Batiquitos lagoon Foundation

• BLF incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1983 by concerned citizens in the community. our Mission is to Preserve, protect & enhance Batiquitos Lagoon. The CDF&W is primarily responsible for the lagoon.

Less than 10% of wetlands remain in the U.S.

• When the lagoon was formed it was a big open bay; through development over time and sea level drop it became an estuary.
• Development constricting tidal flushing: Pacific Coast Hwy, railroad bridge, and I-5.
• Tidal influence was diminished over time and the lagoon became stagnant and smelly.
• Fish population was down to five species.
• Endangered species such as least terns, snowy plovers,and Ridgeway's rail were being threatened.

Port of Los Angeles

• In 1980, mitigation funds became available and in 1984 Batiquitos Lagoon was selected for restoration with these funds which were required to compensate for the destruction of coastal habitat during the dredging of San Pedro harbor. The initial restoration cost was over $55 million and took three years.

Restoration Project

• Started in 1994 and completed in 1997, the lagoon was dredged to an average depth of 6–7 feet. The sand was pumped out and spread onto the beach and packed around the sides of the nesting sites and railroad berm. It was then fortified with large rocks to protect from decomposition.
• The restoration project has been a success. The lagoon itself consists of 610 acres that drain from a watershed through Carlsbad, San Marcos, Encinitas, and parts of Escondido. The main tributaries are San Marcos and Encinitas creeks. Today There are over 65 species of fish and 200+ species of birds that have been observed at the lagoon.
• We'v'e had over 25,000 visitors in our nature center (2019 prior to COVID) and estimate over 250,000 visitors use the trail each year.

Maintenance Dredging Needed

• It is estimated that approximately 50,000 cubic yards of sand are washed into the lagoon naturally through tides and storm events each year.
• The longshore current is responsible for the majority of this sand transfer.
• Choke points at Pacific Coast Highway and the railroad bridge deposit the majority of sand in the central basin.
• Development of the sand bar reduces tidal flushing.

Most Recent Maintenance Dredging

• November 2011 - Approximately 108,000 cubic yards of sand was removed along with cobble stones and mud.
• November 2019 - Approximately 114,512 cubic yards of sand was removed from the central basin.
• All dredged materials were placed on South Ponto State Beach in a retention basin.

Future Dates for Dredging

• Fall 2024
• In order to balance the need for dredging and preserving the Batiquitos Maintenance account, a periodic dredge cycle has been implemented.

Benefits of Dredging

• Promotes water quality by improving tidal flushing.
• Allows the development of eelgrass beds which act as nursery areas for many fish species.
• Allows the development of pacific cord grass which provides refuge for the endangered Ridgeway's rail.
• Allows the transport of nutrients throughout all three basins.
• Allows the development of nesting sites for the California least tern and western snowy plove.r
• Provides beach replenishment opportunities.