Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

18000 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648;  http://www.amigosdebolsachica.org

The Bolsa Chica Wetlands are currently the northernmost section of wetlands in Huntington Beach but represent a fraction of what existed before.  The wetlands formed in part from Freeman Creek, a tributary of the Santa Ana River.  Water from Freeman Creek, in addition to artesian wells, formed a fresh and saltwater marsh environment that was lushly vegetated and teeming with wildlife.  Paleo-coastal Native Americans lived in this area as long as 8,000 years ago.  Tongva tribes replaced/integrated the original inhabitants around 500-800 years ago.  The Tongva flourished – until the arrival of the Spanish in the 1600s.  The Spanish partitioned the land into large tracts and granted it to wealthy Spanish and Mestizo families.  The area which would become Bolsa Chica was granted to a retired Mexican soldier, Manual Perez Nieto, as a part of a 300,000-acre land grant.  The wetlands were largely ignored during this time, as most of the land was used for ranching. 

After Nieto’s death, his daughter in law, Catarina Ruiz, inherited the parcel of land that contained the wetlands and the mouth of the Santa Ana River.  She called the area Rancho Las Bolsas (“The Purses”); she then granted her brother 8,000 acres that included the wetlands, and he called it Rancho La Bolsa Chica (The Girl’s Purse) in honor of his sister. 

Everything changed when California became the United States’ 48^th state.  An influx of settlers caused small towns to pop up all over the region, and Rancho La Bolsa Chica was sold to some business men to become a duck hunting resort.  Freeman Creek was dammed to enhance hunting, and the resulting freshwater lake destroyed much of the ecosystem.  Further damage was caused by oil rigs brought in after oil was discovered in the area in 1920, and military use during WWII.  In 1970 the land was sold to developers for residential use.  However, the 1973 the Coastal Act was passed and eventually 310 acres were set aside to create the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.  After thirty-plus years and a lot of work from many people and organizations, this portion of the wetlands has been restored.

Inner Bolsa Bay, looking east. This area is a muted tidal basin - tides not as pronounced (not quite as high or low) and a traditional tidal basin. The water here is not as saline as it is in the full tidal basin just to the north and east. It is estimated that 40-50% of commercial fish start in wetlands. In Southern California, this includes queenfish, croakers, bass, gobi, skates/rays, and some species of sharks. Several species of ​endangered birds make Bolsa Chica their home: Ridgeway's Rail, Beldings Savanna Sparrow (lives in pickleweed), and California Least Terns ​
	Inner Bolsa bay, looking northwest. The water is very quiet, allowing silts and clays to settle out. The 'soils' here are always waterlogged, full of salt, and lacking in oxygen (anoxic). Anoxic soils are still productive, containing lots of invertebrates. Many are exposed at low tide (mud flats). Most terrestrial plants take in oxygen through their roots. Plants found in salt marshes, like this one, get their oxygen via stomata. These plants also use C4 photosynthesis, which requires less water and therefore the plant is more productive. Many marsh plants are also in the succulent family. They are also halophytes - plants that can tolerate higher salinity levels. One, called Pickleweed, has segmented stems that look like pickles. Salt is stored, then eliminated in these segments. Plants pictured include alga, pickleweed, and cordgrass. Now, take a look at the water.  There are clues as to how fast the water is moving:  are there waves, swaying plants, an indication of flowing water?  No?  Wetland waters are usually quiet, with little to no water movement, save for small waves or the tides. What size sediment do you think you'd find here?  Why?  What are your reasons for this?
	The California Least Tern nesting area, with the full tidal basin in the background (photo looking northeast). Historically, this area was an was an estuary until the Gun Club dammed up the coastal side to create a freshwater pond ​for duck hunting. In 2006, the restoration project was complete and the area has returned to as close to it's original condition as possible.

See those creamy white things in the waters of the full tidal basin? Those are oysters! It's hard to tell from the picture, but each was about 2-3 inches long.
Some of the wildflowers in bloom in the wetlands.