Noteworthy species in Bolinas Lagoon include Ridgway’s and black rails, salt marsh common yellowthroat, great egrets, and great blue herons occur around the lagoon. California red-legged frog are known to occur adjacent to the lagoon in freshwater ponds and other notable species in the Bolinas Lagoon watershed include California brown pelican, American peregrine falcon, Point Reyes mountain beaver, and Point Reyes jumping mouse.
Pine Gulch Creek
The headwaters of the 7.6 mile-long creek flow southeast on the west side of Highway 1 where it is fed by several tributaries (Cottingham Gulch, Cronin Gulch, and Copper Mine Gulch) that flow from the slopes to the east of Highway 101. This section of the creek is paralleled by the Olema Valley Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. It then turns south towards Bolinas where McCormick Creek enters from the west at Pablo Point. Bending to the east, the creek crosses under Olema-Bolinas Road and feeds into the west side of Bolinas Lagoon just north of the town of Bolinas. Much of the watershed is in public ownership. Private communities occur within the Pine Gulch Creek subwatershed and some private parcels within Pine Gulch Creek are used for farming. Organic farmers along Pine Gulch Creek have established a cooperative agreement with local agencies to protect water in creeks for Coho salmon and steelhead trout habitat, while also maintaining local agriculture.
In Pine Gulch Creek, important species include Coho salmon, Steelhead trout, Northern spotted owl, Salt marsh common yellowthroat, Black swift, California red-legged frog, and Marin manzanita.
East Shore Gulches
All along the eastern shore span a series of ten gulches that drain to Bolinas Lagoon from the western facing slopes. At the northern most end is Lewis Gulch which crosses under Highway 1 just south of Horseshoe Hill Road, paralleling the highway until veering south along Olema-Bolinas Road a short distance before crossing under the road to the lagoon, and Wilkens Gulch which flows into the lagoon at Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Continuing from north to south is Pike County Gulch, Volunteer Canyon, Audubon Canyon, Barthelemy Gulch, Morses Gulch, McKinnan Gulch, School Gulch, and lastly Stinson Gulch which empties at the mouth of Easkoot Creek.
California red-legged frog and steelhead trout are known to occur in Wilkins Gulch, and Steelhead trout are known to occur in Morse’s Gulch, McKinnon Gulch, and Stinson Gulch.
Audubon Canyon is the home of Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) and part of the Martin Griffin Preserve. The Martin Griffin Preserve encompasses 1,000 acres and has been protected in perpetuity since 1962 as a wildlife sanctuary. The preserve also includes Volunteer Canyon and Pike County Gulch.
Easkoot Creek
Easkoot Creek is the second largest drainage in the watershed with an area of approximately 1.59 square miles. Easkoot drains into the east side of Bolinas Lagoon and is located within one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant areas on the California coast. It has several small tributaries (Fitzhenry, Grey Rock, White Rock, and Black Rock Creeks) forming the upper watershed. Much of the upper watershed located on the steep lower western slope of Mt. Tamalpais is publicly owned, mostly undeveloped, and supports a mix of forested, chaparral, and grassland habitats. The lower watershed runs through the community of Stinson Beach and is mostly privately owned and more heavily developed.
A complex of habitats supports a variety of species at the mouth of Easkoot Creek. The finger of lagoon that extends to the mouth of Easkoot Creek, commonly referred to as south arm, supports saltmarsh habitat, frequently exposed mudflats, and subtidal channels, all bordered by development on the Stinson Beach Spit. In recent years, salt marsh habitat has been expanding in the south arm due to the restoration of a more natural tidal range following the removal of the constriction caused by the Stinson Gulch delta. This area serves as a nursery for fish, and harbor seals haul out on the mudflats. Rails are present and an abundance of invertebrates provide a food source for shore and waterbirds.
It is designated as a “Wetland of International Significance” by the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance.
Remember, storm drains connect streets to creeks. Simple changes can make a big impact. Bolinas Lagoon Watershed is Ours to Protect.
