Bibliography Background About KRIS
Hypothesis #5: High levels of sediment limit salmonid production in the Lagunitas Creek watershed.
Sedimentation is one of the primary constraints on salmonid habitat in Lagunitas Creek and has caused habitat changes including reductions in pool volume and the spaces between cobbles, thereby decreasing summer rearing and winter refuge habitat (Kelley, 1978 and Kelley and Dettman, 1980, Kelley and Entrix, 1992). Delivery of fine sediments is possibly exacerbated by changes in sediment transport resulting from the construction of dams in this watershed. However, these factors do not seem to be so adverse to salmonids as to continue to drive declines in abundance. In 1979, the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) entered into an agreement for interim operation of the enlarged Kent Lake to begin biological, hydrological, and geomorphic studies to determine mitigation strategies to address the possible degradation of the creek. Intensive monitoring of substrate conditions in Lagunitas Creek has generated much data (MMWD 1997) but offers no simple explanation on the condition or trends of spawning and rearing habitat.
The San Geronimo sub-basin is thought to be the primary source of habitat-impairing sediment, contributing primarily fine gravel and coarse sand (1.5-4.0 mm) downstream (Hecht and Enkeboll 1979). A sediment transport model was developed and studies were conducted on bed scour and sediment storage versus bedload transport rates (Hecht et al., 1980 and Hecht and Enkeboll, 1981). In 1982, SWRCB issued Decision 1582, which established interim flows and mandated additional studies. Bed scour, as well as pool and bar sedimentation affecting summer habitat were noted as being significant constraints on salmonid populations (Bratovich and Kelley, 1988). Hecht and Woyshner (1988) determined that to offset altered flow and maintain bed conditions sediment delivery had to be reduced from San Geronimo by approximately 600 tons/year. These studies are compiled and summarized in Balance Hydrologics (1992), which also includes a proposed sediment management plan.
Sedimentation issues are summarized by the State Water Resources Board (CRWQCB 1995) in Order 95-17, which outlined the mitigation activities required of Marin Municipal Water District for the expansion of Peters Dam. This included the completion of a final sediment management and implementation plan (MMWD 1997), which detailed erosion control activities, additions of spawning gravels and large woody debris, planting riparian vegetation, and monitoring to track improvement (PCI 2000, Balance Hydrologics 2001). The Marin Resource Conservation District is also currently involved with the sediment reduction program and annual streambed monitoring and has conducted earlier erosion inventories and completed erosion control projects in the watershed (Prunuske 1988, 1983). Balance Hydrologics (2001) notes that sediment yields are decreasing which suggests the erosion control measures are working.
Limited sediment studies have also been conducted in the Olema Creek watershed, a tributary of Lagunitas Creek. Hecht et al. (1980) found comparatively high sediment rates in this sub-watershed. Kelly (1985) found a large amount of sand in stream bottom, as well as embedded cobbles. An erosion and sediment study (Questa 1990) was also conducted in the late 1980’s by consultants to the Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE), which evaluated major sources of sediment. Water quality monitoring conducted by PORE found sediment to be a major pollutant of concern in this sub-watershed (NPS 2001). PORE is leading the effort here to continue studies and implement projects.
KRIS Topics
The following Topics in KRIS West-Marin Sonoma provide data relevant to the hypothesis. From each topic, the Info Links tab provides access to background information and relevant documents.
Sediment: Bed Surface Composition - D50, Summary 1995-2000
Sediment: Bed Surface Composition - D50, Summary 1995-2000
Sediment: DG to TB - Embeddedness 1980-2000
Sediment: SG to DG - Embeddedness 1979-2000
Habitat: Lagunitas & San Geronimo Cr Substrate Percent 1998-1999
Sediment: SG to DG - Embeddedness 1979-2000
Tour: Channel Evaluation of Lagunitas Creek
WQ: Total Suspended Sediments in Olema Creek 1999-2001
References
Balance Hydrologics Inc. 1992. Sediment overview report: Development of an Initial Sediment-Management Plan for Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, California. Prepared for Marin Municipal Water District. Note: Citation only.
Balance Hydrologics Inc. 2001. Annual hydrologic record and bedload-sediment transport measurements for San Geronimo Creek at Lagunitas Road Bridge, Marin County, California: Data Report for Water Year 2000. Prepared for Marin Municipal Water District. Note: Citation only.
Bratovich, P. M. and D. W. Kelley. 1988. Investigations of salmon and steelhead in Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, California. Volume 1. Migration, spawning, embryo incubation and emergence, juvenile rearing, and emigration. In Summary of study results and proposed mitigation measures, Lagunitas Creek basin, Marin County, California, October 1988. Prepared for the Marin Municipal Water District. Corte Madera, CA. 206 pp. [1.7Mb]**
California State Water Resources Control Board. 1995. Order amending water rights and requiring changes in water diversion practices to protect fishery resources and to prevent unauthorized diversion and use of water. Order WR 95-17, Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. 126 pp. [2.7Mb]**
D.W. Kelly and Associates. 1985. Reconnaissance survey on Olema Creek, October 16, 1985. Prepared for the National Park Service. Note: Citation only.
D. W. Kelley & Associates and Entrix Inc. 1992. Habitat recommendations for Lagunitas Creek, California. Prepared for the Marin Municipal Water District. Note: Citation only.
Ettlinger, E., G. Andrew, and G. Aull. 2000. Habitat typing survey report for Lagunitas Creek, San Geronimo Creek, and Devils Gulch, Marin County, California 1992-1999. Marin Municipal Water District. Corte Madera, CA. 72 pp. [473kb]**
Hecht, B. and R. Enkoboll. 1979. Substrate enhancement/sediment management study, Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Phase I: Sediment sources and control alternatives. In Sediment overview report: Development of an Initial Sediment-Management Plan for Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, California. Prepared for Marin Municipal Water District by H. Esmali & Associates, Inc. 44 pp. plus appendices. Note: Citation only.
Hecht, B. and R. Enkeboll. 1981. Substrate enhancement/sediment management study, Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Phase IIIb: Sediment transport and bed conditions, 1979-1982. In Sediment overview report: Development of an Initial Sediment-Management Plan for Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, California. Prepared for Marin Municipal Water District by HEA, A Division of J.H. Kleinfelder & Associates. 172 pp. Note: Citation only.
Hecht, B., R. Enkeboll, and G. Muehleck. 1980. Substrate enhancement/sediment management study, Lagunitas Creek, Marin County. Phase II: Sediment transport and substrate conditions, 1979-1980. In Sediment overview report: Development of an Initial Sediment-Management Plan for Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, California. Prepared for Marin Municipal Water District by H. Esmali & Associates, Inc. 91 pp. plus appendices Note: Citation only.
Hecht, B. and M. R. Woyshner. 1988. Status summary report substrate enhancement sediment management plan, Lagunitas Creek. In Summary of study results and proposed mitigation measures, Lagunitas Creek basin, Marin County, California, October 1988. Prepared for the Marin Municipal Water District. Corte Madera, CA. 36 pp. [295kb]**
Kelley, D. W. and D. H. Dettman. 1980. Relationships between streamflow, rearing habitat, substrate conditions, and juvenile steelhead populations in Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, 1979. Prepared for the Marin Municipal Water District. Corte Madera, CA. 49 pp. [372kb]**
Kelley, D. W. and R. C. Reineck Jr. 1978. Relationship between streamflow and salmonid rearing habitat in Walker and Lagunitas Creeks, Marin County. Prepared for Marin Municipal Water District. Corte Madera, CA. 22 pp. [507kb]**
Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). 1997. Lagunitas Creek, Marin County, California, final sediment and riparian management plan. Prepared by Prunuske Chatham Inc. Corte Madera, CA. 138 pp.**
National Park Service. 2001. Point Reyes National Seashore water quality monitoring report, May 1999-May 2001. National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore. 188 pp. [10.5Mb]
Prunuske, L. 1983. Lagunitas Creek watershed erosion sites. Prepared for the Marin Resource Conservation District and California Council of Trout Unlimited by Circuit Rider Productions. Note: Citation only.
Prunuske, L. 1988. Final report Lagunitas Watershed Erosion Control Program, December 1988. Prepared for Marin Resource Conservation District by Prunuske Chatham Inc. 13 pp. plus appendices Note: Citation only.
Prunuske Chatham Inc. 2000. San Geronimo bedload sediment reduction program, 2000 monitoring report. Prepared in association with Balance Hydrologics, Inc. for Marin County Resource Conservation District and Marin Municipal Water District. Occidental, CA. 59 pp. [1.3Mb]**
Questa Engineering Corporation. 1990. Final report: Olema Creek sedimentation and erosion study, April 1990. Prepared for the National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore. Contract No. CS80000-6-0007. Note: Citation only.
