Tule Elk: Tomales Point Water Sources

 

Updated: January 8, 2021
National Park Service (NPS) staff continued to monitor water sources at Tomales Point up to and beyond the first real rainstorm of the season in November 2020. Currently, in early January 2021, more than three inches of rain have fallen on the outer Point Reyes Peninsula this season. Ponds at Tomales Point that went dry last summer have begun to fill back up again. During the previous dry months, NPS surveys confirmed that adequate water supplies were available for the tule elk in the many creeks, seeps, and springs distributed throughout Tomales Point. The photos below are of two ponds in the southern part of the reserve, and also depict new growth of forbs and grasses that serve as good forage for the elk.

 

Two ponds in the southern part of the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve surrounded by new growth of forbs and grasses, which serve as good forage for the elk.

 

In the last few months, carcasses collected and sent to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory for necropsy from both the Tomales Point and the Drakes Beach elk herds reveal that inadequate forage likely impacted the elk herds rather than the availability of water.

 

 

Southwest Section

Water sources found in the area west of Pierce Point Road, north of the Elk Reserve fence, and south of the Tomales Point Trailhead parking lot and McClures Beach Trail.

 

 

Southeast Section

Water sources in the area east of Pierce Point Road, north of the Elk Reserve fence, and south of the Tomales Point Trailhead parking lot.

 

 

Middle-west Section

Water sources in the area west of Tomales Point Trail, north of McClures Beach Trail, and south of the old rock wall.

 

 

Middle-east Section

Water sources in the area east of Tomales Point Trail, north of McClures Beach Trail, and south of the old rock wall.

 

 

Northwest Section

Water sources in the area west of Tomales Point Trail and north of the old rock wall.

 

 

Northeast Section

Water sources in the area east of Tomales Point Trail and north of the old rock wall.

 

 

Wildlife Monitoring Cameras

While some of the seeps and springs shown in the photo galleries above may not seem to provide much water to the human eye, wildlife cameras demonstrate that elk and a diversity of other wildlife species readily frequent these areas to hydrate.

 

 

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