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Map Satellite This Wildlife Area, which is comprised of two parcels of land approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) apart, provides one of the few protected riparian associations on the Salinas River.
Cottonwood, Populus fremontii, is the dominant member of the overstory; however, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, is present in some numbers. Willows, Salix spp. are the main component of the understory and in portions, particularly in the northern parcel, form dense thickets. The riparian association covers most of the northern parcel but in the southern parcel forms only a border along the banks of the river wash.
In the uplands there is a grassland with scattered shrubs, including Atriplex sp.
Wildlife is relatively abundant. Mule deer, Odocoilaus hemionus, are fairly common here, as are jack rabbits, Lepus californicus, and California quail, Lophortyx californicus.
Most of the area lies on recent alluvium but there are Quaternary nonmarine terraces present.
Integrity: Portions of the riparian growth are virtually pristine; however, much of the remaining area is highly disturbed. Habitat restoration activities are underway in portions of the latter. The area is managed for hunting.
Use: Educational, scientific, observational, present.
May 1982
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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