February 15th through August 31st
7 day/week, 7am to 1pm
September 1st through February 15th
Mondays only, 7am to 1pm
The Davis Wetlands
The 400 acre Davis Wetlands Project is part of a growing effort throughout the Central Valley to preserve and restore native habitats and the wildlife they support. The Wetlands is one of the City's most valuable open space resources. It provides wildlife habitat, flood control, wastewater and stormwater treatment, recreation, and environmental learning opportunities.Until the turn of the century, this area was seasonally flooded by the rise of the Sacramento River and its tributaries. Low lying parts of Yolo County surrounding Davis were marshlands most of the year, and were a key wintering location for countless waterfowl migrating along the Pacific Flyway, one of four major migratory routes for North American birds.
In the Central Valley, about 95% of the original wetland habitats were lost as levees were built for flood control and lands were converted to urban and agricultural uses. The Yolo Basin is considered a prime location for wetlands restoration because of it potential to recover some of the historical habitat and reestablish important wintering grounds for waterfowl and migratory birds.
The public and private sectors are recognizing the value of wetlands and have begun to work cooperatively to rebuild and preserve them. The Davis Wetlands Project was envisioned, designed, and built by a dedicated team of volunteers and professionals. As the Davis Wetlands mature, residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy its benefits for years to come.
Before
Current
How the Wetlands Work
Water levels in the tracts are regulated seasonally. In March and April, the water levels are drawn down for the summer to expose seasonal benches and mudflats. This creates foraging habitat for shorebirds. Also, by keeping water off the benches, mosquitoes are discouraged. In the fall and winter months, increased stormwater flows are directed to the wetlands. The higher levels inundate the benches, creating shallow habitat for waterfowl and wading birds. The vast areas of open water provide plenty of habitat for wintering waterfowl to raft and avoid terrestrial predation.
The Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant treats water at the secondary level that is completely compatible with the Wetlands environment. The biological processes started at the Plant continue in the Wetlands, where suspended solids and organics settle out of the water or are absorbed by plants and micro-organisms. Stormwater is conveyed directly to the Wetlands from Davis urban areas. The biological processes that first take place in Davis' drainage ponds continue in the Wetlands to help enhance the quality.
The Wetlands environment is monitored continuously to ensure its quality. Water, soil, invertebrates, and bird eggs are frequently tested for potentially harmful constituents such as selenium. You can help keep the Davis Wetlands healthy by making sure only clean rainwater goes into storm drains. More information about the city's Stormwater Management Plan can be found at http://cityofdavis.org/pw/water/pdfs/davis_swmp.pdf.
Habitat Types
The Davis Wetlands provides a mosaic of habitats that provide food and cover for numerous wildlife species. There are five types of habitat including permanent open water, seasonal wetland, native grassland, riparian woodland, and mudflats. Open water habitat serves as refuge and brooding water for wintering and resident waterfowl. Seasonal wetlands and mudflats host shorebirds, migrant and resident songbirds, and an array of mammals. The grasslands and riparian woodland support all native plants. Grasslands and woodlands are important habitat for birds-of-prey, song birds, mammals, reptiles and nesting waterfowl. As the trees in the riparian woodlands mature they will function as wind brakes to help reduce erosion in the Wetlands.
Plants and Animals of the Wetlands
Upon completion in 1998, the Wetlands immediately began to attract wildlife. As it matures more and more species are using the habitats to spend the winter or breed and raise young. The Wetlands hosts hundreds of common species and, more recently, several rare visitors. Below is a list of some of the more commonly observed species:BIRDS American avocet American bittern American coot American crow American goldfinch American kestrel American widgeon American white pelican Barn owl Barn swallow Belted kingfisher Black-necked stilt Bufflehead Brewer's blackbird Brown-headed cowbird California gull Canvasback Caspian tern Cattle egret Cinnamon teal Cooper's hawk Double-crested cormorant Dowitcher (long and short-billed) Dunlin Eared grebe Gadwall Great blue heron Great egret Great horned owl Green-winged teal Herring gull Killdeer Least sandpiper Loggerhead shrike Long-billed curlew Mallard Meadowlark Northern harrier Northern pintail Northern shoveler Peregrine falcon Pied-billed grebe Redhead Red-winged blackbird Red-tailed hawk Red-shouldered hawk Ring-necked pheasant Ruddy duck Sharp-shinned hawk Snowy egret Swainson's hawk Tree swallow Tri-colored blackbird White-faced ibis White-tailed kite Western grebe Western sandpiper Yellow-headed blackbird
MAMMALS American beaver Black-tailed jackrabbit California ground squirrel California vole Coyote Deer mouse Desert cottontail Grey fox Muskrat Northern river otter Raccoon Red fox Striped skunk Western harvest mouse REPTILES and AMPHIBIANS Bullfrog Common garter snake Gopher snake Pacific chorus frog Red-eared slider Western kingsnake Western pond turtle Western yellow-bellied racer FISH Bluegill Carp Mosquito fish
Directions to the Davis Wetlands:
From I-80: Exit Mace Blvd. Head north on Mace.Make right onto County Road 32A.
Make left onto CR 105.
Make right onto CR 28H.
Davis Wastewater Pollution Control Plant will be on your left. Wetlands access gate and sign in kiosk are in front of the Plant.
Wetlands are located approx 1 mile past the Plant.
From Hwy 113:
Exit County Road 29. Head east on CR 29.
Make Left onto CR 102 (Poleline Road) and then a quick right onto CR 28H.
Go past County landfill and CR 105, then follow direction above.
