Potential watershed impacts on Elkhorn Slough
From CCoWS Wiki
Watershed Impacts on Elkhorn Slough
Due to European settlement, the natural connectivity of both fresh and salt water has been disrupted. Development has caused major changes in water flow.
- subsidence from artificial restriction of tidal exchange
- loss of brackish communities
- river diversion
- artificial river mouth for Moss Landing Harbor
- Culverts
- tidal gates
- sloughs diked and drained
- Burnett, Moro Cojo, Tembladero Sloughs disconnected
- cattle grazing, railroad, road construction, freshwater impoundments for duck hunting
residential development
- destruction and fragmentation of maritime chaparral and oak woodland habitat
- steep access driveways leads to soil erosion
- spread of invasive species
- fire suppression
- nutrient load from lawns and corrals
