Subregions of the Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregion
This is a work in progress.
The Santa Cruz Mountains are that part of the Outer Coast Range that extends from the Golden Gate on the north down to the Pajaro River to the South and from The San Francisco Bay and Santa Clara Valley on the East to the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay to the West. It includes all of the area, all of the watersheds, within these geographic boundaries. It extends from the ridge tops down to the alluvial fans, brackish/saltwater
lagoons, marshes, mud flats and coastal intertidal zones.
When looking at a map of the Santa Cruz Mountains it appears that the mountains are like a peninsula stretching out from the “mainland” connection to the Loma Prieta/Santa Clara Valley area. They are divided east and west by the Skyline-Loma Prieta Ridge that roughly follows the San Andreas Fault Zone. This peninsula is surrounded on three sides by similar but different marine environments. These marine environments near the Northern California offshore upwelling zone produce vast amounts nutrient rich cold water as well as seasonal fog, which in turn is largely responsible for the extensive amount of coastal redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The watersheds to the west and southwest of the San Andreas fault and this Skyline-Loma Prieta Ridge divide, drain mostly into the Pacific open coast Ocean and the Pacific Monterey Bay respectively. To the east of the fault they flow primarily into the San Francisco Bay Estuary and the Santa Clara Valley Guadalupe watershed. The Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregion can be divided into four subregions based upon these geographic and watershed characteristics.
Each of these sub regions can be broken down into sub watersheds of that regions. (This section of our subregion is still evolving and incomplete.) There is a proposed basic matrix of how to look at and compare watrsheds used for each watershed. (see below) There are individuals on some watersheds that have been working on these issues of bioregional description, awareness, and protection for many decades. Other watersheds. are not well described or actively protected. They do not have a bioregional watershed advocate or protector yet. Contributions to this part of our web site and Santa Cruz Mountains Institutes are welcome for information and networking. Please contact Fred Mc Pherson to make contributions to the information about your watershed bioregion. Please add date and author of your contribution. Thanks.
Information about the Natural History and Resource Management issues and solutions is evolving rapidly with digital technology. There is a part of each subregion that has a list of current URL on these topics that may be helpful and useful. If you have information or sites that should be added ( or deleted) from this list, please Contact Fred Mc Pherson.
Subregions
Northwest – Pacific Open Coast Subregion
The open coast watersheds flow into the Pacific Ocean and they are more strongly influenced by the coastal currents, upwelling, fog and storms that come in from the Pacific Ocean. The oceans influence diminishes with distance from the coast and elevation. Many of the larger streams and rivers form seasonal coastal lagoon ecosystems. This open coast area is generally cooler than inland locations on the eastern side of the peninsula. The coastal currents and fog play a large role in the distribution of the animals and vegetation found in these areas. It starts at about the Golden Gate/Baker Beach/Presidio area in San Francisco and down the coast to about the Wilder State Park/Younger Lagoon Watersheds north of Santa Cruz, which roughly mark the northern end of the Monterey Bay and the southern end of the coastal riparian vegetation. Temperatures near the coast are generally mild and daily and seasonal fluctuations are low.
Watersheds of the Northwest Open Coast
The following are the major watersheds of the Nowthwest subregion of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Starting at the Golden Gate and moving southward.
Lobos Creek Watershed
(Proposed matrix for each watershed descriptions FMc. The same descriptive matrix is proposed for all watersheds, expanded here but not expanded for all of the other listed watersheds)
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Lake Merced/ West Basin Aquifer
Physical Components
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
The lake Merced area and the area that stretches back from there over toward the S.F. Airport is very interesting because of the underlying fault fractures that make it into a very unique area for collecting and storing water. It is usually refered to as the West Basin Aquifer rather than a watershed in the regular sence.
Laguna Salada ? (Sharp Park) Lake Merced
Calera Creek Watershed
San Pedro Creek Watershed
(Brooks Creek, South Fork San Pedro Creek, Middle Fork San Pedro Creek )
Point Montara Creek ?
San Vicente Creek Watershed
Dennison Creek Watershed
Frenchmans Creek Watershed
Pilarcitos Creek Watershed
Purisima Creek Watershed
Lobitos Creek Watershed
Tunitas Creek Watershed
San Gregorio Creek Watershed
(Clear Creek, and ? to LaHonda Creek)
Pomponio Creek Watershed
Butano Creek Watershed
Pescedero Creek Watershed
(Should this be part of the Butano Creek Watershed, or separate at Pescadero Marsh? )
Arroyo de los Frijoles Watershed
(Lake Lucerne)
Gazos Creek Watershed
Whitehouse Creek Watershed
Cascade Creek Watershed
Green Oaks Creek Watershed
(Santa Cruz County)
Ano Nuevo Watershed
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Other land uses in the watershed include residential and agricultural land uses.
Finney Creek Watershed
Elliot Creek Watershed
Waddell Creek
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
The Waddell Creek watershed drains an area of approximately 27 square miles and is comprised by Las Chance Creek, the two major tributaries of Waddell Creek, East Waddell and West Waddell, and numerous unnamed tributaries. East Waddell Creek is fed by Blooms Creek, Sempervirens Creek, Maddocks Creek, Rogers Creek, Opal Creek, and Union Creek. West Waddell is fed by Henry Creek and Berry Creek. This watershed is located in the northwestern portion of the County along the border of San Mateo County. The watershed covers an area of approximately 10 square miles. The headwaters of this watershed begin in Santa Cruz County but empty into the Bay along the San Mateo coastline. State Park is present in the eastern portion of the watershed.
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities: Red Alder, Black Cottonwood and Box Elder are the dominant riparian vegetation on Wadell Creek. (No Western Sycamore or White Alders)
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species: Pacific Pond turtles
13. Extinct plants and animals: Grizzly Bears
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history: . Big Basin State Park constitutes the majority of land cover in the watershed with small pockets of rural residential and agricultural use near the coast. . Land use is predominantly agriculture with small strips of parkland along the coast as well as some residential areas.
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Swanton Bluffs Watershed
Swanton Bluffs is a small watershed adjacent to the Scotts Creek and Waddell Creek watersheds. The watershed is approximately five square miles, and is comprised of two unnamed streams
Scotts Creek
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Scotts Creek watershed encompasses a 39 square mile watershed in northern Santa Cruz County. Big Creek and Little Creek are the major tributaries to Scotts Creek. Smaller tributaries include Queseria Creek, Berry Creek, Boyer Creek, Dead Man’s Gulch, Winter Creek, Mill Creek, Archibald Creek, and numerous unnamed streams and creeks. Principal land uses in the watershed include agriculture and timber, industrial use (particularly in the vicinity of lands held by Lockheed-Martin), residential use, and recreation. The stream provides salmonid habitat for both spawning and rearing anadromous salmonids. Coho salmon spawn naturally in Scotts Creek, making it the only major stream south of San Francisco where this occurs. Serious aggradation has occurred in the lower reaches of Scotts Creek resulting in accelerated sedimentation that threatens to impair critical spawning habitat of the coho and steelhead. Invasive and exotic plant species such as French broom (Genista monspessulana), Cape ivy (Senecio mikanioides) and other nonnative invasive species are also a problem and are present throughout the riparian corridors of the watershed.
Molino Creek Watershed (Davenport)
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Molino Creek or Davenport watershed is located between Scotts Creek and San Vicente and drains an area of approximately 8 square miles, Molino Creek and several unnamed creeks comprise this watershed. Major land uses in this area include agriculture and mountain residential commercial and residential uses in the town of Davenport.
Agua Puerta Creek Watershed
San Vicente Creek Watershed
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
The San Vicente watershed drains an area of approximately 14 square miles and is comprised of San Vicente Creek fed by Mill Creek and several unnamed tributaries. Land use in the watershed is predominantly residential with 2 quarries located on Mill Creek and on one of the unnamed tributaries to San Vicente Creek. There is also a small pocket of agricultural land along the coast.
Liddell Creek Watershed
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
The Liddell Creek watershed drains and area of approximately 8 square miles and is comprised of Liddell Creek, West Liddell Creek, and Yellow Bank Creek. Land use in the watershed is predominantly agriculture (about 60%) with the remainder comprised of mountainous residential areas.
Laguna Creek Watershed
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
The Laguna Creek watershed drains an area of approximately 8 square miles and is comprised of Laguna Creek, Reggiardo Creek, and several unnamed streams. Approximately half of the land use in the watershed is agriculture with the remaining area comprised of residential and resource conservation uses.
Majors Creek Watershed
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Majors watershed is located between the Laguna and Baldwin Wilder watersheds. It drains an area of approximately 5 square miles and is comprised of Majors Creek and three unnamed tributaries. Land use is predominantly parkland with the remainder comprised by rural residential and a small area of agricultural production.
Baldwin Wilder Watershed
The Baldwin Wilder watershed is located just south of and adjacent to Majors watershed and the San Lorenzo River watershed. It drains an area of approximately 20 square miles and is comprised of Baldwin Creek, Lombardi Gulch, Sandy Flat Gulch, Old Dairy Gulch, Wilder Creek (Peasley Gulch, Adams Creek, and Cave Gulch). The majority of the watershed is comprised of Wilder Ranch State Park with some agriculture along the coast and a quarry along Old Dairy Gulch.
Moore Creek (Younger Lagoon Reserve?) Watershed
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Physical Component description and illustrating photos
1. Approximate size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Moore Creek starts on the west side of the UCSC campus and travels through (maybe the Arboretum) Meader Street reserve, by Antoelli Pond (old logging pond) and down through Natural Bridges State Park. This is approximately where the Monterey Bay begins and the coastal red alder black cotton wood riparian communities give way to the white alder, black cotton wood, western Sycamore riparian community.
What about Jordan Creek, that also starts up on the UCSC campus and comes down ____ st. to the Springs area?
Northwest - Open Coast URLs
About the Parks Conservancy :: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, near San Jose, California
California Coastal Records Project -- Aerial Photographs of the California Coastline
Eggs and More « SF Natural History Series
Fort Point National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Cliff House & Sutro Baths (U.S. National Park Service)
MONARCH CLUSTER-16x9 streaming.mov - YouTube
Native Plant Information :: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Pacifica Shorebird Alliance - Home
Pedro Point Headlands (PPH) - a set on Flickr
Preliminary Plant List for the Pedro Point Headlands with photographs
Presidio Habitats Exhibition - Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco - Presidio Historical Association
Presidio of San Francisco (Presidio Trust) – Official Site
Presidio of San Francisco (U.S. National Park Service)
San Bruno Mountain Watch: Home - Home
San Francisco Nature Education
Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Tasting- Northern California Wineries- Half Moon Bay Vineyards
USF in the Presidio: A Lecture Series - Presidio of San Francisco
Welcome to Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Activities
Western Snowy Plover - Sharing the Beach
Yerba Buena Chapter of the California Native Plant Society
Northeast - San Francisco Bay Subregion
This area is more sheltered from coastal storms and generally has a warmer, milder climate. Although the San Francisco Bay is a marine environment, it is an estuary with seasonal flows of fresh water entering into it from the watersheds on the eastern slopes of the Skyline/Loma Prieta Ridge. This results in its distinctive brackish water ecosystem. The San Francisco Bay covers an area of about 78 square miles and is the largest stretch of coastal salt marsh on the Pacific Coast. It has a moderating effect on the climate close to the water. Movement of air and water currents through the Golden Gate greatly affects this area as well as fog flows over gaps in the Santa Cruz Mountains. These factors also influence the distribution of plants and animals. The Eastern terrestrial boundary of the mountains is usually considered to be the Guadalupe River and begins at Alviso where the Guadalupe River enters the Bay.
There is, of course, a resulting overlap and transition between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay at the north end of our mountains in the City of San Francisco. That is one of the reasons that this is such a beautiful, picturesque, and scenic city. This quadrant extends from about the Golden Gate to the Guadalupe Watershed.
A wonderful KQED educational video by the name of Saving the Bay was made and aired on KQED in 2013. The original 1 hour, 32 minutes video can be purchased from KQED and on Amazon It is also available on YouTube broken up into 26 smaller videos. This series is an excellent way to get to know more about the natural history and land use history of the N.E. San Francisco quadrant of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It can be seen starting with episode #1 at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsxQMgKnClY&list=PL0AAA2B9B3E9F6AB3&indexNarrated by Robert Redford narrates Saving the Bay explores the history of one of America's greatest natural resources: San Francisco Bay. The series traces the Bay from its geologic origins following the last Ice Age through years of catastrophic exploitation to restoration efforts of today. Saving the Bay educational resources were created with input from local educators that teach about San Francisco Bay. Twenty-six video segments were selected from Saving the Bay that align with the work of Bay Area informal education organizations and correlate with California content standards in science and history / social science for grades 4--12. For more information, go to: http://www.savingthebay.org/ Presented by KQED Public Media.
Watersheds of the Northeast-San Francisco Bay
San Andreas (San Andreas Lake and Crystal Springs reservoir)
San Bruno Creek Watershed
Coloma Creek Creek Watershed
San Francisquito Creek Watershed
Physical Components
1. Approximate Size of the watershed:
2. Approximate. Length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the Watershed (Watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (Hydrology):
7. Water Quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the Water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-Use History:
16. % of River/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature Centers (Places where it can still be seen and studied): 1)Stanford's Jasper Ridge Nature Preserve.
2) There are Riparian Monitoring stations set up along this Creek.
20. References:
"San Francisquito Creek: Our Natural Resource."
Rigney, Theresa E.. 1993. Citizens Water Quality Monitoring of Urban Creeks. 169 pp.
Rigney, Michael. 1993 Citizen Monitoring/Stream Inventory, Santa Clara County, California
21. Resources (People, helpful organizations, etc.): Mike Rigney, and Jim Johnson San Francisquito Creek CRMP group
Permanente Creek,
Stevens Creek,
Calabazas Creek
San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek watershed
Adobe Creek (Including Matadero Creek/Barron Creeks)
(These drain the northeast and east facing slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, originating on the east side of Skyline Boulevard (State Highway 35). Each of these creeks flow across the western portion of Santa Clara Valley to the Baylands bordering the west and southwest sides of San Francisco Bay.
From Wikipedia 3/2014. Matadero Creek is a stream originating in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The creek flows in a northeasterly direction for 8 miles (13 km) until it enters the Palo Alto Flood Basin, then joins Adobe Creek at the north end of the Mayfield Slough before culminating in southwest San Francisco Bay. Matadero Creek begins in the city of Los Altos Hills, then traverses the Stanford University lands and Palo Alto.
Saratoga Creek
(includes: Guadalupe Slough, San Thomas Aquino Creek, Smith Creek, Wildcat creek, Booker Creek, Calabazas Creek, Rodeo creek, Sunnyvale East channel, Sunnyvale West channel)
Physical Components
Permanente Creek
Guadalupe Creek Watershed
(Includes: Alviso Slough, Campbell Creek?, Los Gatos Creek,Trout Creek, Hendly's Creek, Ross Creek, Pheasant Creek, Rincon Creek, Herbert Creek, Golf Creek, Lexington Reservoir, Calero Resovoir, Almaden Reservoir, Vasona Reservoir, Alamitos Creek)
The Guadalupe River watershed drains the north facing slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the southern end of the Santa Clara Valley. The Guadalupe River flows north through the valley and into the south end of San Francisco Bay via Alviso Slough. It is the second largest watershed in the Santa Clara Basin.
Northeast - San Francisco Bay URLs
[ Acterra: Stewardship: Native Plant Nursery ]
[ Acterra: Stewardship: Restoration Projects: Watershed Program ]
Alcatraz Island (U.S. National Park Service)
Artist Finds Graphic History at the Farallones — Bay Nature
Center for Conservation Biology | Department of Biology
Committee for Green Foothills: Home
Guide to SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CREEKS
Guadalupe River King Salmon Spawn Nov 14, 2011.mov - YouTube
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/JRBP/annualreport/AR2003.pdf
Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
Overview of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve
Presidio of San Francisco (Presidio Trust) – Official Site
San Bruno Mountain Watch: Home - Home
San Bruno Mountain Watch: Home - Northeast Ridge Videos
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
San Francisco Nature Education
Stevens & Permanente Creeks Watershed Council
Site Characterization Information
Stevens & Permanente Creeks Watershed Council
Sutro Stewards - San Francisco’s Favorite Outdoor Volunteer Program
The State of the Birds 2011 San Francisco Bay - The State of the Birds San Francisco Bay 2011
Southwest - Monterey Bay Subregion
As the land turns inward into the Monterey Bay at the southern end of Ben Lomond Mountain, the climate gets warmer than the open coast and we find the northern-most coastal distribution of plants like the western sycamore. Rainfall can still be abundant in the upper watersheds of the Monterey Bay and fog is common in the spring and summer months. The presence of the Monterey Bay Marine Canyon just off shore has a major effect on the weather, ocean currents and distribution of biodiversity. Most of this area is on the western side of the San Andreas fault zone which is a right-lateral strike-slip. This movement along the fault northward in relation to the rest of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the North American Continent brought with it unique geological granitic and metamorphic formations like limestone (Karst topography) as well as the unique Santa Margarita Sandstone sand hills, and there rare endemic plants and animals.
Watersheds of the Southwest Monterey Bay
San Lorenzo River Watershed
The San Lorenzo River is a 138 square mile watershed located in northern Santa Cruz County. It is the largest watershed lying completely within Santa Cruz County. Originating in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the watershed consists of a 25-mile long main stem and 9 principal tributaries that include the following (with associated smaller waterways shown in parentheses: Branciforte (Glen Canyon Creek, Redwood Creek, Granite Creek, Crystal Creek, Tie Gulch, and Blackburn Gulch), Carbonera (Camp Evans Creek and several unnamed streams), Zayante (Lompico Creek, Mill Creek, and Mountain Charlie Gulch), Bean, Fall, Newell (Loch Lomond Reservoir), Bear (Hopkins Gulch, whalebone Gulch, Deer Creek, Connely Gulch, and Shear Creek), Boulder (Foreman Creek, Silver Creek, Pea Vine Creek, Bracken Brae Creek, Jamison Creek, and Hare Creek), and Kings Creeks (Logan’s Creek). Smaller creeks and waterways include Powder Mill Creek, Eagle Creek, Gold Gulch, Shingle Mill Creek, Bull Creek, Bennett Creek (Fall Creek and South Fall Creek), Mason Creek, Love Creek (Smith Creek and Fritch Creek), Hubbard Gulch, Alba Creek, Clear Creek, Malosky Creek, Spring Creek Gulch, Two Bar Creek, Spring Creek, and numerous unnamed streams and creeks. The watershed includes the cities and communities of Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond, and Boulder Creek. Much of the watershed is forested with the exception of these pockets of urban areas. The San Lorenzo River is listed on the 2002 Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments for sediment, pathogens, and nutrients. A sediment Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the San Lorenzo River (and associated tributaries Carbonera Creek, Lompico Creek, and Shingle Mill Creek) has been adopted by the Regional Board.
Arana Gulch-Rodeo Watershed
The Arana Gulch-Rodeo watershed drains a 3.5 square-mile area at the outer (eastern) edges of the City of Santa Cruz. Major waterways and water bodies in this watershed include Arana Gulch, Leona Creek, Schwann Lake, Rodeo Creek Gulch, and several unnamed waterways. Principal land uses in the watershed are urban, primarily residential, commercial, and light industrial, plus institutional areas such as schools, hospitals, and cemeteries. Habitat types present in the watershed include wetlands and freshwater marsh, stream bank vegetation, mixed evergreen/mixed broadleaf forest, and a few patchy areas of chaparral habitat. High sediment loads threaten the quality of habitat for the steelhead and other aquatic species in Arana Gulch. Reducing the delivery of sand and sediments to Arana Gulch, its tributaries, and the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor and providing passage for migrating adult steelhead to the eastern and central branches of Arana Gulch are identified as principal goals for the Arana Gulch watershed.
1. Approximate size of the watershed: Approximately 3.3 square miles, located between Branciforte and Rodeo Creek.
2. Approximate length of the tributary: The perennial creek that drains this small watershed is about 3.5 long. It starts in the lower Santa Cruz Mountains and comes down a steep narrow channel and empties into what was originally known as Woods Lagoon, but which is known today as the Santa Cruz Harbor.
3. Elevation change in the watershed (watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation: Approximately SSW to NNE
5. Geological formations/substrate materials: Marine terraces.
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (hydrology):
7. Water quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities and coastal terrace community with endangered tar plant:
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-use history:
Santa Cruz and Aptos Ohlone family groupings know to be in the Arana Gulch watershed.
1769-1822 The portola Expedition Excerpts about Arana Gulch found in Father Crespi's diariy and Miguel Costano's diary
1822-1846 The Common Lands of Branciforte are established. Mexican land grants begin in 1837
1843 Gulch is named by Don Jose Arana.
16. % of river/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
19. Nature centers (places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (people, helpful organizations, etc.):
Soquel Creek Watershed
Located between the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville, the Soquel Creek watershed drains an area of 42 square miles. Major tributaries include the West Branch (Burns, Laurel, Hester Creek, Amaya Creek, Fern Gulch, Ashbury Gulch, Hinkley Creek, and numerous unnamed waterways) and the Main Branch (fed by Moore’s Gulch, Grover Gulch, Love Creek and Bate’s Creek). Smaller tributaries include Noble Gulch, Porter Gulch, Tannery Gulch and Borregas Creek. Principal land use in the watershed includes urban development, rural residential development, agriculture, parks and recreation, and mining and timber harvesting. The unincorporated town of Soquel and the City of Capitola are both located in the lower reaches of the watershed. Sedimentation and impairment of important fish habitat have been identified as principal resource concerns in this watershed. Soquel Lagoon is listed on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments for nutrients, pathogens, and sedimentation/siltation.
Aptos Creek Watershed
The Aptos Creek watershed drains an area of approximately 25 square miles in southern Santa Cruz County. Aptos Creek and Valencia Creek are the principal tributaries in the watershed. Aptos Creek converges with Valencia Creek approximately 1 mile inland of the Bay. Bridge Creek and Mangels Gulch empty into the Aptos Creek portion of the watershed and Trout Gulch empties into Valencia Creek. Land use in this watershed is comprised of forested lands, state parks and some rural residential areas. More than half of the Aptos Creek portion of the watershed is forested, with the majority of the creek running through the southern portion of the Nisene Marks State Park. Land use in the Valencia Creek portion of the watershed is primarily rural residential and urban development. There are historical and modern day logging sites in both sub-watersheds. The Aptos Creek watershed provides important habitat to coho and steelhead. Excessive sedimentation, low stream flow resulting from overpumping of groundwater in the region, fish barriers, loss of channel complexity, and poor water quality in the coastal lagoon are some principal resource concerns associated with the Aptos Creek watershed.
Pajaro River Watershed
The Pajaro River Watershed drains an area of approximately 1,300 square miles of land in Central California in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Monterey Counties. Approximately fifteen percent, or 200 square miles, of the Pajaro River Basin lies within Santa Cruz County. The Pajaro River watershed is comprised of the Watsonville Slough System (fed by Gallighan Slough, Harkins Slough, and Struve Slough), Corralitos Creek (fed by Rider Creek, Eureka Gulch, Diablo Gulch, Redwood Creek, Browns Creek, and Ramsey Creek), and Salsipuedes Creek (fed by College Creek, Green Valley Creek, Hughes Creek, Uvas Creek, Llagas Creek, Uvas Creek, Little Arthur Creek, Carmenetos Creek, Corralitos Creek, Pinto Lake, Casserly Creek, and Gaffey Creek).
Predominant land use practices in the Lower Pajaro and its tributaries include irrigated croplands, rangelands, timberlands, urbanization, and rural residential development. The Pajaro watershed is home to several special status species including the tidewater goby, steelhead trout, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and the California red-legged frog. The Pajaro River and several tributary streams are considered to be water quality impaired due to sedimentation.
Pajaro River Physical Components
1. Approximate Size of the watershed:
2. Approximate length of the tributary:
3. Elevation change in the Watershed (Watershed gradient map):
4. Geographical orientation:
5. Geological formations/substrate materials:
6. Water flow rates and characteristics (Hydrology):
7. Water Quality information:
Living Components
8. Adjoining Riparian communities:
Black Cottonwood Sycamore Riparian community on most of the lower river. (Holland 1986) (FMc 8/95). See #18 below for more details.
9. Characteristic plants and animals in the water (nekton and plankton):
10. Characteristic plants and animals on the water (neuston):
11. Characteristic plants and animals on the bottom (benthos):
12. Endangered, threatened, and rare species:
13. Extinct plants and animals:
14. Evolutionary history and connection with other tributaries:
Human Uses and Impacts
15. Land-Use History:
16. % of River/stream length in relatively "undisturbed" (un-channeled and un-built upon) condition:
17. 200 years ago (What did it probably look like?):
18. Major resource management issues (biggest threats):
Some of the biggest threats to the lower river ecosystem are the tremendous impacts on the riparian ecosystem by flood control projects, and invasion by numerous non-native plant and animal species, like german ivy. German ivy threatens to obliterate most of the riparian ecosystem in lower elevations. "Flood control political responses" to flooding in Watsonville and Pajaro in the spring of 1995 resulted in the destruction of most of the older riparian cottonwood, sycamore, and box elder trees on the Santa Cruz side of the river and most of the Monterey side of the river.
Water quality is also an issue.
(FMc 8/95)
19. Nature Centers (Places where it can still be seen and studied):
20. References:
21. Resources (People, helpful organizations, etc.):
Watsonville Sloughs
The Watsonville Slough drains a 14 square mile area from the hills of southern Santa Cruz County into the Pajaro River and Monterey Bay. The Watsonville Slough system is comprised of six individual sloughs including Watsonville Slough, Harkins Slough, Gallighan Slough, Hanson Slough, the main branch of the Struve Slough, and the western branch of Struve Slough. The Sloughs represent significant water supply resources, part of which are being used to offset salt-contaminated coastal wells in the region. Nutrient loading, oftentimes exacerbated by the absence of marsh vegetation, coupled with poor water circulation has resulted in eutrophic conditions in many areas of the Sloughs. Watsonville Slough is listed on the 2002 Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments for pathogens, pesticides, and sedimentation/siltation (Swanson Hydrology and Geomorphology 2003).
San Andreas Watershed
The San Andreas watershed is bordered on the north and east by the Pajaro River watershed and to the west by the Aptos Creek watershed. San Andreas drains an area of approximately 15 square miles and is comprised of Bush Gulch and two unnamed streams. Land use is predominantly agriculture with some rural and urban residential areas.
The above watershed information was taken from
Watershed Ecosystems of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Fred Mc Pherson 3/2005
Description of the Watersheds of Santa Cruz County, appendix c to the County of Santa Cruz/ Resource Conservation District ---Plan, 2004
Southwest - Monterey Bay URLs
About the Santa Cruz Mountains
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, near San Jose, California
California Coastal Records Project -- Aerial Photographs of the California Coastline
California Naturalist Program | UCSC Arboretum
Camp Joy Gardens | 2012 Calendar of Events and Classes
Camp Joy Gardens CSA: CSA week 13
Crimson Columbine | Museum Buzz
Elkhorn Slough Photography: Best Shot Photo Contest
Friends of the Cowell Limeworks - UC Santa Cruz
Groundwater Banking | DesalAlternatives.org
Herald-Journal - Google News Archive Search
HOME - Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plans/1998/980926.pdf
Humpback Whales lunge feeding in Santa Cruz, CA. October 2011 - YouTube
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
News - Environment - Santa Cruz.com
Notes from Santa Cruz | The Museum of Art & History at the McPherson Center
Orchids of Santa Cruz Mountains - ScottPeden's Photos
San Lorenzo River water running next to the Boardwalk - Santa Cruz Sentinel
San Lorenzo Valley Museum Home Page
Santa Cruz County History - Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Santa Cruz County Parks Department - Homepage
Santa Cruz County Parks Department - Quail Hollow Ranch
Santa Cruz County Weather Forecast, Advisories
Reports. Featuring NOAA, Satellites, Doppler | Cruzio Internet
Sempervirens Fund | Preserving Redwood Forests Since 1900
Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab - Welcome
Sierra Nature Prints | Specializing in nature related fine art since 1979
Surfer Almost Swallowed by Whale - YouTube
The Bigfoot Discovery Project: South Felton Timeline
The Valley Women's Club of San Lorenzo Valley
UCSC Campus « UCSC Natural Reserves
USGS Real-Time Water Data for USGS 11160500 SAN LORENZO R A BIG TREES CA
Weather Forecast Santa Cruz, CA | Santa Cruz Weather | Wunderground
Weekly Buzzz... July 30-August 5 | Museum Buzz
Weekly Buzzz... May 7-13 | Museum Buzz
Welcome to Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Activities
Welcome to the Map Folio: Welcome
Western Snowy Plover - Sharing the Beach
Southeast - Santa Clara Valley Subregion
This quadrant is the hottest, driest part of our mountains. It is located on the eastern flanks of Loma Prieta in the Santa Clara Valley. The creeks that drain it, like Uvas Creek, generally flow into Coyote Creek rather than into the Guadalupe River. Some of the vegetation and wildlife in this area has a connectionwith the biodiversity of the Inner Coast Range. This is an important wildlife corridor for the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Morgan hill from Loma Prieta Rd.
Southeast –Santa Clara Valley Watersheds
While Uvas and Llagas are the major creeks in this aarea, they drain into the Pajaro River Watershed. Other tributaries include Jones Creek, Crews Creek, Sargent Creek, Pacheco Creek, Gavilan Creek and sections of the Pajaro River. We need further clarification about these watersheds. Help Matt.
Southeast – Santa Clara Valley URLs
Bay Area Hiker: Uvas Canyon County Park
Mt. Madonna County Park - Parks and Recreation, Department of (DEP)
Openspace.org - Plans and Projects - Open Space Planning - Clean Up and Restore Mt. Umunhum
Openspace.org - Your Preserves - Sierra Azul
sanjoseperegrines
Santa Cruz County History - Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Uvas Creek - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bay Area Hiker: Uvas Canyon County Park
Mt. Madonna County Park - Parks and Recreation, Department of (DEP)
Openspace.org - Plans and Projects - Open Space Planning - Clean Up and Restore Mt. Umunhum
Openspace.org - Your Preserves - Sierra Azul
sanjoseperegrines
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Santa Cruz County History - Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Uvas Creek - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Weird Fresno: Gilroy's haunted Mount Madonna County Park
General Santa Cruz Mountains Natural History URLs
Miscellaneous category for general natural history URL references.
(San Francisco) Bay Area Backcountry: San Francicso
[ Acterra: Stewardship: Watershed Program ]
About the Parks Conservancy :: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
About the Santa Cruz Mountains
Alcatraz Island (U.S. National Park Service)
Artist Finds Graphic History at the Farallones — Bay Nature
Bay Area Nature Journal Club | John Muir Laws
Beach Report Card for California
Biography snapshots of contributors to the Forest Web
CalCoast News - General Coast News
Calflora: Search for Observations
California Coastal Records Project -- Aerial Photographs of the California Coastline
California Department of Fish and Game
California State Parks Foundation: Proposed State Park Closures
Climate Program Office (CPO) Home Page - Page:
CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed Precipitation - Past 24 Hours - Northern California/Southern Oregon
Eggs and More « SF Natural History Series
Fort Point National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
Geotrio | Search for tours, take them, and share them with your friends
Global Average Temperatures Are Close to 11,000-Year Peak: Scientific American
http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/Wings_sp08_spiders.pdf
International Bird Rescue - Home - Wildlife Oil Spill Response : Education : Training
Links to parks, hiking and environmental organizations
Louie Schwartzberg: The hidden beauty of pollination | Video on TED.com
Mission & Programs — Bay Nature
Native Plant Information :: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
New Study Projects More Frequent Fires for the Western U.S. | KQED's Climate Watch
Next Lecture: November 17th – Reclaiming the Art of Natural History « SF Natural History Series
NOAA Confirms Unprecedented Warmth in March: Scientific American
OPENSPACE | Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Orchids of Santa Cruz Mountains - ScottPeden's Photos
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network -- SIMoN --
Santa Cruz County Parks Department - Homepage
Santa Cruz Mountains - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregional Conference — Bay Nature
santa cruz mountains bioregional council - Google Search
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Association
santa cruz mountains trails - Google Search
Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Tasting- Northern California Wineries- Half Moon Bay Vineyards
SantaCruzMountainsNatureTrails : Santa Cruz Mountains Nature Trails
Scale of Universe - Interactive Scale of the Universe Tool
Sea Turtle Restoration Project : Contact Us
Sebastian 'Seabass' Kennerknecht's Blog
Sempervirens Fund | Preserving Redwood Forests Since 1900
SER The Society for Ecological Restoration
Show for Feb 28, 2010. Adventures in Lizardland... - The 7th Avenue Project: Thinking Persons' Radio
Spider web construction gallery (Samuel Zschokke)
TERRA: The Nature of Our World *Video Podcast* :: Home
The American Arachnological Society -- Information about Arachnids
The California Roach-probably not what you think it is! | Dissemination of Research
The Power of Film "Your Sanctuary" Episode 4 - YouTube
The River Otter Ecology Project - Home
The Xerces Society » Dragonfly Pond Watch Project
Toadshades of the Santa Cruz Mountains
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home
USA National Phenology Network | USA National Phenology Network
Welcome to BugGuide.Net! - BugGuide.Net
Welcome to the Map Folio: Welcome
Welcome to the USGS - U.S. Geological Survey
Western Rattlesnakes — Bay Nature
Wil Torres | Dissemination of Research
Wild Equity Institute: About Us
Wild Ventana » Window to our Wilderness
AT&T Knowledge Network Explorer
END
Reference Notes:
Santa Cruz Mountains Institute URLs by Quadrants Project
(Note: This was originally written and edited in e-mail form. 10/26/13
Watershed Ecosystems of the Santa Cruz Mountains
By Fred Mc Pherson 3/2005
With input from Nicole Martin
(This includes the watersheds of the major rivers, streams, creeks, etc.that run to the ocean or bay. Also included are major aquifer basins wihtout drainage into the ocean or bay.