About Elk Creek

Below is the Elk Creek Wetland Special Study, a comprehensive report and atlas that defines the environmental limits and resource value of the Elk Creek drainage system, located northeast of Crescent City in Del Norte County. The study area encompasses nearly 2,000 acres, extending from the forested uplands of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to the Crescent City Harbor.

Key highlights of the document include:

  • Purpose: To establish clear wetland boundaries and identify sensitive resources to guide logical and compatible local development.* 
  • Resource Inventory: Detailed analysis of the area's unique geology, soil types (including Talawa and Hutsinpillar soils), and diverse vegetation that ranges from saturated marshlands to upland forests. 
  • Wildlife Habitat: Identification of numerous species supported by the habitat, including blacktail deer, black bear, various raptors, and historical anadromous fisheries. 
  • Land Use History: A review of the region’s history from its use by the local Talawa Indians to modern activities like grazing, forestry, and recreation. 
  • Management Recommendations: Specific policies and recommendations designed to maintain and enhance the ecological value of the wetland.

The study also includes an accompanying atlas (at a 1:12,000 scale) illustrating drainage courses, flood hazards, and current zoning to assist in coastal planning and habitat maintenance.
elkcreekspecialstudy[1].pdf
File Size: 4493 kb
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Below is a comprehensive technical report titled "A Survey of Aquatic Habitats, Fishes and other Aquatic Fauna of Elk Creek, Crescent City, California," authored by Justin M. Garwood of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It provides a modern assessment (based on surveys conducted from 2013–2018) of the ecological health and fish populations within the Elk Creek watershed.

Key features of the report include:

  • Species Inventory: Detailed data on the occupancy and distribution of salmonids, including Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Coastal Cutthroat Trout, as well as non-salmonid species like the Threespine Stickleback and Coastrange Sculpin.
  • Habitat Assessment: An evaluation of the current state of aquatic habitats, highlighting critical areas for spawning and rearing.
  • Ecological Threats: Identification of specific threats to the watershed, such as fish passage barriers (culverts and tide gates), loss of floodplain connectivity, and water quality issues.
  • Restoration Foundation: Technical data intended to support the Smith River Alliance and other stakeholders in developing refined restoration strategies for the Elk Creek basin.
  • Geospatial Data: Maps and coordinates of sampling locations throughout the watershed, from the headwaters in the redwoods to the estuary at Crescent City Harbor.

This report serves as an essential update to older studies, offering a data-driven look at the watershed's current biodiversity and the "bottlenecks" preventing full recovery of its native fish populations.

elk-creek-crescent-city-salmonid-report-2019.pdf
File Size: 1812 kb
File Type: pdf
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