Big Lagoon is located near the community of Muir Beach in Marin County, CA. Redwood Creek flows from Muir Woods through a relatively intact riparian corridor into an intermittently-flowing, tidal lagoon. Although the creek and lagoon have been impacted by high sediment loads from upstream, the Redwood Creek watershed is rare among California coastal watersheds of its size, remaining largely undeveloped with populations of coho, steelhead as well as other special status species in protected State and Federal Park lands. The lowermost portion of the site contains seasonal wetland habitat and has recovered rapidly from the adverse impacts of historic grazing.

Informed by a complementary sediment source analysis conducted by Stillwater Sciences in the upper watershed, we have worked collaboratively with Phillip Williams & Associates to develop a management and restoration program for Big Lagoon and lower Redwood Creek. By understanding how biological resources at the site have responded historically to human impacts and the evolution of the landscape through geomorphic processes, the program is based on anticipating and directing the seasonal and inter-annual patterns of flooding, sedimentation, erosion, wind-blown sand, wave action and saltwater mixing. The restoration program thereby minimizes the need for human intervention in the future.

In taking advantage of the natural geomorphic evolution of the site, we will provide the greatest opportunities to enhance native biodiversity within the ecosystem, as well as specifically provide suitable habitat for focal species within the planning horizon.