Protecting Wild California: Yolo Bypass

BYPASS BRIDGES SHOULD BENEFIT YOLO BIRDS ‘A MUCH-NEEDED UPGRADE THAT ALLOWS US TO MANAGE THE AREA’S DRAINAGE,’ SAYS CDFW

Drivers heading across Interstate 80 just before entering metropolitan Sacramento can get a peek at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife-managed Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, a 16,770-acre sanctuary for several species of waterfowl and other wildlife.

A recent $4 million project – with contributions from CDFW, Ducks Unlimited and other collaborators – started with the construction of a pair of bridges over the South Davis Drain. When completed the project will add habitat upgrades and wetlands management improvement.

A Ducks Unlimited press release stated the plan would achieve the following for the wildlife area: • Create 200 acres of new wetlands; • Increase the productivity of existing wetlands; • Improve management for rice fields; • Reduce on-site flooding from the South Davis Drain; • Improve access for the public and

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“Parker Pond Unit improvements will restore 220 acres of land through the installation of a new low-lift pump,” said Aaron Will, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist and project manager. “By increasing water supply and reliability, we can restore seasonal wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wetland dependent species.”

A two-minute video produced by Ducks Unlimited (youtube.com/watch? v=s76hI4W-gl8&feature=youtu.be) offers

The 16,770-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, located within view of the downtown Sacramento skyline, is undergoing a $4 million renovation project to improve habitat for waterfowl and other species. (DUCKS UNLIMITED)

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time-lapse footage of crews’ work in the wildlife area.

“A 350-ton hydraulic truck crane placed the precast concrete bridges, that replace narrow pipes regularly blocked by beavers and debris, improving drainage and water supply in the wildlife area,” the press release explained. “The bridges are part of a $4 million project scheduled for completion in October. More improvements are planned for the summer 2021, if additional funding is secured.”

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy teamed with the state Wildlife Conservation Board to fund this leg of the overall project, and if further funding is secured more improvements to the habitat areas would be implemented in summer 2021. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Consero Solutions and the Yolo Basin Foundation are also part of the group backing the overall project.

“We are truly blessed to have such a vibrant Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area right here in Yolo County,” said CDFW area manager Joe Hobbs. “This improvement project provides a much-needed upgrade that allows us to manage the area’s drainage so that our region’s wildlife species can continue to thrive.” CS

Editor’s note: For more information on visiting the Yolo Basin Wildlife Area, which offers tours and also provides bird hunting opportunities, go to yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea. Like them at facebook.com/yolobasinfoundation.

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