Elkhorn Slough

Elkhorn Slough is a tidal slough and estuary on Monterey Bay in Monterey County, California. The community of Moss Landing and the huge Moss Landing Power Plant are located at the mouth of the slough on the bay.

Elkhorn Slough harbors the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay and provides much-needed habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including more than 340 species of birds.

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves established nationwide as field laboratories for scientific research and estuarine education. The Reserve is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and managed by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Activities

Along with hiking and bird watching, kayaking is a popular activity on the slough. Watching sea otters, sea lions, seals, brown pelicans, American avocets, cormorants, egrets, terns and a host of other wildlife from the water is an experience that provides a unique perspective of how the slough is used by the native inhabitants. Contact information for some of the locations where a kayak can be rented:

* Elkhorn Slough Safari [phone] * Kayak Connection [phone] * Monterey Bay Kayaks [phone] * Outback Adventures [phone]

ee also

*List of rivers in California

External links

* [http://www.elkhornslough.org/ Website of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation]
* [http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/ElkhornSlough/ National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NOAA)]
* [http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/elkhornslough.html Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing]