If youareinterested inparticipatingapilotprojectorproviding feedback,pleasecontact This documenthighlights bestpracticesasunderstoodby wildlifeexpertsandpractitionersas ofFebruary 2020.
WATER MANAGEMENT HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS WILDLIFE TARGET • • Depth • • Timing • • • • • • • • • Shorebirds and other waterbirds shorebirds of diversity wider a benefit will and ideal is depth water Variable deep. inches to 6 mudflat Saturated September). to (July fall and May) to (March spring needed: is habitat when period acritical is Migration Valley year-round. Central the in present are Shorebirds smashed or incorporated. Remaining vegetation should be recommended. is cover vegetation 40% than Less sparseSome vegetation short, is OK. environments. flooded shallowly or mudflats Open stable. are others are declining;Some populations regularly. Valley Central the use 13 species invertebrates. other and worms bugs, various Eat ground. the of surface the off food peck to used then short, If soil. the in probe to used then long, If thin. Bills thin. and long often are Legs
• • • Depth • • Timing • • • • • • • • • Waterfowl irrigation in periods. dry additional require may plants Forage 18 inches. than greater depths use will species Some areinches recommended. 18 to 6inches from depths Water mid-July. to March from Valley Central the in breed species Some waterfowl in the Central Valley. for habitat provide to time important most the is March) to (October Winter winter. timothy) will provide food during swamp and smartweed (watergrass, Forage plants for waterfowl nesting. would use denser vegetation for species that breed in Central Valley some However, dense. very be not should areas resting on Vegetation areas. for resting important is islands) or (berms land dry Some to hide in.(cattails/tules) Some like species vegetation feeding. Open water is generally preferred for stable. are others are declining;Some populations swimmers. strong them make feet Webbed water and mud for food. the from invertebrates and seeds plants, filter that bills flat have Most swans and geese Ducks,
. • • • Pollinators • Depth • Timing • • • Nearly all populations are declining. all populations Nearly 3”. than larger butterflies monarch ¼” to than long less bees sweat tiny from colors, and sizes of range Wide beetles. and butterflies bees, native bees, honey of species 1,000 than More regularly. flooded others occasionally, only flooded some rain, winter get only will Some receive. likely will each water much how to related zones in Plant insects burrowing the drowns and plants the kill can it because zone adry as for long periods in areas designated Water should not inundate vegetation in soil. habitat nesting provide to disking) (no undisturbed remain should areas Drier bottom. basin the throughout and sides the along vegetation Plant cover) throughout the year. and food (providing flowers that vegetation native of adiversity Prefer
recharge basins recharge multibenefit Building cost of removing sediment buildup. of sediment removing cost operational the reducing area, smaller in awill in result accumulation sediment floor asloped with basins Creating ponds. recharge minimize of clogging successive and water the in sediment fine filter basins Settling time. over efficiently more recharge to basins successive the enabling area, asettling as act to basin receiving first the for allow can aseries within subbasins multiple Creating recharge. basin of efficiency the diminish greatly can clogging pore and buildup Sediment Reduce sediment and clogging Operational Benefits managers. basin to benefits operational provide and habitat wildlife create that recharge basin management strategies highlights guide This wildlife. for habitat create to opportunity an provides also water budget, groundwater recharge their balance managers water helping to addition In use. future for water bank and aquifers depleted replenish to tool excellent an is recharge Groundwater system. supply water our into resilience build to solutions seeking are state the across managers water and makers policy future, As California faces an water unpredictable • • • • include:that create waterbird habitat projects recharge multibenefit for sources funding local and state federal, Potential Funding Sources that can compromise berms. burrowing rodents help control can hawks for structures perching Installing thistle. Russian as such weeds nuisance of establishment the inhibit also can plantings These berms. stabilize and erosion prevent help will basins of sides the along vegetation Planting Stabilize basins soil. the infiltrate to water for channels create roots as time over rates recharge maintain help also can spells dry during Planting vegetation on basin bottoms Habitat Program Wildlife California Waterfowl and Fish of Department California Program Incentives Environmental Quality Service Conservation Resources Natural Program Wildlife and Fish for Partners Service Wildlife and U.S. Fish Program Flyway Pacific BoardWildlife Conservation
Key features of Grazing is the recommended method Burrowing rodents can cause multibenefit recharge for vegetation management due to its Frequent heavy disking and mowing Over time, sediment can build up, structural damage to earthen berms. low cost and effectiveness. There is a is not recommended for vegetation resulting in clogged soil pores and Because rodenticides can be harmful When possible, use surface water Berms planted with perennial Earthen berms can be used to create risk of soil compaction if herds are too removal as heavy equipment can decreased infiltration rates. Excess to wildlife, we suggest alternative from natural waterways to supply grasses and shrubs from local separate basins. Interbasin water dense or if grazers are applied for an result in soil compaction and reduced sediment can be removed using methods for rodent control, including recharge basins. This will expedite Establishing a vegetated forebay at seed can prevent bank erosion and control structures are needed to extended duration. Grazing should infiltration rates. However, these a grader and then added to islands trapping and/or installing owl boxes the introduction of vegetation and the basin inflow can help filter water provide additional habitat for birds control movement, flow rate, and only be used when soil conditions are methods may be needed periodically to within the recharge basins, providing and perching structures for hawks to invertebrates, which can act to jump- and reduce sediment transport and and pollinators. water levels in and between basins. dry to avoid soil compaction. control overgrowth of cattails or tule. resting habitat for waterbirds. encourage predation. start habit creation. clogging throughout the basin system.
Deeper basins should be avoided as they tend to compress clogging layers into the recharge basin floor, reducing infiltration rates over time. A balance between aquatic vegetation and open water When multiple basins exist together, they should be filled in a hierarchical order is essential to providing habitat and mitigating potential with certain basins flooded first and more frequently, while others are filled only issues, such as excessive mosquito and algae growth. occasionally. Designating basins as high, medium and low priority for flooding Managers should aim for 30% vegetation coverage in will allow the more frequently flooded basins to support vegetation that requires the shallow areas of the basin. This may include rooted, more water, thereby creating a broader diversity of vegetation and associated floating and submersed aquatic vegetation. wildlife species.