More than 80 acres of wetlands and salt marsh have been restored at the San Dieguito Lagoon.
Much of the area, which sits between Del Mar and Solana Beach near Interstate 5, had been used for agriculture.
Restoring the wetlands involved removing enough soil to fill 333 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Invasive plants were also removed and replaced with native ones. The project restored habitat for several endangered bird species.
"What was here before was rows and rows of always — it seemed to be — dried out tomato plants,” said Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner. "To see it go from that to this, is a stunning transformation.”
The tomato plants have been replaced by a marsh, where cranes wade in the water and other birds dive for fish. Officials said birdwatchers have already spotted coastal California gnatcatchers and light-footed Ridgway's rails, two species with dwindling populations.
San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava, who chairs the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, said wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem.
"One of the biggest challenges we have in the state of California is a continuing loss of wetlands,” he said. "Creation of wetlands is kind of the new strategy that we have to replace those we lost.”
He said replacing wetlands can also help coastal communities brace for rising sea levels.
“What we've created is an opportunity for when that sea level rise happens, that there is some place for the water to go, not threaten our public infrastructure or private development,” he said.
SANDAG and Caltrans worked together on the $87 million project. Funding came from federal sources and the regional TransNet half-cent sales tax.
The project also created a new trail along the El Camino Real that improves access to nearby trails. Officials said it will eventually be part of the Coast to Crest trail to Julian.
