Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration ProgramDepartment of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program

Working Together To: Restore Watersheds Reduce Property

Damages Renovate Town Centers

Traditional Stream ManagementTraditional 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 Limitations of Single Purpose Flood Control ProjectsControl 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 BackgroundUSRP Program Background

Created in response to limitations of single-purpose 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 ObjectivesProgram 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 Potential Benefits of Urban Stream RestorationUrban 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 USRPProjects Funded by USRP

Creek cleanups

Bioengineering bank stabilization

Vegetation management

Channel reconfiguration to improve geomorphology

Land/right of way purchases

Daylighting

Case StudiesCase Studies

Dry Creek, Roseville

Fresno River, Oakhurst

Poinsett Park, El Cerrito

Dry Creek, RosevilleDry 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 LocationProject Location

Darling Way SiteDarling Way Site

Before

After

Adelante Site, BeforeAdelante Site, Before

Adelante Site, AfterAdelante Site, After

Fish Passage ImprovementFish Passage Improvement

AdelanteSpawning gravels and resting habitat

Downstream of Darling Way siteEasier migration access – modifications to

banks and stream around sewer line

Fish PassageFish PassageBefore and AfterBefore and After

Before After

Fresno River, Oak/China Creeks, Fresno River, Oak/China Creeks, OakhurstOakhurst

Fresno River, Oak/China Creeks, Fresno River, Oak/China Creeks, OakhurstOakhurst

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

• stream restoration

• erosion control

• trail system stabilization

• creek clean-ups

• vegetation management

• community education

Project ActivitiesProject Activities

Before, ~1996Before, ~1996 After, June 2000 After, June 2000

Poinsett Park, El CerritoPoinsett Park, El Cerrito

Poinsett Park, Project BackgroundPoinsett 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 long-term decreased costs for pipe repairs

DWR grant was to finance a demo “daylighting” project at Poinsett Park for the restoration alternative

Before, 1995Before, 1995 After, 2000 After, 2000

Healthy Streams, Healthy Streams, Vibrant CommunitiesVibrant Communities

USRP Contact InformationUSRP Contact Information

Sara Denzler, Program Coordinator

(916) 651-9625, sdenzler@water.ca.gov

Susan Oldland, Central CA Contact

(916) 651-9626, susano@water.ca.gov