Restoration of Batiquitos Lagoon (Carlsbad)

Batiquitos Lagoon’s diverse ecosystems was degraded in the 20th century because of heavy agricultural and residential, and transportation runoff. Restoration efforts began in 1997 by local government. Major constructions involved dredging sand from central basin for beach replenishment (1994 – 1995) and placing fine sediment materials from the western into central basin to construct lagoon mouth jetties (1995 – 1996). The team also re-contoured an access ramp and plant pickleweed in the eastern basin, removed an underwater ridge in the entrance channel, and repaired erosion damages on tern colonies. Total creage of coastal salt marsh within the lagoon has increased during each monitoring year from 1997 through to 2001.