Dealing with flooding and design for animals in Marin City

In Marin City project, our design aimed to increase the biodiversity of the lagoon and provide a green space for communities to gather and get in touch with nature.

Bat ray is found from shallow subtidal water to 46 m and they can feed in intertidal zones during high tide. Therefore, the lagoon in Marin City is possible to provide the habitat for bat ray. In our design, we dredged the north part of the shallow lagoon for about 4 feet, which can be deep enough for bat ray to live. Then we open the lagoon to bay area so that bat ray can go in and out of the lagoon.

In addition, bat rays are opportunistic bottom feeders, feeding primarily upon benthic invertebrates. Feeding bat rays dug pits, opening areas for infauna recolonization and uncovering food items for other fishes. This is an important controlling factor of infauna community organization. So, a clean sediment bottom is important for the survival of bat ray and creatures. Therefore, we prevent substances in sewage from settling to the bottom of the lagoon and filter the water by adding wetlands and marshes in south part of the lagoon. Also, the mashes and detention ponds in south part of the lagoon can store water after high tides.

Finally, bat ray can swim close to the surface, sometimes jumping several feet into the air, providing fantastic views for communities and people driving along highway 101.