3.2 Coastal Wetlands
COASTAL WETLANDS
3.2
Coastal wetlands discussed in this section include creeks, rivers, or lagoons that discharge into the ocean
near the proposed receiver sites. Coastal wetland areas identified in the vicinity of the proposed receiver
sites include San Luis Rey River, Loma Alta Creek, Buena Vista Lagoon, Agua Hedionda Lagoon,
Batiquitos Lagoon, San Elijo Lagoon, San Dieguito Lagoon, Los Peasquitos Lagoon, Mission Bay, and
Tijuana Estuary. The characteristics below are summarized from the biological resources technical report,
Appendix D.
San Luis Rey River
The San Luis Rey River has a watershed area of 560 square miles and is located below Henshaw Dam.
It has been estimated that construction of the dam has reduced the average sediment yield of the river by
approximately 32 percent. The San Luis Rey River has historically received discharges of treated
wastewater. The ocean inlet at this location is open intermittently due to the presence of a sand barrier and
low fresh water flows. Currently the entire wetland excluding the river corridor covers 294 acres. Riparian
habitat is the dominant habitat type followed by estuarine open water. Endangered California brown
pelicans and California least terns feed and roost along the river. Riparian areas upstream support the
endangered least Bell's vireo.
Loma Alta Creek
The Loma Alta Creek is a seasonal freshwater creek that discharges into the ocean near Buccaneer Beach
Park. The creek flows under Pacific Street through a cement culvert, and the creek is industrialized inland.
There is no lagoon associated with the creek. The outlet area crosses a small steep sand beach that is
defined by rip-rap on both sides. A small freshwater marsh is located east of the outlet area. During the
dry season, the creek outlet to the ocean is closed by a sand berm.
Buena Vista Lagoon
Buena Vista Lagoon is a State Ecological Reserve managed by the CDFG. Historically, it was a tidal
lagoon; however, since 1940 the inlet has been closed by a man-made weir (a dam used to raise the
lagoon's water level and control flow at the mouth). The entire lagoon consists of 246 acres with the
primary habitats being fresh/brackish water and marsh, although there is a small remnant coastal saltmarsh.
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
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