Water Resources Collections and Archives

Located within an 8.9-­‐square mile watershed in Marin County, California, Redwood Creek flows from the peaks of Mt. Tamalpais to Muir Beach, where it empties into the Pacific Ocean. The watershed supports the southernmost population of federally listed Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), as well as Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a federally endangered species in California. A 2003 restoration project at the Banducci Site, a former agricultural area created in the channel's natural floodplain, sought to restore juvenile salmonid rearing habitat and re-­‐establish floodplain connectivity. Restoration activities included a series of Eucalyptus large woody debris structures, excavation of a pre-­‐existing artificial levee, and revegetation of native plant species along the riparian corridor. Seven years after implementation, our study characterizes the creeks geomorphic conditions through photodocumentation, historic aerial imagery, facies mapping, and longitudinal profile and cross section surveys along the study reach. Results show that installation of the logjams are significant to the success of deep pool formations and improved geomorphological complexity, increasing the overall habitat complexity within the reach. Native vegetation is thriving along gravel bars, stream banks and the restored floodplain. Logjams are holding their integrity in the stream, and structure 6-­‐7-­‐ 8 is doing particularly well at collecting large amounts of natural woody debris from upstream, ideal for coho rearing habitat. Despite the currently low populations of salmonids, the restoration of Redwood Creek promises quality habitat for future fish passage.

The restoration of a one-mile stretch of the lower Wooden Valley Creek on the cattle ranch owned by the McQueeny family in Napa County, California addressed denuded stream banks lacking native riparian vegetation and canopy cover that have resulted in salmonid habitat degradation and species decline (Marcus and CSPA, 2004). A primary concern of the McQueeny restoration demonstration project is the impact of high summertime stream temperatures on steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and the threat of continued bank incision in close proximity to the McQueeny home (Marcus and CSPA, 2004; Marcus, October 18, 2010; McQueeny, November 2, 2010 and November 20, 2010). Existing studies of the McQueeny property, Wooden Valley Creek, and larger Suisun Creek watershed restoration describe restoration baselines, restoration processes, and intended goals and outcomes (Circuit Rider Productions, 2007; Jackson, 2007; Purcell and Cover, 2007; Marcus and CSPA, 2004). Our research aims to fill a gap in the connection between the abundance of research, design, process, and outcome data (quantitative) and rancher/landowner implementation data (qualitative).

Restoration literature in general calls for participatory, collaborative processes, and adaptive management (Beechie et. al, 2010; Downs et. al, 2002; Kondolf, 1998; Kondolf et. al, 1995; Palmer et. al, 2005; Wohl et. al, 2005). Nevertheless, we argue that this restoration project is an example of how restoration planning, and especially post-project monitoring, may not include specific indicators or means for evaluating how landowners/stakeholders facilitate or impact restoration success. We investigate not only re-vegetation interim achievements, but also how this landowner-involved restoration process is impacted by landowner decision-making and by largely undocumented adaptive maintenance activities independently carried out by the landowner. Evidence suggests that these factors are critical to the potential success or failure of the project in restoring riparian vegetation, improving bank stability, and ultimately enhancing stream conditions for steelhead trout (O.mykiss).

Wildfire in steep, chaparral watersheds increases runoff and erosion, which increases sediment transport from the hillslopes to the channel network. This process may cause a flux of fine sediment into streams, burying riffles and pools, or might cause a debris flow borne flux of large boulders and woody debris, eventually creating new complex fish habitat. The Basin Complex and Indians Fire of June - July, 2008 burned almost the entire upper Carmel River watershed (116 km2) in the Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County, California. I made field observations of dry ravel in a steep, narrow tributary and conducted channel surveys and grain size analysis in riffles and pools at two study reaches along the mainstem upper Carmel River. This baseline geomorphic analysis will allow me to monitor the changes in threatened steelhead and resident trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spawning and rearing habitat this winter and compare these changes with those observed along the same study reaches following the Marble Cone Fire of August, 1977, which burned the same area with similar intensity. This comparison provides the opportunity to investigate the significance of winter rains and advance more process-based restoration of aquatic habitats affected by fire.

In mountainous terrain, road-crossings may impair creeks by impeding fish passage, increasing sediment delivery to stream channels, and altering surface and subsurface flow paths. The objectives of this study were to quantify the short-term impacts of 6 road-crossing reconstruction projects on alluvial creeks in the Klamath National Forest of California. I used a Before-After-Control-Impact study design with 1 set of data pre-construction, 1 set of data immediately following construction, and 2 sets of data over the following 2 yr. The data included measures of fine-sediment deposition, grain-size, longitudinal-profiles, cross-sections, and benthic macroinvertebrates. This study found little impact on fine-sediment deposition or grainsize. The majority of longitudinal-profiles and cross-sections tended to incise upstream in response to culvert replacement, but the responses were largely site-specific. Furthermore, most morphological changes in slope and bed elevation were minimal. Most of the commonly used biological metrics did not show significant changes, but I observed significant changes (P = 0.005) in the populations of 3 orders of insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) that are often used as indicators of disturbance and are a primary salmonid food source. This study upholds Best Management Practices as an effective technique for salmonid habitat restoration.

The focus of this proposal is to examine relevant creek restoration research and existing restoration projects and to apply the resulting knowledge to the specific conditions at Blake Garden to develop a conceptual model for the restoration of this section of Cerrito Creek. This proposal builds on goals and data that were compiled as part of a prior student restoration proposal. A literature review, case studies, interviews and a site survey provide data about the restoration of similar creeks, future visions for Cerrito Creek and existing creek conditions. Based on the compiled data, a system of step pools is recommended to restore channel stability in this reach of the creek. Channel geometry is based on a restoration model with similar characteristics, Baxter Creek in Pointsett Park. Step pool geometry is determined using a ratio between step height, length and channel slope. Channel visibility and physical access are revealed as important aesthetic concerns. Recommendations are summarized in a conceptual design proposal that integrates the restoration objectives with the existing site conditions.

With the populations of anadromous salmonids in steep decline throughout California, many river restoration projects attempt to bring fish back to tributaries by enabling fish passage and creating spawning habitat. Carneros Creek, a tributary of the Napa River, is an incised and sinuous stream which poses a challenge for restoration planning land use management, as the watershed supports steelhead runs and valuable agricultural land. We documented the physical channel morphology of a 150 meter long reach in the Upper Carneros Creek using ground based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scans and assessed grain size using pebble counts in order to gain insight into restoration and management opportunities. These data provide a baseline geomorphic assessment for future restoration projects and allowed us to compare velocities predicted by 1-dimensional (1D) and 2-dimensional (2D) models. For the 1D model, we simulated flows by pulling out cross-sectional points from the LiDAR scans. Using a Manning’s n value of 0.033 for clean, sinuous channels with some pools and riffles, we found 1D velocities at four cross-sections corresponded to 3.3 m/s, 2.3 m/s, 2.5 m/s, and 2.8 m/s with a mean velocity of 2.73 m/s. For the 2D model, we used FaSTMECH in U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Multi-Dimensional Surface Water Modeling System (MD_SWMS) based on LiDAR data. Our 2D velocity results decreased to an average of 0.85 m/s and ranged from 0 to 4.53 m/s based on local slope changes from the detailed channel morphology measurements. By adding grain size variable roughness to the 2D model, we saw a range of velocities from 0 to 1.98 m/s with an average of 0.65 m/s. We found that because 1D modeling of cross-sectional data using Manning’s equation does not simulate flow curvature in bends, our 2D model can provide betterdefined velocities than a 1D model. Because Carneros Creek is listed as a viable migration passage for steelhead, restoration managers concerned about the level of incision and the ‘flashy’ nature of the stream should consider how the variability in channel morphology and geomorphology models influence velocity predictions that are important drivers of habitat quality for migrating fish and juveniles.

The Chorro Flats Floodplain Reconnection project in Morro Bay, California is referred to as a successful restoration project because of the thorough planning process and consideration of geomorphic processes in the project design. The Chorro Flats project was part of a suite of projects in the Chorro Creek watershed intended to reduce the sediment load into Morro Bay, a highly productive estuary threatened by an increased rate of infill. In this paper, we present a post-project appraisal one decade after construction. We evaluate the project through several research questions that examine floodplain reconnection, sediment capture, geomorphic changes, and post-project monitoring. Due to a convergence of fortuitous factors and thorough planning, the project achieved sediment capture through floodplain reconnection. In addition, the project achieved its secondary goals to develop in-stream habitat and a healthy riparian zone. We found that monitoring efforts were difficult to replicate, and that continued monitoring of the project is essential to evaluate the lifespan of the project and potential downstream impacts.

Tassajara Creek is located in Dublin, California, and drains an area of 23.2 square miles. Alameda County restored a one mile reach of the river in 1999 and 2000 to stop the channel incision and reestablish the riparian vegetation and habitat. Subsequent monitoring by University of California, Berkeley, students determined that the restoration efforts successfully halted the channel incision. This paper establishes the progress of the riparian habitat restoration through plant transects and photomonitoring. The plant transects and photomonitoring are based on the monitoring surveys established in 2000 and 2001 by Davis Environmental Consulting. We concluded that plant diversity and plant growth increased since 2001. Six new species were observed in the plant transects, and plants in 2008 were 1.5 to 8 times their original height in 2000. We also observed a reduced total number of plants Reach 1, when compared with 2000, which may be due to the death of weak plants over the past few years. Few foreign species were observed in the project reach and mature oak trees are in good health. The downstream reach (Reach 1) has denser vegetation growth than the upstream reaches (Reaches 2 and 3), which may be due to Reach 1 having a lower flood frequency interval and depth to groundwater ratio than Reaches 2 and 3. We conclude that the riparian habitat is in good health and successfully met the qualitative goals of the restoration project.

Many restoration projects have taken place on Codornices Creek. This paper briefly compares Codornices Creek to Alameda Creek, another creek found in the East Bay area, to demonstrate that Codornices Creek is very well funded, even though it is a considerably smaller and less important creek than Alameda Creek. It then chronologically documents the goals, funding, and monitoring status of the known projects that have taken place on Codornices Creek. Through this study, the author is able to show that the scope of restoration projects occurring in the Codornices watershed have changed over time and have become increasingly complex and comprehensive and also that as projects are completed successfully, greater funding and support will follow.

San Gregorio Creek drains approximately 51 square miles, debouching into the Pacific Ocean approximately 40 miles south of San Francisco. The San Gregorio watershed historically supported populations of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho salmon (O. kisutch). These federally listed species are still present in the watershed, however; their habitat has been significantly altered due to a variety of land-uses, such as logging, grazing, and residential development. Although a variety of factors have contributed to the overall degradation of salmonid habitat in the San Gregorio watershed, the Highway 84 transportation corridor arguably has had the greatest direct impact over the past sixty years due to its location immediately adjacent to, and often crossing, the watershed’s main stem.

Both regulatory agencies and local stakeholders have expressed interest in restoring habitat for salmon within the San Gregorio watershed. Understanding the overall quality and quantity of habitat within the watershed and how specific sites along the Highway 84 transportation corridor impact habitat and fish passage will assist in future efforts to restore and protect salmon populations. For this study, I collected baseline information at twelve sites where creeks are crossed by public roads as well as four additional locations within the public right-of-way where channel banks were significantly altered, and in some cases physically moved, as part of the Highway 84 road realignment project (1953-1954) or subsequent bank stabilization projects. I identified three sites where Highway 84 bridge crossings impede fish passage during periods of low flow and one site that completely blocks fish passage. All bank stabilization sites observed show evidence of lateral erosion and contributions of fine-grained sediment directly to the active creek channel. Some of the materials utilized for bank stabilization have also created unanticipated hazards. While this study did not assess private infrastructure within active creek channels, it identifies locations where future habitat enhancement efforts and road maintenance activities on public roadways may have the greatest impact to salmon populations within the watershed.