Santa Clara River Mouth
Map SatelliteNear the mouth of this now channeled river are found the characteristic flora and fauna of the riparian habitat of the region. Approximately half of the area is riparian; most of the remainder is barren, but there is a small amount of coastal strand.
Conspicuous in the low-water channel are Scirpus americanus and Cyperus niger. The adjacent floodplain is dominated by Salix hindsiana with scattered Populus trichocarpa. Near the mouth of the river the rare Cordylanthus maritimus grows.
The waterflow is underground much of the year.
Integrity: The area is channeled, as floods of considerable volume are not uncommon during the winter months. Flood control clearance has precluded a full riparian growth. The watercourse is bracketed by industrial and agricultural land uses.
Use: Public portion, educational, observation. Remainder, private.
February 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman