Sept. 6, 2023

Boosted by state and federal grants, planning for the initial phase of habitat restoration work along Lagunitas Creek is nearing completion, with the project commencing as soon as next summer following final design work.   

The Lagunitas Creek Habitat Restoration project includes 13 restoration sites comprising nearly a mile of channel improvements via the placement of 278 logs and more than 12 tons of gravel below Peters Dam. Meant to mimic natural habitats, the project promises to enhance an important coldwater spawning and rearing site for key protected species, such as coho salmon, steelhead trout and California freshwater shrimp. 

As stewards of the watershed, and in compliance with state water rules developed in 1995, Marin Water has a duty to take care of protected and endangered species in Lagunitas Creek. Our work to improve the species’ habitat also benefits the overall ecological health of the watershed, and partnerships have played a key role in planning and project development. Marin Water has worked closely with California State Parks to plan upcoming work, and to minimize impacts to sensitive habitats while restoration work is ongoing.   

Further, since launching the project in 2020, Marin Water has secured more than $3 million in grants from state and federal sources, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This support has helped push forward improvements to a California priority watershed – Lagunitas Creek – that is considered critical to the recovery of endangered Central Coast coho salmon.