Tijuana River Estuary

The Tijuana River Estuary is an intertidal coastal wetland at the mouth of the Tijuana River in San Diego County, California, in the United States bordering Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. It is the location of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and Border Field State Park. The estuary is a shallow water habitat. Often termed an intermittent estuary since its volume is subject to the discharge controlled by the seasons of the year, the volume of the estuary fluctuates and at times there is dry land, or flooded areas.[1] It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973.[2]

Tijuana River Estuary
Tijuana River Estuary
Map of California
Tijuana River Estuary (the United States)
LocationSan Diego County, California
Coordinates32°33′24″N 117°7′34″W
Area1,569 acres (635 ha)
Designated1973

Ecology

The estuary is one of the few remaining salt marshes on the South Coast. Its location positions it under the path of the Pacific Flyway, where it serves as a stopover point.[1] It is the largest remaining natural coastal area between Santa Barbara, California and San Quintín, Baja California.[3] Three times the size of Central Park, the estuary covers about 2,500 acres.[4] Many species of migratory and native species rely on the estuary as an essential breeding, feeding, and nesting habitat.[1] The estuary lies within the southernmost part of San Diego County within the city limits of the South Bay city of Imperial Beach.

Prior to 1994, foot traffic by illegal immigration was a major source of top soil erosion. After 1994, off-road vehicle usage for policing has become a major cause of soil loss. Beginning in 2010, a re-vegetation effort along the Border Infrastructure System has occurred.[5]

References
  1. "Tijuana Estuary NP". State of California. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  2. "Tijuana River Estuary". nps.gov. National Park Service.
  3. "Tijuana Estuary: A Peek at Southern California's Coastal Past". California Coastal Trail. KCET. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  4. Chang, Alicia (25 April 2008). "Trash, pollution imperil Tijuana River marshes". SFGate. San Francisco. Associated Press. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  5. "Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Comprehensive Management Plan" (PDF). Office of Coastal Management. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. August 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2017.

Further reading



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