Phoenix Vernal Pools facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phoenix Vernal Pools
Phoenix Vernal Pool in bloom
Type	A form of a wetland with seasonal pools of water
Location	Fair Oaks, California
Area	23 acres
Created	1979
Operated by	California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Fair Oaks Park District

The Phoenix Vernal Pools are special wetlands located in Fair Oaks, California. This area is about 20 miles east of Sacramento city. Vernal pools are unique because they only fill with water during the rainy winter and spring seasons. After the rains stop, the water slowly dries up, leaving behind dry land until the next wet season.

The climate here is called Mediterranean, which means it has wet winters and dry, hot summers. The Phoenix Vernal Pools get about 24 inches of rain each year. This rainwater soaks into the ground until it hits a hard, waterproof layer of soil called a hardpan. This hardpan stops the water from going deeper, causing it to collect on the surface and form the pools. The plants and animals that live in these pools are often found nowhere else, making this ecosystem very special.

What Are Phoenix Vernal Pools?

The Phoenix Vernal Pools are made up of two main areas. These are the Phoenix Field Ecological Reserve (PFER) and the Phoenix Park Vernal Pool Preserve (PPVPP). Together, they are known as the Phoenix Vernal Pools (PVP).

The PFER is an 8-acre piece of land. It is owned by the California Department of Fish and Game. This area was set aside to protect nature because of nearby home building. The public cannot visit the PFER.

The PPVPP is a 15-acre area managed by the Fair Oaks Park District. Its main goal is to protect the vernal pool habitat. It helps save the Sacramento orcutt grass, which is a very rare plant. This preserve also protects the last vernal pools in the area for everyone to enjoy. The PPVPP also has areas for public use, like baseball fields and walking trails.

These vernal pools sit on a high area above the American River. They are known as northern hardpan vernal pools. The soil here is called Redding gravelly loam. This soil has a hard layer underneath that doesn't let water pass through easily. This hard layer is what helps the vernal pools form when it rains.

How Water Affects the Pools

The amount of water in the Phoenix Vernal Pools is mostly from rainfall. They are considered "hydrologically isolated." This means they are not permanently connected to a river or lake.

Sometimes, water from nearby irrigation can affect the pools. To prevent too much water from changing the pools, a special drain system was built. This system helps stop summer irrigation water from turning the vernal pools into wetlands that never dry out. It's important for vernal pools to have a dry season. The water levels in the pools change each year, but they are usually highest in the spring after heavy rains.

Protecting the Pools and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Game has plans to protect the wildlife and the land. They regularly check on the Sacramento Orcutt Grass and other plants. The Sacramento Orcutt Grass is an endangered species. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever. It is protected by both California and federal laws.

As part of their plan, they take pictures and map where the Sacramento Orcutt Grass grows every year. By comparing pictures from different years, they can see if the plant is still there and how much of it is growing. This helps them understand the plant's population size.

They also watch for plants that don't belong there, called invasive species. These plants can harm the native ones. They also record rainfall data to see how much rain affects the native plants. If they notice any big changes, like too much water from summer irrigation, they can take action to protect the pools.

Amazing Plants of Phoenix Vernal Pools

The Phoenix Vernal Pools are home to many unique plants. Some of these plants are found only in vernal pools. Here is a list of some of the interesting plants you might find:

• Orcuttia viscida (Sacramento orcutt grass)
• Navarretia intertexta
• Bromus diandrus
• Avena fatua
• Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus
• Briza minor
• Eleocharis macrostachya
• Downingia concolor
• Lasthenia fremontii
• Lasthenia glaberrima
• Psilocarphus brevissimus
• Plagiobothrys nothofulvus
• Chlorogalum pomeridianum
• Dichelostemma capitatum
• Thysanocarpus curvipes
• Pogogyne zizyphoroides
• Triteleia laxa
• Triphysaria eriantha
• Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia
• Eschscholzia californica
• Vicia villosa
• Mimulus tricolor
• Lupinus bicolor

Animals of Phoenix Vernal Pools

Many different animals also live in and around the Phoenix Vernal Pools. Some of these animals depend on the pools for their survival. Here are some of the creatures you might find:

• Cypridinae (small crustaceans)
• Daphniidae (water fleas)
• Diaptomidae (copepods)
• Bufo boreas halophilus (Western toad)
• Hyla regilla (Pacific tree frog)
• Sceloporus occidentalis (Western fence lizard)
• Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi (Common garter snake)
• Buteo jamaicensis (Red-tailed hawk)
• Carpodacus mexicanus (House finch)
• Cathartes aura (Turkey vulture)
• Aphelocoma californica (California scrub jay)
• Pica nuttali (Yellow-billed magpie)
• Melanerpes formicivorus (Acorn woodpecker)
• Zenaida macroura (Mourning dove)
• Zonotrichia leucophrys (White-crowned sparrow)
• Lepus californicus (Black-tailed jackrabbit)
• Odocoileus hemionus (Mule deer)
• Scapanus latimanus (Broad-footed mole)
• Sciurus griseus (Western gray squirrel)
• Sorex sp. (Shrew)
• Spermophilus beecheyi (California ground squirrel)
• Thomomys sp. (Pocket gopher)

Images for kids

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  Phoenix Vernal Pool

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  Sacramento orcutt grass is an endangered, endemic species of Sacramento County found in Phoenix Vernal Pools. This species was a driver of the development of the Phoenix Park Vernal Pool Preserve.