Willows Anchorage

Click here for Long-Term trends

Click here for Biodiversity Survey findings

Willows Anchorage is located in the Northern Channel Islands, within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, on Santa Cruz Island, California. This site is located in an Area of Special Biological Significance (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz Islands ASBS) in Channel Islands National Park. This site was established in the same location as one of the historic study sites used for a baseline study of the Southern California Bight (conducted by the Bureau of Land Management in 1978-79). The moderately sloping site consists of moderately uneven terrain, containing few cracks and folds. The reef is narrow, and is backed by very tall rocky cliffs.

Willows Anchorage is dominated by a mixture of consolidated metamorphic bedrock and sandy beach, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of consolidated bedrock and sandy beach. The high tide washes up to the base of the cliff. The reef faces southeast and is subject to powerful long period swells that wash-up over the reef rather than crash onto it.

Long-Term Monitoring Surveys at Willows Anchorage were established in 1994, and are done by Channel Islands National Park. Long-Term MARINe surveys currently target the following species: Mytilus (California Mussel), Hesperophycus (Olive Rockweed), Silvetia (Golden Rockweed), and Endocladia (Turfweed). In addition, motile invertebrates, mussel size structure, and water temperature are monitored at this site. Click here to view Long-Term trends at this site.

Biodiversity Surveys were done in 2002 and 2006. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses two sections that are approximately 18 meters (along shore) x 15 meters (seaward), and 13.5 meters (along shore) x 20 meters (seaward). Click here to view Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.

For more information about Willows Anchorage, please contact Stephen Whitaker (stephen_whitaker@nps.gov).