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Map Satellite One of the larger salt marshes in the San Pablo Bay drainage, the Petaluma Marsh extends inland some 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the mouth of the Petaluma River; the more extensive marshes are inland.
Vegetation in the marsh includes cord grass, Spartina foliosa, pickleweed, Salicornia virginica, salt grass, Distichlis spicata, and Frankenia salina among others.
Birds are the most conspicuous animals in the marsh area. The endangered California clapper rail, Rallus longirostris obsoletus, occurs here as does the black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis, as well as the American bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus. White-tailed kites, Elanus leucurus, are frequently seen here. The endangered salt-marsh harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys raviventris, inhabits the marsh.
Integrity: Portions are leveed and there is some fill. Pollution in the river has affected the marsh.
Use: Research, educational, observational. Most private.
February 1978
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2008 Steven Louis Hartman
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