The 104 acre Seasonal Duck Ponds project site is located within the 580 acre San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve.  The project is part of the San Joaquin Marsh Enhancement Plan which encompasses the portion of the marsh northeast of Campus Drive.  The Enhancement Plan was developed to provide a means to preserve, restore and enhance the migratory bird habitat of the marsh ecosystem.

Along with goals for enhancement of the migratory bird habitat, the Seasonal Duck Ponds project provides a system for improving the water quality.  By diverting water from the San Diego Creek during summer, the ponds will provide the means for improving the quality of creek water during the summer months.  During winter, recycled water flows through the ponds for the purpose of removing nitrates.  The project involved extensive re-vegetation, removal of non-native species, interpretive trails, boardwalks, and overlook areas to view the more than 200 species of waterfowl and wildlife that have been sighted within the San Joaquin Marsh.