Eureka Canyon Riparian Corridor
Map SatelliteIncluded in this corridor is Eureka Creek and the immediately adjacent canyon bottom from Cookhouse Gulch downstream approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles).
The vegetation is riparian, with second-growth redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, the most conspicuous element. Other trees include California bay, Umbellularia californica, alder, Alnus sp., willow, Salix sp., and an occasional big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum. The area is rich in ferns, mosses, and horsetail, Equisetum sp.
A variety of amphibians is found here, including the Santa Cruz black salamander, Aneides flavipunctatus, ensatina, Ensatina eschscholtzi, California newt, Taricha torosa, and the Pacific giant salamander, Dicamptodon ensatus. The latter species is here near the southern limit of its range.
Integrity: There has been logging and there are some dwellings along the creek; however, the area is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, in public portion. Most of the area is private.
March 1978
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman