A small freshwater pond and three salt-water lagoons comprise the major surface water resources in the park. The largest freshwater wetland (.31 acres) is located along a hiking trail between Jakle’s Lagoon and Third Lagoon. It consists of a tiny pond whose surface is covered entirely with small duckweed. The pond is surrounded by a bit of marsh and is shaded by Douglas-fir and western redcedar. Many logs are floating or embedded in the substrate. Because of its small size, the pond is extremely sensitive to the fluctuations in moisture in seasonal cycles. While little is known about Third and Old town lagoons, Jakle’s has been the focus of extensive studies of marine organisms undertaken by the Jakle’s Lagoon is the largest and most hydrologically and biologically productive of the three possibly because of the interaction between salt and fresh water. Fluctuations in the salinity of Jakle’s Lagoon may indicate subsurface fresh water inflow. Since there are no active or intermittent surface channels (creeks) flowing into the lagoon, any freshwater input is dependent upon direct precipitation, intermittent runoff, or groundwater discharge. It is possible that groundwater is entering the lagoons via aquifer interception. If significant amounts of groundwater are regularly flowing into Jakle's, Third and |
Last updated: March 16, 2015