Fall Update 2009

Redwood Creek flows from its headwaters on Mt. Tamalpais, through the old-growth redwood forest of Muir Woods National Monument, and ends at the mouth of the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach in southern Marin County, California—just 25 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The current restoration project is located at the mouth of the Redwood Creek Watershed at Muir Beach, which is recognized for its local and regional importance.
 
The 46-acre project site is the most highly disturbed area of the Redwood Creek watershed due to landscape modifications for agriculture, recreation, and road construction for more than a century. Once an expansive network of wetlands, lagoon and dunes, previous land use has reduced the capacity of the Creek and severely limited the natural water levels through the seasons and years resulting in rapid filling of the creek bed with sediment and altering habitat for fish in tidal lagoon. This restoration project—a partnership between the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy—will restore the natural function of the creek, wetlands, and intermittent tidal lagoon allowing water to flow to the ocean.

Planned actions for this year also include expanding the habitat for three federally-listed species: Coho salmon, steelhead, and California red-legged frogs. The project work 2009 have been made possible by funding from the National Park Service Recreation Fee Program and generous grants by California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Parks Conservancy members. The project also has partnerships with the Marin County Department of Public Works and the neighboring San Francisco Zen Center.

2009 Actions

• Expand the tidal lagoon to improve Coho salmon and steelhead trout habitat
• Excavate a pond for the California red-legged frog breeding habitat
• Reconfigure the southern end of the parking lot to improve natural creek flow and reduce flooding
• Plant native wetland and riparian plants

Future Actions

• Additional wetland and creek restoration
• Creation of additional ponds for California red-legged frogs
• Permanent parking lot reconfiguration
• Construction of new Pacific Way bridge and multi-use footpath
• New bathroom and picnic facility near the existing parking lot.
• Project implementation for the first phase begins in September and will run through the end of October 2009.

Closures/Detours

Public access will not be disturbed for the duration of project implementation; however, parking will be limited. Shoulder parking is available on Muir Woods Road (Frank Valley Road). There will be dump trucks utilizing Pacific Way and Highway 1 through the duration of the project.

Support Our Work

• Volunteer with Trail Crews
• Join the Parks Conservancy