Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)

An environmental summary created by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

This page is an introduction to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) with specific emphasis on the relationship between the MBNMS and the coastal and terrestrial environment.

General Information

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) stretches from Marin in the north to Cambria in the south, and extends an average of 30 miles off shore. It includes 276 miles of shoreline, and covers 6094 square miles of ocean. At its deepest point, it is 12,743 feet deep.

Central Coast Watersheds and Sub-Watersheds that drain into MBNMS

From north to south:

Santa Cruz County

• Waddell Creek Watershed
• Scott Creek Watershed
• San Vicente Watershed
• Laguna Creek Watershed
• Moore Creek Watershed
• San Lorenzo River watershed
• Arana Creek Watershed
• Soquel Creek Watershed

Monterey County

• Pajaro River Watershed
• The Gabilan / Reclamation Ditch Watershed
• Salinas River Watershed
• Canyon del Rey Watershed
• Carmel River Watershed

Terrestrial impacts on the MBNMS

• Harmful Algal Blooms.
• Toxoplasmosis in southern sea otters due to improper waste disposal..
• Dynamic shifts due to coastal retreat.

Water Quality Programs

Agriculture and Rural

In order to maintain the pristine nature of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and support the local agricultural industry, farmers and agencies have created the Agriculture Water Quality Alliance (AWQA). The AWQA promotes a voluntary stewardship-based approach as outlined in the "Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan."

Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network

The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network (The Network) is a group of citizen science monitoring groups that study the health of the watersheds entering the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Network organizes a series of monitoring events throughout the year.

Snapshot Day

Snapshot day takes place annually on the first Saturday in May. Trained volunteers from San Mateo County and San Luis Obispo County collect a "snapshot" of watershed health by collecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity field data and collect water samples to be analyzed for nutrient and bacteria levels in a laboratory.

Urban Watch

The Urban Watch Program takes place during the dry summer months. The goal is to help inform cities so they can understand sources of pollution into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Volunteers collect field measurements of pH, temperature, and conductivity and collect samples that are checked for ammonia, phosphate, chlorine, and detergents.

First Flush

First Flush occurs annually during the first "significant" rain of the water year (typically in the fall). The goal of First Flush is to understand the storm water that flows into the MBNMS by monitoring storm drain outfalls. Field data is collected for temperature, conductivity, transparency, and pH. Lab samples are checked for bacterial content, metals, nutrients, and suspended solids.

Urban Runoff

Urban runoff includes non-point source pollution which requires a more comprehensive management approach. To address Urban Runoff, the MBNMS has outlined "Action Plan 1" to address urban runoff.

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.