Now Due
Comments due on Chicken Ranch Beach Report
September 21
TBWC Meeting
October 16
TBWC Annual Meeting
State of the Bay |
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Featured Photo:
Rowing Boats with Fog on Tomales Bay
Photo courtesy of Richard Blair Photography |
 Welcome!
Tomales Bay Watershed Council (TBWC) News is published monthly. and includes announcements of Council meetings and other happenings in the watershed.
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We welcome your comments on our newsletter or on any of the Council's Activities. We also welcome contibuted articles, links to relevant websites, and photograghs Contact us at info@tomalesbaywatershed.org.
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Meeting Schedule Change
Please note: There will be no August Meeting.
The next meeting of the Council will be September 21, 2010 at 3:30pm in the Rebarn Classroom, PRNS.
The Agenda will be in the August Newsletter
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State of the Bay
October 22-23, 2010
Just a few of the highlights will include:
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Giacomini Marsh Restoration
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Status of native species and invasive species
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Coho Restoration Efforts
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Agriculture Conservation and Water Quality efforts
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Climate Change and its effects on the Bay
Look for a full agenda and link to registration site next month!
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Chicken Ranch Beach/3rd Valley Creek: Comments are due!
 We are trying to wrap up the comment period on the first draft report and start working on a revision; if you have important comments to make on the first draft, please get them into us as soon as possible. Send comments to : To find the full draft report and summary report, go to: |
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TBWC Water Quality Monitoring:
Dissolved Oxygen in Surface Waters
As summer temperatures rise, and the water level in our creeks falls, it seems an appropriate time to discuss both the importance of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, and the mechanisms that control these levels in surface waters.
Like terrestrial animals, aquatic organisms from algae to fish need oxygen to live. These organisms get the oxygen they need by extracting microscopic bubbles of dissolved oxygen gas (O2) from the water. The oxygen level that is available in the water is determined by several factors including atmospheric pressure, temperature and the rates of photosynthesis and decomposition. Oxygen is produced during photosynthesis and consumed during respiration and decomposition. The latter processes occur throughout the day and night, while the former occurs only during the day. For this reason, dissolved oxygen levels are often lowest just before dawn before photosynthesis resumes.
The other major source of oxygen in the water is from the atmosphere. Because the concentration of oxygen in our atmosphere is about 21%, and only a fraction of 1% in water, oxygen seeks equilibrium by dissolving into water. This diffusion is increased by any turbulent flow over riffles in the creek, or by wind-driven waves both of which increase the surface area through which the diffusion can occur. The other major control of DO concentration is water temperature. Cold water can hold more dissolved gas than warm water. The relationship between temperature and DO is shown in the following graph.  The consequence of this relationship is very important for the survival of aquatic organisms. As water levels drop, and water flow slows, there is less surface area across which oxygen diffusion can take place. In addition, shallower water is more easily heated by the warm summer sun, further decreasing its capacity to hold oxygen. The consequence of these processes for aquatic organisms, such as Coho and Steelhead is profound. These species in particular require relatively high levels of dissolved oxygen for survival. The Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) established a water quality objective for cold water fish habitat of 7.0 mg/L. Conditions in our streams can often fall below that objective during the summer in many reaches. During these periods, fish must seek refuge in cooler water near undercut or shaded banks, or in deeper pools that are less affected by sun-driven temperature increases. For these reasons, maintaining stream canopy cover and pool habitat is important to support these species during the stressful summer season.
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Coastal Commission Tours Tomales Dunes at Lawson's Landing
Ecologist John Dixon talks about some of the environmental considerations associated with the proposed use changes at Lawson's Landing, during a tour of the facility by the Coastal Commissioners and concerned parties on Thursday. (IJ photo/Jeff Vendsel)  |
On July 8, the California Coastal Commission toured the 940-acre site at Dillon Beach in the northeast corner of the Tomales Bay waterhshed, and home to the largest stretch of sand dune habitat in private ownership on the coast - as well as the region's biggest coastal campground and trailer park.
The Coastal Commission's job is to determine whether Marin County's master plan of improvements for the facility is consistent with the Coastal Act. A public hearing and decision have not yet been scheduled.
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The Inverness Association's
Pampas Grass Eradication Program
 Of California's many invasive plants, none is as conspicuous as pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata), plentiful along coastal roads and highways. In summer and fall, its striking golden plumes wave at motorists on Highway One from the Golden Gate to Marshall. Once firmly established, it will completely choke out native and other plants, and provide neither food nor cover for wildlife. The Inverness Association has undertaken to eradicate pampas grass along Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Inverness, to enhance our own natural environment, to prevent it from spreading further, and to inform our West Marin community about the importance of eliminating this noxious plant on public and private lands. Our outreach program, to local residents and citizens' groups, will include helpful information on sound removal methods. In July, pampas grass on Sir Francis Drake Blvd, from Inverness Park to Camino Del Mar will be removed by a local landscape contractor. Something of an experiment, we hope to encourage local residents to become aware of and take responsibility for protecting California's natural environment from the spread of this and other invasive plants.
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Grown in Marin - Newletter Available
The summer issue of grown in Marin focusses on Cheese Making and on Planning the future of Marin's Agriculture. To view newsletter click on link below:
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Updates on Gulf Spill Response:
Protecting Sea Turtles in Gulf: Local Group, Turtle Island Restoration Network, and other environmental groups on July 2 won a lawsuit requiring BP and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure that sea turtles are protected before burning oil from the sea surface. Read Press Release
New official Government Website: The federal government has launched a new official website for infomration about the Deepwater Horizon spill response. Link below for article on the new site and a link to site itself:
Scientists Say Gulf Spill Altering
Food Web From July 14 Associated Press Article on NPR website
Scientists are reporting early signs that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is altering the marine food web by killing or tainting some creatures and spurring the growth of others more suited to a fouled environment.
Near the spill site, researchers have documented a massive die-off of pyrosomes - cucumber-shaped, gelatinous organisms fed on by endangered sea turtles.
Along the coast, droplets of oil are being found inside the shells of young crabs that are a mainstay in the diet of fish, turtles and shorebirds.
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Rainfall in Tomales Bay Watershed
We will report on rainfall again in the fall when the rains begin.
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Past Issues Would you like to see past issues of our newsletter? Click here to go to our website where past issues of our newsletter (starting with December, 2009) and other information and reports are available | |
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We appreciate your ongoing interest and support and look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know if this is a meaningful and effective way to provide you with updates on our activities each month.
Sincerely,
Neysa, Rob, Margaret, and Melinda Tomales Bay Watershed Council Staff
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