Pine Gulch Creek Enhancement and Pond Project
Program
Water Storage and Coordinated Water Management
Primary RCD
Marin Resource Conservation District
Lead Implementer
Marin Resource Conservation District
Funders
(Unknown or Unspecified Organization), California Department of Fish & Wildlife, California State Coastal Conservancy, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Marin County, CA, Point Blue Conservation Science, Private party, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wildlife Conservation Board
Project Primary Contact
Elise Suronen (elise@marinrcd.org)
Project Stage
Post-Implementation
Duration
2015 - 2017
Water Management and Conservation
Water Storage and Coordinated Water Management
One of the greatest threats to young Coho salmon in West Marin is low creek levels in the summertime. This is a time when Coho seek sanctuary in deep pools before growing to a stage when they are mature enough to survive in the open ocean. Sometimes the pools are too shallow or dry up completely, and the young fish die.
A voluntary plan by farmers in Bolinas to protect summertime creek levels has passed an important milestone: the farms built four storage ponds that draw water during the high-flow winter season for summertime use. Farmers agreed to temporarily abandon their riparian rights for agricultural use. In exchange, they will receive temporary, seasonal rights to store water.
A voluntary plan by farmers in Bolinas to protect summertime creek levels has passed an important milestone: the farms built four storage ponds that draw water during the high-flow winter season for summertime use. Farmers agreed to temporarily abandon their riparian rights for agricultural use. In exchange, they will receive temporary, seasonal rights to store water.
Key Accomplishments
- Special Status Amphibian Species Habitat: 2.58 acres
- Special Status Fish Species Habitat: 57,400.00 lf
- Summer Water Forbearance: 69 acre-ft
- Water Conserved: 69 acre-ft
Project Themes
- Climate Change
- Wildlife/Endangered Species
- Healthy Watersheds
- Land Preservation
- Local Farms
Farmers give summer irrigation water rights to the fish (Photo by Rod McLean).
Credit: Rod McLean
Location
Expenditures
Expenditures by Funding Source to Date: $3,279,001.07
Fisheries Restoration Grant P... (CDFW): $2,452,520
Prop 1 (WCB): $406,917
Prop 1 (SCC): $263,132
EQIP (NRCS): $12,000
Landowner Cost Share (Private): $6,290
Point Blue Students and Teach... (PBCS): $15,365
Stewardship Assistance Progra... (MALT): $22,209
Unknown or Unassigned: $33,151
Marin County Measure A (MARCO): $67,418
Photos
Removing critters from the pond (Timing: Before)
Credit: NScolari
Project last updated 1/24/2024