Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area (Portion)
Map SatelliteThough the portion of the Recreation Area south and east of the Sacramento River is a well-used campground, the section to the north has been designated a Natural Preserve and exhibits a typical valley riparian community. The tall overstory includes cottonwood, Populus fremontii, sycamore, Platanus racemosa, and valley oak, Quercus lobata.
In the understory there are shade-tolerant trees and other plants, including California black walnut, Juglans hindsii, which was probably naturalized, box elder, Acer negundo, white alder, Alnus rhombifolia, Oregon ash, Fraxinus latifolia, wild grape, Vitis californica, blackberry, Rubus ursinus, and wild rose, Rosa californica. Sandbar willow, Salix hindsiana, is one of several species of willow present.
Animals are comparatively abundant and are typical of the community. The river otter, Lutra canadensis, and the beaver, Castor canadensis, may be seen here. The rare yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus occidentalis, occurs here.
Integrity: Though in a protected status, the area suffers from human disturbance.
Use: Research, educational, observational, present.
August 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman