Salmon Creek, a small yet ecologically important coastal watershed in Sonoma County, flows approximately 15 miles from its headwaters in the Coast Range to the Pacific Ocean near the town of Bodega Bay. The watershed spans about 35 square miles and receives an average annual rainfall of 40 to 50 inches, primarily during winter storms.

The estuary, which often experiences seasonal sandbar closures at its mouth, serves as a critical habitat for coho salmon and steelhead trout. These closures create a lagoon environment that provides refuge for juvenile fish and a vital migratory pathway for adults. However, the closures also influence water quality, temperature, and oxygen levels, which can directly impact aquatic species.

Real-time water level monitoring at Salmon Creek would provide essential data to understand the timing and impacts of these mouth closures. This information can guide flood management strategies and inform restoration efforts aimed at preserving the sensitive and biodiverse estuarine ecosystem of Salmon Creek.