Wildcat Creek Landuse History 1950-2000: Modern Landscape

During the period 1950-2000 we observe a large reduction in mudflat acreage as a result of both erosion and filling. The shipping channel at the mouth of Wildcat Creek has been enclosed, along with much of the remaining marshland, to store oil production materials.

The route of the Creek into the marsh has been changed through recent flood control projects that include a sediment catchment basin on Wildcat Creek. Immediately adjacent to Wildcat Creek lies the sole remnant of the earlier flower nurseries on the Wildcat Creek bottomlands. Industrial, residential and commercial development has covered most of the remaining flatlands to the north and northeast, with Hilltop Mall a prominent feature. The urban forest has matured in the older parts of town. A local sewage treatment plant and garbage landfill have filled portions of the marsh. Little or no accretion of marshland has occurred in the vicinity of Wildcat Creek or San Pablo Creek during this period.

New gaps in the riparian forest along the Alluvial Plain are evident, near Highway 80 for example, but it should be noted that some earlier gaps have filled in with new vegetation.

In the Canyon, the area of open grassland has continued to decrease as brush and woodland expand. The growth of new brushland is noticeable both in the upper, ungrazed part of the Canyon, and in some still-grazed areas, such as Havey Canyon. Similar changes can be seen in the undeveloped parts of the Potrero. With the addition of more housing in the Upper Canyon, and concomitant fire concerns, areas have been set aside for intensive vegetation management.

Impact Map — 1950–2000

Watershed View — ca. 2000