South Coast Hydrologic Unit Watershed (Rincon Creek, Franklin Creek)

Existing conditions:

The South Coast Hydrologic Unit contains the watersheds of Rincon, Gobernador, Carpinteria, Franklin, and Santa Monica creeks, and streams in Arroyo Paridon and Toro Canyon. These streams are relatively short; all but two have separate drainage basins. They generally have perennial flows in the headwater areas. The upper reaches of these creeks contain foothills, with the exception of Santa Monica Creek, which has the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north. The slopes of the foothills and the Santa Ynez Mountains are covered by chaparral vegetation that grades into avocado orchards, open agricultural fields, and urban development in the foothills and coastal plain.

There are many types of impairments to the southern end of these creeks, which exist in an urban setting of the watershed, and are located on private property. These impairments include channelization, concrete lining, poor and ineffective bank protection, excessive sedimentation, poor water quality, lack of in-channel vegetation, invasive non-native species, reduced canopy cover and excessive use by human beings.

The watershed of the Carpinteria Marsh is one important feature of this hydrological unit. The sub-watershed encompasses 6,600 acres, and includes the tributaries of Santa Monica and Franklin Creeks (and a smaller unnamed drainage to the west of Santa Monica Creek). The Carpinteria Salt Marsh is one of the most important wetlands in this subregion. The marsh is the northwestern geographic limit for many species, Shoregrass, Belding's Savannah Sparrow, and Light-footed Clapper Rail.

A synopsis of the findings (Ferren 1985) has shown that at least 55 vascular plants families containing 153 genera and 252 species are know to occur or have occurred at Carpinteria Salt Marsh, including the estuary's historical limits and adjacent sand dunes. Of those plants, 104 species (45%) are native. Eleven species listed for Carpinteria Salt Marsh and vicinity are possibly extirpated, representing 17% of the 64 native wetland species. Eleven species growing presently at the estuary are regionally rare plants, and two species (Salt Marsh Bird's-beak and Salt Marsh Goldfields) are considered endangered. Due to the disturbance of the upper watersheds (channelization, degradation of riparian habitats, and culverts) that lead to the marsh, Ferren (personal correspondence, 2001) believes the watershed can no longer serve the needs of southern steelhead trout. At least 190 bird species, 37 fish species, 11 mammal species, 5 herpetofauna species, and over 100 invertebrate species have been observed, collected, or reported from Carpinteria Salt Marsh.

Description of Watershed Resources:

Area: 240719.88 acres

Naturally Occurring Waterways: 632.83 miles

Percentage of Free Flowing River Miles: 87 %

Percentage of River Miles in Protected Lands: 1 %

Protected Lands: 1 %

Number of Dams: 11

Number of Selected Watershed Projects: 10

Number of Stream Crossings: 951

Near-Stream Roads: 400.36 miles

Average Precipitation per Year: 22.78 inches

Percentage Area above 15% Slope: 29.26 %

Number of CalWater Units: 31

WBS TMDL Rivers 4

Number of Special Status Species: 23

Anadromous Fish:

Within the watershed, several creeks provide suitable riparian and/or spawning habitat that could support southern steelhead runs, including:

Arroyo Burro Creek (supports good riparian habitat but there are many barriers (culverts) and poor water quality;
Mission Creek (several migration barriers exist)
Rattlesnake Creek (a debris dam is located 800’ upstream)
Sycamore Canyon Creek (suitable habitat, riparian canopy and deep channel)
Montecito Creek (but ten partial barriers are present)
Cold Springs Creek
Hot Spring Creek
San Ysidro Creek
Other creeks of the area may provide suitable habitat but also include various major barriers to passage. Carpinteria creek, for example, includes excellent habitat in the foothills. Juveniles have been seen every year since the 1980s. Rincon creek has good instream habitat and the creek bed is natural with the exception of the culvert at Highway 101.

Status of Watershed Planning Efforts:

The Management Plan for Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve is a comprehensive, ecosystem-wide planning document that has been funded by the University of California and by the California State Coastal Conservancy through a grant to the UCSB Marine Science Institute and the UCSB Museum of Systematics and Ecology within the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology. The general purpose of the Management Plan is to provide a mechanism for the integration, under one management structure, of the protection, management, and use of Carpinteria Salt Marsh and its biological and physical resources at an ecosystem level rather than a parcel level. There are also a number of smaller-scale efforts, such as the Atascadero Creek Sedimentation Study, Carpinteria Valley Watershed Project, and the San Jose Creek Restoration Project. The purpose of the San Jose Creek Restoration Project is to enhance native riparian vegetation along the creek, improve the area's aesthetics, and facilitate passive recreation within the riparian corridor.

Restoration Goals and Objectives Related to Wetlands:

Protect and maintain the estuarine ecosystem at CSMR and its physical, biological, and cultural resources, diversity, and functions.
Extend CSMR boundaries to bring sensitive lands under Reserve management, Acquisition and Easements.
Pursue acquisition, conservation easements, and/or cooperative agreements to ensure the preservation and appropriate management of Carpinteria Salt Marsh parcels and resources.
Protect the resources and functions of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh through careful implementation of the Management Plan and Coordination Program.
To the maximum extent feasible, the mouth of Carpinteria Salt Marsh should remain open to maintain optimal tidal Circulation.
To the maximum extent feasible, enhance and restore the estuary's natural diversity of resources, habitats, physical processes, and functions through the enhancement and restoration of natural self-sustaining processes.
Identify sites throughout the estuary and develop plans where restoration, enhancement, or other beneficial activities should be implemented to improve the quality of the ecosystem.
Implement plans designed to restore or enhance the quality of the estuarine ecosystem at CSMR.
Evaluate the need for increasing circulation and improving water quality in the north marsh area and, if appropriate, implement the recommendations of the study.
Coordinate restoration and enhancement activities for endangered species.
Coordinate restoration and enhancement activities for the removal of exotic species
Channel Enhancements (Franklin and Santa Monica Creeks and Basin III)
South Marsh Enhancements
Estuary Mouth Enhancements, Reconfiguration and Dune Restoration
North Marsh Enhancements

List of Major Restoration Activities: Click for information