Difference between revisions of "The Carneros Watershed"
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| − | Prior to Spanish and American settlement, the Carneros watershed was dominated by floodplains and marches. The Carneros Creek was then a steady moving stream that perhaps disappeared into the numerous Carneros wetlands. Activities of settlement including the reclamation efforts to drain the lower levels of the Carneros Creek, resulted in the loss of these wetlands and continue to influence the creek to this day(Largay 2007). | + | Prior to Spanish and American settlement, the Carneros watershed was dominated by floodplains and marches. The Carneros Creek was then a steady moving stream that perhaps disappeared into the numerous Carneros wetlands. Activities of settlement including the reclamation efforts to drain the lower levels of the Carneros Creek, resulted in the loss of these wetlands and continue to influence the creek to this day (Largay 2007). A wetland restoration project is currently underway on Triple M Ranch, located on the lower reaches of Carneros Creek. |
The Carneros watershed covers approximately 70-km2 with mixed land use including, rural residential, grazed grasslands, cultivated areas, maritime chaparral, oak woodlands and riparian areas. Agricultural land use occupies approximately 10% of the watershed of which strawberries are the dominant crop. Other corps include, raspberries, flowers and vegetables (Holloway 2010). Agro-industrial activities in the watershed include a mushroom growing operation and a chicken ranch (Largay 2007). | The Carneros watershed covers approximately 70-km2 with mixed land use including, rural residential, grazed grasslands, cultivated areas, maritime chaparral, oak woodlands and riparian areas. Agricultural land use occupies approximately 10% of the watershed of which strawberries are the dominant crop. Other corps include, raspberries, flowers and vegetables (Holloway 2010). Agro-industrial activities in the watershed include a mushroom growing operation and a chicken ranch (Largay 2007). | ||
Revision as of 22:29, 28 January 2011
The Carneros Creek Watershed is located in the Central Coast of California, in Monterey County. The Carneros Watershed is part of the larger Elkhorn Slough Watershed, and Carneros Creek is the main fresh water tributary to Elkhorn Slough.
Contents
Location / Size
Climate
Land cover / land use
Prior to Spanish and American settlement, the Carneros watershed was dominated by floodplains and marches. The Carneros Creek was then a steady moving stream that perhaps disappeared into the numerous Carneros wetlands. Activities of settlement including the reclamation efforts to drain the lower levels of the Carneros Creek, resulted in the loss of these wetlands and continue to influence the creek to this day (Largay 2007). A wetland restoration project is currently underway on Triple M Ranch, located on the lower reaches of Carneros Creek.
The Carneros watershed covers approximately 70-km2 with mixed land use including, rural residential, grazed grasslands, cultivated areas, maritime chaparral, oak woodlands and riparian areas. Agricultural land use occupies approximately 10% of the watershed of which strawberries are the dominant crop. Other corps include, raspberries, flowers and vegetables (Holloway 2010). Agro-industrial activities in the watershed include a mushroom growing operation and a chicken ranch (Largay 2007).
Surface water hydrology
Carneros stream flows vary according to rainfall. The watershed drains nearly 18,000 acres of steep slopes and flood planes. Carneros soils combined with little development result in almost complete infiltration of water. Run off is caused by bare ground and impermeable surfaces. Agricultural plastics mulch and hoop houses accounts for most all impermeable surfaces (Largay 2007).
Groundwater hydrology
Environmental issues & regulations
303d-listed waterbodies?
Species of Concern
- California Red-Legged Frog
- California Tiger Salamander
- Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander
Available hydrological data
Largay (2007)established rain gages throughout the Carneros creek in order to characteriz flows of surface water. Gages are located at Carneros Creek at the Railcar Bridge, at the Sill Road Crossing, at the Johnson Road Bridge, and in the Oxbow Pond. All gages are equipped with temperature recorders, Solinist Leveloggers and a stilling well. To compensate for barometric changes, Solanist barologgers have been installed at all sites.
Links
References
reference
