[3] The Banducci family grew hay and flowers on a 170-acre (0.69 km2) parcel 1/2 mile upstream from the lagoon, and constructed levees along the right banks in 1948–1949 to prevent overbank flooding.

The spawning migrations begin after heavy late fall or winter rains breach the sandbar at Muir Beach allowing the fish to move upstream (usually in December and January).

Evidence points to exhaustion of smolt oversummering in the creek due to a loss of large woody debris and deep pools where young salmon can rest.

Starting in 2009, the National Park Service will begin restoring Muir Beach to create a functional, self-sustaining ecosystem and improve visitor access.

Fortunately, as of January, 2010 and for the first time in three years, an estimated 45 coho swam up Redwood Creek to spawn, creating 23 redds or clusters of eggs.

It includes creation of a new 650 foot meandering channel with three side-channels, in an attempt to restore the historic Big Lagoon, which according to 1850 maps, extended all the way back to the present Pelican Inn.

[8] Other rare species living in the watershed include the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii).

In late 2009 the NPS excavated a pond in a pasture at Green Gulch Farm to provide habitat for the dwindling California red-legged frog population, the only one in the watershed.