Department of Applied Environmental Science
Upper Carr Lake
Natividad Creek originates in the foothills of the Gabilan Mountains and flows through farmland before entering the City of Salinas at Natividad Creek Park eventually opening into the Upper Carr Lake Basin.
While the primary purpose of the basin is flood control and drainage, a partnership between the City of Salinas and Habitat Stewardship Project, Monterey Bay (HSPMB) incorporated the design of a riparian corridor, seasonal wetland, and pedestrian hike/bike path at the site. These three features created an important open space and recreation feature in the community.
The riparian and wetland enhancements added vital habitat values to the site by enhancing water quality, minimizing erosion and sedimentation, creating vegetation and wildlife habitat, and increasing the aesthetic and recreational values at a site recently impacted by illegal dumping, off-road vehicle use and gang violence.
Following the opening of the basin on October 31, 2003, HSPMB staff, local school children, and community volunteers immediately began planting native plants grown in HSPMB's eighteen public school and university greenhouses.
The restoration site was planted with a mixture of native seeds and 15,000 native plants characteristic of the three habitats at the site: wetland, riparian, and upland.
Nest boxes for songbirds and small owls and raptors have been added. The basin now has suitable conditions for supporting wildlife species typically found in aquatic, freshwater marsh, woodland, and grassland habitats. Exciting animal species found to be using the site have included; burrowing owls, white pelicans, gopher snakes, Canada geese, treefrogs, great blue herons, common and great egrets, and grey fox.
HSPMB Funding for work on Upper Carr Lake has come from California Department of Water Resources-Urban Streams Program, California Department of Transportation-Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program, California ReLeaf, and the National Tree Trust.