The power of excluding cattle and restoring creeks, mixed with the tincture of time, creates native habitat refuge for wildlife and cleanses the water of excessive sediment, pathogens and nutrients.

Eleven years ago, SPAWN embarked on a project to improve water quality on a creek that runs into Lagunitas Creek, which is home to California’s most important run of wild coho salmon, an endangered species.

The ephemeral creek (ephemeral streams only run for a short time after a storm event) captures runoff off of Golden Gate Recreation Area lands, on leased cattle pasture, in the ghost town of Tocaloma, CA.

With a small grant for CA Fish & Wildlife and a lot of volunteers helping, SPAWN erected a cattle exclusion fence 30 feet from the sides of the creek, with a small pass-through to allow cattle to move from one side to the other.

We set about restoring the riparian zone with willow stakes, and native grasses, sedges, rushes and trees.

Here is what it looked like before we began in 2014:

The barren and eroded ephemeral stream bed, dry in summer months,had virtually no vegetation the except non-native European grasses originally for planted for cattle fodder.

Intern Jeremy Rich, Watershed Conservation Director Preston Brown, and longtime volunteer Mel Wright erect a cattle exclusion fence hundreds of feet up the canyon.

SPAWN executive director, Todd Steiner, delivers willow stakes for planting.

2017:  A couple of years later, willow stakes are a couple of feet tall and line of banks of the creek.

By 2025, willows and oaks dominate the riparian zone with a healthy understory of native grasses, sedges and rushes.  This vegetation filters out sediment, pathogens and nutrients before they enter Lagunitas Creek, and creates a sheltered corridor for bobcat, mountain lions, coyotes and foxes.

These photos allow us to see what a restored native landscape can look like, and allow us to imagine how much more re-wilding can be accomplished to create a healthy ecosystem for all living things.  All we need is a bit more work and the tincture of time.

The Lagunitas Creek Floodplain and Riparian Restoration Project was proposed by SPAWN to support improvements to riparian ecosystem function and address limiting factors for coho salmon and other listed species in Lagunitas Creek.

The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) recently completed our Year 1 Post-Construction Monitoring Report for the Lagunitas Floodplain Restoration Phase I. 

The Lagunitas Creek Floodplain and Riparian Restoration Project was proposed by SPAWN to support improvements to riparian ecosystem function and address limiting factors for coho salmon and other listed species in Lagunitas Creek. The focus area of the project is a one-mile stretch of Lagunitas Creek, including the former towns of Tocaloma and Jewell on the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). This reach of Lagunitas Creek has been impacted by historic residential development, encroachment from highways and railways, and watershed changes from a regulated flow regime and upstream dams.

The goals of the Lagunitas Floodplain and Riparian Restoration Project are to reconnect Lagunitas Creek with the historic floodplain to 1) create complex off-channel habitats that address limiting factors for Coho survival, 2) increase large wood volumes and expand floodplain areas to meet targets of the Lagunitas sediment TMDL, and 3) improve overall riparian health and create habitats for other listed species.

The report includes a summary of monitoring methods, results, and analysis concerning important areas of focus that act as indicators to gauge the success and impact of the project. These topics include:

• Floodplain Inundation
• Side Channel Activation Patterns
• Sediment Metering
• Salmonid Habitat Suitability
• Large Woody Debris Accumulation
• Riparian Revegetation

Click here to read the report. 

By Bryce King, Habitat Restoration Intern

SPAWN is conducting substrate classification, embeddedness, and scour chain studies to gauge the current redd habitat value for salmonids in Lagunitas Creek.

The Salmon Protection And Watershed Network, or SPAWN, is conducting substrate classification, embeddedness, and scour chain studies to gauge the current redd habitat value for salmonids. The project methods are repeatable so that data collected can be compared over multiple years to better inform restoration practices along Lagunitas Creek.

Salmonids prefer to spawn (lay eggs) along riffle crests where the stream bed is made up of golf ball to fist-sized gravel. Transects have been selected at potential redds within SPAWN’s project sites as well as outside project boundaries where we have begun classifying substrate sizes. Sizes of substrate are expected to change as a direct result of our restoration efforts to expand floodplains, but it is also likely that changes will occur along the main stem of the creek as the creek adjusts to its new route. We want to better understand the redd habitat value already in the creek as well as the effects of our projects on substrate sizes as these interactions are incredibly complex and difficult to anticipate with even the best riparian models.

Embeddedness is the degree at which the larger substrate is surrounded by fine grained particles like sand, silt, or clay. Simply having golf ball to fist sized substrate is not enough to declare that Lagunitas Creek has viable redd habitat. There has to be space between the substrate to allow water flow to provide oxygen for salmonid eggs as well as living spaces for benthic macro invertebrates. BMI’s occupy a very important role in riparian ecosystems and are one of the primary energy sources of young salmonids. Embeddedness surveys have been conducted along the same transects as the substrate classification studies so that we can understand more about current habitat value as well as our projects’ effects.

Scour occurs when storms or other erosive events remove substrate from the stream bed and take that material downstream. This is a natural part of any riparian ecosystem but can be tipped out of balance by creek channelization, flashier run-off events, and starving streams of sediment. Unfortunately, Lagunitas Creek is plagued by all of those as a result of decades of creekside hardscape and the damming of its upper reaches. Extreme scour events can remove substrate and release eggs downstream killing any hopes of having a good hatching year for salmonids. Measuring these events is not as simple as getting elevations though, because the stream is constantly depositing material as well as removing it. The linked document goes into more detail about project background, methods, and data collection for those that are interested to continue learning about redd habitats.

Understanding more about current conditions can better inform methods on how to move forward with restoration projects. SPAWN is hopeful that these surveys will be able to increase the effectiveness of future projects along Lagunitas Creek and increase data sharing among restoration agencies.

Linked Documents & Resources:

Substrate Classification, Embeddedness, and Scour Chain Surveys of Known Coho Spawning Habitat Along Lagunitas Creek

Photo by Harry McGrath

In late October, SPAWN used visual observation and underwater cameras to record endangered California freshwater shrimp using habitats specifically designed for them, which could be the first time!

California freshwater shrimp (Syncaris pacifica) are an extremely rare species in danger of extinction that are endemic to perennial freshwater streams in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties north of the San Francisco Bay, California. Marin’s Lagunitas and Olema Creeks are home to the most viable population of the shrimp and are the only sites on protected lands.

SPAWN’s recently completed restoration project along a one-mile stretch of Lagunitas Creek was designed to improve habitat for a myriad of wildlife species, including these 10-legged crustaceans. SPAWN built specially-made habitat structures out of coconut logs and live willow poles tied together along the bottom of a stream bank—a low-tech structure that mimics an undercut bank. This habitat is designed to provide protected cover from high flows and predators, while allowing the live willow roots to spread and create intricate spaces of living tissue that the shrimp rely on to feed. The natural coconut logs will eventually decompose and the long-term habitat will be a large willow forest perched on the bottom of the stream bank with a deep undercut bank.

“People have been trying to replicate shrimp habitats before with no success,” said Director of Watershed Conservation Preston Brown. “This might be the first time shrimp have been seen utilizing habitats specifically for them.”

This summer, the National Parks Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife began surveying lower Lagunitas Creek tributaries for endangered California freshwater shrimp for the first time in 15 years to identify any changes in the abundance and distribution of shrimp in Marin County’s shallow streams. Based on preliminary surveys, it appears that California freshwater shrimp have expanded their range throughout Olema Creek, and numbers have increased significantly relative to where they were 15 years ago.

Follow SPAWN’s work to protect endangered California freshwater shrimp by signing up for our emails.

The SPAWN team finishes breaching the Jewell site in October.

In October, SPAWN completed the second phase of our floodplain and riparian restoration project at the ghost town of Jewell in Northern California, re-creating floodplain wetlands along Lagunitas Creek to help recover key populations of endangered Central California Coast coho salmon.

The first step in restoring the floodplain at Jewell involved removing remnants of abandoned structures and hauling out 6,000 cubic yards of fill to carve out new channels. The next step was installing large woody debris at strategic locations. Seeding of native grasses and perennials along with installing erosion-control fabric began in mid-September. And finally, when the rains begin, SPAWN staff, interns, students at partner schools, and volunteers will plant several thousand native plants and plugs grown by SPAWN’s Native Plant Nursery directly on the site.

Town remnants were removed before restoration began.

Native plants provide multiple benefits to aquatic species. Water temperature is one of the most critical factors in salmonid incubation and development, and trees provide shade to keep temperatures cool in the summer. Vegetation also helps to stabilize banks, preventing fine sediment accumulation in the stream, which is another critical factor for spawning (laying eggs) as adult females need gravel beds to lay their eggs.

Many native plants such as willows attract insects—the dietary staple of juvenile coho—to the water. Vegetated corridors improve water quality by filtering pollutants from stormwater before it flows into the nearest body of water, provide protection from flooding by slowing water velocity down, and help recharge groundwater by infiltrating water back into the ground.

A Stellar’s jay sits on a native willow next to a row of shrimp structures at the Tocaloma site.

SPAWN began the first phase of the restoration project in August 2018 by removing 13,000 cubic yards of dumped fill from the Tocaloma floodplain, creating new seasonal and perennial side channels. The channels held up well during the stormy winter months, and spring began with the sight of meadow barley spreading across the floodplain, scores of juvenile fish, and endangered California freshwater shrimp in specially-made shrimp structures.

In addition to growing plants which provide bank stabilization, SPAWN’s nursery is focused on growing plants that provide direct benefits to all wildlife species that utilize the riparian corridor. Many of the plant species selected for both Tocaloma and Jewell provide benefits for multiple species of wildlife.

Staff, interns, and volunteers of the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network help plant native plants on the Tocaloma site

For example, creek dogwood has adventitious roots systems that provide food and cover for the endangered California freshwater shrimp, flowers which provide nectar for a variety of pollinators, and a berry which is coveted by many species of birds. Creek dogwood is also the host plant for the spring azure butterfly and many species of moths. Other plants added to the Tocaloma floodplain such as California aster, yarrow, and grass-leaved goldenrod provide nectar to many species of butterflies including the endangered Western monarch.

The project has been made possible through funding and support by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Water Resources Control Board, Environmental Protection Agency, State Coastal Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the members of Turtle Island Restoration Network, which is the parent organization of SPAWN.

The project has also been made possible from the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers and students who help grow native plants in our nursery, plant trees and plants, and maintain the restoration sites. Thank you for your support!

Follow SPAWN’s habitat restoration projects throughout the Lagunitas Creek Watershed by signing up for our emails. 

SPAWN’s project aims to recover a lost floodplain that has been buried under dirt that was dumped in the creek corridor decades ago to build the village of Jewell.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2019

Press Contacts: Preston Brown, (303) 877-0880, preston@seaturtles.org
Audrey Fusco, (415) 845-4791, audrey@seaturtles.org
Todd Steiner, (415) 488-7652, tsteiner@seaturtles.org

Slow Down to Glimpse Ecological Restoration on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard

Work begins to save Lagunitas Creek’s Coho salmon

OLEMA—The Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), a program of the national environmental organization Turtle Island Restoration Network, started work this week to improve habitat for endangered salmon on Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands along Lagunitas Creek.

The restoration will reconstruct destroyed floodplain wetlands in the ghost town of Jewell, located just downstream of Samuel P. Taylor State Park between Lagunitas Creek and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The project builds off the successful first phase of the project, which occurred a mile downstream in 2018 and saw the removal of more than 13,000 cubic yards of dumped fill and abandoned structures from the ghost town of Tocaloma.

“There is no doubt that the first part of the project is working. We’re seeing many positive results, with wildlife including juvenile Coho recognizing it as new habitat, utilizing the new off-channel areas to survive heavy storms and find insect prey,” said Director of Watershed Conservation Preston Brown. “We’re excited to work with Point Reyes National Seashore, California Fish & Wildlife, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Coastal Conservancy, and hundreds of our local supporters to improve critical habitat for endangered Coho salmon.”

The project aims to recover a lost floodplain that has been buried under dirt that was dumped in the creek corridor decades ago to build the village of Jewell. The project will remove 6,000 cubic yards of fill, concrete, and construction rubble, add several pieces of large woody debris, and create critical side-channel habitats for Coho salmon and other endangered species. The derelict buildings were removed by the National Park Service in 2016.

Several thousand native plants SPAWN has been growing in their native plant nursery will also be added to the area, from around 100 species selected specifically for this spot on Lagunitas Creek.

“Our plants are healthy and ready to go thanks to the volunteer power of thousands of community members that have nurtured the plants over the past few years,” said Audrey Fusco, plant ecologist and native plant nursery manager. “Many students and volunteers will help with planting on the site this upcoming winter, helping to improve habitat for many species of wildlife in addition to Coho, protect biological diversity, and fight climate change.”

In addition to ensuring Coho return to the landscape for generations to come, the project will provide benefits to several endangered species and improve water quality.

“Restoring the floodplain along the creek will re-create the large, dynamic wetland with off-channels, alcoves, and numerous large woody debris structures—all elements that Coho salmon critically need for recovery,” said Executive Director Todd Steiner. “These habitats will create slow off-channel areas that are commonly seen in undeveloped pristine waterways that provide spawning, feeding, and rearing habitat for fish and other threatened wildlife including California freshwater shrimp and California red-legged frog. Future generations of fish, frogs and people will benefit from this work.”

Turtle Island Restoration Network is a leading ocean and marine wildlife conservation non-profit. Its program, the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), protects endangered, wild Coho salmon and the forests and watersheds they need to survive in West Marin County, California. Learn more at www.seaturtles.org/salmon.

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Click on the images for high-resolution versions:

Also see:

State Grant Will Improve Habitat for Salmon on National Park Lands

Restoration Activates Channels and Floodplains in Lagunitas Creek this Winter

Before-and-After Photos Show Impressive Progress of Lagunitas Creek Restoration

Dam Release, Rain Brings Flowing Water to Floodplain Side Channel for First Time

Tocaloma Restoration Project: Phase 1 Complete!

Massive Lagunitas Creek Restoration Breaks Ground to Benefit Endangered Salmon

Recovering a Lost Floodplain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2019

Press Contacts: Preston Brown, Watershed Conservation Director, (303) 877-0880, preston@seaturtles.org
Audrey Fusco, Native Plant Nursery Manager, (415) 845-4790, audrey@seaturtles.org
Todd Steiner, Executive Director, (415) 488-7652, tsteiner@seaturtles.org

The Salmon Protection And Watershed Network was awarded more than $500,000 for the second phase of their floodplain restoration project. The project builds off the successful first phase of the project, which occurred a mile downstream in 2018 and saw the removal of more than 13,000 cubic yards of dumped fill and abandoned structures from the ghost town of Tocaloma.

OLEMA — The Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), a program of the national environmental organization Turtle Island Restoration Network, was awarded a competitive grant on Monday to improve habitat for endangered salmon on Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands along Lagunitas Creek.

The award, totaling $593,040, was one of 38 grants awarded statewide, and the only grant awarded for work in Marin County for multi-benefit ecosystem restoration and protection projects under California Department of Fish and Wildlife Proposition 1 and Proposition 68 round of grant programs.

The award is for the ‘Lagunitas Creek Floodplain Restoration for Coho Recovery, Phase II’ project, designed to reconstruct destroyed floodplain wetlands in the ghost town of Jewell, located just downstream of Samuel P. Taylor State Park between Lagunitas Creek and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. The project builds off the successful first phase of the project, which occurred a mile downstream in 2018 and saw the removal of more than 13,000 cubic yards of dumped fill and abandoned structures from the ghost town of Tocaloma.

“The goal of this project is to ensure Coho salmon remain part of our landscape for generations to come,” said Preston Brown, SPAWN’s watershed conservation director. “In addition, the project will restore the wild and dynamic nature of Lagunitas Creek and provide benefits to several endangered species and improve water quality.”

The project aims to recover a lost floodplain that has been buried under dirt that was dumped in the creek corridor decades ago to build the village of Jewell. The project will remove 6,000 cubic yards of fill, concrete, and construction rubble, add several pieces of large woody debris, replace non-native invasive plants with native species, and create critical side-channel habitats for coho salmon and other endangered species. The derelict buildings were removed by the National Park Service in 2016.

“We are excited to add several thousand native plants to the area that we have been growing in our native plant nursery, from around 100 species which we have chosen specifically for this amazing spot on Lagunitas Creek,” said Audrey Fusco, SPAWN’s plant ecologist and native plant nursery manager. “Our plants are healthy and ready to go thanks to the volunteer power of thousands of community members that have nurtured the plants for the past few years. Many of these students and volunteers will help with the planting this upcoming winter. This project will improve habitat for many species of wildlife in addition to Coho, fight climate change, and protect biological diversity.”

“Restoring the floodplain along the creek will re-create the large, dynamic wetland with off-channels, alcoves, and numerous large woody debris structures—all elements that Coho salmon critically need for recovery,” said Todd Steiner, executive director of Turtle Island Restoration Network. “These habitats will create slow off-channel areas that are commonly seen in undeveloped pristine waterways that provide spawning, feeding, and rearing habitat for fish and other threatened wildlife including California freshwater shrimp and California red-legged frog.”

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Turtle Island Restoration Network is a leading ocean and marine wildlife conservation non-profit. Its program, the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), protects endangered, wild Coho salmon and the forests and watersheds they need to survive in West Marin County, California. Learn more at www.seaturtles.org/salmon.

Also see:

Restoration Activates Channels and Floodplains in Lagunitas Creek this Winter

Before-and-After Photos Show Impressive Progress of Lagunitas Creek Restoration

Dam Release, Rain Brings Flowing Water to Floodplain Side Channel for First Time

Tocaloma Restoration Project: Phase 1 Complete!

Massive Lagunitas Creek Restoration Breaks Ground to Benefit Endangered Salmon

Recovering a Lost Floodplain