San Joaquin River Riparian Habitat #1

Before the river was dammed, periodic flooding resulted in the formation of wide strips of lush riparian vegetation along its banks. In this stretch, which runs from Lanes Bridge downstream some 6.5 kilometers (4 miles), the riverbed and the associated riparian habitat vary from some 180 meters (600 feet) to 490 meters (1,600 feet) in width.

Typical of the valley riparian habitat, the dominant species include cottonwood, Populus fremontii, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, Oregon ash, Fraxinus latifolia, several willows, Salix spp., wild blackberry, Rubus sp., elderberry, Sambucus sp., wild grape, Vitis californica, several rushes, Juncus spp., and cattails, Typha spp.

Wildlife populations are generally high and include a wide variety of passerine birds, raptors and small mammals as well as a number of game birds, mammals and fish. The rare giant garter snake, Thamnophis couchi gigas, may be present in the area.

Integrity: Though the ash, which gave its name to the nearby city of Fresno (Spanish for "ash" is "fresno"), is largely depleted and the area has been quarried in places for gravel, much of the overflow areas of the river have been left undeveloped. On both sides of the area the land is farmed. The river flow is a minute fraction of its original volume.

Use: Educational, research, observational, light recreational. Ownership, though listed as private, may be public if the river in this stretch was at one time navigable.

July 1975