ions .
SEPARATION PAGE
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION WITHIN PESCADERO CREEK:
A DISCUSSION OF FACTORS,
MENSURATION AND MANAGEMENT
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
I11. Problems o f E r o s i o n and Sedimentation . . . . . . . . . . . 3
IV . Recommendations f o r Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
V . Management P r a c t i c e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1 Literature Cited . . . ................. 8

LIST OF FIGURES
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
5 . Summary o f Sediment P r e d i c t i o n Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
iii
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION WITHIN PESCADERO CREEK:
A DISCUSSION OF FACTORS,
MENSURATION AND MANAGEMENT
I. Introduction and Physical S e t t i n g
This report discusses t h e f a c t o r s involved i n erosion and sedimen-

t a t i o n and suggests methods of calculation and management w i t h i n Pesca-
dero Creek watershed i n San Mateo County, California. The o b j e c t i v e o f
this r e p o r t i s t o overview t h e background and current s t a t u s s o a frame- --
work may be developed f o r f u t u r e research and management.
Pescadero, a farming community of about 500, i s s i t u a t e d about two
miles from t h e mouth of the creek. Most of t h e v i l l a g e l i e s within t h e
floodway and has been flooded repeatedly. Agriculture includes straw-
flowers, artichokes, truck crops, hay and greenhouse nurseries.
The smalq v i l l a g e of Loma Mar 1 i e s ten miles inland from t h e coast and
has about 200 commute-oriented residents. Mithin this area and eastward -
i s t h e San Mateo Count; Outdoor Education F a c i l i t y (210 a c r e s ) , Redwood
Glen Baptist Camp (200 a c r e s ) , Oakland Y .M.C.A. Camp Loma Mar (80 a c r e s )
and San Francisco Y .M.C.A. Jones Gulch (670 a c r e s ) .
Several parks 1i e within t h e watershed. Memorial County Park i s
327 acres and has 133 campsites and 100 picnic s i t e s , swimming and ,
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.
11. Description of t h e Watershed
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
monthly runoff f o r September i s 190 acre-feet and the average high r u n -

off f o r February i s 7,890 a c r e - f e e t . Mean annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n i s 37
inches with a range of 20 inches a t the coast t o 50 inches a t t h e high,

ridges (Department of Water Resources, 1966); see f i g u r e 3. In 1982-83,
more than 100 inches of p r e c i p i t a t i o n was recorded a t the higher

elevations and a mean for the area of approximately 75 inches (about
twice normal) was recorded.
Soil associations include Hugo-Butano which comprises about 70 per-
cent of the area a'nd almost a l l of the upper two-thirds of the watershed.
A1 so included are T u n i tas-Lockwood, Tierra Colma and Lobi tos-Santa
Lucia-Gazos, a l l of which are located in the lower half of the watershed
(Soil Conservation Service,. 1961) ; see figure 4 .
The Pescadero Creek watershed i s w i t h i n the.Santa Cruz mountains
coastal range which i s composed of marine terraces which have been
l i f t e d up. These terraces overlie a complex of igneous and metamorphic
rocks (Department of Water Resources, 1966). The central portion of Pes-
cadero Creek follows the Butano f a u l t for a t l e a s t five miles. It i s
interesting t h a t the purpose of the 1966 report of the Department of
Water Resources was t o investigate 1ocati ons for several damsi t e s , one
being the Worley Flat s i t e (see figure 2 ) . Note where the Butano f a u l t
intersects t h a t s i t e , The report d i d not s p e c i f i c a l l y identify o r dis-
cuss the significance of the f a u l t even though i t was noted t o e x i s t .
Luckily,fhe dam was never b u i l t .
111. Problems w i t h Erosion and Sedimentation

Z
Erosion in genera1 tends to be moderate t o h i g h compared t o other

areas in the Santa Cruz mountains. Part of the reason stems from the
extensive logging roads and from a rail bed which was b u i l t on large
volumes of f i l l . This has created many thousand cubic yards of unstable
soil d i r e c t l y adjacent t o the main creek channel a t r i g h t angles t o the
side streams of the north Butano ridge. 1
The Hugo-Butano s o i l s have runoff rates from medium t o very rapid.

Erodibility ranges from moderate t o very h i g h . The majority of these
s o i l s are two t o s i x feet deep and l i e on slopes ranging from 30 t o 50
percent. Sheet erosion tends t o be minor because of dense vegetation,
b u t i s significant where soil i s exposed such as road cuts and f i l l s .
Rill and gully erosion i s moderate except i n areas of cultivation, pas-

ture or logging where i t tends t o be high t o very h i g h .
Lands1 i d i n g i s prevalent in t h i s watershed, particularly on the
north Butano slope. I t occurs naturally and continuously. After the
intense storm of January 3, 4 and 5 , 1982, over 100 landslides were
observed w i t h i n the watershed. The largest was part of an ancient mass
flow adjacent t o Fall Creek and was approximately 50 acres. I t con-
tinued t o move for several weeks a f t e r the storm (personal observation).
Much of the destruction occurred, however, when mass wasting carried
debrisand trees into channels which formed debris dams as h i g h as 20
feet. When these dams broke, massive debris, t r e e s and water (or more
accurately, 1iqui d mud) caused extensive damage.
The mechanisms causing these landslides appear t o be 1) over-
saturation of permeable s o i l s which increases pore pressure and then
becomes l i q u i f i e d (Taskey, e t a1 ., 1978) and 2 ) surface water flows down
near-vertical cracks in the soil and colluvium t o a relatively permeable
horizon where pore prezsure increases enough t o 1i f t relatively dry slabs
of material (smith and Hart, 1982).
Channel erosion i s common along the near-vertical walls of Pescadero
Creek. Actually i t tends t o contribute greater sediment loads than
other types of erosion even t h o u g h i t i s l e s s spectacular: It is
especially noticeable a t horseshoe bends where undercutting of banks

P
cause massive sloughing.
The r e l a t i v e contribution of erosion sources probably can be
compared t o coastal watersheds in northern California. Stream bank
erosion accounted for 55 percent; landslides, 25 percent and surface
erosion, 20 percent. Roads and logged areas were responsible for 78 per-
cent of the landslides (Anderson, 1971).
Because of the continuous erosion, sediment action has increased
s i gni ficantly. This increase of sedimentation has been responsible f o r
the degradation of the spawning beds for native steelhead t r o u t and s i l -
ver salmon. Moreover, the deposition of large volumes of sediment has
caused a partial blockage of the channel in the estuary near the mouth
(Anderson, 1982).
IV. .-Recommendations for Study
Because of the lack of data and the unstable condition of the s o i l s ,

a study i s recommended t o measure the amount and quality of sedimenta-
t i o n occuring i n Pescadero Creek. Moreover, a substantial base of infor-
mation i s needed t o determine the total impact of development within the
watershed. For example, within the past three years, s i x new homes have
been b u i l t , the s h e r i f f ' s correctional facil i t y has doubled in capacity
and development has begun on the Outdoor Education Faci 1i t y adjacent t o
Memorial Park. Proposed development within Pescadero Creek Park
includes 500 campsites, 300 picnic s i t e s and an extensive t r a i l system.
The cumulative a f f e c t of a l l t h i s development could have a dele-
terious influence on sedimentation and on the ground water. The ground
water qua1 i t y i s already degraded because of s a l t water intrusion of

high n i t r a t e levels. Because of t h i s problem, the Board of Supervisors
has placed a moratorium on construction of park f a c i l i t i e s until the

f
water supply f o r the town of Pescadero i s resolved.
Prediction of sedimentation i s based on the three processes of
erosion: detachment, transportation a n d deposition. Prediction methods
consider one or more c ~ fthese processes in the equation. Several
>
methods for predicting sedimentation have been proposed and several are
summari zed i n Stormwater Management (see f i gure 5 ) . The Uni versa1 Soi 1
Loss Equation (USLE) tends t o be the more generally accepted within the
United States because i t i s generally adaptable and i s easy t o use and
i n t e r p r e t (Waniel i s t a , 1978).
Six factors are mu1 t i p l i e d in the USLE: A = (R) ( K ) (L) (S) ( C ) ( P )
Where A = calculated s o i l loss in tons/acre/time period
R = rainfall factor/time period
K = s o i l -erodi bil i t y factor
L = slope-length factor
S = slope gradient factor
C = cropping management factor
P = erosion control /practi ce factor
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.
Ae = drainage area o f unmeasured watershed i

Am = drainage area of measured watershed
Data from t h i s equation then can be used t o calculate gross erosion

(U.S. Soil Conservation Service, 1963).
V. Management Practices
Effective management of erosion problems within Pescadero Creek
watershed can only be possible i f a l l factors t h a t e f f e c t the watershed

+
are considered.
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
I t i s important t h a t a l l land users within the watershed are
knowledgeable of the processes of erosion and sedimentation. Then these

uses must apply sound management practices for any construction and main- -
tenance projects. ~ c c e p t e dstandard practices are outlined i n the
Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook (Animato , 1978) and Slope Stabi 1i t y
in Road Construction (Bureau of Land Management, 1977). Land users should
also seek advice from the Soil Conservation Service and U . C . Agriculture
Extension Service, b o t h of which are located in Hal fmoon Bay. County
Planning and Engineering in Redwood City may also supply advice.

VI. L i t e r a t u r e Cited
Anderson, K e i t h . 1982. Personal communication. California

Department of Fish and Game.
Anderson, Henry W . 1971. R e l a t i v e c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f s e d i m e n t
from s o u r c e a r e a s and t r a n s p o r t p r o c e s s e s . Proc. A Symposium:
F o r e s t Land Uses and Stream Environment.
Animato, P e r r y G . 1978. Erosion and sediment c o n t r o l handbook.

Department o f C o n s e r v a t i o n , Sacramento, Ca.
Department o f Water Resources. 1966. C o a s t a l San Mateo County

i n v e s t i g a t i o n B u l l e t i n No. 138. Resources Agency,
Sacramento, Ca.
P o r t e r v i l l e , George. 1972. An i n v e n t o r y o f p u b l i s h e d and
u n p u b l i s h e d f 1 u v i a l - s e d i m e n t d a t a f o r Cal i f o r n i a . G e o l o g i c a l
Survey, U.S.D.I., Washington D.C.
S m i t h , Theodore C . and Earl W . H a r t . 1982. L a q d s l i d e s and
re1 a t e d s t o r m damage. J a n u a r y 1982. Cal i f o r n i a Geology,
J u l y , 1982. pp. 139-162.
W a n i e l i s t a , Martin P. 1978. Stormwater management - q u a l i t y
and q u a n t i t y . pp. 305-329. Ann Arbor S c i e n c e P u b l i s h e r s ,
Ann Arbor, Mich.
U.S.D.I. Bureau o f Land Management. 1977. S l o p e s t a b i l i t y i n

r o a d c o n s t r u c t i o n . U.S. Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e ,
Washington D.C.
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 .
U.S.D.A. 1963. National e n g i n e e r i n g handbook. U.S. Government

P r i n t i n g O f f i c e , Washington, D.C.
Taskey, R . D . , M . E . Howard and C . T. Young. 1978. R e l a t i o n -

s h i p o f c l a y minerology t o l a n d s c a p e s t a b i l i t y . pp. 140-160,
P r o c . F i f t h North American F o r e s t Soi 1s C o n f e r e n c e ,
F t . C o l l i n s , CO.
S L N T A C R U Z 10 M I SA ?
I or-:. j,p:;! 4.-FC< L~--LELL.>., -', 5 * c 1 3

C E A NOVEMBER 1964
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.
Watsonville-Elkhorcl. Nearly level to sloping, grayish, shallow to deep soils on low

marine terraces ot h u v i u r n from sedimentary rocks or mixed sources; under grass.
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
Table 9.1 Summary of Sediment Prediction bfethods3
Process
Prediction Method Erosion Transport Deposition

Empirical
~us~ravc~ \
Universal Soil Loss Iiquation1 Y
Einstein Bedload b unction' Y
Colby Modified l~instcin" 1
Toffaleti Total ,Load Methods x x
Lacey's Silt ~ h e o r y Y s
Reservoir Surveys: x
ARS
Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
Corp of Engineers
Bureau of Reclamation (BR)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Statistical
Flaxman 7 Y
Scdi~n'nt R : I I ~ I I ~ ~ - I :II~. W
t~r;rt~on. 1
U.S. Geological Survey

Bureau of Hcclumatton
C t ~ r p111' I~'ltl:i~ti~cr\
Wolhiscr's Deterministic Watershed x Y x
Model 8
Simulation
ARS Upland Eroclon h40dc19
ARS USDAHL-73 Watershed Model 'O
ARS "ACTMA" Chemical Transport hfodclfl
Negev's Watershcd Model l 2
Stanford IV Model13
tfydrocomp ~ i r n u l a t i o n ' ~
Huff Hydrologic Transport ~ o d e l ' '
Royal l n s t ~ t u t e(Sweden) Hydrologic hladell6
Snydrr'c P.~r.la~lctr~c llydroltylc hlotlcl"
SEPARATION PAGE
EFFECTS OF SUMMER TROUT FISHING ON
PESCADERO CREEK, SAN MATE0 COUNTY:
TROUT CENSUS AND USE COUNT, 1968
Richard Wood
Associate F i s h e r y B i o l o g i s t
During t h e s p r i n g and summer of 1968, a marked t r o u t c r e e l census and
a n g l e r u s e count was conducted on Pescadero Creek i n San Mateo County
Memorial Park. There were two purposes f o r t h e study: (1) t o a s c e r t a i n
a n g l e r u s e i n t h e g e n e r a l a r e a of t h e proposed Worley F l a t Dam and,
(2) determine percentage of t h e t o t a l c a t c h t h a t was made up of young
s teelhead.
The s t u d y was made with t h e a c t i v e a s s i s t a n c e of v o l u n t e e r personnel from
t h e Santa C l a r a Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, T h e i r members worked t h e
weekend days while Department personnel handled t h e weekdays.
The U, S. Army Corps of Engineers and t h e San Mateo County Flood Control
D i s t r i c t have formulated plans t o c o n s t r u c t a multipurpose dam a t Worley F l a t
on Pescadero Creek. This dam w i l l block 80 percent of t h e s t e e l h e a d run i n
t h e creek. The Department of Fish and Game needs a l l t h e information i t can
g a i n r e l a t i v e t o a n g l e r use of t h e creek and t h e e x t e n t of t h e s t e e l h e a d
resource. Therefore, t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h i s s t u d y was given t o t h e
Water P r o j e c t s S e c t i o n of t h e Region.
Pescadero Creek i s a t y p i c a l C e n t r a l C a l i f o r n i a c o a s t a l stream, r i s i n g i n
t h e c o a s t a l mountains and e n t e r i n g t h e ocean through a lagoon, The mouth i s
closed through most of t h e summer and e a r l y f a l l , opening a f t e r t h e f i r s t f a l l

!
rains. Sometimes t h e l o c a l farmers open t h e mouth a r t i f i c i a l l y t o reduce t h e
-/ Submitted October 9, 1968.

water backup from t h e lagoon onto t h e i r farm lands. This s p o r a d i c opening
and c l o s i n g of t h e mouth has a f f e c t e d t h e f i s h e r y r e s o u r c e of t h e creek,
An important anadromous f i s h e r y e x i s t s i n t h e c r e e k composed mostly of
s t e e l h e a d t r o u t and some s i l v e r salmon, During t h e summer months, c a t c h a b l e
t r o u t a r e p l a n t e d a t t h e two p u b l i c parks on t h e c r e e k , t h e aforementioned
county p a r k and P o r t o l a S t a t e Park, about 5 stream m i l e s upstream from t h e
county park. Both parks r e c e i v e heavy day and o v e r n i g h t use. Catchables
have been p l a n t e d s i n c e 1954.
For t h i s s t u d y , f i v e census p e r i o d s were chosen, each about two weeks
a p a r t and s t a r t i n g i n mid-May, An exception had t o b e made a t t h e begin-
ning of t h e season, s o t h e f i r s t two census p e r i o d s were only one week a p a r t .
Each p e r i o d included a weekend and two of t h e censuses covered h o l i d a y periods.
Unfortunately, d u r i n g s e v e r a l census p e r i o d s , e r r o r s were made by t h e
checkers. Also, a few d a t a s h e e t s were l o s t a t t h e c l o s e of t h e study. This
wasn't s u r p r i s i n g , a s t h e r e were new personnel employed d u r i n g each census
period--both Departmental and Trout Unlimited, I n s p i t e of t h e s e handicaps,
we do have u s a b l e d a t a t o h e l p guide us on f u t u r e water development and
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
census t a k e r make t h e needed d e c i s i o n s , These were a s follows:
1. A "steelhead" was any unmarked rainbow t r o u t f i v e inches o r
l e s s i n t o t a l length.
2. A l l unmarked rainbow t r o u t longer than f i v e inches were
c l a s s i f i e d a s "catchable" t r o u t .
Only t h o s e f i s h t h a t were caught and r e t a i n e d by t h e a n g l e r s.

3,
. 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
May 17-6 days 56.5 173 1 :, 3 0 177 97.7 .57 1.7 0

18
19 671 marked
20 Trout planted
145
117.5
10
41
7
3
37
79
1
0
3
2
0
0
0
78
89
6
52.6
7.9
50.0
47.5
88,6
16.7
0
.
3 4
33.3
0
0
0
21 Mark: Ad 15 1 15 1 0 17 5.9 88.4 5.9 0
May 29-5 days 47 113 0 3 0 116 97.4 0 2.6 0

30 862 marked 54 16 0 7 0 23 69.5 0 30.4 0
31 Trout planted 131 11 4 5 0 20 55.0 20.0 25.0 0
June 1 Mark: Anal 125 4 23 3 5 35 11.5 65.8 8.6 14.3
June 17 33 94 0 1 0 95 99.0 0 1.0 0

June 18 7 days 64,5 106 9 7 1 123 86.4 7.3 5.7 0.8
19 734 marked 38,5 48 3 2 0 53 90.6 5.7 3.8 0
20 Trout planted 23 16 3 3 0 22 72.8 13,6 13.6 0
21 Mark: Left v e n t r a l 29 12 14 5 0 31 38.7 45.2 16.1 0
22 119.5 7 18 2 0 27 25.9 66.7 7.4 0
23 76
383.5
- 3
286
-25
M
-6
26
-0
1
-34
385
8.8
74.27
-
73.6
18.70
17.7
6.25
-
0
'26
July 3 6 days 104
4 1024 marked 162
5 Trout planted 120
6 Mark: Right v e n t r a l .
7 54
8 . 45
485.0
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).
It should b e noted t h a t t h e p l a n t s of marked t r o u t were based on poundage
r a t h e r t h a n numbers of f i s h .
DISCUSSION.
1. Amount of Anpler Use
An e s t i m a t e of t h e t o t a l a n g l e r u s e expended d u r i n g each census was made
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,
t h e r e were two peak p e r i o d s of u s e , t h e day following t h e p l a n t and t h e
weekend days. A f t e r s c h o o l was o u t , t h e u s e was more evenly d i s t r i b u t e d
throughout t h e census period. People were s t a y i n g f o r t h e week r a t h e r t h a n
j u s t f o r t h e weekend.
The a v e r a g e amount of u s e i n c r e a s e d from s p r i n g i n t o summer. Each period
showed an i n c r e a s e i n a n g l e r a c t i v i t y . Angler u s e d a t a f o r t h e l a s t census
was incomplete b u t t h e weekdays d i d show a n average i n c r e a s e over t h e
proceeding census.
2. Percentage of T o t a l Catch made up of Steelhead
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
planted trouts. As t h e numbers of marked t r o u t decreased i n t h e stream, t h e
c a t c h of s t e e l h e a d increased. This r e l a t i o n s h i p h e l d through t h e f i r s t t h r e e
c e n s u s e s , b u t n o t f o r t h e two i n July. From d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h t h e a n g l e r s ,
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
i f n o t h i n g e l s e was a v a i l a b l e . During t h e summer p e r i o d , s t e e l h e a d had
moved o u t of t h e a r e a on t h e i r downstream m i g r a t i o n and were no longer

i
available.
S t e e l h e a d made up 15.3% of t h e t o t a l c a t c h f o r t h e y e a r , ranging from
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
MTWT WTFSSMT W T W T F S S W T F S S M T T W T F > M

7
A c a l c u l a t i o n h a s been made t o a s s e s s t h e e x t e n t of t h e s t e e l h e a d c a t c h .
(Table 2). I f e e l t h a t t h e s e estimates a r e high, t h a t t h i s i s t h e g r e a t e s t
number of f i s h t h a t were p o s s i b l y caught. I f i t i s assumed t h a t a n e q u a l
number of f i s h were caught a t P o r t o l a S t a t e P a r k , t h e n t h e t o t a l c a t c h of
young s t e e l h e a d i n t h e c r e e k was 6,000 rounding o f f t o t h e n e a r e s t one-
hundred .
TABLE 2 - S t e e l h e a d Catch, Pescadero Creek, 1968.
Weekdays Weekdays Total Catch

in & Holidays Nean Angler Hours T o t a l Angler Catch/Hours SH Week- Week-
-
Month Month i n Month Weekdays Weekends Hours Weekdays Weekends days ends-
.
Apr -May 24 11 81 253 1944 2783 .I3 .22 253 6 12
June 20 10 235 252 4700 2520 .15 .24 705 605
July 21 10 25 7 353 5397 3530

____-_- 4"-
.03 .06 162 2 12
August (Assumed t o b e same a s J u l y )
f pi< . i Grand T o t a l -
2923
Assuming t h e r u n t o b e 1,500, t h e number s t a t e d by t h e U. S. F i s h and
W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e i n i t s r e p o r t t o t h e Corps of E n g i n e e r s , and a mean
a n n u a l c a t c h a t 200 f i s h (an e s t i m a t e made from d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h " r e g u l a r s "
f i s h i n g l a s t w i n t e r ) , t h e t o t a l spawning females would b e 650. Using
i n f o r m a t i o n gained a t Waddell Creek, w e e s t i m a t e t h e following:
(Shapova l o v e t . a 1. 1954).
650 f . a t 60 cm F l . spawning 5400 eggs t ~ o u l de q u a l 3,510,000 eggs
Assume a 60% h a t c h o u t of t h e g r a v e l . (Shapovalov e s t i m a t e d 30 - 80%),
we would have 2,106,000 f r y .

M o r t a l i t y , from f r y t o y e a r l i n g s
at 70% 631,800 surviving

80% 421,200 11
90% 210,600 II
95% 105,300 II
98% 42,120 11
I n August of 1965, t h e s t r e a m was thoroughly s u r v e y e d , pools s e i n e d , and
f i s h counted. E s t i m a t e s were 50 - 65 s t e e l h e a d p e r 100 f e e t of s t r e a m , t h i s
works o u t t o 55,000 p l u s young s t e e l h e a d .
I f o u r t o t a l c a t c h was 6,000 t h i s y e a r , and has been s i m i l a r s i n c e 1954, /I%

I d o n ' t b e l i e v e t h a t t h e t o t a l r e s o u r c e has been s e r i o u s l y a f f e c t e d ; this $<,o,"Oo
i s b u t a s m a l l p e r c e n t a g e of t h e t o t a l f i s h involved.
The q u e s t i o n a r i s e s , h a s t h e p u b l i c good been b e n e f i t e d by t h e c a t c h of
6,000 young f i s h , o r would t h e p u b l i c have been b e t t e r s e r v e d w i t h a r e t u r n
of 60 a d u l t s t e e l h e a d ? (At 100 y e a r l i n g s p e r one a d u l t ) T h i s becomes a
m a t t e r of p o l i c y , r a t h e r t h a n a management d e c i s i o n .
The c a t c h r e c o r d i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e fishermen were c a t c h i n g migrant
s t e e l h e a d a s t h e y moved downstream. S t e e l h e a d m i g r a t e downstream i n t h e
s p r i n g and by mid-summer a r e o f t e n down n e a r t h e mouth of o u r c o a s t a l streams.
The v a r i a b i l i t y of t h e d a i l y c a t c h and t h e t o t a l c a t c h p e r census i s a good
i n d i c a t o r of t h i s movement of s t e e l h e a d .
Some of t h e p e r s o n n e l involved i n t h e census f e l t t h a t t h e census was
b i a s e d , a s t h e s t e e l h e a d caught and r e t u r n e d t o t h e w a t e r were n o t counted.
It i s t r u e t h a t f i s h caught u s i n g b a i t methods and r e l e a s e d , s u f f e r a h i g h e r
m o r t a l i t y than f i s h s i m i l a r l y taken with a r t i f i c i a l lures. However, i f t h e r e
had been a s u b s t a n t i a l number of f i s h k i l l e d , t h e r e should have been more
e v i d e n c e a l o n g t h e s t r e a m banks. No r e p o r t s were r e c e i v e d e i t h e r d u r i n g o$
a f t e r t h e c e n s u s , o r through t h e summer, of numbers of dead f i s h i n t h e c r e e k ,
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 .
1. Repeat next s u m e r a s i m i l a r s t u d y on t h e same s e c t i o n of t h e creek.
Improvements i n t e c h n i q u e would i n c l u d e t h e e x t e n s i o n of each census p e r i o d
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
s e c t i o n s of t h e c r e e k used by t h e p u b l i c b u t not d i r e c t l y p l a n t e d (measure
" d r i f t " of f i s h and c a t c h of s t e e l h e a d , )
2. Make surveys through t h e s p r i n g and summer of s e l e c t e d p o r t i o n s of
t h e c r e e k and lagoon t o determine t h e number of s t e e l h e a d i n each s e c t i o n
d u r i n g t h e same time period a s t h e census u s i n g e l e c t r o - f i s h i n g equipment,
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
F i s k , Leonard E., 1966. C r e e l Census Method f o r "catchable" t r o u t
fisheries. See: I n l a n d F i s h e r i e s Management, Alex Calhoun. 1966.
S h a p w a l o v , Leo and Alan C. T a f t , 1954. The L i f e H i s t o r i e s of t h e
Steelhead Rainbow Trout (Salmo g a i r d n e r i g a i r d n e r i ) and S i l v e r Salmon
(Oncorhynchus k i s u t c h ) w i t h s p e c i a l r e f e r e n c e t o Waddell Creek,
C a l i f o r n i a , and recornendations regarding t h e i r management.
C a l i f o r n i a F i s h and Game, F i s h Bull. (98) 1-375.

SEPARATION PAGE
S t a t e of California
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GME

m
-I v
THE NATURAL FE3OURCES

OF
PEscADERo MARSH /S ~ n i i i ~ ~
AND ENVIRONS
Prepared by: Je ~/-e//q/2-~ / l / ~ a r

Bruce G. E l l i o t t , A s s i s t a n t W i l d l i f e Manager && (4
E.C. F u l l e r t o n , D i r e c t o r
COASTAL WETLAND SERIES # 13

I
Thi s r e p o r t h a s been prepared by f i e l d p e r s o m e 1 of t h e Dep2rtment's
Region I11 I.Jildlif e I4anage;;lent Branch cznd s t ~f f 13emb:+rs of t h e 1 J i l d l i f e
Management Brznch i n W:llace E. Strohsche i n of the Inlaad
F i s h e r i e s B r a ~ c h , Ton f~larineResources Srcnch (Eden10 Parlc), 2nd
i?zrdens Robert G r o s s i (fXR) a i d .%IFrush (Region 111) a l l c o n t r i b u t e d co;s;lents
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
D e p a r t x e n t of P a r k s and Recreat i0.1 s u p p l i e d inf o r n a t i o n m d coxnents through-
out t h e p r o j e c t study, R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of the f o l l c x ~ i n go r g a n i z a t i o n s &id
a g e n c i e s a l s o provided i n f o r m t i c x i , a s s i s t z n c e and advice:
S a n ?!ate0 Caunty Enviroi~mentalCoi-ilrol - Gary Ott
Sen Elateo Caunty Parks a d Recrestion D e p a r b e n t - Staff
San Mzteo County Depar'sne;lt of E g r i ~ d l ~ eClaude Bridges -

San Mateo County P l a r t n i x g Depertment
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
Fir: James Greig, a p r i v a t e f o r e s t e r , and Willim .rindersm, r e t i r e d
Departzaent: of F i s h a d Game I J i l d l i f e ?:ar.ager-Biolosist a l s o provided h e l p f u l
i n f onnat ion and comnents .

A s p e c i a l n o t e of a p p r e c i a t i m nust g o t o the mmy c i t i z e n s of t h e
ccmmanity of Pescadero who s o p a t i e n t l y a s s i s t e d the miter t o r e c w s t r u c t a
h i s t o r y of t h 5 inarsh f o r the l a s t few decades. E s p e c i a l l y h e l p f u l were xr,

Robert B a l l a r d , Kr. Edtrsrd C ~ m p i r t o t t i ,l!rs, L e - n B a d ih i, rir. Eugene Pardin i
2nd 1-lrs. $Itirty E:iller, F i n s l l y , xy d e e p e s t g r n d i t u d e and appreci2tioi-t t o fk,

z,k4t
J e s s e P!uncfatei f o r h i s i.-tv;lluable ass&tazce d u r i n z n v e r y d i f f i c u l t p e r s o l a l
si t u l t i o ~ ,
Prepartqtio-1 of t h e r e p o r t w ? s supported i n p a r t by Pfttmm-Roberts07
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
P R O E L ~ I Sic,D USE CONFLICTS 59

Water - 57
History GO
Salinity I n t r u s i a ~ - 6\
r
Damst i c and I r r i g a t i o n Withdrawals d6
L r -5
' Mineral Content G?
i
' A g r i c u l t u r a l Reclamst ion 67
DISCUSSIO?! AND OVERVIE31 GCI

RIPERSNCES 7\
.SpPE?.DE .4 - Birds of a e Pescadero Plarsh a d V i c i n i t y A- 1
,1PpEqDIS B - Harmnals of Pescadero Elarsh and V i c i n i t y u-\
.QPEifDIX C - R e p t i l e s and i m h i b i m s of ?larsh and V i c i n i t y c-\
.+jppETJDE D - F i s h and S h e l l f i s h of pescsdero blarsh irnd t h e Adjoining Ocean - D-1
AppG.!DE E '- F l o r a of Pescadero Pizrsh pad t h e Tescadero-Gutano Drainage -E-)
APPET!DII[ F B i r d Population Stud1es, Pescadero Marsh . F-\
PEilTE ?10, 1 Sari Francisco Peninsula Area Map \o
PLAT$?NO. 2 Pescadero 1.lzrsh Map. 12
PLATE h'O, 3 Pescodero-Butzqo Draizage \G
PLAT3 NO, 4 Pescadero Marsh Soil iissociat f m P!ap 152
PLATZ NO, 5 Pescadero Ares State 'uld Cour.ty Parks 21
PIATE NO, 6 ~ e s c a d e r oArea
' Vegetation Types Map '42
To survive, wild animals need s u i t z b l e h z b i t a t . Habitat is o f t m
defined i n ecology tescbooks a s Isthe place where an a ~ i m a ll i v e s f f , But
h n b i t a t Is more than j u s t a place: I t is t h e t o t a l of food, water, s h e l t e r
and l i v i n g space bound together i n a complex L i t e r - r e l a t i o n s h i p of ~ l a t u r a l
factors: In rim's quest for progress, he has m countless occasbons
nanipulated t h s t e n v i r m w n t a l web i n such a wzy t h ? t wild creatures have
l o s t t h e h a b i t a t t h a t mems t h e i r s u r v i v a l 2 Thus, when t h e opportunity a r i s e s
t o p r o t e c t an e s p e c i a l l y valuable portion of h ~ b i t a t , m e t h a t cancentrates
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
of large numbers of a -eat v a r i e t y of aainal species, m a should s e i z e upm
t h e c h a i c e t o do s& Few such o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o preserve q u a l i t y w i l d l i f e
e ~ v i r o r z p e n tare l e f t t o LIS today;'

,&,qlc*,
This is e s p e c i a l l y t r u e of marshland, This is perhaps t h e n o s t eildangered
h a b i t a t type i n ~ a l i f a r n i a ' . I t c e r t a i n l y is a most b i o l o g i c a l l y productive
environment f o r wild creatures'. The combination of flowing water and erisergent
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
surroundings and t h e p e c u l i a r a d a p t a t i m s of h a b i t and structure m i f ested

+ i
by t h a t aninal$ef'its niche t o exclude competitor s p e c i e s from l i v i n g there
i n e x a c t l y t h e same way?'
However, t h e proper niche by i t s e x f does n o t guarantee t h e perpetuatian
of a species: The s p e c i e s e x i s t a c e a l s o depends on its numbers and c r i t i c a l
popu1;ition l e v e l s depend in t u r n on adequczte a r e s s of h a b i t a t : Nany a a r s h l a s d
animal forms a r e a t h e ra2d t o c r i s i s due t o the a c c e l e r ~ t i n gdisappearance
of t h e i r h a b i t a t in ~ a l i f o r n i a : Tl~eseunf orhtnc?tes ca!not simply go else..
t h e r e i f threatened with b b i t a t loss, They a r e a s f i n n l y tied t o their

upstream a r e a s that gave g m e s i s t o and continue t o s u s t a i n t h i s uniquely
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
v a l u e s of C a l i f o r n i a ' s c m s t a l wetlmds; The Department of F i s h and Gane
enjoys t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of p r o t e c t i n g the fish and w i l d l i f e r e s a t r c e s
of c a l i f o r n i a T i The purpose of t h i s inventory by t h e Department is t o
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
w i t h the u s e and development of c o a s t a l wetlaqds and t h e i r eirvirons? The
report attempts t o sunrmarize resource and r e c r e a t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and
p o t e q t i a l s f o r t h e m r s h and its surroundings, fndicntes areas of concern
and recommends p o s s i b l e courses of a c t i o n f o r the future.

pescadero Marsh is an e x t e n s i v e co(1sta1w e t l m d t h a t covers nore
than 500 .zcres i n San l i a t e o County between Saii Frc-rtcisco and S m t a Cruz.
The marsh is t h e end product of t h e Pescadero-Butano Creeks system, 2
d i v e r s i f i e d watershed of more t h a n 60 s q u s r e m i l e s descending f r m t h e
c r e s t of t h e S a n t a Cruz 3 1 m t a i n s . The marsh is surrouqded a ~ l denriched
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
of g r a s s l a n d 2nd c o a s t a l s c r u b and a border of dunes EZ-'I~ ocenn beach.
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
c h a l l e n g e t o measure and enumerate, The w3ter a r e a s , bezches, mudflats
and mzrshlands a r e a l l p r h e s u p p l i e r s of food and o t h e r e c o l o g i c a l needs
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
marsh, b u t it is waterfowl aid s h o r e b i r d s t h a t a r e e s p e c i a l l y a t t r a c t e d
t o such environs; A1ghough most of t h e s e l t l t t e r b i r d s p e c i e s are m i g r w t s
which s t o p i n the marsh during s p r i n g and a u t m t o r e s t and feed, inany
a r e r e s i d e n t here.' The l a t t e r i n c l u d e same of C a l i f o r n i a l s more attractive
fans s u c h as herons and e g r e t s which breed h e r e i n a s m a l l rookery; Over
180 s p e c i e s of b i r d s , 50 s p e c i e s of mamals, 33 s p e c i e s of aaphibiaqs and
r e p t i l e s s h q r e t h e i r surroundings w i t h t h e marsh and its r e l a t e d drainage;
The v z r i e t y of w i l d l i f e is made p o s s i b l e n o t only through t h e v z r i e d
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
v e g e t a t i o n a l d i v e r s i t y eacompassed in t h e draisage. Over 380 s p e c i e s of

- k--
p l m t s have been i d e n t i f i e d in t h i s s t u d y frm t h e marsh and its immediate
s u r r o u n d i n g s and t h e r e a r e s u r e l y many more n o t l i s t e d in t h e appendix,

Z]RztFT
The creek system supporting t h e marsh plays host t o t h e most important
salmon and s t e e l h e a d f i s h e r y on t h e S m Francisco Peninsula n o r t h of t h e
Sari Lorenzo r i v e r in S m t a Cruz C o u n t y . - ~ A l t e r c l t i a s of t h e marsh 2nd i t s

-- \
_..'
t r i b u t a r y s t r e a u s in t h e p a s t f o r a g r i c u l t u r a l reclaimation, highway bridge
L- --"
c o n s t r u c t i m , and water di-wrsions have taken t h e i r t o l l of this f i s h
resource, but t h e opportunity and challenge t o exhance t h e f i s h e r y e x i s t s .
Much of t h e land throughout t h e drainage a b w e t h e marsh remains i-?
p r i v a t e ownership and c m t i n u e s t o be u t i l i z e d f o r harvest of f o r e s t
products and e g r i a l l t u r a l crops. Portions of t h e marsh i t s e l f have been
l its i m e d i a t e surroundings are

reclaimed f o r t h e l a t t e r purpose and ~ . lof
serving ES farm o r grazing land. However, t h e northwestern portion of t h e
n a r s h and adjoining b e c c h f r m t a r e i n S t a t e otqpership and t h e S t a t e =d
County have s i g n i f i c a n t park holdings in key e r e a s of t h e wzitershed.
Negotiations a r e c u r r e n t l y being scheduled t o z t t e q t t o acquire a d d i t i o n a l
marshland a c r e s for enlargement of t h e present S t a t e Marshland Fieserve.
A t present, t h e r e s t r i c t e d s i z e of the State-owned portions of the
marsh preclude t h e s e wetlands from enjoyin,

w r ir)j~& ; - c j ult%&
their 2~3a
-.te &fiu-9 ,,, for
potenciel
k
meeting t h e very t e a l demai?& of p u b l i c +&eat-fansl)use. Expansicn of
t h e p u b l i c a r e a and associated g r e a t e r access w i l l permit the abund=t
b i o l o g i c a l , education 2nd s c i e n t i f i c values of t h e marshland t o be u t i l i z e d
t o t h e i r f u l l e s t w i t h l e s s danger of adverse i q a c t upor, t h e w i l d l i f e resource:
It is t h e s e l a t t e r a t t r a c t i o n s of biological, educational zi-d s c i e n t i f i c
u s e s t h a t a r e of most importance f o r m:n's use of the arec. The p r e s e c t
l e v e l of e x p l o i t a t i o n by schools and nk2turnl h i s t o r y groups a t t e s t s t o t h e
f i s h , w i l d l i f e , p l a n t ar.d e s t h e t i c a l l u r e t h a t t h e marsh p r o j e c t s t o hikers,
n a t u r e s t u d e n t s , b i o l o g i s t s cnd simply those who enjoy being outdoors.
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
st i l l e x i s t in t h e s e ~ u r r ~ d i n g s .Ir, t h e past, w-..terfml hunting has
been very popular in t h e m2rshland. Sport f i s h i n g f o r salnon a d s t e e l h e < ~ d
is s t i l l a prime a t t r a c t i o n with B::y .?re2 m g l e r s in winter, a ~ tdh e nearby
beaches and rocky headlands a t t r x t f i n f i s h and s h e l l f i s h e n t h u s i z s t s from
far and wide:
The f u t u r e of t h e marsh w i l l be both d i r e c t l y 2nd i n d i r e c t l y a f f e c t e d
by man's a c t i v i t i e s i n t h e Pescadero-Butnno wctershed; D e t e n i n a t i o n to
m,>intain qualifzy s t n ~ d a r d sf o r logging m d ,:gricultural p r z c t i w s t o prevezt
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 ,
developmet of a w-ter mLmageme~tprogrzm t o gunrzntee e q u i t e b l e

e ~ d
d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e w.qter r e s a u r c e ? r e a l l iiirperztive f o r t h e health end
s u r v i v a l of the wetlands z t the f o e of t h e dr?i:;ege. Excessive d i v e r s i o n
of crzter f o r development, a g r i c u l t u r a l irrig.tio.2 and o t h e r upstre.- dem=ds
must not be permitted without: cons i d e r 2 t i m of t h e needs of the t.tetlsnds.
S t u d i e s w i l l have t o be completed t o evaluate how much w-3ter w i l l be needed
t o meet all the d i v e r s e needs of t h e watershed m d how b e s t t o meet t h e s e
requirements without c a s i n g d e t e r i n e n t a l e f f e c t s m t h e others:
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
a l r e a d y presented 2 view of t h e pernicious e f f e c t s thst inst-mces of extremes
of w2ter flm7 cn? have i n t h i s reg~rd; I t is alre?dy app7rent: a t our preser-t
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
subsequent: f l u s h i n g actio-i of wtiter throughout t h e marsh is necessary t o
enhance its p r e s e n t condition f o n ~ a r dt o its t r u e p o t e n t i ,l.

In l i g h t of t h e intensifying public demrtd a;;d need f o r w i l d l i f e
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
t o p r o t e c t and enh.-nce t h e natur-l resources of this ; , r e . becones a major
~halle:-!~e. There nre t h r e -1ts t o t h e n9rshlsnd9s i r ' t e ~ r i t y, ~ . dhe. lch alt:
w i l l h w e t o be s t u d i e d end remedies proposed before this i q o r t a n t go21
is zchieved, but t h e achievement is more th7'- worth t h e qttenpt. The
n a t u r n l resources of Pescadem>larsh ,-.ret o o vslu-ble not t o m,-ike t h - t
effort.
RECWC.IEP?Di\TIONS
The p r e s e n t h i g h v a l u e ?nd p o t e n t i a l f o r enhmceme2t of t h e f i s h ,
w i l d l i f e , r e c r e n t i m ~ l , 2nd e d u c a t i o n a l v3lues of P e ~ c ~ d e ?Iarsh

ro are
indisputable. A g l n ~ c ea t t h e h n b i t a t nap rrnd an inventory of t h e w i l d l i f e
and p l a n t s p e c i e s fouiid i n and c b w t t h i s v:luzble h z b i t s t confirms t h c t
t h e marsh is t h e most importaiit c o a s t a l wetlend on t h e Sc?n Fr.=ncisco
Peninsula. The pub1 ic h a s been*.emphatic in r e c e n t ye-lrs ~bout: t h e i r cortcern
r e g a r d i n g t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of such .-.reas z s Pesc:)dero M.3rsh. Due t o p a s t
a g r i c u l f x r a l reclAimetion e f f o r t s , p o r t i o n s of t h e o r i g i n 2 1 marsh hzve
a l r e ~ d yd i s ~ p p e ~ r e d ,In order t o f o r e s t a l l any a d d i t i o n a l l o s s o r d e t e r i o -
r z t i o n of e x i s t i n g mzrshland q u a l i t y , t h e Departnent of F i s h and Gme
s u b m i t s t h e f o l l o w i n g recommendatials:
1. ,II watershed management p l a y be prepzred f o r t h e Pescsdero-Butano
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 ,
ehhancement and p r o p e r u t i l i z a t i o n of a l l its n a t u r a l resources.
Such 2 p l a n should i n c l u d e n o t only water s t o r a g e d e s i g n s t o maintain
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 g r i c u l t u r a l , r e s i d e n t i a l , carr?nercial and r e c r e z t i m a l needs in t h e

, I
c \ u e\y
watershed above the marsh, b u t c l s o ecmeem+itsel5-w+th t h e s e
a d d i t i m a l c o n s i d e r s t ions:
A. Design methods of r e g u l ~ t i n gwater r e l e a s e throughout t h e y e a r
at: l e v e l s s u i t a b l e t o maintain t h e n a t i v e arrrdromous f i s h e r y
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 .
z c t i o n w i t h i n t h e mxrsh. T h i s w i l l probably r e q u i r e a review of
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
p r o d u c t i v e c o n d i t i m f o r anzdromous f i s h through stream
c l e a r : ~ n c e 2nd h - b i t - t improvement. This would conplerent
e x i s t i n g reslations re1::ted t o t h e prevention of e r o s i o ?
a - d sedinent?kion through logging, road c a : s t r u c t i o n x.d
housing developinent.
C. Initiate 2 water q u a l 3 t y nozitsoring proGclm i n a?d about
t h e i r m d i c l t e vicL?ity of the narsh t o s t u d y w l t e r t a b l e
f l u c t u a t ims, s a l i n i t y g r a d i e n t s , and water f l a w pattem-.s
i n o d e r t o prevent dm;l,ae t o t h e m r s h and its surroundings
through excess ive s?ili n ity i n t n t s ion, both subsurface 2nd t idal.'
2. Design and implement a s p e c i f i c nam.genent p l a n f o r t h e Stnte-owr-ed
p o r t i o n s of t h e marsh, which include l e v e e ar.d weter coiltrol
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
wzter, t h u s i n c r e a s i n g h a b i t z t vL?luesf o r n e s t i n g w2terfowl.-
Exunine t h e conditiolis engendered by the presence of t h e cofferdam
a t t h e mouth of Pescedero Creek m d e x p l o r e t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of
r e m w i n g t h e d m and perhaps z l t e r i n g the creek entrclnce in such a
ma-mer t h z t f l u s h i n g a c t i m w i l l be imprwed a d e x c e s s i v e sand
a i d silt d e p o s i t i o n precluded. There a r e sever21 a l t e m s t i v e
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"'+
p r e s e n t S t z t e boundzries by z c q u i s i t ion) of such p r o p e r t i e s . Since

C"~ '
LC? \
A I IL.? t h e p r e s e ~t s t u d y m >kes c l e - r th.:t r e c r e ~ tonal,

i s c i e n t i f i c ds.d
6'"
publ i c e d u c - ~ t i mu s e s of t h e s e r e s o u r c e s a r e most appropri.de f o r
t h e g r e ? t e s t publ i c good, zoning a!-.d subsequent t:;:cing r e g u l a t iol-.s
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
(which should continue t o be d e s i r - : - t e d - jeserve), i: s e r i e s of
p o l i c y s i n s should be considered which include but z r e - o t con i?ed
t o t h e following:
.5. ,:ctively promote educcitio;!al use of t h e marsh throuzh access
d e s i g n s c?nd i n s t r u c t i o n a l f + c i l i t i e s t h d t c r e camp-itible wit=h
t h e breeding and h - b i t a t requireme:-its of t h e 1 0 ~ 2 1w i l d l i f e .
This would ifivolve e l r l b o r a t i m of t h e p r e s e n t t r ~ i 3nd

l exhibit
system within t h e g u i d e l i 2 e s postulzted by Binford (1972). The
l s t t e r includes i n s t a l l a t i o n of e x h i b i t s a d tr:iils i n such namer
t h a t avoid intrusior, i n t o w ? t e r f a r l breeding nress, t h e heron
rookery, c e r t a i n p r i m .r.rildflower a r e z s and t h e Indian midde2 s i t e .
3, provide adequate r e s i d e n t s t a f f i?.g f o r a:-s i t e e d u c c l t i m2 1 p r e s e > t -
i.AtioiiLs -rd t o miloilitor p u b l i c use t o prevent vqndzlism. ;sn i d e z l
loc-.ticn f o r such f:lcility, ranger hezdqu-prters end pqrki2g wauld
be on the Pardirti p r o p e r t y overlooking t h e marsh from t h e south
b?nk of Pesczdero creek.
C. Initiate i ~ 1 .i n t e n s i v e r e s e ? r c h inventor], including h a b i t a t mappfcg
sf-p l a ~ tand animal resources ?zithi> t h e nzrsh. .qct:ively prcmote
p : r t i c i p ? t i o o in t h i s e-lde ?vor by l o c z l educ ~ t i w-11

. iilstituti~>s,
government .ge.?cies 21d priv;.te c i t i z e n s s o t h - t quLantitzltive
published materi :l r e l z t e d t o fihe marsh zl ,y becme . ~ v ~ i l % b l e .
The 1:itter would be of inv llu b l e %:id i n i d e n t i f y i - g s i m i l e r v llues
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
Pescadero Marsh is a coast21 netland located in r rest ern San M ~ t e oCounty
approximately 35 miles south of San FrLmcisco ( P l a t e 1).

-
b ;E.el i e s a t and
_ _ _______-------
- -_ ._ _ __
I_______.- - _
/Gout t h e coriluence of Butano m d Pescadero Creeks where t h e l : ~ t t e r stream

t
flows a c r o s s the width of Pesct,CeroC t te 3e ,ch i: t o the P a c i f i c ocean.
The m=rsh is i r r e g u l a r in generzl o u t l i n e (Plsrte 2), but averages about ane-

i
I t h i r d of a nile i n width and e x t e n d s eastward from t h e s t r m d and I-lighway h e
!
I for e d i s t a n c e of more than a m i l e : A t t h i s point, t h e r e is ?.n inconspicuous
blending w i t h the ~ z g r i c u l t u r a lland t h a t friiiges t h e marshes e l s t e r n boundary

i
a and s e p a r a t e s it from t h e small c a m u n i t y of Pesc2dero which is about two
i
\ ?irmiles i n l m d froan the ocean:
rt
is t h e mly e e n s i v e wetland along t h e coast of the
Sm F r a n c i s c o Peninsula and t h e combinatior. of its r e l a t i v e l y uzdeveloped

:c
1\ and e c o l o g i c a l l y varied surroundings p l u s its s t r a t e g i c l o c a t i m adjacent t o
t h e ocean nake it one of t h e m o s t importmt u ~ d

v ~ l u e b l ec o a s t a l wetlands i n
c a l i f omid:
Most of t h e wetland area is carrposed of f r e s h or brackish-water h a b i t a t )
but there is sane t i d a l in luence that a f f e c t s the shzllow lagoon i n t h e
v i c i n i t y of t h e highway bridge:' The cambination of winter stonn surf a.td
incressed stre,mflow f r m heavy p r e c i p i t a t i o n upstre:.m u s u a l l y brealcs the
sandbar a t t h e mouth of t h e creek and tempor-mily converts t h e lagom. i n t o

.,' .?-
an estuary: To t h e ~ l e s t:.nd north, s t r a n d , co.lstl;l s c r u b and grassland p l a n t
c m n i t i e s dominate, while on the e a s t 2nd scatthec:st t h e lmdscape blends
a t t r a c t i v e l y i n t o t h e s o f t contours of the wooded f o o t h i l l s and f o r e s t e d
h e i g h t s of t h e S : . ~ t r ?Cruz ~ o u n t & i r : s . Scrub a = r i c u l t u r a l l a d cover t h e
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
The occurence of s h e l l middens withir: t h e confirLes of t h e preseqt:
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
f o r a p r o t r a c t e d period p r i o r t o t h e a r r i v a l of European m2n i n California,'

\*.IS .,
ow ever, t h e record of * r t e n u r e aqd l i f e s t y l e is l i t t l e known and much
of t h e i r c u l t u r e is based oil surmise, t.rhile t h e h i s t o r y of t&ir use of t h e
Pescadero a r e a is l o s t t o usf due t o a lack of m y w r i t t e n record.'
In 17695 portol: and h i s pzrty passed through San i.lateo County while
searching f o r Fionterey B<zy, marking t h e f i r s t recorded v i s i t t o t h e are; by
t h e vanguard of t h e New World's European colcmizersj' Early i n t h e 1800's
most of Che a r e a was subdivided i n t o Mexican land g r . x ~ t sand t h e names of
some of t h e s e e a r l y g r s n t s s t i l l f i g u r e prominently i2 t h e lexica-! of l o c a l
n w s and t h e t i t l e s of communities arid n a t u r a l f e a t u r e s in San Mzteo C-ty.'
The a r r i v a l of t h e f i r s t ,"merican s e t t l e r s in t h e e a r l y 1840's r e s u l t e d in

ni7 LC'
t h e f-.ding of Pescadero m d S p a n i s h t a m ( l e t t e r h k n m a s Half Mom ~ a y ) .
k t t h e time C a l i f o r n i a a t t a i n e d Statehood, nost of present-day Scan Mateo
County was p a r t of Sari Fra?cIsco county:' ;"51 1856 S t a t e l e g i s i t a t i v e bill
providing f o r consolidation of t h e SCT!Francisco and cou&ky govemmat:
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?' The caul- formed by t h i s measure was e ~ l a r g e din 1868 by annexing
t h e c o a s t a l t e r r i t o r y between San Gregorio Creek ( t h e drainage immediately
n o r t h of the Pescndero Watershed) and t h e e x i s t i n g S m Nateo-Scmt;? C m z
County line: Thus, Pescadero Marsh and its approximately s i x t y square mile
drainzge c m e t o be a p a r t of S a n f.Izteo County-2
About 1885, I t a l i z n and Portuguese immigrants begall t o r a p i d l y s e t t l e
t h e Pescodero area:' By t h e turn of the ceiltury, t h e i r t z l e n t s f o r growing
s p e c i a l t y crops r e s u l t e d i n n t h r i v i n g a g r i c u l t u r a l ecol7.w. This growth

prompted t h e c o n s t r u c t i m of t h e Oce?rtshcre Railrcrad i n 1906, which plcm.ed
t o l i n k San F r a z c i s c o with S m t c =Cruz bo t h e south, but t h e r a i l s never
eppro2ched c l o s e r than T u ~ i t a sCreek about eight: miles t o t h e n o r t h of
Pescadero; ,9lthough s u b s e q u e ~ tevents n e ? r e r t o S a x Francisco r e s u l t e d i n
s p d r t s of growth and development i n northern Sar! liateo County, comparztively
l i t t l e change hos cone t o t h e area surroundi.-.g t h e Pescadero d r a i ~ ~ a g e ;hiuch

-
of t h i s is due t o the i n t e r p o s i t i o n of t h e rugged Santa Cruz H o u n t s i ~ s
betweerr the c o a s t a l zrea a d t h e i n t e n s e development beyond near S a n Francisco
13ay.- The t r a v e l e r ' s v i s t a today almg High?-y One is a s m - u l e ~ tp, a s t o r a l
s c e n e f e a t u r a n g c u l t i v a t e d c o a s t a l t e r r a c e s , e l t e r n a t e i n g with pasture and
c o a s t a l scrub, punctuated h e r e and t h e r e by h m e s 2nd small ferns';
-
Climate
The c l i m a t e of t h e area is characterized by a winter season (October-
April) that f e a t u r e s a l t e r n a t e i n t e r v ~ l sof cool, g l o r i o u s l y sunlit days

and short: periods of s t o m which blawin,o in f r m t h e P a c i f i c Ocean nay extend
h*.bh-
f o r three or--&xmd-d~y~~ These disturb&-ces a r e o f t e n marked by hecwy p r e c i p i -
t a t i o n and gale-force winds: The t o t a l seasonal p r e c i p i t a t i o n ranges from
about 20 inches anEual m e a n nerir the c o a s t t o m a r e than 50 inches (occasionally
up to 70 inches) near t h e c r e s t of the mountain&:' Orographic l i f t i n g imposed
by mountain t e r r a i n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s accounts f o r t h i s sharp r a i n f r r l l cling:'
Although r a i n is very uncommon d u r i n g t h e summer mmths, t h e presence of dense
c o z s t a l fog during t h e e a r l y morning and evening hours produces humidity
c o n d i t i a ~ sthzt campensates for a lack of v e r n a l p r e c i p i t ~ t i ~ : :it times
along the i m e d i a t e coast and over Pescadero ?.Iarsh, t h e s-er fog remai->s
u n b r o k a ~throqyhout periods of s e v e r a l days on end:'
Dra inege
Two important t r i b u t a r y stre- c o n t r i b u t e t o the Pesc,:dero Marsh a f t e r

d r a i n i n g a 63h8 s q u a r e m i l e a r e s on t h e western f l a n k s of t h e Santa C r u z
Piou-?tai1;s. The d r a i w g e is dominated 02 t h e n o r t h by t h e 50 s q u a r e m i l e
Pesc.adero Creek system, i n c l u d i n g P e s c l d e r o Creek and its two most i m p o r t a t
t r i b u t ~ire s , Br.ldley and Ho\:s i n g e r Creeks; T h e i r combined m o f f v3rie.s
between 700 and 850 a c r e f e e t mean ?nnu-il f l m p e r s q u a r e mile of the upper
drainage. Butr-no Creek s u p p l i e s approximately t h e same m o u n t of water flow
through t h e marsh a r e a , but its d r a i n a g e a r e a is c o n s i d e r a b l y smaller. The

><craq e
combfnedhannual runoff of both s t r e w is over 31,200 a c r e f e e t . The flow
p a t t e r n is westward from t h e moutrtains along Pescadero Creek and northwest
a l o n g But-mo Creek ( P l a t e 3).
A f t e r t h e f i r s t s i g n i f f c a n t m o f f flows i n Nwember (4090 a c r e f e e t
average), p r e c i p i t a t i o n peaks i n Ja2u?ry (7890 a c r e f e e t average) and begins
t o f a l l back t o Nwember l e v e l s zgain by rnid4-larch i n an average yertr. Most
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
receives almost a l l of its inflow water d u r i n g t h i s time/' Of course, t h e
data abwe pertain

f t o average r u n o f f s ; f l u c t u a t i m s from t h e s e m e x i s can
w k~CL
be extreme. During a period of 64 y e a r s when d a t ? was gathered from t h e
P e s c a d e r o gauging s t a t i o n , runoff t o t z l s i n a c r e f e e t varied from a h i g h of
81, 600 (1911) t o a low 3,300 (1913). In t h e l a s t two decades, v a r i a t i o n s
have gone from a s h i g h a s 74,790 a c r e f e e t i n 1958 d m t o 4000 a c r e f e e t in
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
watershed, s u c h runoff as e x i s t s d u r i n g a r a i n y season is t h e only s i g n i f i -
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
undiked and open t o f l o o d i n g from Pescadero m d Buta o creeks;
EraSicrr, and S o i l s
,~,lthoughmajor p o r t i o : ~ s of both watersheds ?re p r o t e c t e d from commercial
u s e by t h e presence of Stcte and County parks, t h e r e is a s i g n i f i c m t level

P e s t a d e m - 0 u t a n o Drainage
Adopted from Forest Resources of Scan ?.late0 County, Planning Dept,, 1971
\ #
of second-growth t i m b e r logging nearby carrying a p o t e n t i a l t h r e z t of
s t r e m channel d i s r p p t i o ? and s i l t ' z t i o n . To date, t h e l o c 2 l County s.lfe-

-+ M
guards f o r timber o p e r . - . t i o ~ shave been s u f f i c i e n t t o prevent;2u?acceptlible
4
I
&J&
problems 4xd&x&q. The natur.21 cover and s o i l composition i n tmdisturbed
a r e a s is s u f f i c i e n t t o cope with t h e bigh winter p r e c i p i t a t i o n levels:
A t higher e l e v a t i o n s , t h e redwood m d Douglas-fir f o r e s t s a r e not charccterized
by a h e w y ground c w e r , but t h e c o n i f e r s themselves absorb much of t h e r a i n -
f a l l f o r t h e i r own use. L 0 ~ 3 ls o i l types a e HugckBut:~nos o i l a s s o c i a t i m - s
w i t h b r m i s h moderately deep t o deep s o i l s ( p l a t e 4 ) . Lobitas-Santa Lucia-
Gazos s o i l s a r e p r e s e n t a t mid-elevations on t h e mmntain slopes of s t e e p e r
pitch;' These a r e a grayish brown, very shallow t o deep s o i l s overlaying
sedimentary rocks i n f o r e s t situations:' Where t h e s o i l is shallow under t h e
woodln~d, t h e l a t t e r f e a t u r e s a multi-storied shrub and ground-cover l z y e r
t h a t prevents excessive runoff downstre~mj'
The s o i l t y p e s in t h e lnarsh i t s e l f and alm-g t h e r i p a r i a n s l o p e s are
p a r t of the Tunitas-Lockwood a s s o c i a t i o n which a r e g r a y i s h or brownish deep
s o i l s of alluvium from various rocks;
LAND fKJhERSH IP
The d i s t r i b u t i m of land p a r c e l s in and around t h e Pescrtdero drainage

system c o n s i s t s of both p r i v a t e znd p u b l i c ownership; The l a t t e r is repre-
sent!bd by parks owned by t h e S t a t e of C a l i f o r n i a and San Nateo Ccninty, The
l a t t e r m - s t h e l a r g e 5,700 a c r e Pescadero Creek County Park i n t h e p i d d l e
p o r t i o n of t h e P e s c l d e r o Creek drninnge ( p l a t e 5); J u s t west of t h i s
holding there is t h e smnller 315 a c r e S s n Nateo County t4emorial Perk
(elthough c l o s e a t hmd on t h e rnLlp, t4d)onrld County Park is ac'@Clallynorth
of Deer Park Ridge i n t h e Sail Gregorio Creek dr-linqge)
The S t c l t e of C n l i f o r ~ . i s.11so h1s import?nt loc.1 p ~ r c e l sunder its

Pescadero Mar3 h Soi J A ~ ~ ooh3~ i ~ t ~
O*f o I \ c w \ r l ppt,)
jdopted from U . S , Depqrtment of Agriculture, S o i l Conservqtion Service Flap
-
Soi 1 Legend
Active dune l m d
BaB2 Baywood saiidy loam, gently sloping, eroded

BaC2 Baywood sandy loan, sloping, eroded
BaD2 Banrood sandy loam, moderately steep, eroded
BdA Botella loam, nearly level, imperfectly drained
BdB Botella loam, gently s l o p i ~ g , imperfectly drained
BfB Botella loam, n e a r l y l e v e l and gently sloping, poorly drained
variant
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
DuC2 Dublin clay, sloping, eroded

DnB Dub1 in clay, gently sloping, imperfectly drained
Elkhorn s m d y loam, sloping, eroded

Elkhorn s a ~ d yloan, moderately steep, eroded
Elkhorn sandy loan, t h i c k surf ace, sloping, eroded
Gazos loam, steep, eroded

Gazos loan, very steep, eroded
Gazos and l o b i t o s s o i l s , s t e e p and very steep, severely eroded
Gullied land (Tierra and Watsmville s o i l materials)
Mixed a l l u v i a l land
Rough broken land
SWi Soquel loam, nearly l e v e l

S mi Soquel lorn, nearly level, imperfectly drained
S Oil Soquel,lCiam, w e r clay, nearly l e v e l
SrA Soquel loam, aver clay, nearly l e v e l , poorly drained
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
\Jatsmville lonm, sloping, eroded

Wstsonville loan, moderately steep, eroded
Wetsonville sandy loam, s l o p i ~ g ,eroded
Batsaville sandy loan, moder?tely steep, eroded
ownership and c o n t r o l . Butano S t a t e Park l i e s ?t t h e upper end of Butano
Creek and encompasses 2,186 ocres: rldjoining t h e County-o=ed Pescadero
Creek park is 1,740 acre Port012 S t s t e P x k . , 4 1 1 t h e aforementi o2ed County
<?nd S t a t e Parks Ire almost e x c l u s i v e l y i n woodland or f o r e s t h 2 b i t z t and
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
n e z r t h e n w t h of Pescadero Creek: Pescadero S t i ? t e B e x h encompasses 290
a c r e s and is formed of t c ~ od i s t i n c t e c o l o g i c a l e n t i t i e s . The portion west
of Highw5y One is 80 acres of beach f l a k e d on t h e inshore s i d e by a l i n e
of t a l l , p a r t i a l l y vegetated sand dunes. Across t h e highwzy from t h e s e
t a l l e r d m e s is a 210 acre p a r c e l of lower dunes =d marshlad. This l a t t e r
a r e a is c l a s s i f i e d a s a S t a t e Reserve acd includes somewhat l e s s than half
of the t o t a l w e t l m d area iil Pescadero ~ a r s h . Purchase of a d d i t i w - a 1 marsh-
land acreage is being negotiated a s of t R i s writing.
Other government holdings i n t h e drainage izclude two inmate f a c i l i t i e s
n e a r P o r t o l a Pnrk, a(-d two r e f u s e dispos:ql s i t e s , a highway maintenance base
and a S t a t e Division of F o r e s t r y fire s t a t i m err- the south s i d e of Pescadero
Road opposite t h e marsh:
The remaining land m e r s h i p i n t h e drainage is p r i v a t e m d ranges from
small home l o t s t o a g r i c u l t u r a l p a r c e l s of s e v e r a l hundred acres i n the lower
reaches and timber p l a n t a t i o n s of somewhat smaller e x t e n t a t t h e higher
elevations: Very f e w of t h e s e p a r c e l s a r e a v a i l a b l e t o t h e general p u b l i c
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
F o r d i s c u s s i o n purposes, l o c a l - ? g r i c u l t u r e can be divided i n t o timber

3<1,r. .
harvest (-f-cwes&), f ood-crop farming end f l o r i c u l t u r e :
Pesczdcro Area S t a t e 2nd County Parks
Hzrvest of second-growth redwood m d D o u b l a s - f i r t i n b e r i n t h e
mountainous p o r t i m s of t h e d r a i n , ge h,?s espanded v e r y slowly w e r t h e
p ?st f e w y e z r s ir? s p i t e of t h e i l i c r e - s i n g dem,?nd f o r t inber products.
Host l o c ~ tl i m b e r h a r v e s t appl ic-iti o - s p r o j e c t average m a x i m c u t s of
150 t o 200 ~ c r e sand t h e r e .re usu l l y two o r t h r e e such hzrvest; permits
~ ~ 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
board f e e t . S Lice n o s t of t h e permit a r e is & ' r em ?A lged a s s u s t a i n e d - y i e l d
t r e e farms, h < - r v e s t l e v e l s ~ r en t i c i p a t e d t o r e n $ i n s u b s t n t i ~ l l ythe s-!me
i z the f u t u r e , P o t e n t i 11 problems t h L t t h e s e -and o t h e r L g r i c u l t u r : i l
n s pose f o r t h e marsh rnd its e n v i r o n s w i l l be considered

~ p e r ~ ~ t i oC-ln
beyocd ( s e e 'Wzter Q u ~ l i t y ' );
The nzjor a g r i c u l t u r a l u s e of the f o o t h i l l s zic-td c o ~ ~ t tke lr r a e i n
c o l o n i s l t i m e s was m.?inly f o r c ; t t l e r a i s i n g . and t h e r e is still wch of
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
/'
Truck end f i e l d crop production h a s u n d e r g m e a s h i f t in e n p h z s i s
durirrg the l a s t few deccdes. O r i g i a a l l y o r i e n t e d tawzrd f i l l i n g the t a b l e
v e g e t a b l e needs of t h e S m F r m c i s c o .:pea, t h e ~ c c e n ti n r e c e n t y e ; r s has
been t o c a p i t a l i z e 07. the growing national demand for such s p e c i a l t y c r o p s
a s i3russels s p r a u t s and a r t i c h o k e s . The l a t t e r c r o p s <:re p s r t i c u l a r l y w e l l

s u i t e d t o t h e s o i l and c l i n i t i c c o n d i t i o n s of the immediate coast. The
eco . o n i c importn::ce of t h e s e vegetzibles is iildic * t e d by t h e f:ct th.rt Sail
bI::teo county's c o z t r i b u t i o n t o t h e C l i f o r n i a B r u s s e l s s p r o u t s production
a v e r a g e s :,bout 43 p e r c e n t of t h e S t L i t et o t a l sad t h i s s h x e is zssmed t o
reI7L.f~ c o z s t r ~ n tf o r the n e x t f o u r decddes. .',rtichokes ,Ire - goum.et it-
and b r i n g high r e t ? i l p r i c e s on t h e consumer market. Other f o& c ~ o p ssuch

such a s pe IS, s p i n a c h 2nd b ? r l e y ;Ire r.ssoci,;ted w i t h B r u s s e l s s p r o u t s x L d
a r t i c h o k e s a s r o t z t i o n a l craps, s e r v i n g both t o rest 2nd r e j u v e n a t e t h e
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
w i t h 1or.g-tern B r u s s e l s s p r o u t s product ion.
In r e c e n t y e a r s , f l o r i c u l t u r e h:s become -.r. ir?cre<?singlyi n p o r t a t
i n d u s t r y near ~ e s c a d e r o j S e v e r a l f i e l d f lower oper.?ti o n s i n ;iL1d round t h - : t
community h w e l n r g e acreages devoted t o str;lw-flower If the

demn?.d f o r this p r o d u c t accelers.tes i n t h e f u t u r e , t h e l o c z l a r e - , could
exp:nd production t o accomodete t h e de.in<>r.d

by c u l t i v z t i ~ ~t hg e t e r r ~ c el a d
-Cn ~b*wwee rthe z l l u v i a l f locdpl :in:

c b a l ah4 R ~ s i d c v , t r a \
In s p i t e of t h e nme Pesc.3dero (which tr:p-slFted frozl Spar-.ish nea-LS
t'fisherman") t h e r e is n o l o c r l cosrmercial i n d u s t r y i n the dr*-.inage d i r e c t l y
r e l a t e d t o f ishirig; The few b u s i n e s s e s in Pescadero p r w i d e s e r v i c e s f o r
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
f i n d t h e i r wsy i n from t h e main highway:
R e s i d e n t i a l development is n l m o s t e x c l u s i v e l y confined t o i n a d zround
P e s c a d e r o and, on an even l e s s e r s c a l e , s t L m a Plar. Even i f the e x i s t i ~ g
road system were imprwed beyond its p r e s e n t c:pcicity, t h e d i s t a n c e end
t e r r a i r t o be t r c v e r s e d i n o&der t o re2ch t h e job market cm t h e Bayside of
t h e S a n t C m z Nountains would d e t e r a l l but t h e most determixed commuter.
The p o s s i b i l i t y of e x t e n s i v e second-home or r e t i r e m e n t commmity developmezt
l o c a l l y has a p p a r e n t l y been r e t a r d e d by zoning re,aulatiol~s, c l i m a t e c ~ n d i t i o ~ s ,
a~:d d i s t l n c e from urban a r e .s: The p o t e n t i a l e x p ~ n s i o :of

~ t o u r i s t i-ctivities
n2y p r w i d e some i:~cre.sed need f o r s e r v i c e s , but c o a s t l i n e development
r e s t r i c t i o n s w i l l probably i n h i b i t m y dr'lmitic growth of such needs f o r ~t
le-st the very n e - r future.

N:1TUR.lL RESOURCES
The d r z i n lge system t h 2 t supports Pescadero ?.:arsh with life-giving
water c a t e r s n e * : r l y 38,400 a c r e s . Less t h 2 n a thous.lnd .;cres h 1s beeq
converted t o commercic~land r e s i d e n t i a l development ( f m i n g excluded) m d
~ 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
combined population of only a f e w hundred people. Thus -:bout 37,500 a c r e s
of t h e Pesc~dero-Butmo watershed ret.:in sane degree of f i s h a ~ w

d ildlife
value. The following inventory of the iil<?jorw i l d l i f e h a b i t ~ ttypes
reco.gnized i n t h i s study include forest;.woodland, ripnrian, cultivated
land, gr ?ssl;t?d, co.sE?l scrub, c o istsl s t r -nd, lagoon a * ~ md i r s h l !nd;
1% c h e c k - l i s t of comoi: a md s c i e n t i f i c n-mes of n x y of t h e more abund-mt
or cm-spicuous p l ? n t s f a d ir, the study area is appended (.2pperidix E),

1C1- Pi2to G ,kdrcatrz LL* a PPPO)L*UI.~C I O C = ~ ~ ; * q ~ e c v - a \ ~ c c ~ t t a t r c . . ,t y
With the exception of 3. few prminer,t grassy bald pe:ks, ;ilnost a l l of

\ '
- the Pescadero Drl-iinage i n the S t l n t ? C r u e Mount?i;~s high1a;ids over 1000 feet
IC
e l e v a t i o r is covered by f o r e s t e d lar~d. I deep ca.-.yo-.s, srnz11 redwood s t a n d s

.
4 \
^,
.
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
w virgin timber c m be found o u t s i d e of S t d t e 2nd Country parks, there still
e x i s t l o c a l l y e x t e n s i v e s t a n d s of second-growth redwood a d Dostglas-fir:
O t h e r than huckleberry and nmercws f e r n species, understory v e g e t a t i o n is

0
ge*qlly ~ b s e n tbenenth the pure redwood stands, but i n formerly logged n r e a s
t,x-tcmk,' m,?dror:e ai?d b-.y l a u r e l ni-l.r;le w i t h 3 well-developed shrub l a y e r under
t h e softwoods and s e r v e t o hold s o i l l a y e r s i n place on t h e after, precipitous
Wood 1-ind
P o r t i o n s of t h e f o o t h i l l s 2re c w e r e d w i t h ope:\ w o ~ 1 ~ +conposed

;d almost
e n t i r e l y of l i v e oaks henvily f estooced with be,:rd lichens. Usually t h e r e is

an a s s o c i c t e d shrub l a y e r of elderberry, blackberry, gooseberry coffee-
b e r r y and occ?siortally grave of introduced lio t e r e y pines, The t r e e c w e r
is o f t e n widely dispersed aitd p r e s e x t s a s :v-1-~n& atmosphere, 1.There c o x s t a l
s c r u b .-dj o i n s t h e woodl'ind, the i . k e r f - c e between t h e two h b i t - s r e s u l t s i n
an o:k f o r e s t with r1 de se, a l n o s t impe?etr.lble understory. Such woodlc: d
t h i c k e t s provide e x c e l l e t esc+:pe c w e r f o r w i l d l i f e . In most woodls-~da r e 3
l i v e s t o c k gri zing is cmst;ilt, the m d e r s t o r y is gener<:lly reduced o r

rtJ~b3 +
abse3t except where t z i b u t ~ r y~ r ~ t e r c o u r s ecsu t d m t h e h i l l s i d e s ! Here t h e
ode aoodl;!nd merges i7.to t h e r i p r i z l l aoodl+i-'d t h l t fri::ges the stre.?nsides.
R i p -,rim.
Beymd t h e marsh, both B u t - x ~ oand Pesc :dero Creeks f e ~ i t u r elush r i v e r i n e
or ripctri nn woodlaild along t h e i r c h ~ ~ m emargins:'

l- Cotto. rroods, sycmore,
oaks, maples, bas e l d e r , alders a d sever..l w i l l o w s p e c i e s crowd tite stre.xa-
bank; act iag a s a rL-.tural eros io.-I c o n t r o l c?d

: prwidi-t,n c s ~ c e l l e n tv i l d l i f e
hsbi~:+t:l,' This r i p ~ x i a nvegetation r e p r e s e n t s t h e o:ly broid-lewed . ~ r b o r e . ? l
veget-:ti01 b e t t ~ e e nthe s t r a n d l i - e a.~dt h e woodland f o o t h i l l s .rnd as such

9
s e r v e s .-:sa n a t u r e 1 c o r r i d o r for w i l d l i f e movi:tg betwee2 t h e l z C t e r a r e . 3 ~ :
C u l t i v a t e d lands and Grrssla d s
MU& of the land imiiediL?telysurrounding the n x s h s d CXI t h e coistal
t e r r a c e is A-i some fom of a g r i c u l t u r a l use, e i t h e r c u l t i v z t e d o r used f o r
1ivestock graz ixg;) The product io: of Brussels s p r o u t s md artichokes
d m l z - - c e t h e food crops plznted. .: burgeol.ir;g f ioldf lover industry has come
i :to b e i ? g during the 12st few ye~lrs03 t h e a l l u v i u a c l o s e t o the locrtl

creek chn-nels=' The v z l u e of such h ! b i t a t f o r most w i l d l i f e is m i L i m n l ,
exr;,ept v l ~ e r ebrushy n z r g i n s p r w i d e cover f o r bntshr:ibbits aild a few b i r d
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
numbers of sheep a r e z l s o r:iised f o r ~ r o o l2nd m e t products, ,! f e w g r ~ ~ ~ s -
land b i r d s a r e fou:~d here, aid deer g r ze t h e grc~sslL..lds

i -i w i ter.
Kuch of t h i s a g r i c u l t u r a l ~ i t dlivestock: productior. la.id is bordered

\I
by windbreeks forned of i;itroduced eyc.:ilyptus t r e e s : .;lthou& t h e t r e e s ;re
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
b i r d s such a s h:?wks . ~ . dherons u t i l i z e t h e n f o r n e s t i n g znd r o o s t i n s purposes)
zr:d huurnir~gbirdss l p n e c t a r from t h e blossms.
Coast21 Scrub
=te-sive a r e a s of t h i s h a b i t a t which have esclped remw.?l t o accanodste
z g r i c u l t x r e remain i n t h e lower.- re.-.ches of t h e co.-st21 f o o C l i l l s and round
t h e mrslt!r Fe;Wri ig such s p e c i e s 2s scrub oak, n :nza~it-, toyon, coyotebush,
y e r b s sa: t n azd poison o?k, the ~ e g e t ? t i o ; -grawth

~ is dense, raxk 2nd a11 but
impenetrable t o ma:^. Mliny a g r i c u l t u r a l pastures hsve t h e i r perimeters bordered
w i t h t h i s scrub which serves as -in e x c e l l e n t source of food tir-d s h e l t e r f o r
mxny animzfs: C e r t a i n s p e c i e s l i k e t h e w r e n t i t 2nd the brushrabbit are
found almost nowhere else but i n t h i s h . ~ . b i t s ttype.' CocstL?lbleck-t.-.il deer
depe.:d on it: h e a v i l y for food ;.,:Id e s c l p e c w e r z
Coasts1 Str:lnd
Forming a conspicuous border on the western s i d e of the marsh, the
combinntia; of surf-w2shed beach .?nd towering dunes provides z drr.n;_tic
b,-ckground f o r Lihe adjoining wetlands! V i s i t i n g b o t a n i s t s frain other p<trts
of the ::rnericcm Hest, =iccuslmed t o lupine ,?s c: s m a l l wild flower, g:.Ize i n
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 : t t h e conm;u~ityis blsed CKX z, srr~:d substrate, n <un.-lzingly1z g e v z r i e t y
of vegetation a p p e - ~ r si n t h e dune portion of t h i s comont~ity.

T h , l t p . r t of the stri::,d be ch subjected t o t h e ebb . ~ n dflow of t h e
t i d e s serves 7s t h e m j o r for-gins s - d for sever<:lwater ;:ssoci.:ted
bird species: During migrc.tio , their xtmbers n 8 y exceed sever:.l thous:tr,d
t o t h e be.:ch n i l e :,.id :t such t i n e s EI y of them s p i l l ie-.l;nd t o feed <n.
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
be?ches ,re subjected t o he VJ hu=r::>use pressure.
The dmes behind t h e be- ch pl'-y host t o ,: lesser n m b e r of bird species,
but a fe17 songbirds z r e r e s idat here ,:.d nwerous laxd b i r d mi-=-ts follow
t h e l i n e of dtme veget( t i o n southw.rd in the zuhum. The dunes .,.d their

associ ~ t e dlaw scmb veget:itim support ltrge popul :tia-.s of brushr::bbits
and sever21 rodent forms which in turn .ttrl.ct nunerous r - p t o r s tfi t prey on
then'.
Lrgocr.
Durin.g n o s t of the ye -r, t h e mouth of Pesc sdero Creek a t the ocec:nts
edge is blocked by 2 s-ndb r brouzht i d o p l ~ . c eby incmi:-g tides, Thus,
sea water is precluded frm d i r e c e l y e r . t e r i ~ gt h e creek .md w,-ters withia
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
over t h e inlaiid drai.:-ge system: Durizg stormy we?.ther, water f l o w increzses
dr-.miticarlly ; a d on occzsio2 aterflosl :;om51 &-lanr?l perimeters flooding t h e
surrqanding marshland and f loodplziz~. The f i. 21 stages of- such

- .floodi:.g,,
.. . I _ , _ . -- . .
cozbi ed w i t h high tides or storrn su,-Cs xi: ;:y resrjlt: i.! brief, but qu-ntit ..
t i v e f y s i g i f i c : ~ tintrusio s of s e 7; t e r i t o the 1 lzoo:, - r e . e st of the
h i g h i w bridge. Duri g such peridds of f l o d i .s, the l;lgooc is trsr,sfom.ec!
into -. br:ckish t e r is i-:traduced i -.to portioits

e s t u x y g-:d sufficient s~1t.c~
of t h e surrounding mclrsh1;lnd t o n eke c o - d i t i o i ~ s.-s scline .?s m y t i d z l marsh,

C e r t l i &s~p e c i e s of marice invertebr :tes :d justed t o the r e s u l t i n g s,lli::ity
condit i o 7 s mr:y e s t a b l i s h themselves b r i e f l y i n bottom sedime.:ts with t h e
1.lgoo-1 u n t i l f reshwates inflow reduces t h e s ? ? l i n i t y g r a d i e n t below t h e i r
toler;ince levels:
Prior t o t h e constructfon of the n o d e n higbw-y bridge, cor,ditio?.s
i n t h e lagoon were reported q u i t e d i f f e r e n t thm those e x i s t i n g today.
Zcccunts of l o c a l r e s i d e n t s i n d i c a t e thit t h e channel under t h e presext
lngoori ;?as ; ~l te ~ s t r ~ e l v ef e e t deep ne :r t h e bridge (up t o 18 f e e t deep
i n n few mid-chancel locatioiis) ~.-tddeep w.2ter extended well bzck toward
t h e c-fty of pesc~dero.' The r e s u l t 777s n o t 0~11yi n t e ~ s escoat~ir!gof
sedimegt l o l d s out i n t o t h e ocezn, but: r e g u l a r s ? l t w a t e r i.?flow on incaning
tides.: Today, t h e lzgoo-. averages two t o four f e e t deep and it extends
only a few hundred f e e t beyond the bridge:
During cor.structio~; of the bridge, .

i tempor:.lry c o f f e r d m of l a r g e
boulders was i n s t a l l e d about 80 feet west of t h e spm. Upon cca;lpletion of
the bridge, the temporam was l e f t i n p l a c e ~ r t dsilt backed up behind

d~m
t h e structure e f f e c t i v e l y reducing current flow azd t h i s sed&& in turn
r e s u l t e d i n the d e p o s i t i o n of s t i l l more silt:
Elarshla-td
IvIarshland surrounds t h e juncture of Butano e.-d Pescedero creeks. Due
t o levee and channeling e f f o r t s , t h e n z t u r e of d i f f e r e a t p o r t i o r , ~of t h i s
wetland is v;.xriedf' Except in t h e d r i e s t yezrs, scene waterflaw mednders
through t h e cha ,riels of both creeks and nourishes nuneraus aquatic platzt
s p e c i e s including c a t t -. ils, bulrush and true rush, sedges m.d pla--.tains
which flo+sh ix p r o f u s i o i~ s h 81lars 2 d c~.o.;gt h e bmhs. Sme of the
w e r f l o w lar,ds ;rbwe t h e ch.:nnel a r e d r y during the l'lte srnsmer m d e ~ r l y

a u t u r , norLths before t h e r x i y se . s o comnences. The cquytic vegetation
the3 presents r. dom:int .?spect, but i n itrs p17.ce s c o r e s of f l c u r ~ e r ~ g
herbs, f o r b s &id g r e s s e s appe-r in s c ? t t e r e d s p l s h e s of b r i @ t color.
Those p o r t i o ~ ~ofs t h e w r s h c l o s e s t t o the euc-il-s t r e e g m e or:

r"i,, <&->
t h e n o r t h s i d e of -tBe ~ A r s h / i l m o s t -1w:ys r e t a i 7 $ standing w a t e r md indeed
cg, ,
t h e ch :nnels p a r n l l e l t o the levee n iy run e i g h t f e e t or nore deep during
t h e d r y e s t portion of t h e s-er. This =re is f lvored =lor n e s t i n g by
l o c a l l y breeding rr :terfcmli
The 'iorth Pond appeclrs t o be fed e n t i r e l y by runoff waiter f r m the
surrounding slope,. The w ? t e P i - b t h e pa-id is q u i t e s l l i x e . Emergene::
v e g e t z t i o . : is composed nostly of h-:lophytes

/ co-:fined t o the imediate
edge of the po.id.il.~~cf ,-

- Z ..L,ty,
.: S-%$ &a-:y s ~ i m m i ~b~i rgd s
f during winter ao;l.ths and mddy due-ts, coogs,

.Be u t i l i z e t h e a r e 2 f o r l o ~ Lrg
p i e d - % i l l grebes m d cinrt~molt e z l breed alo7,a t h e pmd m.3rgin,

Bzlsil*?
n
t o t A of about 210 a c r e s of t h e 465 a c r e s ofjm,?rshland is i n
v~ge%vc p
gove-&nt: ownership as a S t a t e +?ee%we.' Theqreserve i?'cludes t h e North
Pard a;id a l l t h e mzrshl.x?d north of the bank of Pescadero Creek, p l u s a f e w

0.r G e e - Poo*?
acresEnear the junctio:. p o i x t of Pescadero 2i:d Butano Creeks;%
F u r t h e r upstre-m toward t h e c u l t i v - t e d l m d s west: of Pesctdero, t h e r e
a r e privately-awned f i e l d s & a t were p e r f o d i c - ? l l y flooded t o provide w a t e r -

.-,
f o w l h - ? b i t a t for duck hunting; U :ti1 r e c e 3 f ; l y , ,?. ccmnerci?l h u n t i g c l u b
upt-rrf
m:n;lged cbout 20 -:cresof marsh . a d 42 ~ c r e sf o r g-*ae bird
shooti.:g, b u t the club h ~ now

s gone out of business: Another p r i v a t e c l u b
e.-c m p ~ sis-1,- bout: 132 a c r e s of poorly-drnlned wetlai~ds, ::d joins t h e n o r t h
s i d e of t h e Pescadero Highw.;y ;:ad t h e south brL?lc of But : o Creek, but t h i s
p r o p e r t y supports l i t t l e huntiilg pressure.

U i l d l i f e Ecology
The w e t l a ~ d s :t Pescrldero , r e unique on the S a FrL.:cisco Peni?sul .

'Ithough but : t i n y f r ; c t i o i l t h e s i z e of the exp-nsive e s t u s r y of S d n
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
its estu;iritle counterpnrt across t h e peninsul-. . Includi >,a t h e upstrezm
d r e i sge system, t h i s wetland e r s i l y surp-sses in v ~ r i e t ythe humber of
~ r n i m lspecies occuring i: the B.1ylar.d~. The mlrsh is v i t a l t o t h e co:ti:~ued
e x i s t s x c z of a s i g n i f i c m t number of i t s r e s i d e n t anirnzl species iad it
s e r v e s ~rsa c r u c i a l l y i n p o r t : i ~ t l i n k in t h e diminishi?-g ch,>in of wetl-.:ids
a l o ~ gt h e c o i s t ! Erch of these wetland l i ? k s > r e very i m p o r t x t t o the
s u r v i v a l of m i g r ~ t i 9 g2nd over-wintering wzter associated bird species -,2d
o t h e r r e s i d e n t nn i m p 1s,
Over 182 bird species h-ve been observed in t h e immediirte v i c i n i t y of
t h e mzrsh (see , ? p p e ~ d i Ax f o r 2 list of species noted i z t h e m r s h ) 2nd o n
a d d i t i o l s l two score species could bs added by including woodl.-.:~d ?nd f o r e s t
b i r d s from higher elevltions. Soae of t h e species reported from t h e n-rsh
a r e r a r e or casual v i s i t o r s , or merely t r m s i e n t s n w i n g t o and from -.d-
joining h ? b i t a t s : Although t h e s e 1 3 t t e r forms -.-re sometimes not d i r e c t l y
dependent 02 t h e marsh, they may be s t r m g l y influenced by the r i p x i a n or
c o a s t a l scrub adjoining it. However, c?lmost a l l of the w'4ter associated
b i r d s , e i t h e r conmm o r rare do depend d i r e c t l y on t h e marsh f o r t h e i r food
and o t h e r environment 1 1 needs,
The importzl.ce of Pescadero PI-lrsh stems i n :LO s r n g l l degree from its
s t r ? t e g i c location a t t h e foot of an eco1ogic:llly vzried w Ltershed ,-17d i t s
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,
a?: i n 1 2nd are,?. The j w t t = > p o s i t i o aof - wide n m b e r of h 2 b i t : t types and

t h e ~ccomp?nyingv 2 r i e t y of n i c h e s provides ?n e x p ~ ~ n s i vsee t t i n g f o r t h e
accomod.~tio of l - ! r g e popul<ltio?s of nnly s p e c i e s . Such s p - n ~ n scope

d
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.
.:s 2 r e s u l t of t h e phenomenon of migr t i o ? , b i r d popul ~ t i o n sdemoristrLt e
s i g n i f ic-.nt s e -tsongilv a r i ~ t i o n s . .\lthough t h e r e .?re some wT!ter 2ssoci- t e d
b i r d s t h ? t ren I i n i n the rnzrsh throughout t h e y e a r a s r e s i d e z t s (herons,
e g r e t s , b i t t e r n s ) m m y o t h e r w7ding b i r d s such a s s s n d p i p e r s ;nd p l o v e r s go
f u r t h e r n o r t h t o breed and t h e i r occurence in t h e m~rsh -nd t h e s d j o i n i n g
beaches is s h q r p l y seasonal. T h i s rnigrztion pezk is most n o t i c e s b l e i n
e a r l y s p r i n g when t h e r e is -1 b r i e f , h u r r i e d inflow of s p e c i e s moving north-
bound t o arlswer t h e r e p r o d u c t i v e urge. Mid-smmer b r i n g s 2 more l e i s u r e l y
return s o u t h t h x t continues a s a t r i c k l e thoughout t h e zutunn se.?son:
Indeed, many of t h e s e tundr?-breed ing waders f i n d t h e environs of t h e marsh
s o z t t r ~ c t i v ef o r t h e i r envirocment?l :-eeds t h z t t h e y overni ' t e r here; To
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
s u r v e y of t h e abund,-nce of bird s p e c i e s w3s conducted from J u l y 1971 to
June 1972 i n a p o r t i o n of t h e marsh. R e s u l t s of t h l t s t u d y appear i n
'ppendix G:
. ~ m p h ~ b i s n2 s d R e p t i l e s
The t h i r t y - t h r e e s p e c i e s of m p h i b i m s 5:td r e p t i l e s found l o c a l l y
c o n s t i t u t e s .-In e x t r a o r d i n n r i l y r i c h f:lunl. T h i s works cat t p a s p e c i e s of
f r o g , toad, snake o r l i z a r d f o r every two m i l e s of t h e s i x t y square m i l e
watershed. Such 5 we-11th of s p e c i e s no doubt d e r i v e s i n l a r g e p . x t from

? F ! v $ y
t h e v a r i e t y of environments p r e s e n t , combir,ed w i t h an e x t r !v<.gent
p r e c i p i t a t i o n r a t e a t t h e higher elevcltions. L lrge ~ m a u ~ of
t s moisture .:re
of s p e c i a l importance f o r t h e presence of , mphibidils.
On 2 w s p r i n g ixight, t h e freskw . t e r n r e -s of t h e m;rsh 2nd r i p ;ria11
echo with t h e sp1:rshing of t u r t l e s s l i p p i n g f r m driftwood i ~ l t ot h e d L r k
w ~ t e r s ,while to3ds belch, f r o g s croak and grunt, a d from t h e nearby
veget ition 210-*g t h e wooded s t r e s l a b.nks, t r e e f r o g s t r i l l l i k e : hoard of
i-,sects. D?rk-less 2nd t h e ~ccoap;.~-ying

high nocturnal h u n i d i t y under t h e
f o r e s t csnopy brings sever11 sal':m,xnder s p e c i e s out f ran under moist d ? y li g h t
hidi::g p l Ices, while t h e q u i e t e r pools slo;lg the stre:lmcourses s h e l t e r a
plethor.: of ewts 2nd t i g e r salam n d e r I .rvae.
Nid-norni - g a- d t h e w3mth of t h e sun r e v e a l as many a s eig* species
of l i z a r d s , responding t o the growing d i s c a n f o r t of t h e day's heat by doing
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
warm-blooded ;mirnals: S c a t t e r e d throughout a v a r i e t y of r e p t i l i a n niches,
no l e s s than t h i r t e e n s p e c i e s of sncqkes nzy be sunning o r huntiag, Garter
snkkes and gopher snakes prowl t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e b e 3 . t ~ i;? t h e mzrsh and its
surroundings seeking food o r m~tes,while t h e woodlands a i d f o r e s t a b w e
f e n t u r e o t h e r d i s t i n c t i v e s p e c i e s including t h e ber?utiful b l lck, yellow and
red-ringed C 2 l i f m n i n mcxxntai. king snake, The c o a s t a l s c r u b is the 1ocs.l
ce?.ter of d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r the western rnttlesniike. The f a t e of t h e Szsr
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
in C .lif?rnia: This s p e c i e s , considered t o be enda igered bet-;use of d e c l i n i n g
h ~ b i t ~ l tis, known t o occur only i n ;I few wet1'1nd , , r e > si n t h e Sizn F ~ . C

I ~SCO
peni sufa. h e of t h e reported l o c a t i o n s is t h e Pesc.:dero d r , - i x g e ,

flamma\~
the w tershed (see

F i f t y s p e c i e s of rnma~lsh - v e been reported f ~ m
:ppe dis B f o r n complete l i s t i - ~ g ) ,,311 but -? f e w of them observed t o:.e
time o r a n o t h e r w i t h i n t h e n - r s h i t s e l f , P r i o r t o t h e si1ti;lg i t &the
old e s t u r i r y , b m b o r s e l l s prob(2bly ventured i n t o t h e s t r e m c h m i ~ e lne.c
t h e highwcly bridge ( :
: reef used -s . m::jor tih:~uli-g'! spot l i e s a s h o r t
d i s t ~ - ~ scoeu t h of t h e creek mouth) ; today they 3 r e con iiled t o t h e s u r f l i n e

along t h e besch.
Although we o f t e n use t h e term t t e r r e s t i - ? x l ' t o s e p r a t e 1-.nd rnamals
f rm t h e i r marine counterpi-rts, t h e former term is somewh t misle-ldi11g.
Indeed, t h e most conspicuous m2:mal v i s i t o r s t o t h e s e environs a r e u s u z l l y
observed in c l e a r view--in f l i g h t a b w e t h e marsh. There a r e no l e s s t h l n
14 s p e c i e s of b e t s known t o occur i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e w-+tershed. .is
n o c t u r a 1 c o u n t e r p ~ r t sof t h e d<?y-flying s w i f t s -ad s w ~ l l o w s , t h e b a t s t..ke
over from t h e i r f e a t h e r e d compatriots a t dusk and assume t h e 'night s h i f 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 ,
A s p e c i e s most: i n t i m a t e l y connected w i t h t h e marsh and its upstrean
r i p a r i a n is the beaver. Local cumbers of these r o d e n t s ere low, but on

&W
occasion t h e i r presence becomes n o t i c e s b l e (u;:comfortably so) e s t h e i r dams
back up w ~ t e ri n t o c u l t i v t e d ~ r t i c h o k ef i e l d s . :~lso, t h e i r inclination t o
wander i n t o t h e s e ssme f i e l d s i n s e ? r c h of a r t i c h o k e s t z l k s iind f r u i t s for
food nr,d dim-building m a t e r i a l does n o t endem t h e m to t h e loc11 f-irmers who
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
offending a n i n l l s hzve been tr-lpped .nd remcwed t o o t h e r p o r t i o n s of the
Other s m a l l e r herbivorous m\ lmm .i1s 1i v i . g throughout t h e entire dr<.inage
system include t r e e s q u i r r e l s +nd chipnunks i n t h e f o r e s t c d woodl~nds; moles,

*. - - .
- .- . . -
. -
ground s q u i r r e l s a i ~ dpocket gophers ~ I Iburrows clang the levees as well ::s
in t h e surrounding gr::ssl.~nds ':nd scrub, a?d nunleraus species of mice ::nd
o t h e r s m a l l rodents f i l l i n g t h o s t every conceivable biologic:!l niche.
: few jackrabbits ~.ndan abu d2tice of brushrc;bbits occcr in the scrub ~ n d
fe:.cerows.
The blackt.?il deer is t h e only conmo~: big gaze mammal. I t is found in
a 1 1 p o r t i o i ~ sof t h e drainage, except 02 t h e be2ch. Deer a r e often observed
at dusk moving out i n t o t h e d r i e r portiocs of t h e marsh t o feed:
The msjor n a t u r a l predctor of deer is t h e mcatntcin lion, but numbers
of this b i g c a t h w e been s h l r p l y reduced in recent times, Bobcat, s t r i p e d
and s p o t t e d skunk, weasel, raccoon, coyote ?ad grzy fox a r e a l l frequent
visitors t o t h e marsh, wandering i n frcm their woodland and s c r t ~ b l ~centers

~d
of abundaxce; Bsdgers -re more c m m in t h e gr1ss1;-..ds, but occnsimnllg
venture i n t o t h e w e t l w d s t o e x p l o i t t h e ground s q u i r r e l c ~ ~ c e n t r s t i oin

r.~
t h e levees. R~:rely, 8 ringt::il lerives its s i z i i r rocky Areas of the upper
woodland 2nd r e c e n t l y a pine marten wxs observed i.1 Butsno S t s t e P m k , t h e
f i r s t observation of t h e species i n t h i s dr-3i:;age in hqlf a century.
I atroduced e x o t i c mcmmals; are t h e ubiquitiaus opsssua, Korway r x t znd
house n i c e nezr dwellings rl:~ddurp s i t e s , znd an occasional white f a l l o w deer
t h a t d r i f t s in over Deer Park Ridge from t h e ~ d j o i ~ l i nSg a Gregorio:.Xreek
watershed where they were introduced i n t o Pompanio C~~.tyon

s e v e r a l years ago.
Pi-ay of t h e s e mammals are g m e aaimals and deer e s p e c i a l l y a r e subjected
t o limited loc,:l h w t i n g pressure: .$I1 these a.?imzls provide pleasure f o r
n , t u r e e n t h u s i a s t s p , ~ s s i n gthrough the , . r e a exd these

t o u r i s t s , hikers, *~nd
wild c r e t u r e s * r e bn i n t e g r e l p - r t of the loc-1 ecosystem.

-
Birds
Unlike m ? m . 1s which :re ofteL? s e c r e t i v e 2nd cre t u r e s of d-irkeni-ig
hours, b i r d s 2 r e u s u a l l y d i u n ~ l ,?.oisy <<ndconspicuously ,domed ill
b r i g h t c o l o r s .nd pcztterns. Such tr.?its combined w i t h f ;lscinr?ting h l b i t s ,
beh v i o r .~nd ch-illenging s p o r t irlg c h a r l c t e r i s t ics h Lve n - d e b i r d s of g r e it
i n t e r e s t aad e t t r a c t i v e n e s s t o n:ture e n t h u s i a s t s -nd s p o r t s n e n qlike,
Not ?I1 the b i r d s p e c i e s observed i n t h e marsh live h e r e thoughout t h e
year, The v s t m a j o r i t y :re migr-nts, e i t h e r w i n t e r i n g l o c - l l y o r 2s i n t h e
c - s e of most of t h e w ding birds, merely t r v s i e r ~ tv i s i t o r s useing t h e marsh
;..s a r e s t i n g pl::ce d u r i n g t h e i r c? iu.41 n i g r z t i o r : odyssey between the t u n d r ?
2nd southern hemisphere w i n t e r i n g groulds,
t?;?ter 8issocI:ted Birds
P e l ~ g i cand C o q s t a l Birds
Host of t h e true p e l z g i c s p e c i e s , t h o s e b i r d s l i v i n g 2 1 1 b u t the breed-
i n g p o r t i o s of t h e i r l i v e s f a r o u t over t h e o c e ~ i - , seldom came t o the
Pesc2dero s t r m d of t h e i r own v o l i t i m . . The s t r w g g a l e wi;.lds of w i i r t e r w i l l
o f t e n blow s t o m w,?ifs before the we2ther f r a t tow-rd s h o r e where t h e y may
c o l l i d e w i t h headl.inds or be drwmed i n t h e r o i l i i - g s u r f L Beachw~lksurveys
? l o n g t h e s t r ~ n dd u r i n g t h e w i n t e r of 1972 reveqled t h e presence of nuxerous
s p e c i e s t h a t succumbed t o such n 2 t u r l l . ~ c c i d e n t s . The v i c t ins included I--s,
p e t r e l s , s h e ~ r w 7 : t e r sand v z r i a u s yqlcids, e s p e c i l l l y murres, g u i l l e m o t s ~ n d
nuklets,
.?nother group ~f b i r d s t h ;t re more f r e q u e n t v i s i t o r s t o t h e s u r f l i n e
2re t h e i n s h o r e s p e c i e s such s p e l i c . ~ n s , cormor-nts, grebes, g u l l s :~ld t e r n s ;
ir. irnportzqt r o o s t i - g :re f o r p e l l g i c a1.d Br.1 d ' t cormora t s is situ-3ted
-. s h o r t d i s t ,rice s o u t h of t h e c r e e k e n t r -nce md t h e 1 ltter s p e c i e s -re

North ~ m d ,looking cortheast f r m the Coast Highway
Ne,at,,e MU. \$A
>!orth Marsh, looking norL.?.?rd towzrd the Heron rookery

het-~,wc k c
Depcrtnent of Fish and G m e photcdby Bruce Elliott, A p r i l 1974
3n
Dunes a d c o a s t a l scrub, a l m g western border of the marsh
hleqai,0t NO.
The present-day lagom, with silted besch (view ~~~~~~~~~~ird)

k q z ~ t u cNa.. \OA
Department of Ff sh and G m e photos by Bruce E l l i o t t , A p r i l 1974

f r e q u e n t l y seen ixshore throughout t h e ye r. P e l i c n s , r e loc 11sgmmer ,:nd
. 3 u t w . v i s i t o r s , while nost of t h e c m o r ~ , > r c t i c , .:nd red-thro ited loozs,
honed !.id Uester? grebes '2nd m a y of t h e g u l l nd t e r n species ? r e wi-.ler
visitors. However, C-spi-,.I?t e r s ppe r here onLy i . summer d resident
F o r s t e r ' s t e r n s <;pparently breed n t t i n e s i L x t h e n rsh.
Waterfowl
Of t h e four m j o r migr>?tionroutes used by North 'meric wL,terf@dl on
t h e i r c-;\?.ual t r e k t o 2 d fron t h e i r ,lorthem breeding g r o u ~ d s , the p icif i c
Flyr?c\y serves - s t h e mjor :)venue of pass?ge f o r those birds p . s s i n g i l t o
a-td through C a l i f o r ia. Ilthough t h e cooperttive e f f o r t s of p r i v > t e conser-
v l t i o n groups -'7d both t h e U.S. T7 d C a n d i - n g m r me.n.ts h - v e r e s u l t e d i n t h e
preservnt ion of huge trz.cts of breeding h . b i t -t beizg presenred ;nC protected
i n t h e northl<md, t h e r e h-s been -I d r , l s t i c reduction in wintering grouxd
. 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
covered .~lmost5 million Tcres i n extent a r e reduced t o = d ~ tyo l e s s tha.3
500 thousand ecres: S i ce t h e s u r v i v z l of a species depeGds not o. t h e most
t..bund.~ntf'ictor in its list of l i v i n g requireraents, but r - t h e r o . thLxt

vhich
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
w i l l simply f o r e c l o s e conditions t o crven~intersuccessfully for mr;rty birds
produced f u r t h e r north. Thus we see t h - t t h e nost c r i t i c : l .>spectof the
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
not r e l - t e d t o t h e breedicg ? r e > s , but depends o: t h e c o ~ t i r ~ u eexistLince

d
of s u f f i c i e n t appropri lte h b i t ~t l i k e Pesc dero hi r s h on t h e w i tering
portio of the flyr~qy.
' o l e s s t h - -L 27 species of w-lterf owl h ~ v ebeen reported from t h e rn lrsh
but of course n o t :11 of these species , r e >I~?.iys

found here, Swms lppe r
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 m o3 . 1 ~ observed f o m s r e v-r i e t i e s of the C - 7. ld goose - d the \ ~ h i t e -
fra;ted goose. B r n t smetirnes r e s t on North Fond d u r i ~ gw i > , t e rstorms,
when they .\reo f t e n joined by individu tls of t h e t h r e e species of scoters,
s p e c i a l i z e d mollusk-f eed i n g ducks usu ~ l l yf mnd i:: t h e s u r f zone -l.>dbeyond:
The depth of Korth P m d snd t h e lagoo] likewise proves a t t r a c t i v e t o
some of t h e d i v i n g ducks such 2 s goldeneye, buff lehe d 7,1d s c .up, ~ 1 of

1
which ?re commo~.winter visitors-: They r e o c c ~ s i o . ~ a l ljoiced

y by redhe-ds,
c-cv-sblcks 1i7d ring-necked ducks wfiich s r e Less frequent here ,,long the
coast t h a n 01 S a n F r .ncisco B.:y or ir,l->d l . k e s clnd po,;ds. The str ,~rge
l i t t l e ruddy ducks w i t h their s,*ucycoclced-up t-2ils a r e present here through-
out the year 2nd h,-tch t h e i r young from v7ell-cunce? led n e s t s hidden ?midst
the emerge-silt: v e g e t - t i o I m t h e edge of t h e po-7.d. Rcrely, t: merga- ser drops
f - t o f o r ~ g efrom t h e pmd or the ne-:rby creek channel, especi .lly wha the
l a t t e r is flooded by <I hi& tide:
The most i z m r o u s of the r ~ a t e rowl

f Sroups t o u t J l f ze the m - r s h ?re the
puddle ducks; That36 species do _lot d i w f o r food, but f o r ?ge i-. shxllow
water by Cipping t a i l - u p 2r;d reacling d a m with their long n e c e t o r e t r e i v e
food itelns ~rithinre-.ch on the bottom. biz11 rds, gldwells, -1:d some of t h e
cinnano; t e > Ibreed here . nd ni:;y individuals of these species re presext:
here thmughout the y e a .
I t is, i q a u t m !I-d w i xter haweverbthat t h e reign of t h e w.lterfarl comes
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
begin t o a r r i v e i n sm 11 groups ;nd by 1-te Septeaber hundr&, occ . s i o i -1ly

a<C
thous-nds of the 1' t t e r speciesj\joined by widgeon, cam01 (greenwi g ) t e -1
a - d c i ~n non t e 11-s r r e l l a s ? lesser - m b r of wood duck -7 -d bluewi.;~te:L.

These ho -frds of wcterfoul a l l coyverge o t h e flooded 1.- .ds ,310 :g Pesc d e r o
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
with courting f l i g h t s . Higeo. rid geese f jnd the flooded - g r i c u l t u r : : l land
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 .
I t is the v r i e t y of c o ,ditio;ls within t h e l o c c l xretl- nds &it permits
t h e n ,rsh t o plrty h o s t t o such t ) d i v e r s i t y of w- t e r f owl species, e .ch with
its mr. p e c u l i e r feedizg 2nd l i v i n g requirements. Bec.:use there r e no
o t h e r -,ree:sin t h e v i c i l r i t y of such s i z e -. d h - b i t l t d i v e r s i t y , t h e waterfowl
wirterirrg 3t Pesczdero do l o t canmate t o and fro t o a l t e m 2 t e feeding s i t e s
on t h e scc?let h , z t Zhey d o in t h e 1:irger estu?.rine' bcys i:; o t h e r p l r t s of
the coast:' Attempts t o o b t n i , ticcur te counts of ducks znd o t h e r w-.terfarl
i n t h e narsh during w i n t e r pe.:k p e r i o d s is f r u s t r z t e c i by the lzck of access

r ~ ~ r 2 r . 4
i n t o the p r o t e c t e d Beserve t h a t is the c e n t e r of w:!terfowl abundance2
~ a r ~ e v e re,s t i m a t e s a s t o the ngg:,itrude of :umbers ca? be y t t ~ i n e dby n o t i n g
f l o c k s of s e v ? r a l hundred b i r d s r i s i ~ gfrom t h e c o - c e a l i ,a vegetation i n one
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
a d i f f e r e n t l o c - t i ~ ~ ? 'Ej s t i m : t e s of 3500 p i n t a i l s aad s h w e l e r s during
were probably too lw.

February of 1972 i I the Xorth 31L~rsh
Wading Birds
,Is t h e i r n m e s implies, b i r d s i n this group obt2i:. t h e i r aqu,ytic focd
orgai'ism by wadil:g i x t o sh-Llow wcter r z t h e r t h - n diving and s w i i m n i r ~
below t h e surface. T h e i r most s t r i k i z g ,:d:~pt?tions f o r this f o r ~ g i : ~ g

mode
iire lo*ig l e g s t;.d cornprlrntively long, o f t e n oddly-shaped b i l l s . The l a t t e r

ire used t o probe in mud, s-nd or clumps of v e g e t z t i o ? f o r food items such
3s i - s e c t s , n o l f u s k s s'id c r u s t !ce?zs:' 111 t h e s e w .ders ca . swirn i f pressed,
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.
- . -.
Pcscadero Area Vegetation Types

',dopted f?aP o r e s t Rcsourccs -
of = ?inteo County, P l : : ~ n i nDept.,
~ 1971
vocets do s o 7s p rt of t h e i r f orcigiL-.g~ c t i v i t y .
ri'ost of t h e 30 v : d i r > g species zotsed r e nigr tory t r 7 n s i e n t s , poetic . l l y
know ss t h e '::rind birds". They p:?use w i t h u s t o rest a ~ dfeed o: the m d b rs
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
d o overwi - t e r i: s i p i f i c 1::t nmbers, nd the k i l l d e e r plover is reside--t,
breedi-g on levee tops,
The co s t s i d e l o c t i o n of Pesc dero 1 . ! ~ s h is e s p e c i - l l y import nt: fcc
these s m . 1 1 m e tures. Shorebird n i g r - t i o n routes &-dhe-rmch more c l o s e l y
t o the c o z s t l i n e then do L%e wsterfowl f l y ? ? y s nd thus t h e exist:nce of this
wet1 ~ n dh2bit.-t i s cruci :I f o r t h e i r ecological r.eeds d u r i r ~ gt h e rigors of
migr-tim.'.
A .other i q o r t a - t group of widers re the conspicuous i ~ d4ztr.ctiive
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
is spor-,die is occurezce, n e s t i n g m e y e - r , absent the next. The g r e :t blue
heroris hcve t r e d i t i m - l l y nested i n a s m 11 co1or.y i t ? t h e euc::lyptus grate
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
nesti-tg p-.irs were i n ,?ttend-3nce, r s large a populatim of t h i s s p e c i e s .IS
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
h e r o - s t o forsge f o r prey i n d r i e r l o c . t i o n s n : ~ dthe p r e d i l e c t i o n of the
s p e c i e s f o r sin,,ll n-imxls 3r.d r e p t i l e s led i t i n t h e p z s t i .to u p l a d p o r t i o : . ~
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 .
Ear? th .t: hunters are :loted l e s s frequently i n t h e m lrsh, such depred*:tions

m-y hopefully occur l e s s often,
The .'.rneric I : ? b i t t e r n is : very uxusu 1 heros: ? s it is usu l l y
d i f f i c u l t t o find - .d observe, t h e bird is e . g e r l y sou&t: ,.fter by n r t u r e
e - ~ t h u s i ~ s t s .Opportunities t o view these shy c r e t u r e s is perh,lps b e t t e r
here th.27 zrpihere e l s e i c o - s t - l C lifor;.i for b i t t e r s .re comon
2nd during the s p r i - g s e ? s o t h e coukti g birds s t nd out cm.spicuously
.hove the s h o r t m-lrsh v e g e t ~ t i ~ .
5lmost intermediate i-i ch r c t e r and h s b i t s betsree? w ~ d e r sacd t r a t e r f m ~ l
ore the rclils. The Ilneric-m coot, the l a r g e s t species in the group appears
l i k e a duck i n c e r t 2 i n ways, I t ss~imsbouy2ntly -nd feeds on open wc-ter,
o f t e n -~ssoci:ting freely with t h e w t e r f a i l it s o resenbles in ltzbits.
Coots s r e present in t h e marsh in s m e numbers throughout the ye^, but: i n
winter t h e populztio?. l e v e l mF:y s o a r l t t i n e s t o sever11 thous-nd birds;
Coots -re v e g e t a r i a . 1 ~,ad c r e often abundlnt in t h e lower flooded f i e l d s
adjoinir-tg c u l t i v a t e d lad where they sametines n-ke Y nuisa:-tce of themselves
by forzging on the newly p l m t e d row-crops.

T3J.r
32trez o t h e r r a i l s a r e occasio2.-lly f a d i n the m:lrsh.. That they a r e
n o t observed more frequently is a r e s u l t of t h e i r very s e c r e t i v e h--]bits.
Skulki g i n t h e emergent vegetztion, t h e g , ~ l l i n u l elooks l i k e a more
c o l o r f u l (:.-)d shyer) v e r s i o of t h e coot7 while the extremely timid s o r a

. .,f t ' . b " C ' ,
n l Virgi i - z rqils:lre seldom observed winter v i s i t o r s , often noted only
by t h e i r d i s t i n c t i v e c a l l notes.
The p r i m i t i v e duck-like grebes ::re d i v e r s th l

t prefer deeper w t e r
t h 'n r . i l s . The p i e d - b i l l grebe is - ye r-lo2g r e s i d e n t t h t usu lily r e c t s

.-.. 7
t o a;: i n t r u d e r by submerging slowly out-&--sight: like .$ submarize. Only i::
June vhen t h e p a r e n t birds - r e t r ? . s p o r t i g t h e i r l i t t l e oddly-striped

chicks 'piggy-bxck' beareen crossed xri-,,a coverts, do m e birds take refuge
by swimi:.ig slowly IW ~y, The other t h r e e grebe species 2re ~ i ~ - . t Bvri s i t o r s
a-d usudlly occur i I t h e deeper nzrsh :,re,s;s o r beya.~d t h e surf line.
L .1.;d Birds
Smg Birds
O f the 182 species of birds recorded ii; t h e n+rsh, n 31y - r e w..terfov1
or w:di?g birds, The l2:id birds noted a r e usuzlly v i s i t o r s f r a n -8djoirli~g

h - b i t a t s o r n i g r z ts p ~ s s gi through t o other climes. However, there are
some l w d b i r d s which -re residerit or linked d i r e c t l y t o the rn3rslz f o r n-ny
of t h e i r reeds; Swifts --.d s w r l l o ~ s ,tvhich breed i n uplL~.;d- r e .s, f or:ge
over wetlands f o r f l y i n g i - s e c t s whfch ;re prob bly zv-il , b l e i n g r e - t e r
n m b e r s here i;: ?djoi.-iixg d r i e r h ~ b i ts.

t k v e n s ead j > y s f r o n m e
c o a s t : l c l i f f s mLd f o r e s t c m e t o f o r - g e along the stre:mbclnks, e s p e c i - l l y
during periods of r7pid wcter l e v e l d e c l i n e rJfi=., n-ny food orgaiisns re
exposed t o view. C m o r . yellawthroats, marsh wrens , m d socg spsrrows a r e
h i g h l y dependent on marsh conditions for t h e i r primdry h - b i t a t , a d black
pl-bes many species of f iitches depend g r e a t l y on the food it-,

~ n d
i n s e c t and seed respectively, produced in r..bundmce in t h e v e t l m d ccmwnity,'
Sme of these s 7 a e species -~ndo t h e r rel-!ted t o them occupy correspond-
izg niches i n every hzbitclt type i : ~

t h e dr\:in?ge: There is often a d i f f e r c ~ t ,
but closely-related species within G s i ~ g l eg o u p merely s u b s t i t u t i n g f o r
,mother <-sone h b i t & is replaced by new ki:d. For e x a p l e , 1an.g-billed
marsh wre:<s f l o u r i s h i n t h e mzrsh, but z r e r e p l . ced i-1 s c r u b l z ~ dby Be~rick's
wrei: The 1 2 t t e r i7 turn I s replaced i n cert: in w o c d l nd s i t u tior:s by
m i g r t o r y house w e n s , which i turn give way iL>

t h e Porest t o the s e c r e t i v e
winter xvmn. Thus, t h e xr r i e t y of b i r d l i f c throughout t h e drriir~ge is

simply a r e f l e c t i o n or' the we 11th tred d i v e r s i t y of :>iches withi. the
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 .
While nourl;i:g doves ,re n o t p r e s e n t i.! the :bUIld one

LIC~ ini;Tht s n t i c i p a t e i -
wamer, dryer clin t e , t h e r e ? r e s u f f i c i e n t numbers t o e n t i c e the shooter
-field, The l a r g e r , f s t e r b a - d - t ~ i l e d pigeon is o f t e n cor,nnori in the f o r e s t
aad aver c o .st.zl g r a i n f i e l d s i n the ?utumn. V<:lley q u a i l <ire :bWd:i.lt in
,721 h b i t :ts (they are even c m o l 310.g the bushy levee-tops) , lttenpts
withi:^ rece-,t y e a r s t o i troduce 1:41d turkey and red-legged chukar p a r t r i d g e
h?ve f riled, app-irently due t o 3 1-ck of s u i t - l b l e c l i r ~ l t i cc m d i t i o r i s f o r
reproduction, but: 2 few ring-necked p h e , - s x t s c . 2 s t i l l bz found, a legzcy
f r m a e days of t h e hunting c l u b n t Rolling H i l l s , Thus, a liinited am..tnt:
of upl-nd g-me b i r d shooti. g does occur ,r!d provides a noderate ;[incant of
sppropri :tive recre:t io,: for t h e wing shooter,
Birds of Prey
The b i r d s of prey or r 'ptors, through t h e i r f i e r c e cspect a d d r a q z t i c
mqxi.,er 03 s u s t a i n i n g thenselves h?ve captured the i n :gination of man p r i o r t o
recorcled history and he i n t u n on frequent: occnsion hys 3ttenrpted t o c - ~ p t u r e
t h e n e i t h e r with E g m , f -.lcmer * S noose ox? nore r e c e n t l y w i t h e cmerit;'
Some r :$or s p e c i e s :re b e c m i ~ g.F ? r e due t o both d i r e c t -nd i ~ d i r e c t hw-n

:
pressures 2r.d there is ' d . c yf o r the b i r d s ' t o be found most r e a d i l y i n

te~~
r e n o t e ,:rezs where t h e i r prey s p e c i e s ,=remost -&d nt,' This is usu I l y
where there is h , b i t - t d i v e r s i t y ?.d . 1-:ck of hm.!.-.disturbr?.lce, The
l c t t e r requirements perh lps expl i 1s t h e cmp r t i v e - b u n d a c e of species
, r i d i n d i v i d u 7 l r,umbers of r > p t o r s i : ~Uze Pesc,:dero-Butario w tershed,

There nre - ~ i species
~ e of diurrr 1 1 r p t o r s i.1 t h e w..tershed. me
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
when t h e sheep zre droppirrg t h e i r 1-mbs i : t h e surroundi ,g g r tssl ~ d s ,
The roder,tcdevarrrin~, bco td-wi~lged s o x i n g h :wks or buteos . r e m o s t :
cornor:ly represented by t h e ubiquitous r e d t a i l h-l~?lc,but few red-shmlderec!
h ?wks breed l o c 71ly i n t h e r i p ~ r i mbers of t h e 1; t t e r species _re
reported i n d e c l i n e i n C - 1 i f o r z i r. 3ough-legged hawks o c c ~ s i o ; l a l l y-ppelr
i.: w i n t e r ~ i l dduring s m e 'inv-LSion '

ye .rs ii12y be t h e most: 4 ~ b u - t d ~buteo
nt
i-% the dr?inage. Duri-s the winter of 1973-74, 47 i - ~ d i v i d u s l sof this
s p e c i e s were counted i - the narsh ~t o:.e t i m ,
Duri ,g n i g r ? t i o n , t h e scrubl-?.:& n:ld nlrsh p l -y h o s t t o t h e f.?st-fl y i r g ,
s t e a l t h y s c c i p i t e r s , hmks th.at prey more cr s n . 1 1 b i r d s th2t) 01 n mals.
Our only l o c a l fzLco7 is t h e g e n t l e l i t t l e ' m e r i c z ~kestr-il or sp=-.rrow
hawk which c m t r . r y t o its l.3tter n.?!ii?ef ~ o r mice

s 7:
:d i.-sects i n its diet.
Usually t h e most came l y observed r - p t o r i: t h e n r s h is t h e n .rsh
h i . ThE.oe lnrge gr.:ceful b i r d s qu~zrtert h e wetl-?ds, t h e adjoi:ji;ng
grassl-ads a3d open scrub searching for rodents: .:.~.~rnz:y is three p3ir.s
hzve been f w n d n e s t i n g sinult-meously in the d r i e r protio.;..~of the n>rsh,
t h e i r nests placed d i r e c t l y on the ground in open view.+
Regret .ibly, the be-ut iful l i m l e w h i t e a t a i l k&e comes t o the m , r s h
less and less frequently:' Never CmOi?, i t is: :C cmspicttous inoffensive
crer:ture s : v e t o t h e mice i t feeds upon, There is evidence t o i n d i c ~ t eL??t
indiscrimin. t e shooti-,g w .s respo s i b l e f o r the d e t h of the I n s t b i r d s
observed here in 1972.
"1 the varied iches exploited by dium.31 r z p t o r s ? r e covered i n the
haws of d-.rk e s s by t h e i r owl counterparts, The g e it hor-ed, b~r.?..rid

short-eared a r l s rjl1,occur it; the n-trsh (the l a t t e r 07-ly i-Lr:i.?ter ,s a
visitor)-; The hor ed mrls occur i:: c7lnost every habit-t; f r m the forest:
t o the be t c h J and n e - r t h e r n m h prefer t o r o o s t il. a e eucalyptus grwe
f r m xrfiich t h e y forrlg out - f t e r d : ~ kt o prey o 1 l.?.ythil;g 02 -: s i z e up t o
a d i - c l u d i ' g redt-il h - w k s . B rn owls, de izens of a b , do-ed b u i l d i gs
and hollor.7 t r e e stu,zps, s c i e c t s n z l l e r rodents f o r t h e i r - t t e ~ t i m s .
Four other specles of a?Ls occupy differe:lt niches i n other h - b i t ts*
On infrequent occzsio::, s.? 5 s i n v&*ion

,c ye lrr; c2i: bring t h e possibili'iy of 2
s 2 a ~ yowl t o the shorefr~~7.f:

dmes. iIost 0 ~ 1 5? r e seldom observed by t h e
averege persm- ~ U tEo the b i r d s e nocturn.:l h a b i t s , but the s h o r t - e ~ r e d
owl ofeen hunts over t h e open m-rsh 02 the l i t t l e p y p y

cloudy d-,ys, ~ n d
crr?X of t h e woodla~dand f o r e s t is af ibPd during -11. but the b r i g h t e s t
periods of daylight.
FI ri'7.e ,Pcso\k-ces
Oce-2: Fish
F i s h resources off Pescadero Seach fi:clude 7 w i d e v a r i e t y of s h e l l f i s h
2nd f i r f i s h (See Appendix I: for a complete l i s f i ,o 015 'species reported frm
this zrea). F i - f i s h species include surfperch, jaclcsnelt, cro&ers, stzrry
flounder, s o l e , s h a r p s a-.d rnys. The rocky he , d l a ,ds ..nd r e e f s t o the south

of the creek mouth n t t r a c t : blennies, eels, rockfish, cabezm., lingcod a:td
several 1:i;ds of e d i b l e nollusks i-iczuding zbalwe.
\.&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
of t h e s e species ( m o s t cert?i:-ly the f l o a ~ d e r )regul.:rly ascended the wzter-
course and p r o b - ~ b l yused t h e -.djoi 7 ing nudf 1 -ts 2 d oKIe: p o r t io 3s of t h e
nxsh t o spav . T d y, sculpin : ~ . d s t i c k l c b ck ?re or^.;. to sce:tt t h e stre.-=

when wrnter s t o m ' 173ters force through t h e s.-.db:r a d open t h e creelc t o
4
the oce i:. I t is -.t such t iae t h -t nF1.d r a m s f i s h scei$ the r i v e r t o
s p 377'
'.: d r a m s Fish
Pesc .dero Creek ~d its t r i b u t 3ry But7 o Creek with steelhe-d ru - of
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
River 60 miles south i n S - t r l Cruz County, Pesc.dero Creek i t s e l f is about
25 z i l e s long -ind i t s Buts-10 Crepk tribut:rii/cwers .12~ d d i t i o n n l25 miles.

.-- - - -'
( i r c l u d i -.g L i t t l e Butano creek,-. The upper portio-.s of t h e d r a i . . ~ g e
are co sidered t o be good salmot-,od s p ~ ~ n i nareas,

g with g r - v e l s predominating
n e z r t h e headw+ters, and boulder-grzvel ~ i x t u r ei n the middle course:
Closer t o the marsh, the stre-.nf low lessens, t h e r e is more s ~ n dmixed wiCh
t h e g r - v e l 2nd sp=?wningco2ditions :re 031y f .ire There h.-ve been attempts
i n the p-1st t o increase the s i l v e r s 1mm popul?tion ; , r t i f i c i a l l y , but tie
success of these ventures is not obvious.
There is one permment: d p m 0-1 Pesc-dero Creek e a r Lon? !<?rbut the
l a t t e r h?s ?: good q e r z t i v e fisIrw-,y; impsirment of f i s h passFge ~ l o : ~t h

ge
e n t i r e stream system is ninim.-,l, There is 2 potential. problem of tenpor;,ry
d i v e r s i o n d m s blocking p a s s ~ l g eduri-g the s m r s e l s o ,b u t t o d e t e most
of these o b s t r u c t i o s ;Ire reinwed durizg t h e winter f i s h

JlarshlLd developed for privote duck h r n t i n g club - --+
Na?-jrtve Ma 2YA
Flooded c r o p l a n d d e s i g n e d t o < ? t t r a c twaterfowl (ne-?r P e s c c d e r o Road)

Nera~tve MG \ 5 A
Gepartment of Fish and Game photos by Bruce Elliott, April 1974

RESOURCE USE
Recrect io.~;.lUse
The develop21ent p l t t e r a of S - n Nnteo C m t y h-ts r e s u l t e d in .I
-*
dichotmous h a - n d i s t r i b u t i o l . The intensely Ceveloped e stern h:+lf of
the County with its c o - t i g i n a s w t b i n spr,i~.rlup t o ( a ~ din sme cxses, i.7to)
Sar! F r - c i s c o Bay c o n t r s s t s s h l r p l y with the r u r ~ latsslosphere of the wester::
h ~ l fof t h e County o- the ocean-. For the residents of t h e bustling metropol-
it.:-ne-st county, t h e a t t r l c t i o - s of t h e open s p Lce resource v :lues of t h e
co,:sthl sea a r e i r r e s i s ' i i b l e as weekend 2nd holid?^yv i s i t o r l e v e l s well
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
p a r t o r a l l of t h e i r v i s i t , T ~ . b l e1 s m r ! r i z e s the user days f o r the vrsrious
S t s t e z L 6County areas i n t h e drainege:'
St&e ..ad County lark V i s i t o r Totals

1972c73
Tot-1 User D,:ys
Pescadero Creek Couaty Psrk 1,403

San H-fsrteoC-ty iienoriiil ?ark 211',651
Butano S t a t e Park 35,177
P o r t o l a S t a t e Pnrk 65,967
Pesczdero Be2ch S t a t e Bezch
433,315
Total 747,513
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
incre-se a-;d t h i s is bei-.:: ?nticipnted o.?d encour iged by ?:irk pla'iners ~ r , d
sdmi2istr:ters. Hm,tever, sucfi -:a i 1cre::se c m only be ::cccnodltcd if t h e
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,
f o r t h e mssses of people t h = t f i l l t h e be.?ches . x ~ dparks a r e wemrhelmix,nly
f r m o t h e r loc;..tims; l o c - l r e s i d e Ltpopulatiols are q u i t e s m 2 l l :
N?.tur?l resources a r e u t i l i z e d in two co-itr -stir.g, but complemezt -ry w~ys,
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
Hunters --?d f isheme:?. hhirvest ;1 portio of the w i l d l i f e
s u r p l u s f o r co.~sumptim.
The unique co.str?l c l i n d t e s t r o g l y g w e r n s t h e scope and timing of locrtl

recre-..tional a c t i v i t y : I n lzte s p r i g 3 - d e z r l y s m e r , morning z7d 1.-:te
evening fog and cold ;lir temperi..tures % - h i b i t s 211 but a e h l l s d i e s t be.:&
enthusiasts?': Only during t h e perioc! fron l a t e J u l y through October is t h e

i
fog con&im~s u s u a l l y absent aqd even then t h e cold a l t e r t e ~ p e r a t u r e sand
e:.:tremely hazardous surf conditions limit beach use f o r swimming a l d other
water contact a c t i v i t i e s : HOI?\Z*ET, the beaches 3 - d dunes experience mch
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;
qppropri-:tive users such a s f i s h e m ? a i d hunters are r e s t r i c t e d i n
their a c t i v i t i e s n.ot o l y by weather c o 2 d i t i o s, but by hu?ting and f i s h i n g
season r e g u l a t i o :s Gost hunter a c t i v i t y is c m f i ~ e dt o late sunaner and
a u t m , wfiile stresm f i s h i n g s p ' x ~ sI - t e au- ai7d e a r l y winter. Shell
f i s h i n g is governed by tid-11 co?diti01s, Surf f i s h i n g , of c a r r s e continues
:.ll year.
Duri-.g the periixls -of prime venther cmditio.-.s f o r b e x h and park
u s e r s , most sportsnen are e i t h e r innctive o r u t i l i z i n g hnbitnt types n o t

, < r i
b e i ~ gused for h W ~ l 3 ~ w - 4 ~ s h ,?s . i :.c?T!

~ ~e ,x' q l e , the p o e i o n s of tfre
\ +
, 9v4-L
m7rsh ow.& by the S t ~ t ea i ~ dprotected a s a St;ilte 3t!SRme border 01
a m e d ~ a r c e l so c c a s i o ~ a l l yused by duck hW1ters. However, t h e period of pe4c
r e c r e n t i o r , use in t h e m.:rsh by h i k e r s a d n ture e n t h u s i a s t s does not corres-
pmd w i t h waterfowl hunting se-sm, L i k e ~ r i s e , d u r h g t h e er:rly deer hunting
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\,
n e w e r t o the ocean', Thus, 3 p p r o p r i ? t i v e z7.d n o . : ~ ~ p p r o p r i a t i v euses of the
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
Deer h m t i g is t h e nost: i q o r t l n t : a p p r o p r i - t i v e use i:: t h e Pescadero
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
cwp .red t o othez are :s of s i d l e r s i z e elsewhere. About one-third of the
25 t o 30 Intnter tag returns n nu?.lly f r m Sctn l i n t e o C m t y i n rece:-.t yenrs
have c m e f r m t h e Pescadero Drai-\age. This was zlw.~yst h e case. B~iclc
irt the l a t e 195Ots, t e - Ltimes this number of d e e r were k i l l e d i n t h e Cotznty

and a l a r g e r percentzge of'aem came f r m the Pescadero czrez. 3ut v f t h a
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
d e e r h a b i t z t of l e s s e r q u ? l i t y came i.;to being and there is zothing t o i n d i c l t e
a reversal of mat tre_:d. The pres.mt t ; o t ? l ;7~nu31h n t i : ~ guse f o r deer 1s
estinnr.ted - t about 900 u s e r dzys. Nan-protected w i l d l i f e such ns bobc7ts a;ld
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.
Waterfowl n ; d upl-r-d gone b i r d h u n t i ? g h l s decli-ec? a b r u p t l y i: the
l a s t few ye,>.rs. m> canbination of e c o - l a i c coi-~ditions.ad c o n f l i c t s w i t h the
:~'t:atefi:serve i.: the mt~rshItere u l d ~ b t a b l yc o n t r i b u t o r y i n l ~ r g ep rt f o r

t h i s declirle: Until rece t l y a privately-owjed phe sa :t club oper.>ted
a l o ; g t h e e l s t e r n boundxy of t h e mrsh 2nd v i s i t o r s t o the e s t ? b l i s h e t
ofte- exteadad t h e i r h u n t i .g go<?ls to i:clude waterfai1 : ! ~ dsnipe h t i n g
w i t h f a the privately-or.med s e c t i o n of the mrsh. Tod-.y, o3ly one s n z l l e r
duck c l u b remains iri operation end its hunter use is restricted.' There sre
no f i g u r e s .svailzble t o e s t i n a t a t h e e c m a n i c contributio.-, th-t h u r t e r s
passed on t o t h e l o c c l c m f t y in,tezms of f e e s =td s e r v i c e s , but s 1965 - '--

eccrnamic survey coqducted by t h e U.S. F i s h and V i l d l i f e Service estimzted
~ ? c t e r f o w lh m t e r s spe-t: .?bout $6.74 p e r man d l q / L.. Irq

A
a wr -
'4
-
i
Loc.31 i ~ t e r e s ti7 Uplc. d g m e shooti g is . ot highly developed;
Brushrsbbits, s q u i r r e l s , b z - d - t a i l e d p i g e o - , q u a i l and :I fen dwes a r e
presezt azd CZG at: l e s t m e occasioti ir-depe..de!-it e f f o r t s t o i::torduce wild

turk&y and chukar were made, but were unsuccessful. The pote-?tiz.il-for
i b c ~ o ; l o A.-hnrt+-ps-trc i e - ~ -
+ is wry good.'
W i t h growing p u b l i c sentiment toward t o t a l p r o t e c t i o n of the ncrrsh,
t h e r e is probably l i t t l e p o s s i b i l i t y for an increase in waterzowl htmting
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
about the sports r e c r e a t i o n a l values;'
F i s h - resources alo-g the ocean front caz be b r m d l y divided i n t o two
c l a s s i f i c n t i a ~ s :f i n f i s h e:nd s h e l l f i s h . S p o r t s f isherne zagling f r m the
be=& s e e k surfperch, jncksnelt, croakers, s t : r r y flounders, s o l e , s h ~ r k s
2:3d rzys. The rocky promr:tcries p r w f d e 2 ch-:rice for c :be20 , lingcod znd
rockfish. D'f90kelpolers'' tS.9 f o r b l e n i e s a .d eels, while la?t i d e s nttr;lct:
t h o s e looki g f o r octopus 2.9d sear~eeds, plus ~lunberof s p e c i e s of mollusks

a- d c r u s t ice 1 s. Se.1 u r c h i z s , v<lrious s m l l l rock cr: bs, m s s e l s , turbln
s n s i l s , f i n p e t s and cockles a r e <:I1pursued by people during 1a;r t i d e s , but
it is the l u r e of red e:.d bll,lck ab;lone t h ~ t: . t t r - c t the most a t t e n t i o n .
Sever*l ' r o c k y p o i n t s ; ~ n dr e e f s nearby o f f e r good fishil1.g f o r these a-.d o t h e r
m cri le d e l i c z c i e s :
,!nadrmous F i s h
A'n:idrmous f i s h include steelhe3d ai.d G ~ ~ I X X L .Fishing f o r these s p e c i e s
genercltes a trene~dwsclnoufkof e2trhusizsa ama1g P e ~ i n s u l oanglers: From t h e
begi::l7.i g of the f i s h i . + g seasoa i n i-crlrember u n t i l its cozclusimi in Febmary,
t h e conbir.at;ion of good werther and z p p r o p r i % ~water

te coyditio2-s t h ~ wi31
t
prwofce rr g o d f i s h run w i l l bring erlger ;iimrods crut to prefered a-.,riling
loccltiot--s n e -r t h e creek nauth. Here, i.t B i m e s elbagto-elbow, t h e y w i l l
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
waters. Due t o l o c a l t;e,zther c o - d i t i o n s , those prefered i d e - . l b,ys 3re rsre

C
a t this season of the y e z r ?.-;id t h e best: e s t i a > t e is th t abcrut: 16 f i s h i n g

+ I
days a yecr are r e p l l y f m o r ~ b l ef o r tx~glers. O f the estinaeed 1500 stee2head
trout cnd s much s m e l l e r number of s a b w that ;~sce:~d

the wztershed, successful
fishemen take appraximztely 200 s a l n m e-qd 400 s t e e l h e z d annually;'
Nature Study
If p r e s e c t use of the m:rshl?,d is - .y indic.-.tion, the best potentia; use

of the :rec ~.rouldbe a s :
: : n t u r e r e s e w ~ i l deducatiorial f x i l i t y c Even
under corrternpor s r y c o n d t i o . . ~when only a s m ~ l lp o e i o n of the t o t ; l msrsklmd
area is - v z i l a b l e for p u b l i c access, there f s ex%@ :siw non-dppropr i ~ t i v euse
of the St<ztef;lZeserveportio. of t h e r~et2:nds: The r e c e t l y i c r e .sed i terest:
i n e :virme:;till coq.cer, s by a s i g if i c c ~ts e g i n e ~ tof t h e pub1 ic has prompted
2 re i - c r e . se ir, fhe t i n e sperit af U M en j o g i - g mNre study.y,*-kiln::

~ photogr:.phi--g p l a ts, ar:im;ils ~ n d' n , t u r c l '
x . ~ i l d l i f eo b s e r v ~ t i o ?,md
O f course, outdoor e n t h u s i a s t s have l o ~ g~ p p r e c i a t e dt h e eco1ogic::l
vc..lues of our dr.rir.dlixg a,?etl~ndhabit:!t and f i e l d excursfo..s by l o c a l
co:;servatio-i groups t o the marsh c a ~ t i z u et o be scheduled r e s l a r l y
t i o u g h o u t the ye.?rl Sever21 loc; 1 c h ~ p t e r sof t h e N . t i o - & a ..udubm

l Society,
S i e r r z Club, the Santci Cruz Bird Club, end m e ~ b e r sof t h e I":-.tio:.ql \ , l i l d l i f e
Feder->tion213 p - ~ r t i c i tp e i;. o r g x ized f ictld t r i p s t o e-1joy t h e n n r s ~ . '
Emever, it: is l i k e l y t h z t t h e gre - t e r aunber of people rho en joy ~e mxsh
for w i l d l i f e -7nd n e t u r e o b s e r v ~ t i o .rre

~ :'ot p - r t i c i p r . t i n g ia a g r q p
excursion. On ,zlmost s! y b ~ y ,under t h e most 2rduous w e ~ t h e rco:?ditio.zs,
i:dividu:ls u d s n z l l groups of people c s ; be observed w18-.dering -.long t h e

, t
i:cc.ceat\ c*
trsil s y s t e n e s t a b l i 3 h e d by the Dep?rtaeent: of Paks :. d B e a c b s , ususlly
w i t h f i e l d g l a s s e s or czneras ?bout t h e i r necks, enjoying a?' experience
w i t h plants md ,mimals.
I t should be emphasized t h z t expmsio:: of t;he present S t z t e j ' R e s e m
and c a ~ c u r r e n tc a r e f u l design of access c ~ d

t r x s i t r o u t e s would e 3 s i l y
p e m i t a rnmy-f old increase i n non-approprintive use w3thout undue d e t e r i -
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
n:.rshland is c u r r e n t l y n o t a c c e s s i b l e due t o its r e t e n c i a 1 i~ privaze
ownership,' If a d t . 7 6 this f r c t o r is overcome, t h e potm.ti?l f o r SOT,-
:ippropri.?.tive w i l d l i f e use of P e s c l d e ~ o!.I-lrsh would e 2 s i l y nalre it t h e most:
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
County. Such a q u i s i t i o r , e f f o r t s would repzy s i g . . i f ic. .t recre:tio .I
benefits t o ? l ~ r g esegment of the public. " l s o , due t o t h e se'iso: :l p z t t e r C
of wild1 i fe d i s t r i b u t i o : , throughout the ye-r in the n :rsh ( t h e prev: lence of

lnrge numbers of rrzterfm.71 during the wi:~terinonths is *-n =,n?le), there
3
could be a p o t e n t i a l f o r e c o ~ m i cu p l i f t t h e s e r v i c e i ~ l d u s t r yin Pesc3dero
d u r i r g t h e winter period ; ~ g r i c u l t w ~; :l, d be-ch r e c r e a t i o ; use is la.rest.
Scic-tific c: d E d u c . - t i ~ . Use
~l
Each of the preceeding Cos,st2 1 :feel nd S e r i e s r e p o r t s h 1s eiqhesized
duri.:g discussio-L of t h e i r respective ere, s t h ,t s c i e r i t i f i c .r?d educ::tio? 21
values ? r e perfixps the a o s t vqlu b l e f ~ c e tof t h . t nreyts n ~ t u r n lresource
potential:' Or"teli t h i s view is reinforced by nofs$ir~gt h e p r a x i ~ i t yof t h e
wetlznd t o a populated nrb-n ?re2 .-ld e d u c : t i o x l institutions. Thus at: f i r s t
glcw-ce o - ~ emight doubt the c m p s r q t i v e v ~ ~ l uofe Pesccrdero f.larsh ;?nd its
surrounding enviroiis f o r s i n i l a r Yet, it is obvious a f t e r a s i n g l e
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':'
The very i s o l a t ia.1 of Pesc-:dero :Icxsh from pracinate urbzcqizztion has
prevented d f l u t i m of' most of i t s e c o l o g i c l l vslues;' ~ i w t h marsh

e and f o r
e short d i s t c - ce ::round it, t h e r e occurs a v l r i e t y of h z b i t = . t s , 211. represented
not: i i re=:? j t fmgne t s but i-Isuch s i g n i f i c a n t n r e a IS t o ret-iin t h e i r
b i o l o g i c a l i.:tegrfity .~:ld d i s t i ~ c t n e s s , This we %lth of v c ~ r i e t yis a h o s t
unique i:l t h e B x y &re,?where s o much of the o r i g k a l h a b i t s t hss been dr.rrsti-
c a l l y a l t e r e d by itmzn use:'
.Ictu.-lly this physic11 isol:.tio.: is smethfirt decepeive. Few {Jest B.:y
c-ities a r e more th-i;; hourst d r i v e ?nd

:"T-TC\Y t h e s-(me is t r u e f o r
const-1 S.;nta Cruz County t o the south. The University of C-1iforr.i; clmpuses
.- t S . F r - cisco, Berkeley . a d Sit t CZUZ, C "1 S t a t e NLiyw.rd and San Jose

,J
S t c i t e , S t . z d o r d Universit.~, College of Stin bIr:teo,l\C::brillo, Vest V l l e y a d
De - n z C o r n - ~ i t yCollezes -!re '?I1 withi-- e - s g range of

1 2 dayts f i e l d study
i2 t h e marsh. ,111 of t h e s e i ~ s t i t u t i o z so f f e r p r o g r r m o r courses ii-.
zoo lo,^ ::.~d Wild1 i f e Ecology, Bot:ltiy .? .d P 1z t Ecolosq, Enviro n e n t , 1
Studies 22d m:l ;y o t h e r r e 1 ted s u b j e c t s , The jusrtdpositio 1 of f r e s h ar.d

b r -lckish-water n > r s h l s n d oSf e r s a trcmendaus b i ~ l o g i c ~
vL:riety
~l ir. 11I t h e
aforementioned s u b j e c t s f o r f i e l d r e s e -arch z t d i'vest i g ?ti01 a-*.d t h e
surrounding h a b i t & type spectryn o;lly enh--nces those opportux it i e s ,
In ~ i d d i t i ot ~o the use by u n i v s r s i t y ;nd c o l l e g e students, the m r s h
c u r r e ? t l y en joys o :e of' tize h i g h e s t d,.y use r z t i o s of ;rty n r ? t s ~ r ~eres

il in
the S t ~ t ef o r the ecology t r z i n i - g of gr-de school 2nd high school students.
1 , a pro,nr::m conducted by s e v e r ~ lcou'ties, including P!:rir., C o n t r ~C o s t .
and S:n Jo?quin Counties, -11-dny s t z d e n t f i e l d t r i p s t o the n ? r s h are
scheduled during t h e r e g u l a r school year i z o r d e r t o expose t h e s e s t u d e n t s
to a-1 appreci : t i o t of me netrur?l resources of t h e i r ~ t - ? t e . The v a r i e t y 3 . d
rertdy ~ c c e s s i b i l i t yof the n - t u r l l l resources i n Pesc--dero M-rsh nlke such an
outing as e s p e c i a l l y enjoyable rxsd rewardixg o-e:

I n t h e f i n n l ans r e q u i r e water. ,111
w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t s need some amount of water i f they a r e t o remain viable--
even the most barren d e s e r t has same source o f p r e c i p i t a t i o n or ground
water a v a i l a b l e , no matter haw i r r e g u l a r i n amount or frequency of occurence.
But wetlands r e q u i r e rreter in q u a t i t y , of good q u a l i t y and of dependable
distribution. The s u c c e s s i m a l process t h a t u s u a l l y s p e l l s the death of a
marsh involves e i t h e r t h e t e r n i n a t i o n of water flow i n t o t h e r a r s h some~~here

\~r-tCln
o u t s i d e its bounderies o r ~ i l t a t i m ~ j such
t o a degree that water l e v e l s a r e
dis$?ted and d r y e r conditions proiifi-. non-aquatic vegetation t o make E!
foothold and e v e n t a a l l y s Y r p l m t the hydrophytes. Pescadero G a s h is no
d i f f e r e n t frrm any other ?retland in t h i s respect. The marsh e x i s t s simply
because of t h e conibinaticn of t e r r a i n f e a t u r e s , s o i l types, c l i a a t e and
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
drairiage nakes no s i g n i f i c a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n t o waterflow i n t o t h e marsh.
Only a f e w l o c a l i r r i g a t i o n and domestic w e l l s depend an such a water source
and t h e i r p o t e n t i a l f o r development is considered l i m i t e d (U. S. Dept, of
~ I g r i c u l t u r e , 1959). A fa?n a t u r a l s p r i n g s near t h e head of Honsinger Creek
provide a modest annual flow t o t h i s s m a l l t r i b u t a r y of Pescadero Creek, but
t h e flow has l i t t l e dm.mstreun in luence beyond t h e l o c a l r i p a r i a n vegetation,
Almost a l l s i g n i f i c e n t a a t e r f l m in t h e Pescadero-Butano drzinage system
r e s u l t s from annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n runoff. The r e s t r i c t i o n of such runoff
i n t o t h e marsh during the r e l , s t i v e l y s h o r t p e r i o d of winter r a i n s means t h z t

:lo z t r e ; c f lor.: i:;to t h c ~r:clrsh 2r;r'ter lilts ~?ri::r;, I t is duri.:; sv.ch ti-2s
of lo:: f l o ~ r .;I rcdrtcefi s i l t - c ? r r y i n - c:!pr'.cit>r, t h I: s i l t ; t i o n i : t h e 1o::cr
rc;chcs of tile crec!:s 7:ZIL occur, c o l t r i b u t i-r; ulti;; - t e l y t o t h e :rl:du>1 -

Eil1j.r;:;-iz Cc?th of t h c ~ r : r s h .
~ 3 . de~rc:7tu,>.l
7 1 00C: i - . ~
&-..--A
.s resicr:ed $ r e v i o u s l b ( s c c 8;2r?i::z~e*), t h e (;il-~dityof p r z c i ~ ) i t ; l t i o ~
runoff h:s beer: ~ y t h i - but

, ~ cai.l.sti-.?t, c a ~ d i t i o xt o be e::?ectec! xri-ere t h e
c ~ ; ; ~ i n : t i o x o5oces.n s t o m s y s t c x i r r e 7 u l c r i t t e s m d s h o r t dr3i::n'yc systc::s
cor:bl :e t o yrorluce 2 ::,:terf lo:: y ? t t e r x . 1.2 h i r h 7recipit.2.t io: yexrs, thc
t I t e r c Ii?ve bccn s i x sericxrs floods ix t h g s .:re:: vith T ~ Z ~ 1017s

C T ~BS hi-h 2s
9,400 cukic f e e t p e r second which caused a s zxch as $335,000 dol:zrs worth
of 2 r o p r t y dann,-e, I?. t h e pzst, such volunes of ::ater descc3di:-:=; "u4c
s t r e z n c o u r s e s e w e d t o f l u s h out the s z r s h l a n d a?d s c a t r t h e e s t u n r y
charinel ss w e l l as open t h e scnd bcr ~t t h e creek nouth. Such f lads > r e
p?rt of t h e n 3 t u r e l c c o l o 3 of t h c area 2nd c c r t ~ i n l yc m t r i b u t e l . t o the
o r i g i n 2 1 o m end e x t e n t of Pesc-?dero i:arsh,
ProSLczs of :J%cr O3-u -

!litx
-
.-
:LOAF zbout 1800, nzn's e f f o r t s t o e x p l o i t t h e 2 e t u r a l r c s o u r c e s of
s t h e Zzce of t h e l : ~ din severLzl: T A ~ S ,

t h e drni-la.;e beg..n t~ e f f e c t c l ~ - l n , ~ ein
I:~-tensivc $o~,cir.,rof v i r y i r c d r r o d -.;d L ) o u ~ I . ~ s - ir--

~ i:l t h e f o r e s t hi--hlz-:ds
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
mlrsh f o r h i s u i s e s came i x t o being.
Throughout t h e f i r s t half of t h e present century, various p o r t i m s of
t h e marsh m d c n i e n t reclanation f o r a g r i c u l t u r a l use. ,It f i r s t u s l i n g
manual l a b o r azd horse-dram e q u i p m n t and l a t e r with powered milchinery,
a nctxorl; of d i t c h e s m d dikes were constructed over t h e years that: were
desigved t o prevent r e c u r r e n t flooding of t h e land while u t i l i z i n g t h e
annual f r e s h t m t e r runoff t o d e p o s i t s i l t and provide f l u s h i n g cction over
the reclaimed zrezs th-ou& ~m fng=%xms s y s t e n of intakes a i d s p i l l n s y s :

-7
-
.\long t h e f3un&3#4 property on t h e n o r t h e a s t c o m e r of t h e marsh, t h e
eatire s t r e a n chamel. was d i v e r t e d about Round Hill and an extensive slough
systen turned i n t o prime a g r i c u l t u r a l land. A s i m i l e r process was repeated
c l o s e r t o Pescadero and along t h e Pescadero Road by o t h e r l o c a l landowners
d u r i ~ gthe 1930's and on i n t o t h e early 1950"s. ;it: m e t i m e , t h e land
a d j o i n i n g t h e s o u t h b a l k of Butano Creek wzs dry enough t o sgpport a r a c e
track and a b a s e b a l l f i e l d . However, due t o design p r o b l e m with the
o r i g i n a l reclamation work, i n t e n s i v e seepage developed and t h e l a t t e r were
abandoned, P r e s e n t l y , t h e land is flooded cropland serving as a p r i v a t e duck
Such loc31 x r ~ t e rcarripuX=itio-:s hzvc n o t been ~ i i t h o u te f f e c t oil m t e r
quzility, The clostlrc of v z s t c r e a s of n ~ r s h l c m df r m t h e t r a d i t i m a l circu-
I ?tiax p,:tter.~ rc?sulted in sozz s e r i o u s deteririe-tc?l e f f e c t s , I:o:rhcre i s
t h i s nore evicient th-t-I v i t h rey;..rci t o the i , o r t f i i70rtd. Prior t o t h e 19L;Os,
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
creel; Sri-:-iny si,---ific:.3.t q u ~ ? t i t i c r ;of sccrr-tcr i-.to the x . r s h , This m t c r

~ r o u l dflow through t h e area c u r r e n t l y occupied by Piorth Pond and I;orth
i.:arsh a d even intrude xrell up i n t o t h e Pesccldero C h a x ~ e l , but eventually
t z a t l d undergo n i x i n g with fresht7.zter from rtmoff a d be flushed back out
i n t o t h e o c e - n with t h e next winter m o f f floc?, H a ~ v e r , i n t h e mid-1940's
levees and d i t c h e s were constructed r?long t h e southern boundar ies of both
the pmd t h e mnrsh f o r t h e u l t i m a t e p u q o s e of a g r t c u l t u r a l rec1amati0.1,
Although t e r r a i r . f e z t u r e s precluded t h e successful d r a i n i n g of F:orth ~ m d ,
some success was achieved a t North liarsh and f o r a time t h e l a i d wzs dry
enough t o r a i s e red o a t s ar.d barley in t h i s area. Later, when narket
corrditimLs made t h i s m ? r o f i t s b l e , t h e vsnture wzs a h n d m e d t o nature and
runoff m t e r from t h e adjoining slopes begin t o r e f i l l the are;l. Also, sane
fresh water wzs pumped in;:r., t o enhance the a r e a f o r waterforrl hunting.
However, throughout t h e next two decades -W ocean t i d e s
cver-topping t h e sand bar eeCQTm9 l

g-4 s a l t w a t e r intzo t h e narsh and
wer t h e levee tops. But with t h e d i k e s i n place, f l u s h i n g a c t i m was
g r e a t l y i n h i b i t e d ~ r t dt h e a a t e r reaaining behind the levees remained q u i t e
brackish. Today, s a l i n i t y l e v e l s of 3 t o 13 parts p e r thousand have been
recorded in t h e s e two f l u v i s l areas. In zddition, the presence of high
levels of water standing throughout t h e year behind the impoundment banks
have apparently prompted s n l ine water i n t r u s i m f ron b e l a ? c o n t r i b u t i n g

A
further t o t h e brackish n a t u r e of t h e a a t e r ,
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
of a c o f f e r d m l e f t over from c a s t r u c t i m of t h e modern highway bridge,
a n d reduced u p s t r e m water flow, During t h e c o n s t r u c t i a ~of t h e highway
bridge i n 1939, a temporary cofferd:m tras constructed in t h e s t r e a n c h ~ n n e l
between t h e ocezn and t h e present bridge, The d c m was c m s t m c t e d of large

North Harsh f o l l m i n g 1962 f l o o d
Richard H. S c i a r o n i
North 1-Iarsh today impounded behind d i k e s ( We., i.~,vc. 13 t\)
Department of F i s h md Game photo by Bruce E l l i o t t

. ? p r i l 1974
-
( ~ o t et o e d i t o r n e g n t i v e for S c i a r o n i photo is borrowed and should be
w e l l cared for and r e t u r n e d t o E l l i o t t )
Lagom and confluence of Pescadero and Butzno Creeks d u r i n g Flood of 1962
Richard H. S c i a r o n i
Same a r e a as s h m a b w e today. Kote i n t e n s i v e s i l t i n g in of former lagoon.
-
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 e d m w . 1 ~:lot renoved. Throughout t h e subsequent 1940rs, i t was noted by
l o c a l r e s i d e n t s t h a t t h i s s t r u c t u r e crezted such 2n obstruction in t h e stream
channel t h z t outward w;rterflor.r w a s markedly reduced i? both volume a d
v e l o c i t y with t h e r e s u l t t h a t flushing a c t i o n in t h e m r s h was severely
reduced m d s i l t l o q d s b u i l t u p r a p i d l y behind t h e d ~ n . During t h e flood
of 1962, t h e d-un s o iiqeded s t r e d l a w t h a t water b3cked up over the e n t i r e
marsh, overflotring levees and floodifig previously reclairced la3d aloxg
Pescadero a d E u t m o Creek (see ??toto$ 03 pp. 63 and 6 4 ) , F o l f o ~ ~ i nt h

ge
f l o o d , t h e o r i g i n a l bridge c m t r a c t o r returned and c u t off t h e t o p s of t h e
p i l i n g s (and r e b u i l t t h e dm2ged levees), but d i d not remove t h e boulders.
Todsy, t h e s i l t l a y e r s behind t h i s o b s t r u c t i m hzs s e t s o firmly t h a t t h e r e
is doubt i f s u f f i c i e n t s t r e a m f l m ~v e l o c i t y could be mustered t o w ~ s ht h i s
s i l t o u t of t h e lagoon. The L S ? ~ O Q I which vas Once t e n t o eighteen f e e t
deep in its deeper chcmeel is n o s aboitt tiqo t o t h r e e f e e t deep, Also, many
t r a d i t i o n a l f i s h i n g holes in Pescadero Creek that: were h a w n by old time
r e s i d e n t s t o contain l a r g e schools of spawning f i s h in pre-dzm pears are
completely s i l t e d in, Finally, the d,m 2 l s o serves t o cause s a d loading
along the ocean s i d e c a r r i e d in by tidewater. This has extended t h e beach
outward f onning a n a t u r a l d i k e a t t h e creek mouth. This problem of blockage
a t t h e creek mouth is s o serious that f o r years now l o c a l r e s i d e n t s have had
t o t e k e emthnoving machinery t o t h e creek nouL5 p r i o r t o t h e annual r ~ i n y
season 2nd carve a chmnel through t h e ber t o prevent another reoccurence of
t h e d?.mnge r e s u l t i n g f roii t h e 1962 f locd, Such a c t i m s have in t h e p a s t

R~-Crc;.?*r>
r e s u l t e d in c a f l i c t s between t h e l o c a l c i t i z e n s end t h e Parks and Jeaehs
Department personnel due t o 1;rck of coordinntion and misunderstandings/
r e g x d i r i g t h e i n t e n t '2nd r e s g l t s of such work.

?otenti2l goxest i c 2;1d ? r i c u l t u r ; : l -!:tcr -'iitl-tdrnm.l Co-lf l i c t s
- - --- - -
The d e & ~ t i o n of marsh h a b i t - t is n o t m i y t h e r e s u l t of impeded
c i r c u l n t i o ~ , Reduced f l o w volume is a l s o p1:ying an i m p o r t m t r o l e in t h i s
problem. U n t i l t h e l a s t d e c ~ d e , w-lter withdrawals were r e s t r i c t e d t o very
li&t domestic u s e and a g r i c u l t u r a l i r r i g a t i o n purposes. During y e a r s of
low r a i n f a l l , there were p e r i o d s when f a m e r s had t o c u t dam sonewhat, but
t h e s i t u a t i o n wr?s seldoin c r i t i c a l over m y sust3i.ed period, However, about
1955 a r a p i d l y i n c r e y s i n g demcmd f o r w l t e r ia u p s t r e a n s r e a s began t o
develq. Although same of t h i s r e s u l t e d from temporary d<ms and o f f s t r e a m
s t o r a g e t o p r o v i d e d a e s t i c wzter and f i r e p r o t e c t i o n r e s e r v e s f o r -m ex-
panding nu&r of r e s i d e n c e s , a grest: p a r t of t h e new demand cane from t h e
increasing recre-ltional t r a f f i c in the S t a t e x ~ d

County parks. With n o r e
t h a n a t h i r d of a m i l l i o n v i s i t o r s annually t o t h e parks, it wes i n e v i t a b l e
t h a t w s t e r demmd from a l l q u a r t e r s would begin t o exceed supply: The
r e q u i r e m e n t s of modest n g r i c u l t u r a l expans ion i n t o f i e l d f l c r ~ e rproduction
accounted for l i t t l e of t h e i n c r e a s e d water withdrawal, Since current
developmmt p l a n s c a l l for dramriticafl$r;incressed recreational use in the
parks, t h i s w i l l i n t u r n i n c r e a s e water denand for r e c r e a t i o n a l users.
Also, a s such development i n c r e a s e s , t h e a t t r a c t i o n for second-homes could
grow and t h i s t o o would make f u r t h e r demands f o r w l t e r .
Not o n l y w i l l w n t e r quLulti t y be a f f e c t e d , but: it: is l i k e l y t h a t water
q u a l i t y w i l l s u f f e r a s well, R e s u l t s of c o n s t a n t monitoring of water
q u a l i t y by t h e Caunty Envircffunental E e 2 l t h Department r e v e e l s no signif i-.
c a n t i n d i c z t i a of <my co.?tarnin~tionof t h e wzter supply i n t h e d r a i n a g e a t
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
aforementioned e f f l u e n t s could prove t o hsve d e l i t e r i o u s e f f e c t s m t h e
marsh and i t s w i l d l i f e if they were t o e x i s t .

. /
f k m t h l y 5.-implei of uc:ter q u a l i t y in P e r c i d e r o Creek from 1963 i n d i c a t 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
be p r e f e r a b l e t o s o f t e n it f o r domestic purposes. In terms of i t s
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
b e c m e more s e r i o u s , During 1951, a t t h e end of a r e c o r d f o u r y e a r draught,
contamination of l o c a l wzter s u p p l i e s at: P e s c s d e r o became a grim r e a l i t y .
Lowered w a t e r t a b l e s r e s u l t e d i n contamination of l o c z l home w e l l s and
i r r i g a t i o n weter, when a v a i l a b l e , was p o l l u t e d . Local farmers p o i n t out
t h a t w i t h t h e kinds of s o i l s preser-t i n many downstream a r e a s , t h e r e is a
p r e s s i n g need f o r q u a l i t y weter. Poor s o i l s w i l l o f t e n respond w e l l t o good
wnter, but l o c q l farmers s t a t e t h a t of l a t e t h e q u a l i t y of t h e water t h e y
are r e c e i v i n g from upstre-u;l is becoming more and more d e f i c i e n t i n q u a l i t y .
Needless t o say, the marshl=d h a b i t a t a t t h e o a t of t h i s chain of u s e r s
is on the bottom of any tt4er l terms of r e c e i v i n g q u a l i t y or

priordty list i
r
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
s u c h l a n d s f o r crop c u l t i v a t i o n . This involves c o n s i d e r a t i o n s of s o i l s ,
topography, w 2 t e r a v n i l a b i l i t y and n a r k e t c o n d i t i o n s . Also, one would
c o ~i sd e r o t h e r p o t e n t i a l corripet i t i v e uses for t h e habit6:t.
,in e x t e n s i v e study by the Depqrtrcent of I J n t e r Resources i n 1966

i n d i c a t e d t h z t most of t h e land w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e s o i l t y p e s f o r s p e c i a l t y
c r o p ~ ~ r m i nwga s 3 l r e a d y i n f u l l production, -.lthough some expansion of ,_
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
c ? p ~ c i t ywas a l s o developed. S o i l t y p e s a r e g e n e r a l l y poor, but would
produce w i t h quclfly water. Irrigatio;: is n o t f e a s i b l e on s t e e p s l o p e s
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
equiprr.ent: >ilthough d a t a is s c a r c e , p r o j e c t i o n s made i n 1966 i n d i c a t e
t h a t t h e t o t a l of i r r i g a t e d ll%nd i n u s e t h e n w.is 879 z c r e s 2nd t h s t t h e
total p o t e n t i a l of i r r i g a t e d land i n t h e e n t i r e d r a i n a g e was 1,789 a c r e s ,
T h i s two-fold i n c r e q s e depends e n t i r e l y on f u r t h e r water d e v e l o p m ~ t .
E x i s t i n g w a t e r s u p p l i e s cannot long s u s t a i n l o c a l a g r i c u l t u r a l needs,
upstream r e c r e a t i o n a l demands, and marsh v i t z l i t y requirercents.
It: is obvious froT.1 t h e foryoin: d i s c u s s i m of t h e ?:st 2nd co?tcx-
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
and fled-ins, rater n a i p u l ? t i c n p r e c t i c e s , 2nd d o x s t i c and ,?:ricult:ur21
~ r c t e ruse c o 2 f l i c t s t h - t t h c r e is a p r e s s i l g need for 3 n s s t e r plan t o

i
p r o v i d e zdequzte water q u a l i t y for 311 t h e d i v e r s e u s e s e::istixg in t h e
pescadero-Butazo ~ r z t e r s h e d . YJithout t h e f o r m l a t i o n of a s p e c i f i c 1rzte.r
nanayxient p l a 2 f o r the e n t i r e w ~ t e r s h e d , the problcn of c a ~ f l i c t L ~d eg n a d s
f o r water u s e czn m l y be u l t i l n a t e l y Cetterinentcl t o . i ~ i l d l i f ev z l u e s i n ~ r ~ d
craund t h e n-rsh, and t o the m a d r m o u s f i s h e r j n i x t h e w>.tershed t r i b u -
t.zries. There 17111 s i x p l y rl-ot be e n o ~ ~ zqhu n l i t y r r n t m t o zeets a l l the dez1a-1~1~.
.' ilfiztiot 216 1

c--
~ ~ Vc,?ot<:tian
1 1 Dcterior=..tio:.
It is ?Is0 -p?zr>ct t h z t s u i t c i b l e c?ctia-:s re xecesszry t o restore
rr,:tter quzlity ;:ncl r e v e r s e t h e sfltc?tia:l 2 - t t e m witlzin tths !:t:te-o:r=,ed portio-ts
of t h e r;ursh t l l r ~ u g h2 r ; ~ t l ; l n d~~I ~ : I Z , ? C ~> Jr OCC > ~r .

r3T The p r o h l e ~ s02 i;qe(i-ed
flo:r nc.:r t h e strear1 2 0 ~ 1 t hw c ! t h c rcsult::..?t s i I t - t io-1 ;l;d s.:l i n i t g p ~ t t c r -
v i t h i x t h e !.i2.rsh r r i l l evcntu-.l l y r e s u l t i.1 t h e l o s s 05 s u i t l b l c v e ~ s t - ziol.

t
2-:G h l b i t z t : f o r w t c r - r s s o c i - t e i a , l . i n ~ l 1i f e u z l e s s 2 sou-cl pro;,r~-; of r:etl-ads
h-bit;..t 1;-n:.,c;ene?t is dcveio?ed ::-id :,pnlicd.
I t is ? ~ ? r c c i - t c c ! t h 2 t t h e c a r r a t lcc!; of ' t a t e cc?.trol over those
r?djoi:tirt:: Irr-lci p ? r c c l s t h a t :-re, i: -1: enviro--:e tr;l scnsc, c l o s e l y r e l a t e d
t o t h e e : : l s t i ~ ~ ~ . e s e r vz cr e s s , hzs t o ckt? zade d e v e l o p x t t of L feasible
2arsh-rride z~a~.zser.;cr,tpl-I-&nr-::t t o inoossible. I t 5olloi.r~t h z t u n l e s s t h e
S t a t e czn c c q u i r e co:?ti-ol or opn:ztio:al influe.:cc w e r t h e use of such l ~ x d ,
t h e r e c31 be ?lo coyprehc;.,~ivs :~etl.acl p r o t c c t iw- plz?.. The stro:: prob-bility
t h - t cuzra-?.t ccozoznic c o - - 2 i t i o n s ::ill provide s t r o ~ : : ixpetus f o r f u r t h e r e n s
i c u l t u r :I d e v e l q z e n t into t h e s e c r i t i c z l buzfer ~ r e z s ,nzkes

croqchrxnt 3y s,%r
a9 e f f o r t c t lz2d use deten;i:;ntioz a a e c e s s i t y i f t h e v i z b i l i t y of tl-te rarsh
is t o be retained.
P r o t e c t i o n 2nd "rublic Educclticc P:Lctors
In a c l d i t i a l t o 2 h z b i t c t n:-?.y,ene;-.t pl-in f o r t h e St,zteFiZescrve, t h e r e
are o t h e r p r o b l e c s in t h e x r s h t h l t be,:r co.7.s i d e r z t io2- aad ectio: . :,t present,
oxe of t h e asjor re-so;..~ f o r a degree of p u b l i c ap:&thy t a i a r d support of S t a t e +
\ ,*8,'
CI
progrii3s t o p r o t e c t such g r i t i c i . 1 x e a s a s Pesczdero :,arsh r e s u l t s i r o n n liack
of p u b l i c appreciatio:: of ~.:etLand vcrlues, Tilere should be norc tha? ere
ertcouragene-,t by S t a t e g ~ n c i e stoxV'2,rdpub1 ic zccess under coii.trolled conditions
i n t o t h e c u r r e n t t r a i l systex. 1 ::ct ive prozrcii of p u b l i c e6uc:t ioz t h - t
er?co;,;pi?sscs 2. v ~ r i e t yof 1 7 i l d l l f e ,:pazcc&?tio- ?rojr?.;.ns 2nd c::nloritio> of t IE
~:9tlc,:d vclues s1;ould be co:ductec! by -:G z?propri-.tely t r - i :ed pleservc ranger
staff. Thz c o t a b i islu;c-.ts of such o 1-s i t c s t c f 5 bcco;.?cs evsn nore inperntive
as sic becozcs crr'lre of tl-rc c u r r e . t i :crczsi-1:: l e v e l 02 ille:,:.l hunter trcsp.:sq,
-jandnlisr.:, a-.d eve- occ .sio.l.;l e n i s a l e s of !%or;?.c-ste:din~!~

i n irift17oocl shacl:s
by i t i-,crz-;ts :;ithi-> t h e i:<;rsh. C u s ~ i u li~

v ct l y , such unco t r o l l e d incurs i o ~ s
c~.-. t2::c 7 c'cf i i t e t o l l o, h . b i t - t qu llity t!~rouyb distu;.-b?:,.cc! o r outri;.ht
h - b i t t.
i ' e s t r u c t i o - . of ~ : i l S l i % e .?,d
.F 1 - Ily) I t KAY 1-r froi- T C V ~ C I Tof t h e c?.ppc.lcli c c s ti1 t thn

.p3~
hzbitcit 1 id 7:ildLife i .vcrtory is c o ~ i p l c t e .

-
G c th;t -10 furCher investiz-2.tiot
i-. t h i s rcr;,:rd is -1eccss 3ry t o su;>?ort tile cL:rshlcr;id e d u c - t i o n pro;r:-l.
:.otrhil~:- could be fu:cher fro:; t h e t i - u t j . . l i s t of p l n n t s a i d c::i;-.:ls clots
?or serve t o c:cplli t:le d p z r i c r ; c.aC i r - t c r - r - e l ~ t i o n s h i ? of

~ 2 171161i2e
coxunity. There is : p r e s s i '.1 neec: ?or zoye s t u d y oC the ir.terqi:y bctx;ec:~
t h e v;lriotls elc-i:c:ts of thc? f:u?1 r? d f l o r e .i;i'ihi: t h e nrrsh. Zach b i t of s u c h
:;r:mrled-e zcqdired r r i l i r?ssist i . the prepzr-tio. of a s t r i t c b l e h z b i t a t
~z-L.:;c~eit p r o r r a c a d c x o ; l y serve t o S u t r c s s the a r y u n e n t f o r further

L
e f f o * ~ t o p r e s c r v e z;.d pro'ccct t h i s i q o r t a t p 2 r t of our idli life h e r i t a v e
i: C a L i f oEiz.
DISCUSS IQ; :'Q:D OVERVIj3.J
In t h e preceeding pages, t h e Dep?rtment of F i s h m d Gaze lxc?s respalded
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
s i p . i f i c a n t nnturrrl resource values of Pescadero Fizrsh m d its envfraxs.
-
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-
Butano drain-ge'. There hes ~ l s o

been an effo-rt t o point out some of t h e
p r e s e n t m d impending p o i n t s of c o n f l i c t between t h e perpetuation of t h e s e

~hes:.ru:~i'l;*
--
r e s o u r c e s end c e r t a i z humzr~needs, Upon m a l y s i s , it: becwes ?-pp,are.~tt h o t
<
Cha\\cwc- to
t h e c o n f l i c t s do r,ot f n d i c s k w i r r e s o l v a b l e d i l e m l , but r a t h e r a ---ef
c;..rtoilu
GS&& plan- and coopera* i n the use and d e v e l o p a r k of the most
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,
&.ce t h e needs of proper water use aad development i n t h e drainage a r e
understood and appreciated by t h o s e t h - t a r e i n p o s i t i m s t o plan and e f f e c t
c a r e f u l , s t u d i e d developnent, t h e requirements of both ??an and w i l d l i f e i n
t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e marsh can be s z t i s f ied and t h e major source of p o t e n t i a l
c o n f l i c t w i l l have been conquered.
There is a p r e s s i n g teed for such underst.?nding and subsequent ~ c t i o n ,
I n r e c e x t yems, t h e people of C a l i f o r n i a have nade it e n i n e ~ ~ t lcyl e a r t h a t
t h e y are determined t o p r o t e c t t h e i r c o a s t a l resources, T h e i r determination
t o do s o is b-ised on many c m s i d e r a t i m s . ,is p u b l i c understm.ding of
e c o l o g i c a l relat imships h?s gram during t h e 1 2 s t dec.~de, a p ~ r e c i aio;:

t of
t h e p o t e n t i a l v a l u e of z a r s h l m d i? no1-etmy v ? l u e a s importcnt nursery
grounds for mn;,y f o r n s of v ? l u ? b l c .?;d d e s i r e -ble c m e r c i a l n.irine products
h s I . o m e t o recognize less t ~ z g i b l e , but no

C p l i f o r n ia.-is h ve ~ l s c
l e s s i m p o r t l n t b e n e f i t s f r o i t h e i r r e a i i n i n g v i l d l i f e and w i l d l a i d s 2s well.
Under t h e a c c e l e r a t i n g pressures of moderr! l i f e , p e q l e in ever a~p=.ding
numbers are seeking out places ~ r h e r ethey nsy gaiz a r e s p i t e f r m such
s t r e s s e s a d r e l a x midst: natural vist3.s uncluttered with h m a z r t i f z c t s .
The enjoyment of p r i m 1 h a b i t z t and t h e wild c r e : t u r e s Chat live t h e r e h2s
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,
But t h e places rrhere they m y do t h i s have dwizdled t o s remant, especially
ne .r n e t r o p o l i t a n areas. For t h i s r c = s o n .-'lo-?e, t h e prese-rv7tio.i znd
man?geiilent of P e s c ~ d e r o>I.?rsh znd its e n v i r o i ~ sis a respo7-sibility t h 2 t c m o t
be ignored.
The Departzent of Fish 2nd Gene h2s a l s o attempted t o s t r e s s herei-.

., --
t h a t more thv. inere purc'n~.sg!of m n r s h l ~ r d3cre;:ge is necessmy t o ?chieve
p r e s e r v a t i m of t h e marsh. The r e t e n t i o n of t h i s valuable hrrbitat i ~ t a c t
depends on managenext planning and prorrpt responsible i n p l e x i e a t e t i a ~of such
planning i f t h e marsh is t o be conse,-ved.
The Dcp::rtsnent f e e l s t h c t development ne z r Pesc3dero Pisrsh can be
accomplished to a c c o n d a t e l o c a l h t e r e s t s without ultimate d e s t r u c t i m of
the mrsh resources. Czreful p l z m i n g and rrutual respect f o r the needs of
both man nnd w i l d l i f e can serve t o enhmce t h e q u s l i t y of l i f e for both
w i l d l i f e a d its humz neighbors, The Department is eager t o assist: i n any
way possible* Caugty and loc2l ngencies, governments and p r i v a t e p a r t i e s i n
t h o s e p r o g r r n s t h a t would e f f e c t i v e l y provide protectlo:? m d e i ~ h ~ ~ c e r n efor

nt
Pesc idero ,hI;lrsh.

Binf ord, Laurence C., 1972. Recammendztims f o r t h e preservation 2nd
u t il i z n t ion of Pescadero Marsh, S a n Mateo County, C a l i f o r n i a Academy
of Sciences, S a n Frartcisco, 7 pp. and map,

/
pi , . Burt, W i l l c m H. and Richard P. Grossenheider, 1964. A f i e l d guide t o t h e
mammals. Houghton b l i f f l i n Company, Soston. 284 pp.

I "
C a l i f o r n i a Department of Water Resources, 1966, C w s t a l San >:ate0 County
Investigatims. 322 pp., p l u s p l a t e s and naps.
~ r i n n e l l ,Joseph cind -2lden He h i i l l e r , 1944, The d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e b i r d s
of C a l i f o r n i a . P a c i f i c Coast .-lvifauna, 327. Berkeley. 605 pp,
Orr, Robert T,, 1942. A study of the b i r d s of t h e Big Basin Region of
California. The Aner ican ~ l i d l m dN a t u r a l i s t 27(2) :273-337,
Small, ilrnold, 1974, The b i r d s of C a l i f o r n i a . Winchester Press, New York.
310 pp.
Stebbins, Robert C., 1966. A f i e l d guide t o Western r e p t i l e s a i d amphibians.
Houghton Miff lin Company, B o s t w , 289 pp,
Thomas, John H u n t e q 1971. F l o r a of the Santa Cmz Mountains. Stanford
U n i v e r s i t y Press, Stanford, 434 pp,
U. S, Department of Agriculture, S o i l Conservation Service, 1959. S o i l s of
S a $!ate0 County. 2 pp., p l u s 24 p l a t e s and 2 maps.
U n i v e r s i t y of C a l i f o r n i a , Agricultural Extension Service, 1956. Agriculture,
population increase, and water p r o b l e m in Sax Mateo County, S a Meteo.
18 pp. plus appendix.

f; c i ~ r .itf i c i:cces I/ Populat i o P~e a k ,
1:ui~Ser2nd i A m t h
(1971-1372)
C0m.m l o o n Cavi 2 irt-.ler _ i -5/

Borned Grebe ?cd i c c o s e u r i t u s -. -3 /
5 3 x 6 Grebe Podicens n i g r i c o l l i s .' 8 1 Otr,
l?': C : 0-J.
P i e d - b i l l e d Grebe T c d i l ~ - ~ ; h ui-iodice~s
s
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
Green Rerox 6utorides virescens -.

-3:'
-4 /
Great Qgret Casnerod i u s a l b u s 2 -4/
Slack-crovmed !l i,$t Her or, ilyct i c o r a s nyct: lcor*:
il
AI -4 /
. imer i car. B i t tern 3otaurus l e n t iginosus
>'-
1 .-. 6 2:zy
"- 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/
-I / S c i e n t i f i c n s r a e ' f o 1 l o . c ~t~h e ? i f t h X i t i o n of t h e r:erican O r n i t h o l o ~ i s t s

Union C:~cc!i-list 05 ::orth x e r i c z n Girds, i n c l u d i n ~r e v i s i m s of 32nd
Supplexent (.UX, Vol, 90, . D r i l , 1373, pp. 411-k19).
-2/ ?.=rcs i d e n t A,,-;.

.
. :-. - izrant :
: 1 ...
= 7-,,ec<s or 1 ~ bred
~ s here
-3 / U s u a l l y recorded d u r i ~ : f n l l nnc': ::inter inmiths
-4 / Occasionnlly recorded soaetime d u r i n z t h a y e a r es i n d i v i d u a l s o r ic s m l l groups
-5/ 7.nrely observed

1. :ll:rd nas 7 latyrhynchos
'-c?&rell nas s t r e a c r n
?i n t a i l 3,:s cc~tz
Coxnon T e a l ras crecca

-,
d l u e - ~ r i n ~ e cT
! esl in35 cl ~ S C O F S
C i n n ~ n o nT e a l :nas c y a n o ~ t c r ? .
n e r i c m :Jigem '_?as 2cer i cana
:'orthern Shoveler n 7 s si3?tul.?
i:ood Duc!c ix S D O ~ ~ S ~
Zecihcl-c! ,ythy,? aaerica-ne
-,ins-necked mc!:
9
.:vtrhyz c0113ris
C ,-avasba c!; ',ythya v a l is ineria
Greater ;! caup :ythyz x r l f a
L e s s e r Sczup ,ythya s f f i n i s
C oi.=11on Gold eneye Sucenhalc c l a n ~ l ~ ?
3uf f l e h e a d 3uce.silais a l b e o l e
:kite-:rinzed Scoter !:el.znitta degla3.d i

-,
i. -5 /
S u r f Scoter : : e l z ~ i t t z~ers?icullata -.
. ?
-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
:l?;>us IC:ICU~US -.'.

17. 2 Feb,
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
Rcugh-leggcd H~T;!: -2uteo l n , ~ o 3 u s
I .arsh Ha~;!c ( E s r r ier) - C i r c u s .cyaneus
.zcr i c z n 1:estral Felco snewerius
~ 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
Zinc-necked Pheasant Phns ianus c c l c h i a t s
V i r s i n i a 12il ? a l l u s 1irnicola
S orz Porzcna c a r o l ina
Co~mor:G a l l i n u l e Gallinule c h l o r o ~ u s
'xer i c z n Coot Ful i c a a n e r icana
S e z i p a l r c t e d Ploirer Charndr ius s e c i p a l m t u s
Sncn?y P l a v e r Charadr ius a lexandr i x ~ s
K illdeer Charzidr i u s voc i f e r u s 2:':
Blac!c-Sell ied P l o v e r 2luvielis squatarola i;
Ruddy T u r n s t m e
Black Turnstone . i r e n a r ia nelanoceaha l a i;
Co,mon S n i p e G-211inazo g a l 1inago

. L
1';
?'
Long-billed Curlei7 P;uzeni u s a n e r i crnus LI
:fhimbrel (Xudsmian Cur1er.r)
S p o t t e d 'andpiper
'.-!illet
Greater Yellovle=;s
Lesser Yello~.:Lcgs
led Knot C,-.l iciris csnutus -.
P e c t o r a l S clndp i p e r
Least Zandp i 2 e r Calidris xinutill2 --

-C o~nmo!~:' nmes S c i e n t i f i c Xanes P o p l ~ t i o nPeak,
Iiumber and 1.mt11
(1971-1972)
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.:
\?este,-n Sand? i p e r Ca 1i d r i s raur i
i.:arb 1ed G od.c.,ri t L ~ O S fedoa

E
Sznderl in8 Calidris elba
~ n e r i c m.^,vocet 2 e c u r v i r o s t r ~axer ic~ricl
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
Herring Gull Lams arcentatus
C a l i f o r n i a Gull Lams c a l i f omicus
Sing-billed Gull L a w s d e l a r ~ z r e nis

s
E,;en G u l l Grus canus
Bonapart 's Gull lams p h i l a d e l p h i a
Heemants Gull Urus h e e m m i
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
Z l e p n t Tern Thalasseus ele,yans
Ccspizn Tern Bydropro,ge casD i z
Band-ta i l e d P iseon Colucba f a s c i a t c

.- ,'ourn in: Dove ;;en.: id I xecroura
;am O r ~ l T s o zlba
G r e a t Horned @:I Gubo v i r q i n i z h u s

S c i c - t i f i c ::?nes F o ? u l c t i m ~Fe 2k,
:'ur;lbcr and i:onth
(1971-1972)
Short-eared &TI
:!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
Dormy T300dpeckcr Dcndrocmos ~ u b e s c e n s 2.;: -I
I < u t t a l l's T.1oodpecker Dexlrocoms n u t t a l l i i ;?: --

?sh-thrmted Flycatcher iiy iarchus cirierescens :.(;:-?) --
Black Phoebe Sayornis n i g r i c z n s 2:: --
Say's Phoe3e S a y o m i s seya 25; - I
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
Westem :,rood Cerree Contopus s o r d idulus ."

ir-7-
A "-
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
Tree Sr.rallow IT idoprom-e b i c o l o r .-

i
<
--
ICou$-.i~ingcd S ~ r a l l o i r
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
.'c~%b Jey heloc loco^ coeruf escens

Comon lcrven C o n a s core::
Cornon Crow C o n u s bra chyrhynchos
Chestnut-bac!;cd Chiclcaden
Susht it .%sa l t r i ~ a m snir! i m s

P l a i n T itxouse
P y g q nuthatch S i t t a ':~y~-ea~'
3ro1m Creeper Gerthiz f a c i l i a r i s
? ? r e n tit
liouse :ken Trogl od:rtes aed on
? i n t e r Yren T r o ~ l o d y t e stroglodytes
Bewick ' s Wen X?lrr~or~nes

Sew i ck i i
Long-billed l:arsh W r a Telrzt&;rtes p a l u s t r i s
C a l i f o r n i a Thrasher T w o s t m a red ivivun
.'.nerican Robin
Varied T ' s h Txoreus naevius
Hernit Thrush Catbrus . w t t a t a
Cathzrus u s t u l a t a
Vestern Bluebird P i a l i a cexiczna
Xuby-crowned K i n g l e t 2e.w lu s ca l endu 1s
.'nthus s p i n o l e t t a
Cedar I?a:x,;ing Zonbvc il l a cedromn
loggerhead Shr i!<e Lan ius lud w i c i anus

S c i e n t i f i c iianes PopLIlat ion Pea!;,
I':uiiber 2nd f:mth
(1971-1972)
t ::?-rbl i i ~ z:'&& - gil\Xls
Llra;l,-e-cro-tned :Jarbter V c f i v o r celcta
Y c l l o ~ ri l a r b l e r 3cndroica ~ e t e c h i a
Ye1 la;-wnped :Iarbler Dendroica c o r m a t z
alack-t11roated Groy ; i a r b l e r
T1
DeiiLdroic2 n i ~ e s c c n s
Toxmsendts :?~crbler Dendroi cz t o~msend

-
.
i
Co:z?.m I'e1lo:Rhrmt: Geothlm is t r i c h a s
'.~!ilsor,'s I l z r b l e r ',!ilsmia pusilLa

--xouse Sparrm.7 P2sser d0i.lestiCLlS
:!cstern ;Ieadmrlark S t u r n e l l a ne,?lecta
Zed-t~iiiged Blackbird .:,rela ius ~ h o e nceus

i zt:
T r i c o l o r e d SLacIcbird , ' ~ z e l ?us
a tricolor ','.:
I
ortl-zlern v?.i o l e
I, I c t e m s zalbula - r..
.....,
-A
Brewer ' s 3 l a c k b i r d Eunha,sts cycnocenhalus p&:;'
i)ror~.-headed Cowbird 1 . i 0 1 0 t i m ~ater 7: i

,
:.
-t-
;Jestern Tcnager P i r a n . ~l u d w i c iana :.I
3lack-heeded Crosbeak Pheuct lcus zelanocenhalus 11:.';
2ren ing Zros be!< 1;esperiphm.a vespert ina .i'-i*
,*
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
--.-
--
I , e s s e r GolSf in& Sninus q s a l t r i c ;:(?':?)
?.uf ous-s Zded To121ec 2 $9i l o erythro311tha l r - 2 s -,...

-.
Ero:m To::hcc l iqi l o f u s c u s ?
.",.,.
2
: avai-ulcri.1 ::pzrro:: ?;,sscrmlus szad-c:ichcns is -- - -7-

Crasshop?er ;pnrrorr .' :.zmcir:r.-us saWmzmn
XrEt S?arrarr Chondestes rrcrT2cu.s
3ufous-cramcd Zparrm? , i x o ~ h i l zn~f

ice-~s
Dar!c-eyed Junco Juzc o hvem 1 is
::hitc-cramed S~Z~TOW Z o r ~ o t r i c h ileucoghl-ys

~
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
Yo:: S perrow Fesserella ilieca
Lixcoln *s Spzrrcnr ;:clos.n izs 1incolni i
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
I:eurotr ichus ~ i b bis
Pacific hiole S canenus orar i u s
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
Y u ~ a1:yot is I iyOt is wclaxens is
Long-legged tIyot is i 3ot: is voLans
S ilver-I= i r e d 3 a t Lzs i o n y c t e r i s noct i v s g m s
I?estcrn P i p i s t r e l
Z i s Zroxm B c t -- Cotesicus fuscus
Xed 3.t L,as i u r u s bore2 1 is
i:ccr>7 kt
!Jestern Big-eared Eat
?ar.?ily ;,oloss idee
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
Raccoon. P rocyn, lot or
Panily Bassbriscidae
R ingta i l Gasseriscus sstnrtus
Fanily f : u s t e l idae
Langta i l 'Teasel 1;uste l a f r e n a t a
Eadger Tax idea taxus
S p o t t e d Shcnk Sniloa=le putorius
Striped Shwnk ;;ephit is a ~ a h iis

t
Fanily Czn 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
C a l i f o r n i a Ground S q u i r r e l C i t e l ius beechevi
i :errian Ch ipmun!: Eutanias nerripL3i
-.Jestem G r ~ yS q u i r r e l S c i u n s ,qiseus
Ecstern Pox S q u i r r e l (Introduced) S ciunrs niger

C o m m i:nnes
F a n i ly Georiy i d a e
Val l e y Pocl:ct Gopher
Farzi ly I i e t e r m y i d a e
Cal i f o r n fir P ockct : l o ~ ~ s e %ro7athus cal if 0

,
- icus
Santa C m z *:z1,1=c2roo Rat Ilinoclazys egil is
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
Seer 1:or~se !?eror;iyscus r2ai c u l a t u s
Smsh Xouse
Dusky-footed IJoodret ::eoto= fuscipes
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
::ule (3lsclctail) Seer
Scientific names follor? Burt rutd Grossenheider, 1964.

.?, ,:!?i?: c
Pbl?'J'I-2ZS J!Q " > - ."I T
" A, LJL r""
s b Or 'L'r<SC 312.2 :-1'PH I J D l;;..JI)I T l 3U,7,3.=;1'31.,G -23.
C m ? m ;'t?r~cs L'cicntif i c ;,?!lcs
'.'~?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
irestern Toad Cuf o borezs
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
I!orthcrn ' . l l i z ~ ? t o:,iz,ard

r
?.-.: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
Cal i f o m i a I:ounte in Kirrgsnc1:c
Com.on <; ingsnake
C m o n Garter Snzlce
*Jestern Terrest iaL Gcrtcr Szake
Tlcstcm -quat i c Gcrter Snz!ce
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
S c i e n t i f i c names f ollo:? Stebbins, 1966.

Camon planes
Northern i'inchavy
S t r i p e d Bass E i n r m e saxat;l,lis 0
Boccacio Sebastes ~ n u c i s ir.

o is PO
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
Long jaw nudsucker
P i l e Perch
Shizer Perch
Bay P ipef i s h S y n m 2 t h u s , ~ sf e o l ineztus Po
Kelp P ipef ish
B .ttRay Myliobat is c s l i f o r I i c s Pr
Rockf ish
Speckled S anddab
I/ F i s h names frm ,:meric.x Fisheries S o c i e t y Special P u b l i c a t i o n 3 6 ,

C
Common S c i e n t i f i c E m e s f Fishes f r o n the Ur.ited S t n t e s r-t;?d C - - a d n ;

Crustacea :s 2nd hIollusks from ;:ppendix E, S h e l l f i s h of Elkhorn Slough, i:;
The KaCur?l Resources ~f -2l!&arn S l m a (&w,, n ' 1 4 32)
41
-2/ Pr0 =Known t o occur h e r e
= Prob:!bly occurs here
P o = P o s s i b l y occurs here
-
C om,o P?m e s S c i e n t i f i c Nmes Status
Rubber1 i p Se -(perch fih c o c h i l u s toxotes Po
S t r i p e d Se-)perch Embiotic2 1 a t e r : : l i s Po
ISnite senperch
Shad
.!mericc?, Shld
5raw.i Smoothhomd Shiirk
Gr'2y SnooUzhou :d Shzrk
Surf Smelt Kypclmesus pret iasua PO
Whiteblit Soelt losmerus elo;lg-Axs PO

T h r e e s p i n e Stickleback G-.sterosteus a c u l e e t u s 0
Topsmelt ,:therinopsis ~ f i fn i s PO
Conanax Barnes S c i e n t i f i c Nmes

-
Crabs
Rock C r a b Cancer a ~ t e n n airu s
Dungeness or Market Grab
Red Crab
Purple Shore Crzb
Kelp Crab
shr*
Ghost; Shrimp
Bay S h r i q
'~nphipods
S a :d hopper G r ma-rus conervicolus

Commm N n m e s S c ie:;t if ic Names
5.11.!nus nubil is
B :l:~.;ust i r ~ t i n ~ ~ - ~ b u l u n
Isopods
Boring Isnpod
S C e r s ' , C l r ? ~ s'xd Mussels
Bsy 1.Iussel tlytilus edulis
V o l s e l l a czpax
Vorsella diegeqsis
Straight Horsemussel Vorsell- r e c t z
California Soft-shelled C l a n Crytcxnys californico
S i c k l e R ~ z o rClam Sol= sicarius
S hipwonn Bankia s e t a c e a
Basket Cockle Clinoc~rdimnuttallii
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
nzscr.:b~c,$;c cnr ichin=;:t3c cnviro?~::cl-t of t h e l-'czcrdcro-3utnzo 3r.2 i:.-re. TT.

-A-e
y l n n t s l i s t e d 11cr-cix z r c w . 1 ~t h o s ~zest cmspicxous z-_d/or nunbcrous in t h i s
ir??ortn?-t f l o r i s t i c 2rcc. 2le reccnt s i l n e y i n c l i c ~ t c ?the prcsczce of zt: l e - s t
t::o Ilundred s p e c i e s ir, PescL?dcroIizrsli >lcle ( ~.dcrso;: 2nd : : o r g ~ - ~2s-s.

, cox.),
Cornon y:;::?es S c i e - t i f i c I'c::es i L

-7-- lr;i?zy :!zbit;.,t
.'7 r:1 1.
-- ?
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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
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Ci?.r.t I I o r s e ~ l l IqriiseCwr t e l c c ? t e i e vzr. b;.aurLii -3

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~~ vcr, aff ine ?.
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Clover 1?cm
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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 =
':estem k d y Fern f i l is-Scxiaa

.',thyrit~~;:
Ca\iP~'Crn\aS C I b e \ 4 Few-
m
Zr:lifor;:.Lil- :.ut~:e: Lorrcya c.21 if o z . i c 2
:: c i ent i f i c ;!ar!cs
<. - -25 ;:I C3. 3

L .. 3 ~ 1 ~ r eIec ir i i l y
Brozd-f mi t e d Furreed S p c r - e q i u ~e v r y c s v m
P3T 2;GZ3'if3:'.Z,".T: - ?oird~;-eedr ~ ~ i l y
G e ~ oTo&~iced 2otsnxo-ct 02 pect fnztus

'T -- ' . '
L L L ,JCZ'," - @: i~i '~
'~oITcT~ i~:ort? ; i . ~ i l l r
3 lover i?LzQLIi 1 k:oL- J,ilzes scilloldes
S X : C :GZ'_:. CT Z - ' =mi ;?eed "illlily
il~rce-ribbed .rrmr Zr?ss

C1
Triylochin s t r i z t z
.LIZII'T-C: S - r!nter PLzntaia Hzz.ily
Cm:m -Jc?.ter P lant ierr . ' L l i ~~~lda n t a ~ 0 - 2 q u =ica

t
3ra?deleaved .rrm.~hesd S a - i t t a r i c l a t if 01 ia
G:. ;:If::'.: - Grass F z n i l y
P z n p s Grass Cort?c?eri3 s e l l m n a
>It 2:rzss D i s t i c h l i s s?iczta
.,cns Zdc 3ro:x Grzss

2- 7
r?arit
J ~ O - X ~ ims
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
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l n L - .cs :: c l c r ~itf i c ;::-=cs 1:b i t z t
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co:r,o;1 :;c:zlcy Ilordcltq vrrl7zrc -.-. (
xer!caa Dune G r x s X ~ ~ T . ; U Si . 1 0 l l . i ~ C
G i ~ n t?ye Grzss 3 1 ~ m scmde-satus "

,-
T!lh Tzil ;lone-m~c y l i n d r ica .,

c
at S r n s s
Cal i f o r r L i a 112 ir C-rL:ss 13escI??msic c?_es-,itosc ssp, h o l c i f om.fa C

m
Tcll Trisctun ~risetaxx czncsceas
!!o~rell* s : : e ~ d o ~r;o x t c i l ' l onecunts 1ror:c l1 i i
3eard G r x s Poly~o,?ai.i?Lter-tc12fxs
F i n e Grzss Calwz-rest is rubescens
"ue-ch GP~SS .mophi2s a r e n x i a
Cext G r r ' s s .:,yrost is cel i f o r n i c a
:Yestern V z n i l l a C-rlss !<icrochloe o c c i d e n t z l is
C-32 CE I S - f; edge " m i l y

_,usty SEdze
7-)
Cara: Subkscca
Smll-bract& Sedge Czi-e:: s~bbr,lctc~ta
SLertdcr Zed,-e Czrc:; ~ a c iior

l
Karf ord s S cdge Czra: hzrfordi i
Slouy,h Scdse C a r e ; < obnuntc
C chott D s S cbfe r .7 -c-P

-. s c h c t t i i
(jlney ' s :-:ai i l ~Sedge Czre:: y m o d y m r i i
Tsll C y ~ e m s Cv~crrtse r . ? , ~ o sist
;Icoch<-.ris r-zcrostc?chva
- c i r ~ u sc c r ~ u u svar. cc:l i f ornicus
::eclcd Club l u s h c i : ~ u s koilolcais

'cicr,tirTic :c z e s
I;c i r ~ u sc?~:eric:nus
Olxey's Zulrush Z c i r ~ u sol-cyi

c-.lic ~ o r n i , ?Tulc
. Zcinus c~lifomLicus
S c i r ~ u sr o b u s t u s
Lys i chit or: a ? x ric~~ntr;?
Bog 2us11 Junms eff usus var. b p ~ , r l e u s
B a l t i c 3usk Junclls b 3 l t i c u s
'?@stem Eush Juncus o c c i d e n t z l is
Eron-heacied Rush Juzcus ~ h a ocenh-

e Lus
:loo? Rush Luzulz imlt i f l o r a
?: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
tliss f oil Bells F r i t i l l a r i z lanceolata
\?bite ? ' ~ i ~ j , L , ? t c m Czlochortus e l b u s
Pussy 32rs Czlochortus t o l x i c i
C'S;,:V'.T,L'2",I.'CS i - lily-of -the-V~lley3cxily

C i c n t '!=kc l:obin T r i l l iu_? chloro9eC:l*=
7-
,:cstcr;l ::.:lie ,',obi2 Trillitt?. rnr?t~n
' 3 c l i f r n ~ i t li c t i d .dlcrqs Tont;ue . ' c o l i o ~ u sb i y e l w i i
':ed CPintoniz Cl i l t m ia ~ . n c ' r e i~s ~n ?s

~ k e - l e a v e d Onion
Clue 3ic::s
Goldex 3 r o d i ~ c . ;
1213 2: Z - Iris zanily

G i s y r l n c h i t ~~~ ~ I ~ L L T
S i s : , ~ i l c h i c 2c ? l i f o ~ . i c u 7
Colst Iris Izis l m z i p t a l a
3ouglas Iris I r i s dou'gI.2~5-nz

.,L
i ,I.D -7.-
,-- ' C 3 .Z - Orchid F;zi l y
! 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
C?l_ irozi.i;l I;?-ccl
-
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
Co-.st I:ettle U r t i c ? c :li$onic?
!Io-.ry Z ettle Urtic: h o l o s e r i c c ~
:restem ;:ettle :Icmeroai_7.ide t c n e l 1 2

-LU-,
1-7 .'7'
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e
Ckk i 4 i s t l & o c ThorzCcxirm v i ? l o s m
' ~ ~ : : T ~ L ~ c !21
II -- 3irch:oPt F z n l l y
TLml~-tzi l e d YZld G i i l ~ e r SL?SLL? c-.udrtu=;
T3LYG3'. CI -2 - I)uc!~%eat i7zE?ily
Pterostc;is Zterostc,-iie d q m ~ 2iro i d e s
-.obust Spine-f lcri~er

7 C h o r i z a ~ - t h er o l m s t a
Co-st Z r io-mtm 3 r i o ~ o ~ u lr?r t i f o l l m
Doc<: ?-~m.cscrzssus
Curly Doc!: Eu.~:.: cr isnus
Green 3ocl; rw,c: cor,zlo;ner2tus
Golden 30ck 7
-,LL?C:: f u c r ixus
jliunc ot:;c cd F o L y ~ m u i i;).?ra?.ychi~
-'.i;:i:? 2:not;:ccd l'01y:m~n coccinc~:
:,;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
C;IZ::byL31 CJ',' - moose?oot: Y,?:?ily
ic!:Is:eec? iSalicor;~i- v z c i f i c - .>

c
3 ~ 2 ~ 1. '1; l l t ' u ~ s h t2J::lc:: lmco~i~yll; C
Cclif o r l i n ;?.Itbush t.-1 ~ 1 ~ : :c ? l i f o ~ r . i c ~ ? C
I!en
lTL?t: t i ~ l ca?tuln
: 7 ~ kst~t:
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S p incch I-
; ) i r L ~ c i -O?~ C T ? C C T ~ - -+
Coc?st Sooscf oot ?acros-,er.~-: w r . 2~rinosirr,

CI:c~mcdi~~z! c-
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:;I'L"T Gz C3 ,' - Four-:,'clot': Yar:ily
Yello?; S?nd Vcr3enz brmiz l n t i f o l i s
? ink .> z_?d Vcr5enn brmi?. ~:r?bell?ts
fLLZC,';?, .EX' 2 - ::not:;ort Fzmi l y
S a d :_2t: Czrd i m e ~ arenos i s s imc
.:IZC C1:; - C c q e t :7eed -7nnily
E:ev Zeclland Spinrch -~ e t r a ~ o n ti ea t r a ~ o ~ i o i d e s

Sea Fig :ies mbryc?nthem !
~2% L mse
Ho"Lentot F is I -eserba?,?nthe:m edu le
PCxmL'-Cr',Czi E - purselarid Fanily
Szall-leaved liontia ::ontic. o a - m i f l o r s
:.inerts Lettuce ::ontic: ~ e r01

f iata
Cormon :lo:~tia ;Iw-tia s~ethul-tz
Purse lane! p o r t u l a e oleracez
C.'-2Ly@l?[LL' - 2 ink ?:i,li ly

-.i e l d
-I S11icin?ccd C c r z s t iuix z.rvense
n
~ e ~ i'cc ?hT ~ ? J o T ~ ~ S~lyir: c r ~ ? s s i c ~ u l i s
Chin.; C11icki:ceci .7tcLlzria nitczs
C ~ . l i f o ~ - i:nndvort:
;l rennriz c~~lifornicz-
D ~ n r f2 zndr~ort rt?n?rin q u s i l l a var. l i f f u s a

C o . ~ . o ni cncs S c l c i i t i f i c l-,?xcs
!.!iaGzi 11 P irk ., i l e n c
a- rf,?ll i cc
C c m i l c r P s Lnry;e C ~ z p i a Silcnc s c o u l c r i S S ~ .zr~ndis
N;'>IIZ';CZ ;, - \lc:ter 5i l y F a a i l y
Indian.. -6 Lily
-,.p?h.zic2
-
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? , - zuttercup F:~qily
:Yest cim 3cnebcr1-y ;' c t z e a cr.-t?.
I l o r t l ~ ~ r c sCt r i ~ s mColunbine .quilc:ia f o m o s a ver. t m ~ c z t n
Clue Z,ar!:f?ur Del7hiniim decoil.~:
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
:Jestern :io& ,.nmorne ,'r.cionc quinouef 01 ia var, rczvi P

,,
Sobb s ; : z t c r S u t t c r c u ~ lobbi i
Rz~~.~~-tcv.lus ii
'7, .,,.tcr Cuttercup RcrtmevLus a q w t i l i s vsr. czvilli,tccus ii
Glomerts C u t t e r c u p Rc-mculrts bl-.er i :i

C e l if o m i ? 3 u t t c r c u a .3cnmculus c2l i f o m i c u s var. m . e r h r s C
B3232,'XID, -C3',E - Berberry ?c?-rIily
Berberis nervosa
Gerber is p i m , a t a
P .?' VK2 -C3'1 - P o p y F~nily

R& PPPV
C z i l i f o : ~ i ~poppy
-
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rEv /!q//da
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j)or~y.'ias ' r ~ l l fl o : ~ c r .,
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c.?? i t l t ~ ~ r ~ -
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T) -':-
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T ~ c i f i cLto;,e Crop Cc&r,l sT:tbl Foli~s:
SC 2 ?,c~%UCC Dud1 cvz f n r i n o s a
G,:,:;IT-'iG'.f:E -2 - Sz::ifragc i?<t;:il_y
C O Z s t SOV?'."
- . 1- : -\ 1
Zoykinis efetz.
.: lu~200t i-Ieuchern n i c r a n t l ~ a
Sugcir-scoop T i z r e l l c uyif o l iata
Fringe Su?s Cell

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;m. v.:.nc.lzlora
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G_",SSEL'.CI,'LCZ':Z - Goosebcrry Fanily
F 1or:cr i n g C u r r e d 2 i bes ,:1ut inos~~q
1: i l l s ide Gooseberry GrossuLnria celifornfm

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SEPARATION PAGE
A; of California
CENTRAL DISTRICT COPY
a- 1 1t w
The Resourws d
- -
Memorandum -
To r SteveNicola Dote: A p r i l 28, 1977
Inland F i s h e r i e s Branch
From : Dmpartment of Fish and Gome - Region 3, Menlo Park
Subjectr Comments Regarding Proposed Endangered I n v e r t e b r a t e ' Species: Californi

Brackish Water S n a i l and C a l i f o r n i a Freshwater Shrimp.
I n r e p l y t o your request of A p r i l 1, 1977, I have t h e following comments con-

cerning e x i s t i n g and proposed a l t e r a t i o n of h a b i t a t s u t i l i z e d by t h e s u b j e c t
species.
C a l i f o r n i a Brackish Water S n a i l (Txyonia imitator)
Pescadero Creek Lagoon, San Mateo County, i s a confirmed l o c a l i t y f o r tbe snail

This h a b i t a t i s becoming i n c r e a s i n g l y s u b j e c t t o a l t e r a t i o n , p a r t i c u l a
q u a l i t y degradation.
A g r i c u l t u r a l i n t e r e s t s now have t h e a b i l i t y t o d i v e r t t h e e n t i r e stre

Lower Pescadero Creek during t h e spring-summer-fall months. The water y i e l d of
Butano Creek, a major t r i b u t a r y t o t h e Pescadero Lagoon-Marsh, is a l s o subSect
t o s i g n i f i c a n t appropriation. These water d i v e r s i o n s f o r a g r i c u l t u r a l uswl (bp
r i p a r i a n and a p p r o p r i a t i v e water r i g h t s ) g r e a t l y reduce t h e inflow of freshwate:
i n t o t h e Lagoon-Marsh during t h e prolonged low-flow season. A t timee t h e r e is
no inflow.
Greatly reduced streamflow combined with sandbar formstion t h a t c l o s e s tW ,

stream's mouth during most of t h e year causes a d e t e r i o r a t i o n of water qutrlity%
i n t h e Lagoon-Marsh area. Stagnation occurs and massive a l g a l blooms appear.
Ocean waves a t high t i d e overtop t h e b a r r i e r sandbar and a l l e g e d l y p r a d u u zT
Lagoon s a l i n i t y approaching t h a t of seawater. This h a b i t a t d e t e r i o r a t i o n C&
have a d e t r i m e n t a l impact on t h e s t e n o h a l i n e s n a i l .
Additional impounding and d i v e r s i o n s t r u c t u r e s are proposed f o r

Lower Pescadero Creek during 1977. Major d i v e r s i o n f a c i l i t i e s
1977-78 on Butano Creek, including d i v e r s i o n of winter flaws t o off-stl~8~113$@&'
age. These proposals portend an ever-increasing r e g u l a t i o n and r e d u c t i d .
water inflow t o Pescadero Lagoon, with concomitant e c o l o g i c a l a l t e r a t 3 m s .
Some r e s u l t i n g h a b i t a t changes, perhaps s u b t l e and i n s i d i o u s , may a d v a r a y
a f f e c t t h e s n a i l ' s a b i l i t y t o maintain a v i a b l e population.
Steve Nicola April 28, 1977
There is a proposal, primarily sponsored by local agricultural interests, to

artificially maintain an open channel at the stream's mouth. Thus, the lagoon
could convert to a tidal estuary. With insignificant inflow during the spring-
summer-fall period, such a tidal estuary essentially could become saltwater
habitat for most of the year. This may be detrimental to a stenohaline, brack-
ish water snail.
In addition, agricultural activity, road building, timber harvesting and related

developments produce high turbidity and silt load in winter streamflows. Agri-
cultural runoff transports herbicides, pesticides and fertilizing nutrients into
receiving streams and eventually the Pescadero Lagoon-Marsh. The ecological
impacts of such contaminants on the snail population are open to speculation.
I suspect the California brackish water snail may also exist in San Gregorio
-
Creek Lagoon a major coastal lagoon offering brackish water habitat. Smaller,
sometimes ephemeral, lagoons and esteros exist in the lower reaches of other
San Mateo County coastal streams.
California Freshwater Shriq ( S n y c d s pacifica)
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
cc: E . Vestal, FMS, R-3

SEPARATION PAGE
. .
I
State i f ~ h f o r n i a ,< The Resources Agency

A L
./ J CENTRAL EISBR:CT COPY
Memorandum Y' '
To : M r . J a c k Hiehle Date: iiugust 26, 1982

I S t a t e Park E c o l o g i s t
P. 0. Box 2390
1220 K S t r e e t
Sacramento, CA 95811 Telephone: ATSS ( 1
( 1
From : Department of Fish and Game
Subject: Pescadero Marsh Nater Ccuality Monitoring Program, San b'lateo County
Upon your r e q u e s t , a 12 month water q u a l i t y monitoring program was developed

f o r t h e Pescadero Marsh, San Mateo County, i n 1980. Primary o b j e c t i v e s were
to: 1) c h a r a c t e r i z e e x i s t i n g water q u a l i t y conditions i n a l l major bodies of
water within t h e marsh, 2 ) c h a r a c t e r i z e water q u a l i t y conditions i n major
t r i b u t a r i e s , 3) deternLne which waters eutrophy, 4) d e s c r i b e f i s h , benthic, and
planktonic populations w i t h i n t h e marsh, 5) determine e x t e n t of p e s t i c i d e
contamination from a d j a c e n t farmland, and 6 ) determine i n f l u e n c e of l a n d f i l l
l e a c h a t e on t h e marsh.
Implementation of t h i s program began on December 5, 1980 with an i n i t i a l survey

t o e s t a b l i s h monitoring s t a t i o n s . Future sampling were t o be conducted monthly
a t t h e t e n s t a t i o n s e s t a b l i s h e d ( ~ i g u r e1). Due t o our involvement i n t h e
D epartment of F i s h and Game Nedf l y EnvironmentrJ llonit oring Program, a s well
as s e v e r a l acute p o l l u t i o n i n c i d e n t s . Pescadero I~larshs t a t i o n s were sampled
f o r water q u a l i t y parameters only twice during t h e e a r l y p a r t O f 1981:
January 26 and March 2 and again on June 11, 1982 t o document e a r l y summer
conditions. F i s h , b e n t h i c , and planktonic communities were not sampled o r
characterized.
Following a r e s t a t i o n descriptions:
S t a t i o n A i s l o c a t e d a t t h e e,utremc south end of the small l ? k e t o t h e e a s t of

Highway 1, and n o r t h of t h 2 : a r s h ( ~ i ~ u 1). r e The l a k e i s shllior,r, 4 f e e t
m a x i m depth, anc! i s sqxirztn.3. f r o n t h e I:arsh by a 1.02~d i k e .
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.
S t a t i o n D i s l o c a t e d on l'escndero Creek, approximately 0.5 mile upstream from

S t a t i o n C . The creek i s characterized a s n slow moving slough a t t h i s s i t e .
.4
Mr. Jack Hiehle
S t a t i o n E i s l o c a t e d withzn a d i t c h , immediately north of t h e Pescadero Creek

I
l e v e e and approximately 200 yards west of S t a t i o n D. The d i t c h appears t o
be contiguous with S t a t i o n B, hovjet-er, no water movement could be discerned.
S t a t i o n F i s l o c a t e d on Butano Creek a p p r o ~ m a t e l y0.5 mile upstream from i t s

confluence with Pescadero Creek. The creek was a slot^ moving slough a t t h i s
site.
S t a t i o n G i s l o c a t e d on a small pond l o c a t e d 20 yards west of S t a t i o n F .

Maximum depth was l e s s than 2 f e e t .
S t a t i o n H i s l o c a t e d on an unnamed t r i b u t a r y which c r o s s e s Pescadero Road near
t h e C a l i f o r n i a Department of F o r e s t r y f i r e s t a t i o n . This t r i b u t a r y d r a i n s from
a small s a n i t a r y l a n d f i l l l o c a t e d i n a draw approximately 0.5 mile south of t h e
Marsh. A r e d d i s h coating, t y p i c a l of i r o n drainage, tiras always observed on
a l l wetted s u b s t r a t e p a r t i c l e s and vegetation.
S t a t i o n I i s l o c a t e d on Butano Creek a t t h e Pescadero Road bridge. Butano Creek,

a t t h i s s i t e , was a flowing stream having a predominant sand and s i l t s u b s t r a t e .
S t a t i o n J i s l o c a t e d on l'escadero Creek a t t h e Stage Iload bridge. A t t h i s s i t e ,

Pescadero Creek i s a flowing stream, with a s u b s t r a t e composed of g r a v e l and
sand.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
The following water q u a l i t y parameters were determined 3t a l l stations:
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)
Water q u a l i t y parameters were e i t h e r measured d i r e c t l y i n t h e f i e l d , o r samples

were t r a n s p o r t e d t o Department of Fish and Game's Idinbus ;Jzter P o l l u t i o n Control
Laboratory f o r chemical a n a l y s i s . Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, pH,
c o n d u c t i v i t y (a), and s a l i n i t y irere determined i n t h e f i e l d . Samples f o r N0241,
N03-N, N H L d l , and P were analyzed a t Nimbus.
Table 1. Results of field water q u a l i t y monitoring f r o t e n s t a t i o n s in
Pescadero Marsh: December 5, 1980; January 26, 1981; March 21
1981; and June 11, 1982.
STAT1ON DO - Temp. PH EC S a l4i n i t y
mg/l % umhos/cm p
Table 2. Results of laboratory analysis of water samples collected i n
Pescadero Marsh: January 26, 1981 and March 2, 1981.
Station N024 NO -N NH -N Total N Total P

3 4
mg/l w/l mg/l mg/l w/l
.-
M r . Jack Hiehle -3- August 26, 1982
S o i l and water pesticide analyses were conducted by gas chromatography a t .

Nimbus f o r methyl parathion, thiodan, and guthion residues; products known t o
have been used on adjacent farmland. I n i t i a l l y , s o i l and water samples were
collected a t a l l s t a t i o n s , however, due t o budgetary constraints only one
sample was analyzed from each station. For similar h a b i t a t s , i.e. ponds o r
streams, a t l e a s t one s o i l and one water sample were analyzed:
Station Habitat Tme S a m l e Anal vzed

A pond
H2
pond soil
stream
H2
stream soil
E pond
F stream soil
pond
H2
stream soil
stream soil
stream
H2
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results of f i e l d and laboratory water quality monitoring a r e presented i n Tables
1 and 2, respectively.
These data i n d i c a t e t h a t a l l ponded water bodies within Pescadero Marsh represented

by S t a t i o n s A, B, E, and G, are brackish. Temporal changes i n s a l i n i t y could
be due t o e i t h e r saltwater mist contributing s a l t t o ponded water, and/or rain-
f a l l events adding fresh water t o ponds. For example, a t S t a t i o n A, t h e increase
i n s a l i n i t y from December t o January could be due t o high winds blowing saltwater
mist over the beach and i n t o the small lake, thus increasing s a l i n i t y . Observed
decrease i n s a l i n i t y a f t e r January, a r e undoubtedly t h e r e s u l t of d i r e c t
p r e c i p i t a t i o n , e f f e c t i v e l y d i l u t i n g t h e brackish water i n t h e lake.
Conductivity of stream segments r e f l e c t both freshwater and brackish water

conditions. Stream Stations D, H, I , and J are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y low i n s a l i n i t y
and conductivity, which r e f l e c t s t y p i c a l stream conditions. Stations C and F
a r e brackish, which suggests t h a t water draining or percolating from ponded
a r e a s r a i s e s s a l i n i t y levels.
Overall, DO a t all s t a t i o n s was adequate t o sustain f i s h and aquatic l i f e .

However, conditions documented i n June 1982 indicate t h a t ponded water experience
algae blooms which, during daylight hours, r a i s e DO l e v e l s t o above saturation.
During t h e night, a l g a l respiration would rapidly deplete DO produced duridg t h e
day, and could cause f i s h k i l l s .
Mr. Jack Hiehle -4- August 26, 1982
I n general, pH conditions-within t h e marsh a r e within normal ranges. During

t h e June 1982 sampling t h e observed algae bloom r e s u l t e d in elevated pH values
above 9.3 a t S t a t i o n s A and B. During t h e March 1981 sampling, r a i n f a l l
occurring a t t h e time apparently caused a lowering of pH a t S t a t i o n s A and B.
A s south winds were observed during t h e rainstorm, atmospheric contamination
may have o r i g i n a t e d from t h e stack gases of t h e K;&E power plant a t Moss
Landing t o t h e south. Rain may a l s o contribute n u t r i e n t s , e s p e c i a l l y carbon
and nitrogen t o t h e Marsh enrichment.
N u t r i e n t a n a l y s i s r e s u l t s a able 2) would confirm t h e observed eutrophic

condition of Pescadero Marsh. N i t r i t e concentrations a r e uniformly low, however,
t o t a l nitrogen and t o t a l phosphorus l e v e l s a r e present in concentrations which
would support algae blooms. Sawyer ( 1952) r e p o r t s t h a t t h e presence of O.Olrng/l
P with 0.3mg/l N supports nuisance algae blooms. These d a t a may r e f l e c t contri-
bution of n u t r i e n t s from a g r i c u l t u r a l f e r t i l i z e r , s e p t i c systems, and r a i n f a l l .
S t a t i o n H r e p r e s e n t s a contribution of n u t r i e n t s from t h e l a n d f i l l . On January 26,

1981, an N H L 4 value of 1.3mg/l was measured. A t t h e pH of 6.8 t h i s concentra-
t i o n would not produce t o x i c concentrations of undissociated ammonium hydroxide,
however, i f pH were t o r i s e , ammonia t o x i c i t y could be a problem e s p e c i a l l y
with increased flow. While receiving water S t a t i o n I? appears unaffected, t h e
unnamed t r i b u t a r y should be monitored t o determine i t s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .
S o i l and water p e s t i c i d e residues a r e presented i n Table 3. Methyl parathion
and guthion were n o t detected i n any s o i l and water samples. Thiodan was
d e t e c t e d i n s o i l samples from S t a t i o n s D , F, and I , b u t not i n any water samples.
Apparently thiodan i s e n t e r i n g Pescadero and Butano Creeks from adjacent farm-
l a n d; no thiodan was present within ponded a r e a s of t h e Marsh. I f ponded
a r e a s a r e opened t o Pescadero and Butano Creeks i n an e f f o r t t o promote circula-
t i o n , t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of contamination with thiodan e x i s t s . Thiodan would be
expected t o degrade r a p i d l y a f t e r a l a g of 120 days i n s o i l ( ~ e n e i e1980).
The presence of thiodan i n sediment samples i s cause f o r concern a s it i s

extremely t o x i c t o a q u a t i c l i f e . Schoettger (1970) r e p o r t s t h a t a f t e r a 72 hour
exposure t o O.l+ppb thiodan, only half t h e population of rainbow t r o u t ( ~ a l m o
p a i r d n e r i ) survived. Sediment residues would i n d i c a t e t h a t thiodan probably
was once present i n t h e water column, o r thiodan bound t o sediment entered t h e
creeks through farmland erosion. L i t t l e i s known about t h e l e a c h a b i l i t y of
thiodan from sediment, however, t h e p o s s i b i l i t y e x i s t s ( ~ i n l a ~ s o npers
If water movement causes resuspension of sediment i n t o t h e water column, thiodan
, comm) . .
may go i n t o solution. A sediment sample w i l l be c o l l e c t e d i n t h e near f u t u r e
and taken t o Nimbus t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r desorption and thus t o x i c i t y .
Based on t h i s work, t h e following conclusions can be drawn regarding water

q u a l i t y of t h e Pescadero Marsh: 1) standing bodies of water a r e brackish and
eutrophic, and 2) thiodan contamination was detected. E f f o r t s t o provide
c i r c u l a t i o n t o standing bodies of water might a l l e v i a t e eutrophication, reduce
Table 3. S o i l and water pesticide residues from t e n s t a t i o n s i n Pescadero
Marsh, January 26, 1981
Station Sample Methyl Guthion Thiodan

*YP~ Parathion P P ~ P P ~
P P ~
H2
SOIL
H2
SOIL
H2
SOIL
SOIL
SOIL
Mr. Jack Hiehle August 26, 1982
brackishness, and generally improve water q u a l i t y , however, t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of

spreading thiodan contamination throughout t h e Marsh must a l s o be considered.
We r e g r e t t h a t a f u l l 12 month monitoring e f f o r t was not possible.
If you have any questions, please f e e l f r e e t o c a l l me a t (707) 944-4478.
0r;g;raI S'gnsd by
COPY
Howard Wm. Jong
Howard William Jong

Water Q u a l i t y B i o l o g i s t
Region 3
bcc: Mike Rugg, B i l l Jong, Dennis Eirnoto

LITERATURE C I T D
APHA. 1980. Standard methods f o r t h e examination of water and wastewater,

15th ed. Arner. Public Health Assoc., Wash. D.C. 1134~
Finlayson, B. J. Assoc. Water Qual. B i o l o g i s t , Dept. F i s h and Game P e s t i c i d e

I n v e s t i g a t i o n s Unit, Sacramento. Personal communication.
Menzie, C. M. 1980. Metabolism of p e s t i c i d e s , Update 111. U.S. Fish and

W i l d l . Serv. Spec. S c i . Rept -
W i l d l . No. 232, iiash. DOC. 709p
Sawyer, C. N O 1952. Some new a s p e c t s of phosphates i n r e l a t i o n t o l a k e

f e r t i l i z a t i o n . A s c i t e d by Mdee, J. E., and H. W. Wolf. 1963. Water
q u a l i t y c r i t e r i a . Ca. S t . Wat. Res. Contr. Bd., Publ. No. 3 4 . 548p
Schoettger, R. A. 1970. I n v e s t i g a t i o n s i n f i s h c o n t r o l , No. 35. Toxicology

of thiodan i n s e v e r a l f i s h and a q u a t i c i n v e r t e b r a t e s . U.S. F i s h Wildl.
Serv., Wash. D.C. 31p
SEPARATION PAGE
DRAFT
PESCADERO MARSH MANAGEMENT PLAN -
Historian Perspective
The marsh a t Pescadero i s considerably smaller than i t was prior to European

man's coming t o California.
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 .
I t i s believed t h a t the sandbars have periodically formed a t the mouth of

Pescadero Creek and blocked the stream as i t does today, and the resulting
backup of stream water plus t i d a l action and wave overflow would have
inundated the lowlands of the marsh.
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.
One of the f i r s t procedures to reclaim the wetlands was t o develop a s e r i e s of

drainage ditches t o drain off water. This would have been followed by land
leveling and f i l l i n g i n any depressions, old stream channels, or other low
places where water would c o l l e c t . In some areas of the marsh, pumps were
i n s t a l l e d t o pump the water out when drains alone would not accomplish the
objective.
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 .
Accelerated erosion with r e s u l t i n g s i l t a t i o n in the marsh area i s the r e s u l t

of many upstream a c t i v i t i e s which would include the development of land for
various purposes, lumbering, a number of agricultural practices, some of which
have resulted i n s o i l losses such as the extensive f l a x farming and
over-grazing, and since European man we may have had more devastating
wildfires. There are a number of large stumps and logs i n the marsh area t h a t
have washed out of t h e i r original location and have been brought down'the
streams in floods. The large s i z e of stumps and the logs t h a t have come down
the creek would a t t e s t t o the a b i l i t y of the streams t o carry large amounts of
sediment, which have f i l l e d i n much of the marsh and cut down on the amount of
water i t can hold.
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.
Through t h i s process of reclamation, some lands were found to be unsuitable

for agricultural crops due to the high s a l i n i t y , high water t a b l e , or costs
involved to f i g h t the elements to make them farmable, and these lands have
become fallow and are reverting back t o natural conditions. Other lands t h a t
-4-
. were reclaimed were d e f i n i t e l y marginal f o r agricultural production and only
specialized crops could be grown, such as crops t h a t were t o l e r a n t t o high
concentrations of s a l t i n the s o i l . These lands are those protected by t h e
levee system and would be marsh i f t h i s protection was not present. There
have been some lands developed i n the State-owned area t h a t have been
productive f o r agricultural purposes, providing t h a t i r r i g a t i o n water i s
available. These lands are on higher ground and were a portion of an
acquisition purchased by the State w i t h Land and Water Conservation funds.
The S t a t e furnished one-half the cost and the Federal Government the other
half. The Federal Government prohibits these lands to be used for any other
purposes than f o r which they were purchased for--namely f o r marsh land
r e s t o r a t i o n , w i l d l i f e management, and park purposes.
Proposed Pl an
To compensate for the reduction of the wetland area a t Pescadero Marsh, i t i s

proposed t h a t t h e State Department of Parks and Recreation manage the
State-owned lands a t t h i s marsh t o enhance the habitat f o r both native plants
and animals. This enhancement program, once established, should be largely
self-sustaining and will be managed primarily by a single water control system.
The basic management i s a gravity drainage system t h a t will allow a l l water t o

drain through and from the upper portions of the State property t o the main
lagoon area. Each leveed f i e l d on State property will have drainage t o and
through adjacent f i e l d s .
Simple, low-maintenance, tamper-resistance water devices will be installed
where needed t o implement t h i s system to control water levels. Near
agricultural land, a low levee wi 11 be needed to protect cropland from
inudation and/or s a l t intrusion. The objectives of the plan will be as
follows:
1. Make t h e marsh as natural and as productive as possible.
2. Enhance habitats t h a t will favor many species of plants and animals

which will include increasing the number of channels, deepen some
areas, construct islands, create potholes, and develop an
interconnecting water system.
3. Control and manage water levels to accomplish the following:
a. The adjacent farmlands will be protected from any conditions

t h a t m i g h t be detrimental to farming operations due t o t h e
marsh management program;
b. To keep the marsh wetter for longer periods of time t o

compensate for the loss of former marsh land; i n the area;
c. To use s a l t , brackish, and freshwater t o maintain and enhance

different habitats and control plant species;
d. To improve nesting and reproductive success of breeding species

by preventing flooding a f t e r nesting season s t a r t s ;
e. To provide a better water circulation, prevent stagnation, and
improve water quality.
4. Give special attention to rare or endangered species and t h e i r

h a b i t a t so conditions f o r these species i s preferably improved and
i n no case depleted.
5. Maintain conditions necessary f o r anadromous f i s h runs.
6. Control agressive exotic plant species.
7. Control erosion problems t h a t are affecting the wetland area.
8. Determine i f i t i s f e a s i b l e t o breech Pescadero and Butano Creeks

levees t o create a r e l i e f valve t o the over-taxed levee system a t
t h e time of flooding.
9. Areas of the marsh will be made available f o r educational and

general viewing purposes. These areas w i l l be open when i t i s
compatible with plant and animal populations. F a c i l i t i e s such as
t r a i l s , possibly bridges or other types of water crossings, viewing
areas and/or blinds, and interpretation should be provided. Some of
these areas may be closed seasonally and other areas w i l l be closed
permanent ly .
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.
Proposed Development and Action Plan
(See map of area t o locate proposed developments)
All areas of the marsh:

-
The land w i t h i n the marsh will be manipulated. where necessary t o allow
drainage from the upper reaches t o the mouth or t o major ponding areas.
Ponding areas should be deep enough to discourage mosquito breeding.
Specific areas of the marsh:
North Pond
1. Establish a low maintenance vandal-resistant water control device

between North Pond and North Marsh.
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.
4. Keep eucalyptus groves from spreading.

5. Control erosion gullies coming into the pond and try to reclaim
same. Possible use of some of the eucalyptus thinnings.
-
6. Maintain the trail around the North Pond so it could be used

year-long.
7. It is recommended that the property to the ridge should be

acquired so erosion can be controlled through revegetation and
rehabilitation. This property is allowing large volumes of sediment
to enter the marsh from the extensive gulley erosion.
North Marsh
1. Establish a low maintenance vandal-proof water control device

between North Marsh and Delta Marsh at the low point between these
two areas.
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.
3. Connect all potholes to the main water areas withethe use of

meandering channels .
4. Increase the number of meandering channels in the pickleweed. Look

into the possibility of doing this with a "Sprite" and ditch maker
such as used by the mosquito abatement district in the Napa Marsh
area.
5. Establish a pond in the eastern dryer portion of North Marsh.
6. *Look into the possibility of diverting Pescadero Creek through North

Marsh in the ditch located along the north side of the marsh. This
diversion should be screened to prevent anadromous fish from getting
into the North Marsh. This ditch will have to be cleaned out and
redug in places if it is feasible to divert Pescadero Creek. A
water control device and re-establishing the flashboard dam on
Pescadero Creek at Round Hill will probably be required.
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.
8. Eucalyptus groves should be kept under control and possibly

thinned. A prescribed burn in the grove may help reduce young
reproduction and reduce the fuel load.
9. The fencing should be improved on the boundary line of the North

Marsh to keep livestock out'.
Delta Marsh
1. Re-establish a number of meandering waterways in the Delta Marsh.
2. Control and remove pampas grass. A large stand is present on the

north side of Pescadero Creek.
-10-
3. Develop a method o f opening t h e f l a p gate a t t h e southeast end of
D e l t a Marsh so water can be l e t i n t o East D e l t a Marsh and closed
when r e q u i r e d . This may r e q u i r e a separate water c o n t r o l device.
East D e l t a Marsh
1. E s t a b l i s h a low levee w i t h a b u f f e r (150' b u f f e r s t r i p ) s e p a r a t i n g
t h e l e v e e f.rom adjacent farmland. This levee should be about 2 f e e t

\
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
e i t h e r end t o a l l o w f l o o d waters t o go t h r o u g h b u t t o s t o p t h e marsh
f r o m b a c k i n g up.
3. Recreate meandering waterways w i t h drainage toward t h e main D e l t a
Marsh .
4. Change l o c a t i o n o f e l e c t r i c a l s u p p l y and pump t o t h e new low levee
and d i t c h . Old pump should be r e p l a c e d . T h i s should n o t be changed
u n t i l t h e new levee and d i t c h a r e i n o p e r a t i o n and f u n c t i o n a l .
5. Ponds w i t h i s l a n d s may a l s o be c r e a t e d i n t h i s area t o enhance t h e
h a b i t a t f o r b o t h p l a n t s and animals.
6. The s t r a i g h t d r a i n d i t c h s h o u l d be changed t o a meandering waterway
and p o r t i o n s o f the s t r a i g h t d i t c h should be f i l l e d w i t h m a t e r i a l s
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
1. Construct foot bridge across breech in the north levee, l e t t i n g

water from Butano and t i d a l action t o enter North Muzzi.
2. Re-establ i s h two low maintenance vandal - r e s i s t a n t water control

devices between North Muzzi and Middle Muzzi where t h e culverts a r e
located now.
3. Re-establish waterways and meandering channels in North Muzzi and

deepen main channel s .
4. Establish a t r a i l along the west s i d e of North Muzzi on the old farm

road. This road should be blocked off t o a l l b u t DPR vehicles.
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.
6. Maintain a t r a i l along the levees e n c i r c l i n g North Muzzi.
7. Look i n t o the p o s s i b i l i t y of a float-type bridge f h a t could span

Butano Creek and be pulled or anchored in high water.
8. Build blinds f o r bird photography and observation in s u i t a b l e

locations.
M i d d l e Muzzi
1. R e - e s t a b l i s h and clean o u t main waterways across M i d d l e Muzzi. They

should be deep enough t o p r e v e n t t h e growth o f c a t t a i l s .
2. Remove o l d c u l v e r t s and g r a v e l a small p a r k i n g l o t a t west s i d e of

M i d d l e Muzzi.
3. Levee road should be blocked o f f a t b o t h ends t o p r e v e n t v e h i c l e use
and n o t used except f o r maintenance equipment.
4. An entrance gate should be i n s t a l l e d on t h e s o u t h end o f t h e p a r k i n g

l o t so i t c o u l d be c l o s e d a f t e r dark. (On Pescadero Road).
5. Remove pampas grass from area.
6. Some ponds s h o u l d be dredged o u t deep enough t o p r e v e n t t h e growth
o f c a t t a i l s and t u l e s .
East Muzzi
1. E s t a b l i s h a low maintenance vandal - 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
t h e southwest c o r n e r o f East Muzzi c o n n e c t i n g East and West 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
t h e northwest c o r n e r o f East Muzzi c o n n e c t i n g East Muzzi w i t h Butano
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 .
t h e e a s t end o f East Muzzi between Butano Creek and East Muzzi.
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 .
5. Recreate a main and branching system o f meandering waterways from
t h e e a s t t o t h e west end o f East Muzzi d r a i n i n g . f r o m e a s t t o west.
6. Create a pond area i n t h e m i d - s e c t i o n o f t h e East Muzzi f i e l d deep

enough t o p r e v e n t t h e growth o f c a t t a i l s and t u l e s .
7. C o n s t r u c t an i s l a n d i n t h e c e n t e r o f t h i s pond w i t h deep water
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.
Mouth o f Pescadero Creek
1. The sandbar a t t h e mouth o f Pescadero Creek

Ifi&
A have t o be opened $/
Cdm-6r'rCL- _
- periodically.
2. A l o c a t i o n near t h e n o r t h s i d e o f t h e b r i d g e should be used t o
unload t r a c t o r s . This c o u l d be done by h a v i n g p i l e s t h a t would be
low enough t o a l l o w a t r a c t o r t o be d r i v e n o f f t h e bed of t h e
h a u l i n g v e h i c l e o r a b u l k head and u n l o a d i n g ramp c o u l d be i n s t a l l e d
o r some o t h e r method which would p r e v e n t u n a u t h o r i z e d v e h i c l e s from
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
maintenance equipment. T h i s u n l o a d i n g spot would p r o b a b l y cause

l e s s environmental damage t h a n u n l o a d i n g a t t h e p a r k i n g area
n o r t h w e s t o f North Pond and t r a c k i n g t h e l e n g t h o f t h e beach t o t h e
mouth.
3. The w i n d blown sand c o l l e c t e d o f f t h e highway can be dumped a t t h e
n o r t h end o f t h e p a r k i n g l o t o v e r l o o k i n g Pescadero Creek unless i t
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
o f a sandbar a t t h e mouth o f t h e creek. Ift h a t i s t h e case, some
o t h e r l o c a t i o n should be found where t h e sand can be r e t u r n e d t o t h e

beaches.
Coastal Terrace ( P a r d i n n i P r o p e r t y )
D i g o u t and form a small f r e s h w a t e r pond on t h e west s i d e o f t h e o l d
r o a d t h a t e n t e r s the southeast corner of t h i s p i e c e o f p r o p e r t y .
The source o f water i s coming from a c u l v e r t t h a t goes under t h e
Pescadero Road. This pond would be a t t r a c t i v e t o a number o f
w i l d l i f e species, i n c l u d i n g t h e San F r a n c i s c o G a r t e r Snake. A small
c u l v e r t under t h e road c o u l d connect t h i s pond w i t h one c o n s t r u c t e d
on N o r t h Muzzi.
The road should be blocked o f f and m a i n t a i n e d as a t r a i l o r f o r use
o f maintenance equipment o n l y .
3. The pampas grass should be c o n t r o l l e d on t h e s o u t h s i d e o f t h e
p r o p e r t y near Pescadero Road.

4. The terrace should be allowed to come back to native species and
some planting of native species might be in order.
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.
6. A trail should be established from the Highway 1 bridge along the

south side of the lagoon in such a location that it would overlook
the lagoon and marsh and would connect with the trail on the levee
separating Delta Marsh and East Muzzi and the east Pardinni trail.
Round Hi 1 1 - Up1 and
1. Construct a trail to the top of Round Hill in such a manner as to

avoid trail cutting.
2. Construct overview on the top.
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.
6. Re-establish native vegetation on the h i l l s by a planting program.
7. Clean up old debris and remove a l l i n t e r i o r old fencing t h a t may

e x i s t on the area.
8. Establish a t r a i l that will s t a r t from the headquarters and overlook

t h e reservoir and will t i e i n w i t h the Round Hill t r a i l and can
return along the east side of the marsh.
9. Keep the eucalyptus groves from spreading.
10. Determine the f e a s i b i l i t y of breeching Pescadero Creek levee a t the

southeast corner of the S t a t e ' s property a t the acute bend i n t h e
creek. The purpose of t h i s breech would be t o allow Pescadero Creek
t o overflow a t t h i s location. A1 lowing Pescadero Creek t o overflow
here would greatly r e l i e v e the pressure on the levee system which
would lessen the possi bi 1i t y of upstream flooding*. Another benefit
would be to create some additional wetlands. This system could work
i n two ways :
F i r s t , construct a levee from the bend in Pescadero Creek t o where

the creek channel comes into contact with Nunziati H i l l . Breech the
existing levee a t each of these two locations and dig a flood bypass
channel to pass Pescadero Creek floods through t h i s area. Care and
consideration need t o be taken here a t the re-entry point of the
flood bypass channel with the existing creek channel. By changing
the channel configuration, we will be changing the erosional forces
on- the opposite stream bank where the flood bypass channel re-enters
the e x i s t i n g channel.
A second method would involve construction of a levee from the bend
i n Pescadero Creek parallel t o our property line south t o i n t e r s e c t

with t h e Butano Creek. This plan has drawbacks since i t i s more
c o s t l y and would require raising the grade of the access road and/or
building a bridge. Protection of buildings would also require some
1evee work.
There will be need t o manage some of the vegetation t h a t grows

within the levees of Pescadero Creek t h a t will impede water flows
and possibly cause a break in the levee bank. This i s especially
needed a t the sharp bends in the creek's channel where the banks a r e
most vulnerable. The January 4, 1982 flood breeched t h i s levee.
The t r e e s within the top 10 f e e t of the levee should remain. This
t r e e removal should be coordinated with the landowner on the north
bank of Pescadero since both sides should be done'at the same time.
Pescadero Beach
Dune s t a b i l i z a t i o n i s needed in the sand dunes t o the west of North Pond

and North Marsh on the west side of Highway 1. This should be done by
r e s t r i c t i n g access by signing and other means, providing access t r a i l s
L
. -- across t h e dunes where needed, and a r e v e g e t a t i o n program. Without t h i s

program, sand w i l l c o n t i n u e t o blow onto and across t h e highway, t h e
1a t t e r t e n d i n g t o reduce t h e wet land area.
Pescadero Marsh
There i s a s t r o n g need t o i d e n t i f y and c o r r e c t e r o s i o n problems i n t h e
Pescadero and Butano Creek watersheds. Any marsh management p l a n i s o n l y

a temporary s o l u t i o n t o the f l o o d i n g o f adjacent a g r i c u l t u r a l lands if
e r o s i o n c o n t r o l i s n o t a l s o implemented i n t h e upstream watershed.
SEPARATION PAGE
CENTRAL DISTRICT COPY
COPY 'JRlGlNAL SIGNED 6,

JACK WHLTZ
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
The purpose of t h i s paper i s t o c h a r a c t e r i z e and e'iraLuaLe t h e n a t u r a l resource
values of Pescadero Marsh f o r consideration i n t h e San Mateo Corntry Local Coast,al
Program (LCF). Elnphasis i s placed on providing a s s i s t a n c e with immediate LCP
planning needs, whi:Le generally discussing long-te-m wet.land imragemellt problems
and a l t e m ~ a t i ~ r e s .Although t h e completion d a t e i s as of t h e psesent uncertain,
a comprehensive repork covering t h e n a t u r a l resources of Pcscadero Marsh i s pLznned
a s an element* i n t h e Degsrtmcnt of Fish and Ganie Coastal ir'etlnnd Series.
Pescadero blarsh and t h e 61+ square mile watershed drained 5 ; Pescadero

~ and
Butano Creeks m u s t be considered a s a hydrologLc m i L o Z f f e c t i v e plarming f o r
and management of t h e wetland will require c o n t r o l over development ~ i t h i xt h~e
e n t i r e drainage. Depending upon water l e v e l f l u c t u a t i o n s , t h e a r e a characterize?
a s wetland covers approximately 465 acres, some of which l i e s behind dikes*
Imnediately adjacent t o t h e marsh, remnants of n a t u r a l t r a n s i t i o n %ype vegetation
including grassland, c o a s t a l scrub and r i p a r i a n coiiu-nwiities contribute t o t h e

i n t e g r i t y of t h e wetland, Development of a g r i c d t t t r e .b"ct h e former narsh and
upland b u f f e r a r e a s p r e s e n t l y influences t h e marsh environment.
F i s h and Wildlife Flesoarce Values
Althocgh a d e t a i l e d treatment of n a t u r a l resources i s beyord. t h e scope of
this evali-lation, fish and t r i l a l i f e values can be generally cliaracterized a t a l e v e l
of d e t a i l s u f f i c i e n t t o rneet t h e needs of Lhe larld use elenla-it of t h e LCP. Pescadero
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
s e n s i t i v e h a b i t a t a r e a of g r e a t e r than l o c a l importance ( s e e enclosed map), In

order t o ensure the continued e x i s t e m e of t h z wetland a s a productive b i o l o g i c a l
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 *
I n general, wi?.dSife va11res of the P ~ s c a d e r oMarsh a r e a have i ~ s t o r i @ a U y
been arid a r e now ckaract::rized a s high. F a c t o r s considered in a s s i p j n g value
include .<bundance 2nd d i v e r s i t y of s p ~ c - i e sutibizinl; t h e srea, potentdial f o r r z r e
ar endangered species, d i v e r s i t y of hasitat element:; (br*eed5.ne, feeding: r e s t i n g

a-mas d w i n g rrLigration), geographic r e l a t i o n ~ h i ht~o obher wetland areas a n d s i z e
of t h e w e t l n n d * Char,ges ir: physical eii~5rorirental.ccmditions rc: Litding from
agricul.tira1 encroachen% and elim-k~a%irmof ti d z l e i ~ c t i l s t i o np:*OZ"s~~9dC O Y T ~ S - -
pariding changes in t h e weltland resources* Eabitat was l o s t a s a r e s u l t of agri-

cult7;ral devclap;r,cnJi~ " i ~ e char-acter of t h e wetland sUf%ed from a t i d a l l y
influenced e s t u a ~ yw i t 1 1 a t l e a s t a s e a s s n a 7 ~ yq e n mouth t o a predomirLanlly fresh-
water marsh 1 6 t h restric5ed t i d a l i~nflucnce.
Fishel-; vslucc of Pcscadero l h r s h and s s s s c i a t e d :mtershed M s t x i c a l l y were
higher t h a n presently e x i s t o Although inhabited by numerous f i s h species, t h e
primary f i s h e r y value i s assigned. t o t h e zalmm and s t e e l l e a d resource, the most
impox%ant anadro:ncus 15.sheyy in San & t c o Coiuliyo Annual. rwis a r e estimated a t
GiM m d 1500 f o r s:ilmcr? and s t e e l h m d , r c s p ~ c t i v e l y ~Upper portions of t h e i r q t e ~
shed art? impo.&w,t as .;uaw:ing and nursery araas, ; ~ h i l ethe lagoor, i s importcnt ns
z u r s e l y h a b i t a t mr! J rnigr:~t.ion corridor* fop bosh a a u l t and S~r-ueniief.ish*
In t h e case of b o t h f i s h e r y and wi1d:'iif e veL,ics, rnai-n+cn~s-iceof hzbiitat

q u a n t i t y and q w l i t y a r e e s s e n t i a l t o e n s w e coritinaed p r o t l u c t i t i t y f*i'these
res3wrces. Enhancement p o s s i b i l i t i e s e x i s t and r.~-1.l

be addressed jn t h e rc-,omcr:ndstioR
scct.ion of this paper,, Although p a r t i a l species checlc l i s t s are availab3-e and
expected a;; a g o r t i s n of t h e proposed wetland series rep01-L~ i n c l u s i o n of this
c h a m c t e r i a a t i o n i s not considered necessary. Genesbl f i s h ~ m dw i l d l i f e h a b i t a t
values, ra-bher than d e l x i l s d i n d i v i d u a l spccj-es requil.emen.ts, can be appropriately
addressed in t h e larid u s e p l a n r ~ f l ge f f o r t assoc5.ate6 w i t h the LCPg Primary f i s h
and w i l d l i f e values are included i n t h e f o U o t r h g categories:.
1, Habitat loor water associated b i r d species.

2 + Habit,atr and n-lgrat,ory corridor f o r ~?nadromor~s fish*
3. Habitat l o r reptile, amphibian, ~ p l a n db i r d ar?,l namma:l specieso
I;. Habitat f o r marine and f r e s h t a t e ~i n ~ e ~ e b r a t e s
5, Potent,iaL f cr h a b i t a t erinnncement,.
- - L
Itesag.rce Uses
-
P 7 a m i n g relztted t o uses of natural. resources i n and adjacent ire. Pescadero
Marsh mst focus oil tile Limi.ting facto', water. The amount and q u a l i t y of t h i s
I ~ a s i celement of l i f e a v a i l a b l e i r r tile e ~ o s y s t ~ e;ire

n pasarnount in maintaining and
possibly enhancing n a t u r i l resource valuese Divessior~and pumping sf water f o r
a g r i c u l t u r a l and domestic suppJies a r e primary water uses w u c h t e n d t o compete
with t h e needs of fish and w i l d l i f e * Feak se~sonaldemands coupled with Pow f l a g s
r e s u l t ir, severs s t r e s s on t h e wetlmd ecosysteme
Jeneral. uses of n a t w a l re::.ow-ces rind develcpw?nt pressures associated with

r,
Pescadera Y i r s h jnclude t h e f o l l . o w i ~ ~types:

g
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
16. Flood CO~".,PO~*
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
A s previously described, m a i n t e n a c e of f i s h and w i l d l i f e resource values i s
d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d t o t h e amount and quali.ty of water erttering t h e wetland system.
Diversion anri pniping of freshwater above Pescadero Marsh d i r e c t l y impacts f i s h
and w i l d l i f e dependent upon h a b i t a t s i n t h e lower watershed* The g e n e r a l problem
of balancing water supply with competing demands must be solved i n order t o effec-
t i v e l y plan f o r t h e f u t u r e of Pescadero Marsh. Close coordir-rrcntion among agencies
and groups b t e r c s s t e d i n regulation of water use, water ct7me~mtionand walte~quality
i s essential.
Uppcr watershed problems p r i m a r i l y involve maintenance of s u f f i c i e n t flows and
w i t c r q u a l i t y t o p r o t e c t spawning a r e a s f o r anadromous f i s h . J a t e r d i v e r s i o n s and
watershed managcrnenk p r d c t i c e s which tend t o r e s t r i c t flaws, i n h i b i t f i s h migration
o r lowc~.water q u a l i t y z?e detriniental t o s e n s i t i v e h a b i t a t areas. Degradation and
r2moval of ripr-tr~ar,vegetation c o r i d o r s along streams a l s o c o n t r i b ~ ~ t o

e water
q u a l i t y probl-ems* P-nadromaus f i s h spawning a r e a s and r i p a r i a n h a b i t a t need t o be
i d e n t i f i c ~ iand compatible land uses designated accordingly.
Problems a f f e c t i n g t h e intermediate watershed include excessive water d i v e ~ s i o n ,
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
and minimum flolprs f o r migrating f i s h . Aside from water d i v e r s i o n s , sedimentation
poses t h e g r e a t e s t t h r e a t t o t h e e n t i r e watershed. Therefore, land use designations
must Iimit, wat,er z p p r a p r i a t i o n s and. d i r e c t development s o a s t o preserve h a b i t a t
wlaile preventing sedimentation. I n general, l a r g e cicreage z ~ n i n g ,r e t e n t i o n of
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
gradL,rlg s p e c i f i c a t i o n s a r e methods of maintaining f i s h and w i l d l i f e values.

The lower watershed izcluding Pescadero Marsh and a s s o c i a t e d wetland-upland
tr.ansitj.m zone i s t h e f o c a l pojni, of f i s h and w i l d l i f e values a s w e l l a s problems.
A l t e r a t i o n of t h e pf1ysical environment including t h e encroachment of a g r i c u l t u r e
and prolonged blockage of t h e mcuth a r e most s i g n i f i c a n t . Conversion of wetland
h a b i t a t t o a g r i c u l t u r a l production involved d i r e c t l o s s e s t o f i s h and w i l d l i f e a s
w e l l as i n d i r e c t degradation of h a b i t a t q u a l i t y through wat.er d i v e r s i o n and pump.
ingc Increased c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e t o t a l watershed sediment load o r i g i n a t e i n

a g r i c u l t u r a l a r e a s adjacent t o t?ie wetland. Reduced freshwater flows i n t o t h e marsh
combined with increased sedirnentat%on have r e s u l i e d i n accelerated succession (aging
of t h e we-blCmd)towards a seasonal wetland, o r even an upland condition i f continued.
T i d a l chsnnols, once 15-18 f e e t deep, were reduced to a depth of 4-5 f e e t o This
s i t u a t i o n is ci~aracteri.zedby a reduced t i d a l prism and results i n i n h i b i t e d
anadrornous f i s h migrations during spring ancji f a l l .
Reduction in t h e tidal. prism and d i v e r s i o n of f r e s h w a t e l ~e n t e r i n g the e j t u a w
r e s u l t e d i n a lack of n a t u r a l scoru'ini.,the primary mechanism f o r f l u s h i n g sediments
through t h e wetland system. A s a r e s u l t , sand t r a n s p o r t e d by wave a c t i o n and ocean
c w r e n t s tended t o a c c u d a t e a t t h e mouth compounding t h e lack of scouring problem.
Although t h e exact r o l e i s not c l e a r l y urlderstood, a l t e r a t i o n of the mouth a s s o c i a t e d
with highway bridge c o n s t r u c t i o n may have f u r t h e r r e s t r i c t e d t h e t i d a l prism m d
thereby l i m i t e d beneficial. f l u s h i n g ac%io;lu Obviousl-y, problems a t t h e mauth of
Pescadero bkrsh a r e complex t o analyze o r solve. A thorough f e a s i b i l i t y study t o
achieve mouth opening i s required p r i o r t c ~development of 3 comprehensive marsh
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
cost p r o h i b i t i v e o r t a t z l l y i n f e a s i b l e , enhril~cenent of t h e wetland a s e s s e n t i a l l y a
freshwater atarsh can prcduce b e n e f i t s sto fish and w i l d l i f e , p r l r r ~ r i l ywater a s s o c i a t e d
bi.pds* I n l i g h t , of t h e Iri-rriited supply of healthy e s t u a r i n e sa1trar:;ll a r e a s , l o c a w *
preference nlay'oe &en t o r e s t o r a t i o n of t i d a l influence.

Recommendations
The following g e n e r a l rt?cornrrrendations a r e suggested t o adequately address n a t u r a l
resource p i a ~ n i n t ;issules of the Pescadero 13arsh are,?:
1, P r o h i b i t f d b h e z r development which 1:llaces increased demand on water supply
u n t i l such ii.riie a s comprelienisive water supply ~ l n duse pi.ar~sa r e d e v e l o ~ df o r
t h e e n t i r e watershed.
2. Conduct a. thorough hydrologic study of t h e watershed ~ 5 t hemphasis on e f f i c i e n t
utilicat,ior! of exisbing y i e l d s through d e t a i l e d knowledge of d i v e r s i c n s ( s e e
e ~ c l o s e t istrearn survey r e p o r t s ) , p~nnpingacti.vitLes, flooding p o t e n t i a l a s
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 .
3. Condizct a feasiSil.it-y. study f o r msdif-ying t h e mo'i?th and rna.in t i d a l channels
t o restore t i d a l f l u s h i n g and circi2.ation. I f dredghg i s required, environ-
rnenta1.I-y acceptab1.e methods of s p o i l s removal must be developed
I;. Limit p u ~ p i n gand. d i v e r s i o n s of freshwater t o m - h t a h m i z l i r n u ! ~ flows

~ and tr~rs'h
water l e v e l s d u r i n g c r i t i c a l periods (sprkig and f a l l ) f o r f i s h and w i l d l i f e e
5, P r o h i b i t .removal o r degradation of ri.pariari v e g e t a t i o n iri b u f f e r areas along
water courses througk~outt h e watershede
6 . Develop and irnple*wn'~e f f e c t i v e land use c o ~ v e r s i mstandards t o con-
t r o l sedimentation throughout t h e watershed with s p e c i a l emphasis on anadrornous
f i s h spawning and nursery areas i x ~t h e upper t r i b u t a r i e s a s web1 a s i

x agri-
c u l t u r a l a r e a s adjacent t o t h e marsh.
7. I n v e s t i . g a t e t h e fe n s i b i l i t , ~of u t i l i z i n g off stream s t o r a g e of water a>d/or
t r e a t e d o r reclai.r!;ed water t o suppl-emnt freshwater fl.ows i n t o t h e m r s h a s a
means of meet.ing t h e seasonal requirements of f i s h and w t i d l i f e . Coordination
w i t h %.heRegional Wa-ter Quality Coritrol Board i s e s s e n t i a l regarding t h e use
of treated o r reclaimed water.

8, Encourage a c y u i 5 i t i o n of r e w i n i n g wctklnd 2nd a s s o c i a t e d upland b u f f e r by a
public resource rg,ency t n cornplerient t h e existing S t a t e ?ark Preserve.
9. Coorclinate park deTreloprnent e;foA:; L o ensure compatibj-lity w i t h wetland f i s h
and rJs."i3dlifc v a l u e s . Access i n t o t h e rnsrsh must bc controll-ed t o prevent co~?-,
f l l c t ~w i t h water x s o c i a t e d b i r d l,zsting, feeding arid resting.;,

as w e l l 2s
ansdrsrr~ousfi,:h n ~ i g ~ a t i o lr i s
lo* Develop :i p'h? i c education program t o infomi c i - t i z e n s ( l c c a l and v i s i t o r s ) of
natural nd:;ource v~iues,col flieting uses arid th-: grc:ter t h a n l o c a l signifi-
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
WetBx.rids I"rlr;.tecticil F d l i c y , ieh:.ch c l e a r l y i n t e n d s t o ~ r o k e c t enhance c o a s t a l
-,cct2ar.&o, t h e DftparLment of' Fish and Garne wiX1. firml.~'seek t o prr;P,ect t h e Pescadero
I4arsl2 t ' a r a . q h t h e LC? process. D i r e c t i n p u t in%o the l a n d use element appears t o
oe t h e mo::,t effccsive m e c h ~ n i s i ?t o accomplish i s objective.
It i s hopcd t k a 3 .taris p p e r provides t h c b a s i c guidance f o r t h e e f f e c t i v e and
rati.mil development of San Mateo C o ~ u ~ t y LC?,

's A more comprehensive and d e t a i l e d
l,$fetlsncis report. on Pe::c~dero Iktrsh i s cus~entl-ybeing w r i t t e n and w5.U h e given t o
Sari Ebteo County's plc~mrlingdcpartri:znt as soon as it i s f i n i s h e d . A s additional
d a t a (1z;rd r.c\logi c a i d a t a , speci e s checklis-ts, eLc. ) Decornes avdihbze f o r the vr;.?tl.and
st Pesr3(19~o,the Departi-lent of F i s h and 2arne w - i l pro7ricle t h e e x p e d i s e f,o ev2,1~;3dLe

t h e i i f ~ r m a ' , i . ~ ;i .n terms or' i i s h , d l r l l i f e reso:rccs*
END OF FILE

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1968 Pescadero Creek (Book 3 of 5)

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PESCADERO CREEK

Date I n s t a l l e d : November 1, 1968

about 1%m i l e s e a s t of t h e town of Pescadero.

Purpose: Enumerate, s e x and measure l e n g t h s of upstream migrant a d u l t

w i r e f e n c e s t r e t c h i n g d i a g o n a l l y from back of t r a p t o halfway a c r o s s

stream. G r a v e l and d i r t berm a t dot7nstrearn edge of f e n c e c r e a t e s a

b a r r i e r t o f l o w s , f o r c i n g a l l streamflow through t r a p and fence. At

h i g h e r f l o w s , 3erm i s washed o u t , c r e a t i n g a new channel and r e l i e v i n g

flows through f e n c e and t r a p .

B. F i s h Trapped: F i r s t upstream m i g r a n t s v e r e t r a p p e d on December 11, 1968.

Dec. 15 t o 21: 13 precocious SH, 9 a d u l t SH, 1 g r i l s e .

Dec. 22 t o Dec. 28: 3 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 3 a d u l t SH.

Dec. 29, 1968 t o Jan. 4 , 1969 - 3 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 18 a d u l t SH.

Jan. 5 t o Jan. 11, 1969: 1 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 2 a d u l t SH.

/i / Jan. 11 t o Jan. 15, 1969: 1 p r e c o c i o u s SH, 5 a d u l t SH.

Pescadero Creek i s washout of f e n c e and f o r g r a v e l berm, c r e a t i n g bypasses

around t r a p and p e r m i t t i n g f i s h t o r a k e a n a l t e r n a t e m i g r a t i o n r o u t e up-

stream. The number of times washouts occurred and d a t e s t h e f i s h could

~ ", bypass t h e t r a p a r e enumerated below.

2) 3ec. 4 (eve) t o Dec. 13 - r'ence :;ashou?, Serm washout: i 2 Eish ~ r a p p e d ,

5) Dec. 3 1 t o Jan. 1 - Fence washout: 2 f i s h trapped.

6) 2an. 12 t o p r e s e n t - F e n c e , berm ??ashout: 6 fisH trapped.

Note t h a t even though t h e r e w e r e a l t e r n a t e n i g r a t i o n r o u t e s , f i s h rlere

s t i l l coming i n t o t r a p ; p e r c e n t a g e of f i s h t h a t b y p a s s e d t r a p .:as impossible

Dee. 30, 1968. An e s t i m a t e d 1 0 t o 12 f i s h were poached.

E. C r e e l Checks - C r e e l checks of s t e e l h e a d f i s h e r m e n v e r e made ~ . i h e n e v e r

possible. Below a r e r e s u l t s . N o t e t h a t t h e c r e e l c h e c k s v e r e spo-2 c h e c k s ,

A. hben manhours w e r e r e c o r d e d ( n e a r e s t 1/4 h o u r ) , i t was found t h a t a t o t a l

of 35.4 h o u r s w e r e f i s h e d p e r f i s h c a u g h t : Spent a n a v e r a g e o f 2.54 h o u r s ,

of .05 o r 1 / 2 0 t h f i s h / m a n ; 5 of t h e f i s h c a u g h t v e r e RT/SH, 13" o r s m a l l e r .

F. Length F r e q u e n c i e s : It ims found t h a t 36.6% of f i s h t r a p p e d - r e r e ir, the

14.0 t o 17.9 i n c h s i z e r a n g e and 36.6% :rere i n t h e 25.0 t o 23.9 i n c h s i z e

42% o f t h e f i s h 21" o r over v e r e -.ales.

(Note - Length Frequencies cf SiEvsr Salmon not recorded because c?

s m a l l count - Only 7 trapped t h u s f a r ) .

i n s t a l l e d next t o t h e f i s h trap. I s y e t , no c o r r e l a t i o n s have been

H. O p e r a t i o n s Suspended On morning o f &c. i 3 , h i g h flows down Tescadero

f e n c e and completely washed o u t berm. F l o ~ ~were

c.f.s. @ peak flows. Flows had receded by 1 4 t h , exposing t r a p and f e n c e ,

but :rap had s i l t e d i n and much of t h e f e n c e 57as e i t h e r s i l t e d i n o r

washed out. O p e r a t i o n w i l l b e suspended u n t i l flows have receded enough

t o permit c l e a n i n g of t r a p and r e b u i l d i n g of berm and f e n c e .

From Department of Fish and Game Region

Subject r J u v e n i l e S t e e l h e a d Sampling - Pescadero Creek, San Mateo County. August 25-

Pescad.ero c r e e k , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e P o r t o l a S t a t e P a r k and San Plateo County

The Department o f F i s h and Game h a s conducted s t u d i e s d e s i g n e d t o e v a l u a t e t h e

E i g h t s t a t i o n s , e a c h 100 f e e t long, were sampled i n t h e 16-mile s t r e t c h o f c r e e k

0 . 1 m i l e below P o r t o l a S t a t e Park Sewage P l a n t . 18.2

The o n l y salmonids recovered i n t h e sample a r e a s were j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d . F i s h

Assuming t h e a r e a s sampled a r e comparable t o t h e 30 m i l e s o f s t e e l h e a d spawning

The sampling program i n d i c a t e d a f a i r l y l a r g e p o p u l a t i o n o f j u v e n i l e s t e e l h e a d

Reference: Seber, G . A . F. and E . D. Le Cren

SUMMARY OF THE FESCADERO CREEK FISH SAMPLING STUDY

Date : 8/25 8/26 9/ I

From : Department of Fish and Game - Menlo Park

On August 8, 1978, Central Fishery District personnel electroshocked

A malfunction in the electroshocker limited collection and representa-

Species Nuabers FL Range (in.)

Observations were made on Pescadero Creek in San Mateo County Memorial

Attachment: Pescedero N o r t h e r n c a l i f o r ~ i zCouncil o f

QUSSTION? 'Iihat i s t h e s t a t u s of 6iA 247881

Pescadero Present Future Ultimate

October 0.9 1.9 2.8 2.5 3.4 3.1 4.0

December 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.9 1.2