Damnation Creek

Damnation Creek Biodiversity Survey findings

Damnation Creek is located in the North Coast region of California, within Redwood National and State Parks. This site is located in an Area of Special Biological Significance (Redwood National Park ASBS). To access this site, a 45 min steep hike is required and then Damnation Creek must be crossed. This site receives very low visitation by hikers. This gently sloping site consists of moderately uneven terrain, containing few cracks and folds.

Damnation Creek is dominated by a mixture of consolidated bedrock, boulders, and cobble beach, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of consolidated bedrock, boulder fields, and cobble beach. The primary coastal orientation of this site is south/southwest.

Long-Term Monitoring Surveys at Damnation Creek were established in 2004, and are done by University of California Santa Cruz and Redwood National and State Park. Long-Term MARINe surveys currently target the following species: Chthamalus/Balanus (Acorn Barnacles), Mytilus (California Mussel), Fucus (Northern Rockweed), Endocladia (Turfweed), Phyllospadix (Surfgrass) and Pisaster (Ochre Star). In addition, motile invertebrates, mussel size structure, and water temperature are monitored at this site. For more information see the Long-Term trends at this site.

Biodiversity Surveys were done in 2004, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses one section that is approximately 30 meters (along shore) x 50 meters (seaward). For more information see the Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.

For more information about Damnation Creek, please contact Karah Ammann (karah.ammann@ucsc.edu) and Eric Dinger (eric_dinger@nps.gov).