Salt Ponds Now Reach the Bay; Major Phase of Restoration Complete

After months of dredging, years of preparation and nearly half a century of isolation, two levees have been broken to allow the tide to flow back into salt ponds, returning more than 200 acres of land to San Diego Bay.

The ponds are located at the north of Imperial Beach in south Coronado, and east of State Route 75.

The move will increase the amount of birds and fish in the area that was once used to retain water for Western Salt Company operations. People won’t be permitted to fish, ride boats or kayak in the area, but residents nearby should notice an increase in the amount of birds, said Andy Yuen, Project Leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in San Diego.

“For the residents that live in the area, it will be a really good opportunity to see the tidal changes right in their backyard, to see the large numbers of shorebirds and seabirds that are feeding and foraging in these flats and just creating a much more biologically vital area,” Yuen said.

Dredging operations to move sediment were completed in August. Channels were dug out as well to improve tidal flow. On Thursday, crews and a crane removed dredging equipment and a barge from the ponds.

Debris like tires and trash was removed, and the final step is planting an estimated 60,000 native plants and letting nature do its thing.

Along with endangered birds native to the area, the restored land will support Pacific Flyway migratory birds that rely on the area as a rest stop and nesting area.

In the spring and summer seasons when migratory birds are present, up to 200 different species of birds can be found in the area. In the off-seasons there are 40 to 50 species, said Lisa Cox with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The process began in 2006 to obtain permits, do studies and receive approval, and a coalition of nearly a dozen state and federal agencies bundled $7.7 million together to pay for it all and part of possible restoration projects in the future.

Over the next five years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will survey the area and research the results.

A contract was recently awarded to AECOM to build a walking trail extending from Seventh to 10th streets. The trail should be completed by the beginning of next year.

The smell of fish that can permeate from the ponds will persist, Yuen said, but the tidal flow should help reduce its intensity.

If you have further questions about the project, you call the Fish and Wildlife hotline at 619-840-0587.