McDaniel Slough Project
Restore Coastal Wetlands Project
Completed: 2013
Overview
- Restored over 250 acres of former tidelands and 24.5 acres of freshwater wetlands between Humboldt Bay and Samoa Boulevard.
- Benefits many resident and migratory bird species and threatened or endangered fish species.
- Connects over 1,300 continuous acres of protected land on Humboldt Bay's northern edge.
History/Location
Humboldt Bay lost nearly 90% of its former wetlands due to historic large-scale diking of tidal marches. Today less than 1,000 acres of salt marsh remain. Humboldt Bay is second only to San Francisco Bay in the numbers and diversity of migratory waterbirds wintering along California's coastal Pacific Flyway. Humboldt Bay, including the mouth of the Eel River, hosts over 100,000 shorebirds every year. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the north Humboldt Bay area where the McDaniel Slough project is located.
The McDaniel Slough Restoration and Enhancement project's location takes advantage of one of the last, best opportunities on Humboldt Bay to restore coastal wetlands. The site, unconstrained by railroad tracks or Highway 101 which cuts off most of the Bay's former tidelands, affords easy passage for both water and wildlife.
Restoration Enhancements
The McDaniel Slough project restored 222 acres of former tidelands and 24.5 acres of freshwater wetlands. This involved removing tide gates, deepening historic slough channels, and removing failing and/or obsolete levees. The project benefited many resident and migratory bird species, federally listed Coho and Chinook salmon, tidewater goby, steelhead, and state-listed cutthroat trout.
By increasing the stream and slough's channel capacity after removing tide gates, the project improved floodwater routing. The resulting tidal scour helped move sediment and reduce or eliminate in-stream invasive vegetation. The project is designed to restore natural hydrologic process, be self-sustaining and accommodate sea-level rise.
Partnership and Funding
A $75,000 award from the North American Wetlands Conservation Acts (NAWCA) grants program was granted for this project. Additionally, funding was provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the amount of $85,795, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for $52,250 and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) for $125,980. This funding was critical for the construction of levees, palustrine and estuarine wetlands and tide gate installation to restore estuarine habitat to 222 acres of former tidelands.