Coastal cutthroat trout are just one of four salmonid species observed within the Elk Creek watershed. (Photo- California Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Smith River Alliance (SRA) and partners are restoring and improving instream and riparian habitats on coastal streams across Del Norte County. Elk Creek, an urban wetland and salmonid refuge nestled within the county’s largest city, is providing important opportunities to contribute to the larger effort. Fifteen miles of anadromous streams in the Elk Creek basin host coastal cutthroat trout, as well as coho, steelhead, and Chinook salmon.

Contrary to the long-held belief that west coast salmonids divide their life histories between the Pacific Ocean and a single natal stream, recent studies have documented the movement of young fish between multiple coastal watersheds up to forty miles apart. The use of as many as three separate streams, or “coastal meta nurseries” before committing to a saltwater life may impart numerous benefits, including variable habitat, food supply, and shelter from storm and flood events. The lesson is clear – conservation of salmon strongholds like the Smith River is critical, but it is just the beginning.

Most visitors pass through downtown Crescent City barely notice Elk Creek or its many tributaries. Culverts hide the stream beneath Highway 101 and elsewhere, dense riparian vegetation conceals its extensive wetlands. Much of the watershed spans developed areas, but portions of its headwaters are protected within Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The Elk Creek Wetlands Wildlife Area, managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, contains important coastal wetlands, significantly altered by dikes from another era. Just upstream, more intact privately held wetlands provide vital ecosystem services and an important baseline for restoration.

Today the coastal wetlands of Elk Creek provide important resilience to flooding and ocean events, improved water quality, and outstanding habitat for birds and aquatic organisms, but there is room for improvement. For example, there are under-sized culverts on key transportation routes, legacy contamination that require remediation, illegal dumping, and a range of wetland restoration projects to be considered. Culvert replacements would improve the safety and durability of our roads. Projects that improve water quality and enhance fish and wildlife habitat can increase stormwater infiltration, mitigate storm surges, and remediate environmental contamination. Fully functioning Elk Creek wetlands will make Crescent City more resilient to rising seas and natural disasters like the tsunami that damaged its harbor earlier this summer.

The Elk Creek Restoration Feasibility Study (2021) identified thirty multiple benefit restoration projects aimed at improving Elk Creek’s habitat values, water quality, and benefits to coastal resilience. Several fish passage projects are underway, and SRA is launching a community survey ahead of in-person community listening sessions that will help guide one of the projects identified in the plan. Meanwhile, SRA will continue to work with partners to conduct volunteer cleanup events which have collected tons of trash and debris from this underappreciated watershed.

Learn More About Elk Creek

Volunteer at an upcoming cleanup event- Coastal Cleanup Day at Elk Creek is Saturday, September 20.

Participate in the Elk Creek Wetlands Wildlife Area Community Survey (also available in Spanish).

Read about Elk Creek and other exciting restoration projects on the Del Norte County coastal plain.

Attend an Elk Creek Community Listening Session- stay tuned for dates and locations.

The Elk Creek watershed includes a mosaic of wetland, shrub, and forest habitats. (Photo- Stillwater Sciences)