Construction begins on project to support endangered species in Lagunitas Creek

September 12, 2024

Creek Notes: Construction Begins on Project to Support Endangered Species in Lagunitas Creek

Construction is well underway for Phase 1A of Marin Water’s Lagunitas Creek Watershed Enhancement Project, which aims to improve habitat for endangered coho salmon and California freshwater shrimp, as well as threatened steelhead trout populations.

The restoration work will occur in three phases over multiple years, with seasonal pauses for weather and environmental factors. This first phase involves work at three of the 13 distinct sites identified for habitat enhancement.

A large pile of gravel and boulders next to heavy construction equipment — Boulders and gravel have been prepped and thoroughly cleaned for placement in the creek

The full project will cover 4,550 linear feet of channel from Peters Dam at Kent Lake through Samuel P. Taylor State Park, where over 270 logs and approximately 11,000 tons of gravel will be added to create favorable habitat for salmon spawning and rearing. By strategically placing logs, boulders and gravel, this restoration effort will:

Break up shallow homogenous stream habitat
Create deeper, slower pools for rearing
Capture incoming gravels for spawning
Improve insect (fish food) production

To place and secure these materials in the creek with minimal disturbance, Marin Water’s project contractor has set up a cofferdam and bypass pipe to divert the flow of water around the worksites. Before implementing this temporary measure, Marin Water’s fisheries experts safely relocated fish and other aquatic species outside the work area.

Rootes of a tree beside a creek — Gnarled tree roots and rocks will help to diversify the stream habitat and provide ideal conditions for salmon spawning

After years of planning with multiple resource agencies, it’s exciting to now see the project in action! Phase 1A has been made possible thanks to the support from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Watershed Restoration and Fisheries Restoration Grant Programs. Special thanks also goes to California State Parks for their collaboration as we work within the land they manage.

Work on Phase 1A is expected to be completed by Nov. 20, 2024. Stay informed with the latest project happenings on the Lagunitas Creek Habitat Enhancement Project page.