69
degrees average
Stanfield Marsh
WILDLIFE AND WATERFOWL HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Municipal Water District designated the 145 acre Stanfield Marsh as a wildlife preserve in 1982. The Marsh is located at the east end of Big Bear Lake and is separated from the main body of the Lake by the Stanfield Cutoff highway bridge. The water flows back and forth between the two bodies of water through the permeable structure under the bridge and three culvert pipes.
Stanfield Cutoff
The Stanfield Marsh is one of the most amenable sites in the Valley for ecological enhancement, sensitive land acquisition, education, recreation and scenic beauty. Consequently, in 1993, a joint project with the Natural Heritage Foundation Inc. was approved in which very specific objectives were established for Marsh improvements. The adopted wetlands enhancement project has the goal of restoring some of the wetlands functions and values while enhancing existing functions and uses.
The beneficiaries of the project will be aquatic species, wetland species, wildlife to include wintering and breeding waterfowl, wintering bald eagles, osprey and summer resident and potentially nesting pelicans. The project includes monitoring programs, the creation of permanently dry loafing islands, along with a wetland interpretation program. Because the Marsh is subject to extreme variations in water levels and during dry cycles is devoid of water, dredging to create permanently wet basins is needed to protect the wildlife in the area during those cycles.
Artist Rendering of the Proposed Project
It is anticipated that it may take many years to complete the overall project because of the need to locate sufficient funding sources. To date, three separate grants have been awarded and construction of two sections of a raised pedestrian walkway have been completed. This walkway serves manifold purposes, to include restricting pedestrian activity on and around the existing highway, as well as providing cover for nesting waterfowl.
The first portion (900' long) of the
raised pedestrian walkway.
Acquisition of surrounding property is a major goal of the project. The property located at the southwest corner or the Marsh was purchased in 1997 and now serves as a parking and viewing area, containing an information kiosk and providing pedestrian access to the raised walkway. The kiosk, shown in photos below, contains various displays depicting marsh wildlife, waterfowl and plant life.
Informational Kiosk
In 2003, the District completed construction of a predator-free habitat island by reconfiguring the old sewage evaporation pond dikes. District staff and youngsters from the local elementary schools help with the planting of more than 40,000 indigenous plants to provide nesting habitat (picture below). The island is surrounded by a moat to ensure there is water in the marsh more often than under pre-existing conditions.
As stated, the total project may take many years to complete, but the Big Bear Municipal Water District is committed to achieving all of the goals established for the marsh project. The ongoing preservation of the Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Habitat will serve as a constant reminder of the delicate balance between man and nature and the need to preserve this wetland habitat for future generations.
For information on this web site contact Webmaster
Big Bear Municipal Water District, All Rights Reserved.
No portion of the content of this site may be reproduced, republished, or redistributed.