Tidal Waters Return to Pacheco Marsh

“Who wants to see a levee breach?” Paul Detjens asked the assembled crowd of about 250 partners, supporters, engineers, construction workers, and journalists. The resounding cheers affirmed that this much anticipated moment had indeed arrived. A news helicopter hovered overhead to record the proceedings. Two huge excavators moved the dirt that would allow a five-foot tall wall of water to gush into the recently carved channels of the new Pacheco Marsh.

On a sunny day last October, twenty years of conservation work had reached this important milestone. Paul, whose title, Senior Civil Engineer and Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Project Manager, Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District (CCCFCD), is almost as long as he is tall, had reason to celebrate. The one missing ingredient to the restored marsh was the twice daily tidal flow from Suisun Bay, and it was now streaming in beside him.

John Muir Land Trust and CCCFCD have been working together to reverse a century of industrial abuse and restore this 232-acre saltwater marsh in Martinez. Years of hard work—land acquisition, permitting, biological surveys, design, environmental engineering, and construction— had entered the home stretch. The water was flowing again.

“We’ve completed 7 months of heavy construction, done dozens of biological surveys, excavated nearly 35,000 dump truck loads of soil, constructed over 5 miles of new tidal channels, and built 2.6 miles of roads and trails for future public access. Pacheco Marsh vividly demonstrates how we can reverse the effects of adverse human activity on the natural environment.” — Paul Detjens

A restored Pacheco Marsh will be a haven for wildlife and a place where visitors will learn firsthand about the salt marsh ecosystem as they enjoy birdwatching and informative walks along the shore of Suisun Bay. The project is vital for threatened bird species, marine invertebrates, and coastal fish. Pacheco Marsh is home to ten special- status plant and animal species, including the salt-marsh harvest mouse and the Black Rail, a must-see of avid bird watchers.

“Generations ago, abundant marshes supported a healthy, essential ecosystem along the shores of San Francisco Bay. Human activity has caused the staggering loss of more than 90% of these historic tidal wetlands. Deeply scarred by industrial activity, Pacheco Marsh is now well on the way to recovery, and that is great news for marine wildlife and for all of us.” — Linus Eukel

We thank everyone in the JMLT community whose generous support made this possible. Stay tuned for the best milestone of all: the day when we will open this beautiful marsh to the public so that all of you can come and experience it for yourself. In the meantime, go to our website for more photos, videos, and links to news broadcasts about the breach. Jmlt.org/pachecomarsh