The Salt Ponds

The restoration project is divided into 3 salt complexes: the 8,000-acre Alviso complex, the 5,500 acre Eden Landing complex, and the 1,600 acre Ravenswood Complex [6]. Click here to learn more about the specific projects occuring at each complex. 

Returning Ponds to Tidal Action

One of the major goals of the salt pond restoration is returning the ponds to tidal action to create habitat for endangered species. This is accomplished by breaking or lowering the levees and opening tide gates that have historically separated the ponds from the bay waters. Allowing bay waters to enter the salt ponds is exciting because many of the ponds have not been connected to the bay for decades. Once reconnected to the bay, the salt ponds are able to naturally transform into tidal marsh within a few years [2].

[14] Pond A6 before and after breaching of levees. Click to enlarge (Cris Benton)

Seven ponds in all three complexes have been returned to tidal action. The most recent occurred on October 31, 2012 [2]. Below is a video documenting a levee breach on December 6, 2010 at the Alviso Pond Complex.

Nesting Islands

[15] Nesting Islands (Cris Benton)

Migratory birds and shorebids rely on the salt ponds for foraging and nesting sites. The restoration project is enhancing shallow ponds to build nesting islands to continue providing suitable habitat for these birds, many of which are endangered [15]. By the end of 2013, the project will have created 80 nesting islands along with snowy plover habitat at all three pond complexes [2].

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