NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA HABITAT PROJECTS
Northeastern California is a critical waterfowl region not only for California but for the Pacific Flyway. The region consistently supports one of the highest concentrations of breeding mallards in the state. It also provides an essential spring staging area for waterfowl on their migration back to their northern breeding grounds. The region also provides a unique opportunity to truly "restore" wetlands due to the relatively unaltered natural hydrology.
To request our services, or if you would like more information about projects in Northern California contact Rick Maher, Northeastern California Regional Biologist.
Current Projects:
Ash Creek Wildlife Area:
We are scheduled to complete a 3-year project that will reduce erosion and improve seasonal wetlands on the north side of the wildlife area this year. This project has already reestablished water delivery to an area that had become very difficult to flood. We are excited about the new breeding habitat and hunter opportunity that has resulted from this project.
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West Pit Project - Modoc NWR:
We have finished our first project on Modoc NWR this year. This enhancement project focused on a 100-acre unit adjacent to Highway 395. Several new ponds and swales have been constructed and over 1 mile of river banks have been improved. Read more about this project.
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Tule Lake NWR:
We are continuing to work with refuge staff and many other partners to expand the Walking Wetlands program. California Waterfowl is partnering in a large, multi-agency project which will allow an additional 1,100 acres to be flooded.
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP):
WRP is a federal Farm Bill program that is intended to take marginal agricultural land out of production and restore them to a natural wetland complex. This program has been instrumental in protecting and restoring wetlands throughout the state, and particularly Northeastern California. California Waterfowl staff are currently working with local agencies to protect and restore over 12,000 acres of wetlands on private lands through this program over the next few years.
Completed Projects
• Northeastern California Completed Habitat Projects Map
Regional Biologist
Rick Maher
Rick began working at California Waterfowl in 2000. Since joining us he has used his years of wetland restoration experience and agricultural background to advance our mission in a critical region of the state.
Meet all the Waterfowl and Wetlands staff.
June 12, 2010
SACRAMENTO VALLEY HABITAT PROJECTS
The Sacramento Valley is the core waterfowl area in California. Each year millions of waterfowl migrate to or through this area to take advantage of the plentiful food provided by the many public wildlife areas and refuges, private duck clubs and flooded rice fields. In any given year there are at least 400,000 acres of available water for waterfowl in the region.
California Waterfowl acknowledges the tradition and importance of the Sacramento Valley and focuses on habitat projects that will improve and sustain the conditions in the Valley for many years to come.
To request our services, or if you would like more information about projects in the Sacramento Valley, contact Chadd Santerre, Wetland Project Supervisor/NAWCA Coordinator.
Current Projects:
Upper Butte Basin WA (UBBWA):
California Waterfowl has been working diligently to improve UBBWA for many years. This year's efforts include a 365-acre restoration project on Little Dry Creek WA's units 116, 123 and 129, and an overhaul of the water delivery system to units 110-121. Both projects will be completed and ready to go for the upcoming waterfowl season.
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Private Lands Projects:
Funding has been secured for work on 7 private clubs this year scattered throughout the Valley. The cost-share projects will improve wintering and breeding habitat on privately owned and managed wetlands that are critical to waterfowl in California.
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Completed Projects
• Sacramento Valley Completed Habitat Projects Map
YOLO BYPASS HABITAT PROJECTS
California Waterfowl has been very busy in the Yolo bypass since 2003. The Yolo Bypass WA was acquired by the state of California in 1997. In 2001, the State purchased an additional 13,000 acres to expand the wildlife area. In partnership with DFG, California Waterfowl was able to leverage millions of dollars in federal funds for habitat restoration and enhancement projects in the region.
To date, California Waterfowl has received over $4-million in state and federal funding since 2003 for work in the Yolo Bypass. The vast majority of our work has been focused on improving habitat and hunting access on the Yolo Bypass WA.
To request our services, or if you would like more information about projects in the Yolo Bypass contact Paul Phillips, Wetland Projects Coordinator.
Current Projects:
Yolo Bypass WA (YBWA):
California Waterfowl will again be working to improve and increase waterfowl habitat and hunting opportunity on YBWA. This year's projects will enhance over 500 acres, restore 90 acres, and improve water delivery to over 1,000 acres of wetlands on YBWA and the adjacent private duck clubs.
Another unique project that will be completed this year is a newly restored youth hunter area, the Fireman's Unit. Construction on this project began in 2008 and is scheduled to be completed and open to hunting this hunting season.
(Click for full size map)
(Click for full size map)
For a map of all California Waterfowl projects on YBWA since 2003, click here>>
Private Land Projects:
California Waterfowl is working with 6 different landowners in and around the Yolo Bypass. These projects will enhance over 2,000 acres of wetlands in the region.
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Completed Projects
• Yolo Bypass Completed Habitat Projects Map
Regional Biologist
Paul Phillips
Paul came to California Waterfowl after working for DFG at Yolo Bypass WA. His local knowledge and good working relationships with DFG staff has allowed habitat development projects in the region to run very smoothly.
Meet all the Waterfowl and Wetlands staff.
SUISUN MARSH HABITAT PROJECTS
In recent years California Waterfowl has become very active in Suisun Marsh and is currently working closely with the Suisun Resource Conservation District (SRCD) and the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to continue to deliver quality habitat projects in the Suisun Marsh.
2009 promises to be a busy year for us in the Marsh. We are scheduled to spend over $2-million of federal, state and private funds to enhance over 13,000 acres of habitat throughout the marsh.
To request our services, or if you would like more information about projects in Suisun Marsh contact Robert Eddings, Suisun Marsh Regional Biologist.
Current Projects:
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area (GIWA):
California Waterfowl has several projects running on GIWA this year. Our biggest project is a large upland restoration, enhancement and waterfowl nesting research project on fields 13 & 14. This project has allowed us to use years of gathered data to develop a plan to improve local waterfowl nesting habitat on GIWA.
Additional work planned for this year on GIWA will include a continued effort to upgrade and replace old water control structures and lift pumps. This will help DFG staff manage the area efficiently and help reduce mosquito production.
(Click for full size map)
(Click for full size map)
Joice Island Wildlife Area:
We have been working hard on Joice Island for the past 4 years. Past projects have replaced all water control structures with new plastic pipe and stainless steel gates. This year's efforts will focus on pond grading and swale excavation to improve water flow, habitat diversity and improved public hunting opportunity.
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West Family Unit Youth Hunt Area:
A complete overhaul of the habitat and hunting access will be completed this year. Extensive pond grading and swale excavation will improve the habitat quality and diversity and improve management of the area. Additionally, many old, dilapidated hunting blinds will be removed and replaced, and a new mobility impaired blind will be added. Read more about this project.
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Grizzly Ranch:
A grant was recently funded to improve habitat conditions on the 900-acre Grizzly Ranch which hosts California Waterfowl's Youth Hunting Program. The goal of this project is to improve the overall quality of habitat on the property and to improve and increase youth hunting opportunity on the ranch.
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Private Lands Projects:
We will be working with 20 different landowners this year to improve waterfowl habitat on their lands in Suisun Marsh. Projects are focused on improving water flow through the habitat to help minimize salt accumulation to ensure wetlands remain attractive to waterfowl.
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Completed Projects
• Suisun Marsh Completed Habitat Projects Map
Regional Staff
Robert Eddings
Robert has been with California Waterfowl since 2003. He has worked throughout the state on many habitat projects, but has settled in Suisun Marsh and has driven California Waterfowl's efforts in Suisun Marsh.
Meet all the Waterfowl and Wetlands staff.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY hABITAT pROJECTS
The San Joaquin Valley used to be one of the most waterfowl rich areas in California. But, extensive diversions and pumping dried up much of the Valley and agriculture replaced wetlands. California Waterfowl has focused on increasing dependable and sustainable water delivery to wetland areas and continues to build infrastructure that will allow public and private managers alike to use water as efficiently as possible.
To request our services, or if you would like more information about projects in the San Joaquin Valley, contact Rich Wright, Grasslands Regional Biologist.
Current Projects
Mendota WA:
Working with California Duck Stamp funds we will provide a water source for fields 3 and 18. Water delivery is currently being re-engineered to provide a reliable water source to flood the units completely. Additional state funds through a mosquito prevention agreement will focus on ensuring wetland units can be flooded and drained quickly and reducing problem vegetation. This includes work on many of the main pumps that flood the wetlands. These efforts will reduce mosquito production and improve wetland food production for waterfowl.
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Los Banos WA:
The planned work includes vegetation control done by disking wetland units, excavating and cleaning delivery and drainage waterways to improve flooding and drainage capabilities, and earthwork focusing on improving micro-topography. Earthwork is concentrated in units 25 A,B,C, and unit 67A. In addition, federal funds are going to be spent on the Buttonwillow Lakes to help restore natural hydrology.
North Grasslands WA, Salt Slough Unit:
California Duck Stamp funds are being utilized to change and increase the size of weirs on the main water delivery system, re-grade field 41 to improve habitat quality and eliminate perennial pepperweed and to construct swales and levees in field 4. Mosquito funds are being spent on cover management, which will reduce tall emergent vegetation and promote new stands of low growing waterfowl food plants.
North Grasslands WA, China Island Unit:
Work on China Island will cover many of the wetland units and water supply. Units scheduled for work include 10, 11 and 12. A main water supply well will be rehabilitated to supplement surface water deliveries. In addition, the main flood control levee will be retrofitted in spots where erosion is a problem. Lastly, the return water system will be cleaned up to allow for water re-circulation that will save valuable water to be used on wetland irrigations.
Grassland Water District Infrastructure Projects:
California Waterfowl has been working on Grassland Water District Projects in both the North and South Grasslands. In 2009, the Bennett Ditch will be improved with a large new weir, excavation and bank building. In addition, the Agatha Canal and its extensions are being worked on. This compliments earlier work on the Helm Canal completed in 2008 in the South Grasslands. All of these projects help ensure reliable water delivery to public and privately owned wetlands throughout the region.
San Joaquin River Parkway:
California Waterfowl has partnered in a riparian restoration project in the San Joaquin River Parkway. The parkway is a wetland and upland area that stretches along the San Joaquin River downstream of Friant Dam. The area is currently being restored and will provide many recreational uses.
Kern County Tulare Basin Private Wetland Enhancement Project:
Work has started on 2 new deep wells, one lift pump, a return water re-circulation system, and over 9,300 feet of PVC pipelines. All projects are seeking to bolster water supplies and improve water-use efficiency. Pipelines transport the water to wetlands, reducing water loss due to percolation and evaporation. These water savings and increase in supply will improve wetland habitat and will also provide more water during the spring that will be available for irrigations of wetland food plants. USFWS and Kern NWR are partnering on the project and will benefit from increased water supplies as well.
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Private Land Projects:
California Waterfowl and its partners, including the Central Valley Joint Venture and Wildlife Conservation Board and a litany of private duck clubs have been enhancing habitat by improving delivery and drainage of wetlands, rebuilding levees, and installing weirs. This year's efforts will improve wetlands on 12 private duck clubs in the region.
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Completed Projects
• San Joaquin Valley Completed Habitat Projects Map
Regional Biologist
Rich Wright
With degrees in wildlife environmental science and biology Rich is well suited for work in the San Joaquin Valley where water is always a limiting factor.
Meet all the Waterfowl and Wetlands staff.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HABITAT PROJECTS
California Waterfowl's first habitat project in southern California took place at San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Riverside County in 2007. In 2008, we hired a full-time biologist and stationed him in Murrieta to continue our efforts. Since then, we have received over $2.5-million in state and federal funds for habitat work in the Mystic Lake and Salton Sea Areas.
Although wetlands are not as prevalent in these areas as they used to be, California Waterfowl will continue to improve and restore and increase waterfowl populations throughout the region.
To request our services, or if you would like more information about habitat projects in southern California contact Greg Heydeman, Southern California Regional Biologist
Current Projects:
Imperial Valley WA - Wister Unit:
California Waterfowl was the recent recipient of a $438,000 Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) grant to enhance 225 acres of wetlands in the Wister Unit of the Imperial Valley Wildlife Area. The grant will also enable a water delivery pipeline that will benefit an additional 315 acres.
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Private Land Projects:
California Waterfowl completed enhancement projects on 4 private duck clubs near the Salton Sea. During 2009 over 370 acres of private land wetlands were enhanced in the Imperial Valley.
(Click for full size map)
Completed Projects
• Southern California Completed Habitat Projects Map
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