The Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Note: This web page will be moving to http://big-iron.cwahi.net/bolsa.htm.

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is located near Huntingdon Beach, California off the Pacific Coast Highway. The reserve is a 1200 acre (480 hectare) area adjacent to Inner and Outer Bolsa Bay. The reserve originated as the result of an agreement between the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, a local citizen group, and Signal Bolsa Corporation which owns oil extraction facilities in this area. The operation of the reserve is assisted by the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, a non-profit organization.

Wetlands Restoration

In 1899, access to the ocean was diked off which changed these wetlands into a freshwater marsh since salt marshes need a regular influx of salt water.The original channel silted over. In 1978, new culverts were installed relinking the wetlands to the ocean, returning the area to a salt marsh as it was before the original dike was built.

Due to tidal variations, the water level in Outer Bolsa Bay varies by about 8 feet. The levels in Inner Bolsa vary by 2 to 3 feet. There are two high tides and two low tides daily.

Salt Marsh Interpretive Trail

A 1.5 mile walking trail circles Inner Bolsa Bay and provides good views of the local wildlife. You could see:

wading birds such as Herons and Great Egrets
diving birds such as Grebes and ducks
White & Brown Pelicans
terns & Black Skimmers
all kinds of shorebirds such as American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts
lizards
ground squirrels
unique plant life - plants which can only survive on the border between the ocean and the land

Endangered Species Present Here

Belding's Savannah Sparrow: lives and nests only in pickleweed.
Light-footed Clapper Rail: nests only in cordgrass marshes.
California Least Terns: 10% of the world's population is found here.

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is under the protection of the California Department of Fish & Game. See California's Plants and Animals and Marine Life Protection Act for more information.

For More Information

Free guided tours are available year round on the first Saturday of the month. Tours can be arranged for groups at other times by contacting the Amigos at (714) 840-1575; a modest fee may be requested. Now you can visit their home page at http://www.amigosdebolsachica.org/.
You can contact the Bolsa Chica Conservancy at
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The Bolsa Chica Conservancy
3842 Warner Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
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or Tel: (714) 846-1114 / Fax: (714) 846-4065 or visit their web site at http://www.bolsachica.org/
Bolsa Chica Land Trust

(Click here to view a map)