Transcript Darlin
Department of Water Resources
Urban Streams Restoration Program
Working Together To:
Restore Watersheds
Reduce Property
Damages
Renovate Town Centers
Traditional Stream Management
Historically delegated to single purpose
agencies with specific goals (i.e. flood
control, water conveyance, mosquito
abatement, minimizing creek corridor to
maximize development).
Ecosystem health generally a priority only
in park areas.
Limitations of Single Purpose Flood
Control Projects
High costs
Long timeframes
Maintenance costs
Little regard for environmental quality
Possible violation of environmental laws
Unsafe during high water events
Potential fragmentation of communities
USRP Program Background
Created in response to limitations of singlepurpose flood control projects and traditional
stream management practices
Enabling legislation: Urban Creek Restoration
and Flood Control Act of 1985
Authorized DWR to make grants and provide
technical assistance to local governments and
organizations for multi-objective projects
Program Objectives
Assist communities in reducing damages
from stream bank and watershed
instability and floods
Restore environmental and aesthetic
values of streams
Encourage stewardship and maintenance
of streams by the community
Potential Benefits of
Urban Stream Restoration
Reduce flood damage and erosion
Re-establish fish and wildlife habitat
Improve water quality
Increase groundwater recharge
Provide educational/recreational opportunities
Provide focal point for urban revitalization
Encourage community stewardship
Projects Funded by USRP
Creek cleanups
Bioengineering bank stabilization
Vegetation management
Channel reconfiguration to improve
geomorphology
Land/right of way purchases
Daylighting
Case Studies
Dry Creek, Roseville
Fresno River, Oakhurst
Poinsett Park, El Cerrito
Dry Creek, Roseville
2-phase project consisting of an erosion
assessment/management plan and restoration
Channel reconfiguration, bank stabilization and
revegetation at three key sites
Improved fish passage
Collaborative effort between the City of Roseville
and the Dry Creek Conservancy
Project Location
After
Darling Way Site
Before
Adelante Site, Before
Adelante Site, After
Fish Passage Improvement
Adelante
Spawning
gravels and resting habitat
Downstream of Darling Way site
migration access – modifications to
banks and stream around sewer line
Easier
Fish Passage
Before and After
Before
After
Fresno River, Oak/China Creeks,
Oakhurst
Fresno River, Oak/China Creeks,
Oakhurst
Project Background
–
Rural foothills community near Yosemite
–
Development around waterways destabilized banks and
increased flood damage to surrounding homes and
businesses
–
Oakhurst River Parkway Committee formed to address
issues
–
Funding and restoration activities pursued in a
community-wide effort, with assistance from multiple
agencies, businesses, and citizens
Project Activities
• stream restoration
• erosion control
• trail system stabilization
• creek clean-ups
• vegetation management
• community education
Before, ~1996
After, June 2000
Poinsett Park, El Cerrito
Poinsett Park, Project Background
City’s storm drain system inadequate, resulting in
localized flooding
City commissioned study to evaluate pipe conditions
and develop master plan of corrections
Local residents approved $6.3 million bond to finance
repairs
City chose stream restoration alternative over pipe
repairs in some locations
Short-term increased costs for restoration, but longterm decreased costs for pipe repairs
DWR grant was to finance a demo “daylighting” project
at Poinsett Park for the restoration alternative
Before, 1995
After, 2000
Healthy Streams,
Vibrant Communities
USRP Contact Information
Sara Denzler, Program Coordinator
(916) 651-9625, [email protected]
Susan Oldland, Central CA Contact
(916) 651-9626, [email protected]