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]