GROUNDWORK - Watershed · the frequency and severity of winter storms which in turn will likely...

GROUNDWORKA HAndbook for smAll-scAle erosion control in coAstAl cAliforniA

GROUNDWORK:A HAndbook for SmAll-ScAle eroSion control in

coAStAl cAliforniA2nd edition

Marin Resource Conservation DistrictMarin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program

Groundwork was first written in 1987 through a grant from the State coastal conservancy to the marin resource conservation district. this revision has been largely funded by marin county Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program and a grant from the State Water resources control board to the marin county department of Public Works. Additional funds were gener-ously provided by the marin community foundation, north coast resource conservation and development council, and from marin municipal Water district funds through the State Water resources control board.

We thank the following reviewers for their thoughtful assistance: leslie ferguson, San francisco bay regional Water Quality control board liz lewis, marin county department of Public Works mischon martin, marin county open Space district ruth Pratt, marin county department of Public Works nancy Scolari, marin resource conservation district

Writing: liza Prunuske, chris choo, mike Jensen and Harold Appleton of Prunuske chatham, inc.design and cover: lisa krieshok, www.krieshok.comtechnical drawings: mike Jensen, maggie Young, liza Prunuskeother illustrations: lisa krieshok, Susan Pinkertoncover photo by brock dolman, www.oaecwater.org

this handbook, in both its first incarnation and this revision, is a collective creation. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed—the practi-tioners who tried and improved many of the techniques, the landowners and agencies who encouraged experimentation, and all who worked to revive Groundwork. this revision is dedicated to don mcisaac, George flanders and leo cronin, who each in his own way, helped keep the coho returning to lagunitas creek.

Table of ConTenTs

1. Soil,ErosionandSediment...............................................1

2. HealingErosion:GeneralGuidelines................................4

3. ChannelErosion...............................................................6

4. Gullies...........................................................................26

5. UsingPlantstoPreventandRepairErosion....................40

6. Roadways.......................................................................47

7. NewConstruction..........................................................53

8. LivestockandErosion.....................................................59

9. Landslides......................................................................64

10.Wildlife..........................................................................65

11.MaintenanceandMonitoring.........................................67

12.Permits...........................................................................69

13.WheretoGetMoreHelp................................................73

�G R o U n D W o R K

Soilismorethanthatbrownmudthedogtracksintothehouseafterarainstorm;itisanintricateensembleoflivingmicroorgan-isms,humus(partiallyandcompletelydecayedorganicmatter)

andinorganicparticlesworndownfromparentrocks.Theprocessfromrocktosoilisaslowone.Anaverageinchoftopsoil,richestofthesoillayersinorganicmatterandthecreaturesthatdecomposesuchmaterial,takesathousandyearsormoretoform.

Asanyhomegardenerknows,soilsvarywidelyinfertility,mineralcontent,physicalstructureandthewaytheyreacttowindandwater.Somesoilsdrainslowly,makingthempoorchoicesforunsurfacedroadsorsepticsystems.Othersarehighlyerodible,andthesmallestdisturbancecanleadtoagullyorstreambankwashout.Thetypeanddepthofsoilplayamajorroleindeterminingwhatkindofplantsgrowinanarea.Theplantcommunityinturnaffectswhatspeciesoffishandotheranimals,bothdomesticandwild,cansurvivethere.

Erosionisanaturalprocess.Itshapesourhillsides,valleys,riversandstreams;itcreatesfertilefloodplainsandithelpsdistributenutrientsthroughoutthewatershed.Erosionprovidesnecessarysedimentstocreeksandriversandallowsthemtocreatearichvarietyofhabitatssuchasspawninggravels,deeppoolsandsandbarswherenewvegeta-tioncantakehold.Erosioninupperwatershedsisneededtoformourcoastalbeaches.

Instablewatersheds,therateoferosionisslowandinbalancewithnaturalrestorativecycles.Butinmanywatersheds,humanuseofthelandhasacceleratedtherateofchangebeyondnature’sshort-termhealingcapabilities—insomeplacesevenbeyondlong-termrecovery.Thedesertificationprocessoccurringinmanyaridandsub-aridregionsisadramaticexampleofhowhuman-inducedchangesinvegetationandsoilcanleadtowide-scaleecologicandeconomiccollapse.

soIl, eRosIon anD seDIMenT

� G R o U n D W o R K

Theeffectsofsoilerosionarenotlimitedtothesitewherethesoilwaslost.Thedetachedsoil,calledsediment,entersthewatersystemandsettlesout—ataculvertinlet,inastreamchannel,inalakeoranestu-ary.Somesedimentisneededtoenrichandcreateaquaticecosystems,buttoomuchsedimentisdestructive.InmuchofcoastalCalifornia,erosionandsedimentationhavebeenmajorculpritsinthedeclineofcohosalmonandsteelheadtrout.Finesoilparticlesfillinspawninggravels,reduceoxygenlevels,andcementstreambottomsintouniformsurfacesthatnolongerprovidenooksandcranniestoshelteryoungfishandtheaquaticanimalstheyeat.Largermaterialsettlesinpoolssothatfishnolongerhavedeep,coolwaterforsummershelter.Excessivesedimentationhaschangedthenaturalfunctioningofbaysandestuar-iesupanddowntheCaliforniacoast.

Climatechangeswithinthenexttwentyyearsarepredictedtoincreasethefrequencyandseverityofwinterstormswhichinturnwilllikelyleadtohigherratesoferosion.Asmorestressisputontheenvironment,highqualityhabitatwillbecomeevenmorecriticalforthesurvivalofsteel-head,salmonandmanyotheraquaticspecies.Repairingandpreventingerosionnowmaysavedollarsanddiversityinthefuture.

Althoughindividualerosionproblemsmayseemtoosmalltofillinabayorthreatenawholespecies,togethertheycontributevastamountsofsedimenttoourwaterways.Thepurposeofthishandbookistwo-fold:tohelplandownersandlandmanagersbetterunderstanderosionprocesses,andtodescribepracticesforrepairingsmall-scaleerosionproblemscommontonortherncoastalCalifornia.Eachpracticeislabeledwithoneofthesymbolsshowninthebox.

KEY TO EROSION CONTROL PRACTICES

Try these yourself. Thesetechniquesarerelativelysimplewithlittleriskofcaus-ingunintended,significant

damage.Undermostcircumstances,theydonotrequirepermits.How-everifthreatenedorendangeredspeciesarepresent,contactyourcityorcountyplanningdepartment,thelocalNaturalResourceConservationDistrictoffice,ortheCaliforniaDe-partmentofFishandGame(Chapters12and13)justtomakesureyouractionwon’tcauseharm.

These techniques require careful planning,butcanbeinstalledwithoutprofessionalassistanceinsomesituations.

Wetrytodescribewhenpermitsareneededandthelimitsofsafeusewitheachpracticeorgroupofpractices.Seekprofessionalhelpwheneverabuilding,utilityorroadisthreatened.TheboxinChapter3hasmoreinfor-mationonwhenyouneedaregisteredprofessionaldesigner.

This group requires engi-neered designsandinmostcases,permitsfrommultipleagencies.Weprovideonlya

generaldescriptionofthesemethods.


FiveBasicRulesforPreventingCommonErosionProblems1. Protect bare soil surfaces. Vegetationisthebestprotection

becauseitbothabsorbsanduseswater.Gravel,straw,woodchipsandothermulchesarealsoeffective.Ifyouuseanimpermeablesubstance,suchastemporaryplasticsheeting,becarefulwhereyoudirecttherunoff.Youdon’twanttofixoneerosionproblemwhilecreatinganother.

2. Don’t concentrate water flow unless absolutely necessary. Onundisturbedslopes,waterpercolatesthroughsoilslowlyandrelativelyuniformly.Whenalltherunofffromasingleareaisfocusedononespot,suchasbyaculvertoraroofgutter,thenaturalprotectionofthegroundsurfaceisoftennotsufficienttopreventthisextraflowfrombreakingthroughtobaresoil.Ifyoumustfocusrunoff,protecttheoutflowareawithanenergydissipa-tor,suchasrockorsecurelyanchoredbrush,thatwillwithstandstormflows.

3. Limit livestock and human use of vulnerable areas. Livestockandpeoplecanexacerbatemilderosionbydisturbingvegetationandcreatingtrailsthatchanneltheflow.Streamareas,steeporfillslopes,winterswales,unsurfacedroads,oldlandslidesandanysitesthatshowsignsofrecentsoillossareareasofspecialcon-cern.

4. Disturb existing vegetation as little as possible. Plantsholdtopsoilandoftensubsoilinplacewiththeirroots,regulatethespeedofwaterflowingthroughandoversoil,andprovidecoverandfoodforwildlife.Thenativeplantcommunityisespeciallywelladaptedtospecificsoilandrainfallconditions.Oncenativeplantcoverisdis-turbed,thesoilbelowbecomesmuchmoresusceptibletoerosion.

5. Encourage infiltration.Themorewateryoucankeepinthesoilinsteadofontopofit,thelesserosionyou’llhave.Percolationthroughvegetationandsoilalsocleansnutrientsandotherpollutantsfromwater,andincreasessoilfertilityandmoisturecontent.Usepermeablepavementsinsteadofconcreteorasphalt.Collectandspreadrunofffromroofsorpaddocks.Plantnativetreesandshrubsnotjustalongcreeks,butinuplandareasaswell.SeeChapter7forwaystoincreaseinfiltrationonyourproperty.


MostcoastalCaliforniaerosionproblemssharethecommoningredientsofexposedsoil,flowingwaterandanagent,usuallyhumanorclimatic,thatdisruptedapre-existing

equilibrium.Thefollowingguidelineswillhelpyouunderstandandrepairallcommonerosionproblems:

1. Watchtheproblemandtrytodeterminethecause.Themostes-sentialtoolsforerosioncontrolinnorthernCaliforniaareapairofrubberbootsandagoodrainsuit.Theactionhappensduringtherains.Youcanseefirsthandhowproblemsdevelopandgrow,andyoucancatchlittlethingsbeforetheybecomecatastrophes.

2. Keepinmindstormflow.Asyouplanorexecutearepair,especiallyduringthedryseason,standbackandvisualizewhatwillhappenduringaheavystorm.Willwatershootoutbeyondtherockyou’veplacedunderyourculvert?Williteddyaroundyourbrushmattressandcutanewholeinthestreambank?

3. Workverycarefully.Flowingwaterisnotforgiving.Itfindsthetiniestcrackandunderminesthebestintentions.Goodcraftsman-shipcreatesdurabilityaswellasbeauty.

4. Bepatient.Everysiteisunique,anditmaytakeyearsofobser-vationandmodificationtofine-tunearepairtofittheproblemprecisely.

5. Becreative.Forexample,sometimesahandfulofleavesworksbetterthanatruckloadofgraveltosealasmallcheckdam.Becareful,though,nottoaddtoxinsorgarbagetothewatershedortocreateanewproblemdownstream.

6. Workwithnature.Thebestrepairsdisappearovertime.Youwanttonudgethenaturalhealingprocess,notfightit.Awillowrepairwon’tthrive,forexample,underaredwoodcanopy.Slopinga

HealInG eRosIon: GeneRal GUIDelInes


verticalstreambankbacktoamoregradual,stableslopemaytakemoreroom,butintheendrequiremuchlesscostandmaintenancethanbuildingaretainingwall.

7. Coordinatewithyourneighbors,especiallyifyouaretacklingstreambankerosion.Erosionandtheprocessesthatcreateitrarelystopatpropertyboundaries.

8. Obtaintheproperpermits.County,stateandfederalagencieshaveregulatoryrolesovermoststructuralrepairinstreamchannels.Ifthreatenedorendangeredspeciesarepresent,additionalagenciesmaybecomeinvolved.Roadrepairsorothergradingactivitiesmayrequirecountypermits.CoastalzoneworkcomesundertheauspicesoftheCoastalCommission.Localzoningandordinancesrestrictactivitiesthatcanoccuralongstreams.Chapter12hasmoreinformationonpermitsandotherenvironmentalcomplianceregulations.


CHannel eRosIon

Streamsystemsconsistofthewaterandsedimentflowingthroughthem,thechannelanditsfloodplain,andthecommunityofplantsandanimalslivinginandnexttothewater.Theclimate,

topography,soil,plantsandlanduseofthestream’swatershedtogetherdeterminethestream’smorphology,orform,andbehavior.Streammorphologyincludes:1)dimension—theshapeofthestreamincrosssection,2)pattern—theconfigurationofthestreaminplanviewasifyouwerelookingdownatitfromanairplane,3)andprofile—thestreamslopeordropinelevation.

Streamsaredynamic.Bankerosion,bedscour,andsedimenttransportanddepositionarealwaysoccurringasstreamsadjusttheirmorphology.Astablestreamisinastateofdynamicequilibriumwithsmallandgradualadjustments.Largechangesinthewatershed,majorstorms,forexample,orincreasingurbanization,canthrowthesystemoutofequilibrium.Channeladjustments,oftenintheformoferosion,willoccurmorefrequentlyandwithmoreseveritywhenthestreamsystemisoutofequilibrium.

Naturaldisturbancessuchaswildfire,floodsorlandslidescanaddvastquantitiesofsedimentintostreamsystems.Humanuses,bothcurrentandhistoric,alsocontributeextrasedimentandchangetheamountandtimingofwaterenteringstreamsandrivers.Parkinglotsandroofs,forexample,cancausestormwatertodrainintowaterbodiesmuchfasterthanitdidwhentherainfellongrassandforests.Streamsoftenadjusttothissuddenchangebycuttingdeeper(downcutting)orflood-ing.However,evenastreaminbalancewithitssedimentloadandwaterinputswillslowlychangeitsshapeassedimentmovesdown-stream.Unlessitissolidrock,whatappearstobeastablebankwill,atsomepoint,move.

Thechannelevolutionmodelshownhelpsexplainhowchannelschangeovertimeafterdisturbancestotheirdynamicequilibrium.Channel evolution model

CHANNEL INNATURAL EQUILIBRIUM BANKFULL ACTIVE FLOODPLAIN

DEGRADING CHANNEL(INCISING)

BANKFULL

ABANDONED FLOODPLAIN

BANKFULL

HUMAN DISTURBANCE(URBANIZATION, LEVEES, STRAIGHTENING, VEGETATION REMOVAL, GRAVEL REMOVAL)

(FLOOD PRONE TO LARGE STORMS)

HISTORIC FLOODPLAIN(LARGE FLOODS MAY BE CONTAINED)

ERODING BANKS

WIDENING CHANNEL

DEPOSITIONAL CHANNEL(WIDENING CHANNEL LOSES ABILITY TOTRANSPORT ALL ITS SEDIMENT)

CHANNEL IN ANEW EQUILIBRIUM

NEW ACTIVEFLOODPLAIN

BANKFULL

HISTORIC FLOODPLAIN(LARGE FLOODS MAY BE CONTAINED)


Beforeundertakingamajorrestorationprojectalongyourreachofstreamorriver,itisimportanttodeterminewhatstageofevolutionyourreachisinandwhatyoucanexpectoverthenexttenortwentyyears.SeveralofthereferenceslistedinChapter13underRiverScienceandManagementdescribechannelevolutionindepth.Riverscientistsinprivaterestorationfirmsandinmanypublicagenciescanalsoadviseyou.

Astream’sbasicshapeismaintainedbyhighfrequency,stormsthatoccurapproximatelyevery1.5years.Thesestormeventsarereferredtoasbankfull,orchannelforming,flow.Thepools,riffles,andundercutbankscriticalforthesurvivaloffishandmanyotheraquaticspeciesaremaintainedthroughthebankfullflowsandtheerosionanddepositiontheycause.Streamterracesandfloodplainsarecreatedbylargerandlessfrequentstorms.Thesefeaturesprovideroomforwatertospreadoutandslowdownduringhighflowevents,aswellasserveassomeofthemostimportanthabitatforCalifornia’snativebirdsandotherwildlife.

Streamsareclassifiedasperennial,intermittent,andephemeral.Perennialstreamsflowallyear.Intermittentstreamsflowduringthewetseasonanddryupforatleastpartofthesummer.Ephemeral

Stream dimension (section view) showing stream section ‘A’ from plan view.

TERRACE

FLOODPLAIN

POINT BAR

10-50 YEAR FLOOD

BANKFULLSUMMER WATER

POOL

OUTSIDE BANK

TERRACE


MEANDERBELT

POINT BAR

RIFFLE

RIFFLE

CREST

GLIDE

POOL FLOODPLAIN

RIFFLERUN

POOL

RIFFLE

CREST

GLIDE

RIFFLE

RUNPOOL

GLIDE

+Rc

SECTION‘A’

SECTION‘A’

RUN

OUTSIDE BANKPRONE TO EROSION Rc = RADIUS OF CURVATURE

L = MEANDER WAVELENGTH W = AVERAGE WIDTH AT BANKFULL

W

L

Stream pattern (plan view)

RIFFLECREST

RIFFLE

RUNPOOL

AVERAGE CHANNEL SLOPERIFFLECREST

RIFFLE GLIDE

RIFFLE

POOLTAIL-OUT

TO DETERMINE AVG. CHANNEL SLOPE:MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO RIFFLECRESTS. MEASURE THE ELEVATION CHANGE.DIVIDE THE ELEVATION CHANGE BY THE DISTANCE.E/D=SLOPE.MEASURE AT LEAST 20 BANKFULL WIDTHS OR2 MEANDER WAVELENGTHS.

Stream profile


streamshavesurfaceflowonlyimmediatelyafterwinterstormsandinsomedrywintersmaynotflowatall.Aswaleisadepressionthatmoveswaterduringrainfall,butunlikeastream,itmoveslittleornosediment.Swalesarecommonlycoveredwithgrassorforestduff.

Gulliesarechannelsthathavecutintounprotectedsoil,creatingsevere,acceleratederosion.Theycanforminswalesorephemeralstreamsthathavebeenoverwhelmedbyconcentratedrunoff.Gulliesarecharacterizedbytheirrapidandexcessivedowncutting.Unpro-tectedculvertsandpoorlydesignedroadsoftencausegullies.Manyofthetechniquesusedtorepairerodingstreamchannelsalsoapplytogullies.Chapter4coverspracticesspecifictogullystabilization,andChapter6addressesroaderosion.

Oncetheyleavetheirsteepuppertributaries,streamsandriverscurvethroughtheirfloodplainsinmeanders.Inasysteminbalance,thewidthofthemeander beltremainsapproximatelyconstant,eventhoughthemeandersthemselvesmovedownstreamovertimeassoilontheoutsidecurvesiserodedandthendepositeddownstream.Thisisahandyconcepttoun-derstandwhenbuildingariparianfence,forexample,orplantinggrapesorvegetables.Keepingthemoutsidethemeanderbeltgivesthemamuchbetterchanceofstayingwhereyouputthem.

Sinuosityisameasureofthestream’slengthdividedbythevalleylength.Thegreaterthesinuosity,thecurvierthestream.

Channel migration

FUTURE CHANNEL LOCATION

THALWEG

�0 G R o U n D W o R K

Susan Pinkerton

PreservingfishpassageAnadromousfish,suchassteelheadtroutandsalmon,spawninfreshwaterandmatureinsaltwater.Atkeypointsintheirlifecycles,theyneedtomoveupanddownstreamchannels.Inwinteradultfishleavetheoceantoswimintothetributariesanduppermainstemreachestospawn.Thetimingoftheadultmigrationvariesgeographically,butinMarinCounty’scoastalstreams,cohousuallyspawnfromNovemberthroughJanuaryandsteelheadfromJanuarythroughMarch.Afteronefullyearinthestreamforcoho,andonetotwoyearsforsteelhead,mostoftheyoungfishmigratebackouttotheoceaninthespring.Beforetheyleave,juvenilefishneedtomoveupanddownthestreamtofindfood,coveranddeeppools.Erosionrepairsinstreamswithanadromousfishmustallowfishtomovefreelyduringallstagesoftheirlives.

WoodydebrisanderosionAlthoughdownedtreesandpilesofbranchescanforcestreamflowintobanksandcauseerosion,theyarevitalforhealthystreams.Fallentreesandbranches,alsoknownaslarge woody debrisorLWD,trapsedi-mentsforspawninggravelsandnutrientstofeedtheaquaticinsectsthatformthefoundationofastream’sfoodweb.Theycreatepools,shadeandhidingplacesforfish,andperchesforbirdsandturtles.Ina1996reportonthedeclineofsalmonpopulations,theNationalResearchCouncilstated“perhapsnootherstructuralcomponentoftheenvironmentisasimportanttosalmonhabitataslargewoodydebris.”Duringthesummer,woodydebrisjamsmayappeartoblockfishpassage,butthisisactuallyrarelythecase.Inwinterhighflows,fishcanusuallyswimoverorunderthewood.Eveninlowflows,fishareskillfulatnavigatingthroughmostpiles.

WoodinstreamsisregulatedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(CDFG).Ifyouareconcernedabouterosionorgenuineobstructionoffishmovement,contactCDFGbeforeyoustartmovingthewood.(SeeChapter12forcontactinformation.)Rememberthaterosionisanaturalpartofahealthystream.Ifnostructuresorroadsarethreatened,thebenefitsofthewoodinthestreammaywellout-weightheriskoferosiondamage.Ifpropertyisthreatened,consideralteringthewoodtoreducetheriskwhilemaintainingsomehabitatbenefits.Exposedbranchesfromfallentreescanbetrimmedwhile

Salmonid life cycle. Courtesy of Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District

��G R o U n D W o R K

Tryyourself

Canbeusedbythelaypersonunderthecircumstancesdescribed

Requiresprofessionaldesignandinstallation

leavingthemaintrunkandrootwadintact.Movinglogssothattheyaremoreparalleltothestreambankwillhelpfocusflowawayfromvulnerablebanksandpreventthedownedwoodfromcollectingmoredebris.SeeReferences#11and#48formoreinformationonhowtopreservefishhabitatwhilemovingLWD.

TreatingChannelErosionChronic,severestreambankerosionindicatesamajorimbalancewithinthewatershed.Treatingthesymptomsmaysaveonesectionofstreambank,butitmightjustmovetheproblemtoaneighbor.Manywatershedshaveplansorstudiesthatevaluatehabitatissuesandero-sionprocessesforentirestreamsorstreamreaches.Theseplanscanbeveryhelpfulingivingindividuallandownersacontextinwhichtoselectarepairwiththebestchanceofsatisfactorylong-termresults.CheckwithyourcountyplanningdepartmentorResourceConserva-tionDistrictforinformationaboutyourstream.Often,watershedplansandstudiesalsohelplandownersaccessgrantfundingordesignandpermittingassistance.Considerjoiningforceswithyourneighborstotacklestreambankerosionwithacoordinatedstrategy.

Inthissection,wewillpresentthreetypesofrepairtechniquesasdescribedintheintroduction.Thefirstgroupincludesmethodsthatlandownerscanusethemselvessafelyinmostconditions.Techniquesinthesecondgroupcanbeusedwithoutprofessionalhelptostabilizerelativelyminorstreambankerosionsites(3feethighorlessand15feetlongorless)thatarenotimmediateemergenciesandwherethereislittleornodangerofpropertyorhabitatdamageshouldtherepairfail.Ifindoubt,contacttheDepartmentofFishandGame,yourlocalResourceConservationDistrict,oryourcountyorcitystreamexpert.

Thethirdgroupcoversstabilizationmethodsusedforsevereerosion,wherepropertyisthreatened,orwherechangesinthestreamcouldcausedamagetoneighboringlandorimportanthabitat.Themethodsinthisgroupalmostalwaysrequireengineereddesignstofitthespecificconditionsofyoursiteandtomeetregulatoryrequirements.

Beforeyougetstartedonyourstreamrepaireffort,herearetwoimpor-tantquestionstoaskyourself:

Is the problem urgent?Manystreambankerosionsiteshealthemselvesasthecreekadjuststowatershedchanges.Sometimesthebestcourse

�� G R o U n D W o R K

ofactionistowatchyoursiteoverawinterortwo.However,ifthereisanychancethatsafety,roadsorimportantstructuresareatrisk,gethelpimmediately.Gettingaprojectdesignedwithpermitsinplaceandbuiltbeforetherainyseasonstartsoftentakessixmonthstoayear.

What is causing the erosion?Hasanewlyformedsedimentbarorfallentreeshiftedthemainflowofthestreamovertoyourbank?Isthewholechanneldeeperwithbanksonbothsidesslumpingintothecreek?Doessurfacerunoff,maybeexcesswaterfromyourlawnorstormflowfromadrivewayorroofdownspout,causeorexacerbatetheerosion?It’snotalwayseasytotelltherootcause,andyoumayneedhelpfromanengineerorrestorationspecialist.Asthelandownerorresident,however,youcancontributevitalinformationonhowyourpropertyhaschangedovertime.

Onceyouunderstandthecauseandhavedeterminedthatyouneedtotakeaction,youcanbeginselectingarepairstrategy.Rememberthatstreamsarehighlyregulatedbyfederal,stateandlocalagencies.CheckChapter12forregulationsthatapplytoyourproject.

Channel erosion on the outside curveSedimentinastreambedisdepositedwherethegradientflattensout(wherethestreambecomeslesssteep)orwhererocks,rootsorsomeothermassslowstheflow.Inatypicalscenario,themainlineofflow,calledthethalweg,movestoonesideofthesedimentbuilduporpointbarandcutsintotheoppositebank.Asmoresedimentisaddedfromupstreamerosion,theflowfurthererodestheoutsidebank,whichinturnaddsevenmoresediment.Obstructionssuchasfallentreesorim-properlydesignedbankrepairscanalsochangethethalweganddivertitdirectlyintostreambanks.

Solutionstoaddressmeander-relatederosioninthestreamincludeprotectingthebank,deflectingtheflowawayfromtheerosion,orre-aligningthecurve.Allcanhaveserioussideeffectsandshouldbecarefullyevaluated.Aswatercutstheoutsidebank,itexpendsenergy.Ifitcan’tcutthere,itmaycutsomewhereelse—eitheronadown-streambank,orinthecaseofchannelstraightening,inthebottomofthechannelcausingwidespreadbankfailure.

Studyingareferencestreamreach canhelpwithselectinganddesigninganappropriaterepair.Referencereachesarestablelengthsofchannel

WhEN DO YOu NEED A REGISTERED PROfESSIONAL DESIGNER?

Registered professional designers include engi-neering geologists, geotechnical engineers, civil engineers and landscape architects. They are licensed to practice in special areas of expertise, but any of them should be able to direct you to the one best suited to help you. They are needed:

• If a building or other important utilities and infrastructure (such as a road or septic system) are threatened.

• To get a grading permit or creek permit from many counties and cities.

• If you need to build retaining walls higher than 3 or 4 feet depending on the local building code.

• If you need to move more than a few wheelbarrow loads of soil or rock to stabi-lize your streambank.

• If fill is required in the active stream channel.

Fluvial geomorphologists and hydrologists are scientists who study the processes of river formation. They can also help design sound erosion control and restoration projects.


inthesameoraneighboringwatershedthathavesimilarcharacter-isticsastheproblemarea.Theyhavethesameaveragerainfall.Theyarelocatedinaboutthesamepositioninthewatershed—bothinthelower,flatterpartsofthewatershed,forexample,insteadofoneinthevalleyandoneupinasteeptributary.Theyaresimilarinsizeandcarryaboutthesameamountofflow.Theyrunthroughthesamekindofsoilorparentmaterial.Referencereachescanshowyouhowyourchannelcouldlook,atwhatanglethebanksarestable,whatkindofplantsthrivethere,andwhatsizerocksorsmallersedimentcoverthechannelbottom.Indesigningastreambankrepair,referencereachesareusedprimarilytodeterminetheappropriatechannelgeometryforyoursite.

1. Protecting eroding banksThreetypesofbankprotectioncanbeusedtoprotecterodingstream-banks:vegetationbyitself,bioengineering,andarmoringwithhardsurfaces.Vegetationaloneisonlyeffectiveonverygentleslopeswithslowmovingwater.Chapter5containsspecificationsforseedingandplanting.Traditionalhardarmoringmethods,suchasrockriprapandwallsmadeofconcrete,gabionsorothernon-organicmaterials,frequentlycauseotherproblems.Suchmethodsfixastreamchannelinplaceanddonotletitrespondtofuturechangesinitswatershed.Theycanalsoexacerbatedownstreamerosionandflooding.Insteadofbeingslowedbytreerootsandboulders,stormflowsspeedpasthard,smoothsurfaceswithmoreerosiveforce.Hardarmoringsignificantlyreduceshabitatvaluesforfishandotheraquaticandriparianwildlife.Failureratesofsolidimpermeablerepairscanbehighaswaterpres-surebuildsupbehindthestructure.Inrecognitionoftheseissues,permittingagencieshavebeenlesswillingtoapprovehardarmoringtechniquesthantheyhaveinthepast.

Bioengineeringmethodsincorporatestructuralrepairswithvegetation.Whentheyworkwell,theydisappearintotheriparianhabitatwithinafewyears.Theyusematerialsthateitherdegrade,suchascoconutfibermats,orarenaturaltothestream,suchasnativeplants,logsandrock.Theyaddwildlifehabitatvaluebyincreasingcoverandshadeinthestreamchannel,andprovidingfoodandshelterfortheanimalsthatusethestreamcorridor.Somebioengineeringrepairsarerelativelystraight-forwardforsmall-scalestreambankerosion.Checktheboxearlierinthechaptertoseeifyouneedanexpert.

Channel erosion, plan view

ERODING BANK

POINTBAR

THALWEG


Manyofthefollowingbioengineeringtechniquesutilizewillows.WillowsarethebackboneofmanycoastalCaliforniaecosystemsandareoftenthefirstwoodyplanttocolonizedisturbedareas.Theyrooteasilyandonceestablishedcansurvivehighflows.Theydoneedsuntothrive,sodon’ttryawillow-basedrepairinadeeplyshadedred-woodreach.Allwillowcuttingsshouldbecollectedandplantedwhentheplantisdormant,usuallyfromlateSeptemberthroughDecember.Inordertobeatthewinterflows,OctoberandearlyNovemberarethebesttimestoinstallbioengineeringrepairs.

Werecommendusingwoodstakesandmanilarope(anaturalfiber)wheneverstakingandbindingarecalledfor,insteadofrebarandnylonropeorwire.Naturalmaterialswilldegradeovertime,andwillnotstranglegrowingplantsorcauseseriousinjurytopeopleoranimals.Whenbioengineeringtechniquesareusednearthetopofastreambankorondryslopes,dripirrigationmayberequiredforthefirsttwotothreeyearstofirmlyestablishplantgrowth.

Thefollowingrepairmethodsarearrangedinorderofcomplexity.Thefirstgroupcanbeusedwithoutprofessionaldesignatmostsites.Alwaysconsultaprofessionaldesignerifanyoftheconditionsidenti-fiedintheboxtitled“Whendoyouneedaregisteredprofessionaldesigner?”exist.

Willow sprigsaresimplysturdywillowcuttingsplanteddirectlyintotheground.Chapter5describesplantingdetailsandgivesguidelinesfordecidingifwillowistherightplantforyourstreambank.Willowpolesarelonger,stoutercuttingsthatcanbedrivendeeperintothebanktowithstandhighflowsorsecureotherstructures,suchaswillowwalls.

Tree roots protecting a bank and creating habitat.

Willow sprig


Wattlesorlive fascinesarebundlesoflivecuttings,usuallywillow,boundtogetherbyrope.Theycanbestakedbythemselvesinshallowtrenchesalongthecontour,orusedinconcertwithotherbioengineeringtechniquesfortoestabilization.Willowwattleslendthemselvesbeautifullytovolunteereffortsandareeasiertoassemblewhenmanyhands,evenverysmallones,help.

Series of willow wattles on slope

3’WEDGE (DEAD) STAKE SPACING

1.5’ - 3’OPTIONAL LIVE STAKE SPACING

TWINE 1.5’

6” TO 9” DIA. WATTLEINSTALLED ON CONTOUR1/2 TO 2/3 OF WATTLEPLACED BELOW GRADE

TOP VIEW

SECTION

2” x 2” x 3’WOOD STAKE

OPTIONAL 3’ LIVEWILLOW STAKE FORDEEP ROOTING

NOTE:BLANKET OR MULCH CANBE USED W/SEED INBETWEEN WATTLES.

5’-10’

TYPICAL

COMPACTED FILL


Coir logs aremanufacturedcylindersoftoughcoconutfiberthatcomeindifferentlengthsanddiameters.Theyarecommonlyusedatconstructionsitestoslowrunoffandtrapsediment.Coirlogscanbestackedandstakedtoprovideprotectioninlow-flowchannelsatthetoeofbanksorongentleslopes.Willowsprigsmakeexcellentstakesinsunnysites.Makesurethatthelogsareverysecurelystakedtowith-standhighvelocities.Iftheygetlooseinthestream,theycandamagewildlifeanddivertflow.

Thenextgroupoftechniquesmaybebuiltbythelaypersonunderthespecifiedconditions.However,werecommendthatyouconsultwithNationalResourceConservationService(NRCS),yourlocalResourceConservationDistrict(RCD),Countystafftrainedinbiotechnicalrepairs,orarestorationconsultantbeforeyoudesignandinstalltheserepairs.Becausethesestructureswillbeexposedtohighvelocitiesandstrongerosiveforces,improperplacementorinadequatekeyingintothebankcaneasilycreateworseproblemsthanyoustartedouttofix.Unlessfill,suchasrock,isaddedbelowtheordinaryhighwatermark(activechannelorbankfulldepth),permitsfromtheArmyCorpsofEngineersarenotnecessary.However,apermitfromtheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(CDFG)isneededwhenworkingfromthebedofthestreamthroughtheriparianhabitatalongthestream-bank.Otherpermitsmayalsoberequired,especiallyifthreatenedorendangeredspeciesarepresent(Chapter12).

Coir log revetment with live willow staking

LOW FLOW

LOW FLOW

LOW FLOW

COIR LOG

BRUSH MATTRESS WITHCOIR LOG TOE

COIR LOG WITHBRUSH LAYERING

COIR LOG TOE PROTECTION

CONSTRUCTION STAKE

LIVE STAKES


Brush mattress

Abrush mattressisadenselayerofbranchesthatisstakedandfirmlysecuredwithrope.Thebuttendsofthebrushareplacedinatoetrenchwheretheycanbeprotectedbycoirlogsorwillowwattles.Ifwillowbranchesareusedandthesitehassufficientmoistureandsunlight,thebrancheswillsprout.Inshadyareas,themattresscanbemadewithanybrushandtheninterplantedwithshadetoleranttreesandshrubs.Usebrushmattressesonbankswithslopesnogreaterthan2:1(2feetinhorizontalrunforevery1footofverticalrise).Ifyouthinkyouneedrocktoprotectthetoe,seekprofessionaladvice.Re-memberthatusingrockinthechannelmayalsoincreasethenumberandcomplexityofpermitsrequired.

Brush mattress, section view

COIR EROSION CONTROL BLANKET(OPTIONAL FOR SANDY SOILS)

6’ TO 8’ LIVE WILLOW BRUSH

ExISTING TOP OF BANK

COVER 50% - 70% OF BRUSH W/TOP SOIL TO PROMOTE ROOTING

COIR LOG TOE PROTECTIONW/ jUNCUS PLUGS

LOW FLOW

18” MIN TOE TRENCH

KEY IN FABRIC

3/8” HEMP ROPE TIE DOWN ON WOOD STAKES

2” x 2” x 3’ WOOD STAKES

OPTIONAL LIVE WILLOW STAKES FOR DEEP ROOTING

NOTE: 2:1 MIN. SLOPE

SECTION


ThE KEY TO SuCCESS IS ThE KEY.

When planning a streambank project, careful consideration must be taken to properly key-ing in or securing the upstream and down-stream ends of the repair. The key will prevent the project from unraveling or being scoured out during the first big storm. The diagram shows the following key considerations and alternatives:

1. Begin streambank projects upstream of the point where the thalweg meets and runs along the outside bank.

2. Look for existing stable stream features such as rootwads, logs or large boulders to key the project into.

3. Key willow walls, coir logs, wattles and other structures into the bank by digging a small keyway trench at both the up-stream and downstream ends. The trench should be sized for a snug fit. Consider installing extra willow sprigs or poles in these locations to provide deep roots and additional anchors for securing the structure.

4. Extend projects downstream of the point where the thalweg begins to cross over to the opposite bank. This varies by stream size, but 10 to 25 feet is common.

5. If a suitable area for a key is not present, installation of a few large boulders into the toe of the bank or the engineered placement of a rootwad with stem can provide good keys for most bioengineering techniques. Remember that adding fill in the active channel, such as rock or a rootwad, will increase the need for permits and professional assistance.

6. A favorite key technique is to tuck biotechnical repairs behind existing trees that have large, stable root masses.

TYPICAL BRUSH MATTRESS WITH COIR LOG TOE

TOP OF BANK

TOP OF BANK

TYPICAL WILLOW WALLW/ VEGETATED BENCH TYPICAL COIR

LOG TOE PROTECTION


Willow walls arelivingretainingwalls.Willowpolesaredrivenintothegroundandlongwillowbranchesarewoventightlybetweenthem.Anaturalfibererosioncontrolblanketand/oralayerofsmallbrushispackedbehindthewall,andthewallisthenbackfilledwithsoil.Aswithbrushmattresses,thetoeisoftenprotectedwithacoirlog,wattles,brushlayeringorlooserock.Boththepolesandthewovenbranchessprouttoformadensewillowthicket.Typically,youcanusewillowwallswithoutprofessionaldesigniftherepairisonlyonewallhigh,iftheheightofthewalldoesnotexceed30inches,andifyouareabletosecurelykeyinthestructuretoexistingstreamfeatures,suchastrees.Getprofessionalhelpifyouneedaseriesofwalls,higherwalls,orforanyrepairrequiringrockatthetoeorcomplexkeyinstallation.

Willow walls

Willow wall, section view

½” - 1½” DIA. WOVEN WILLOW BRANCHES COMPRESSED TO MINIMIZE VOIDS

NOTE: SEED &MULCH ALLDISTURBEDAREAS

ExISTING TOP OF BANK

COIR EROSION CONTROL BLANKETCOMPACTED FILL

DENSELY PACKED WILLOW BRUSHFROM POLE TRIMMINGS

WILLOW CANOPY & ROOT GROWTH2 YEARS AFTER INSTALLATION

FABRIC KEY6” MIN.

LIVE WILLOW STAKES 3’ O.C.

LEAN POLES @ A MIN. OF 10 DEGREES TOWARDS BANK

8’ LIVE WILLOW POLE 3” - 4” DIA, 3’ O.C.

LOW FLOW3’

5’

SECTION


Thefollowingtechniquesrequireprofessionaldesignandusuallyre-quireconstructionwithheavyequipment.Becausetheyusefillwithinthestreamchannel,theyalsorequirethefullrangeofstreampermits.

Brush layeringisusedoncutandfillslopes,andtorepairsmallslumpscausedbyseeps.Layersofbrushareplacedperpendicu-lartotheslope’scontourinbenchescarvedintothefaceofthecutslopeorbetweenliftsofcompactedfill.Thetipsofthebrushextendapproximately18inchespastthesurfaceoftheslopewheretheytrapsedimentandslowrunoff.Asthebrushgrows,therootsholdthesoilinplace.Althoughwillowsareoftenusedforbrushlayering,otherlivewoodycuttingssuchasdogwood (Cornus sericea),ninebark(Physocar-pus capitatus)andcottonwood(Populus spp.)alsosprout.

Brush layering, section view

PLANT DEVELOPMENT2 YEARS AFTERINSTALLATION

COMPACTED SOIL

DENSE LAYER OFLIVE BRUSH MATERIAL

3’ - 9’

2:1 MAx


fabric reinforced earth fill (fREf)isoneofthestrongestbioengineeringtechniques.Similartobrushlayering,FREFsconsistoflayersoffillinterplantedwithbrushlayers.However,thefaceofeachsoilliftiswrappedincoirmatstoformastructuresimilartoastackofquesadillas.ThefabricencapsulatesthesoiltoprovideinstanterosionprotectionandallowsFREFstobeusedinsituationswheretheywillbeimmediatelysubjectedtoflowingwater.Astheplantsgrow,theirrootsformadense,stablematrixtocreateevengreaterprotection.AFREFmustbebuiltonastablefoundation,oftenrock.

Fabric reinforced earth fill, section view

6” FABRIC KEY

LIVE WILLOW BRUSH LAYER

COMPACTED SOIL LIFTSENCAPSULATED BY COIR TWINEMAT & EROSION CONTROL BLANKET

6” GRAVEL FILTER

ROCK FOUNDATION TYPICAL

LOW FLOW

SECTION


Vegetated boulder revetmentscombinetraditionalstructuralstabilizationwithvegetation.Bouldersarea“hard”repairandshouldbeusedonlyathighrisksiteswhereconditionsprecludeasuccessfulvegetation-onlysolution.Sprigs,polesorrootedplantsareplantedinbetweentheboulderseitherastherevetmentisbeingbuilt,orplasticpipesareinsertedasplaceholdersduringconstructionandtheplantsinstalledwhentherainyseasonbegins.Holesbetweentherockscanbefilledwithgravelandsoiltoimprovenaturalrevegetation.

Large woody debris (LWD),especiallybigrootwads,canbeusedtoprotectbanksandcreateexcellentinstreamhabitat.Correctplacementiscriticalsothatthestructuresstayinplaceandfunctionasintended.RockorcablesaresometimesusedtoanchortheLWD.Large woody debris bank protection. Repair by

Wildland Hydrology.

Vegetated boulder revetment, section view

ExISTING ERODED BANK

LIVE WILLOW STAKE

FILTER FABRIC

DESIGN STORM FLOW

LOW FLOW

ALLUVIAL FILLBETWEEN VOIDS

BOULDER TOE

EROSION CONTROL BLANKET


2. Deflecting the Flow

Deflectors, vanes, barbs and sillsareobstaclesattachedtoonebank,extendingatanangleintothechannel.Theysteerflowawayfromerodingbanksorslowitalongthenearbank.Atbest,theyareelegantrepairsthatbuytimefortheerodingsites,trappingsedimenttoallowvegetationtobecomeestablishedandsecurethebank.Atworst,theycancauseadditionalerosionbyaimingflowatunprotectedbanks.

Deflectorscanbeconstructedoflogs,rockorevenwillowpolesandbranches.Somearedesignedtocarvepoolsintothechannelbottomforfishhabitat.Allshouldbesecurelyanchoredintothebankandcheckedfrequentlyduringthewintertomakesuretheyarenotcausingunintendeddamage.

Becausedeflectorsarebuiltintheactivechannel,theyrequirepermitsfromtheArmyCorpsofEngineers,theRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,andtheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame.Anexperiencedstreamengineerorrestorationspecialistshoulddesigndeflectors.

Boulder J-Vane

Boulder J-Vane, plan view

NOTE: THE “j” VANE REDUCESNEAR BANK SHEAR STRESSES UPSTREAMAND DOWNSTREAM OF THE STRUCTURE, MINIMIZINGBANK EROSION WHILE CREATING POOL HABITAT.THE STRUCTURE MAINTAINS CHANNEL FLOW CAPACITY.ORIGINAL CONCEPT DEVELOPED BY D. ROSGEN.

SPACES IN “j” HOOK FOR INCREASED POOL SCOUR

NO SPACES IN ROCK VANE FOOTER ROCK

FLOOD PLAIN

SCOUR POOL

ROCK VANE KEYEDINTO BANK AT BANKFULL ELEVATION

FLOW

FLOW

RIFF

LE

NOTE: THE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THIS STRUCTURE REQUIRES HYDROLOGIC,HYDRAULIC AND GEOMORPHIC ANALYSIS.

ROCK SILL


ORIGINAL SURFACE

. . . ACCUMULATES AT THE BOTTOM

SURFACE OVER TIME

DISTANCE

HEI

GH

T

SEDIMENT ERODEDFROM THE TOP . . .

3. Realigning the ChannelChannelrealignmentisamajorundertakingthatshouldbedoneonlywithsound,professionaladviceandallthenecessarypermitsinyourpocket.Straighteningacurvewithoutcarefulplanningispracticallyguaranteedtomovetheerosionproblemjustashortdistancedown-streamandprobablymakeitworse.Thestraightenedreachcoversthesameverticaldropinelevationoverashorterdistance.Likeaskierheadingstraightdownthemountaininsteadofcurvingbackandforth,theflowgainsinspeedanderosivepower.

Realignmentcanbeausefultoolintherestorationoflongstreamreachestore-establishequilibriumbetweenflowsandsedimentloads.Ifdesignedwell,builttosustaininstreamhabitatelementssuchaspoolsandriffles,andfollowedwithbankstabilizationandrigorousrevegetation,realignmentcanbeveryeffective.

DowncuttingThelawsofgravitydictatethatsoilandrockmovedownhill.Upperreachesofstreamscutdeeperintothehillsides,sendingsedimenttoaccumulateatthelowerreaches.Aswithmeandering,inmanywa-tershedsthisnaturalprocesshasbeenspeededupbyhumanactivityinthewatershed,whichincreasestherateofstormrunoffbeyondthestream’scapacitytohandleitsafely.

Downcuttinginstreamsisthesameprocessasheadcutmovementinagully.Headcutsornickpointsareabruptchangesingradient.Ifthestreambedisnotadequatelyprotectedbybedrockortherightsizeofrockforthestreamflow,waterpouringoverthenickpointwillcon-

tinuetocutawaythechannelbottomandthenickpointwillmoveupstream.Asthechannelbottomdrops,the

bankssloughbackinordertofindastableangle.Tributariesenteringthedown-

cuttingchannelalsobegintocutdeeper.InmanycoastalCaliforniastreams,thisprocesscausesthestreamtobecomesodeepthatitisdisconnectedfromitsflood-plain—eveninheavyrainstheflow


maynotbeabletoreachthefloodplaintospreadoutandslowdown.Confinedinitsnarrowchannel,flowspeedsupandcutsdeeper.Ripar-ianforests,lefthighanddryontheabandonedfloodplain,losevigorasthewatertabledropsandmayeventuallydie.

+Grade stabilization structuresarebuilttocontroldown-cutting,buttheiruseisperilous.Unlesstheyareverycarefullydesigned,theycanflattenchannelslopesandincreaseupstreamchannelmeandering.Bouldersteppools,boulderweirsorroughenedrockrampsaremethodsthatallowthestreamtograduallytransitionfromoneleveltothenextwhilealsoallowingfishandotheraquaticcreaturestoswimupanddownthestructure.Becauseoftheriskofprofoundchangestochannelstabilityandhabitat,allgradestabili-zationstructuresshouldbedesignedbyexperiencedriverrestorationprofessionals.

Surface and subsurface flowExcesssurfacerunoffandsubsurfacewaterflowingfromthelandadjacenttothestreambankcanworsenexistingbankerosionandoccasionallybeaprimarycause.Surfacerunofferodesthebankface,underminingwhateverarmorhasbeenplacedorplantedtheretoprotectthebank.Inordinateamountsofsubsurfaceflowcansaturatebanksandmakethemfarmorevulnerabletooutside-curveerosionanddowncutting.

Surfaceandsubsurfaceflowcanusuallybecontrolledatthesource.Roofs,foundationdrains,roadgradingandover-irrigationarecommonsourcesofexcessflow.Ifthesourcecannotbeeliminated,bermscantrapsurfaceflowandsubsurfacedrainscaninterceptgroundwaterbeforetheyreachvulnerablebanks.Remembertoredirectthecapturedflowtoawell-protected,nonerodiblepoint.

A series of boulder step pools in a restored channel.

Subsurface drain

4” MIN. TOPSOIL

6” MIN.

2” MIN.

4” PERFORATEDPIPE

WASHEDSAND, PEAGRAVELOR ½” ANDLARGERCLEAN STONE

FILTERFABRIC

12-24”

BOTTOMOF SEEPOR WETSOIL


GUllIes

Gullyerosionistheaccelerateddowncuttingofexistingchan-nelsorthecreationofnewchannelsfromconcentratedrunoff.Inthishandbook,weusethetermgullytorefertonewlycut

hillslopechannelswherenoneexistedbefore—belowaditchreliefculvert,forexample—orformerswalesthatarenowactivelyerodingwithareasofrecentlyexposedsoil.Gullieshavesteepgradientsandunstablebottoms.ManyofthetechniquesdescribedinChapter3totreatstreambankerosionapplytogullies.

Dependingonsoiltype,howthegullieswerecaused,theamountofwaterflowingintothemandtherateofrunofffromthesurroundingwatershed,gulliescanrangeinsizefromrutstojuniorcanyons.Somegrowslowlywhileothersseemtodevourland,oftenspreadingintotributarydrainagesastheyraceupslope.Becauseofthisvariability,itisimportanttounderstandsomeofthebasicconceptsofgullyactionsothatyoucantailortherepairtechniquestoyourparticulargully.Whatworkswondrouslyinonecanbeineffective,andfrustrating,inanother.

Mostgulliesareformedbyoneoftwoprocesses.Thefirstoccurswhenthebottomofthestreamchanneldownstreamofthegullyhasbeenlowered.Asthenickpointmovesupstream,allofthetributaries,evensmallswales,willcutdowntomeetthenewbaselevelofthedown-streamchannel.Thesecondprocessoccurswhenrunoffisconcen-tratedandthendirectedtoanareathatisnotaccustomedtohandlingthatamountandintensityofflow.Atsomevulnerablepoint,sometimesagopherholeorjustaslightlysteeperspot,thesoilintegritywillbreakdownandtopsoilwillbegintowashaway.UndersizedandpoorlymaintainedculvertsareasignificantcauseofgullyerosionincoastalCalifornia.

Gulliesmoveupslope.Thefrontlineistheprimaryheadcut,thesharpbreakinslopegradientatthetopofthegully.Aswaterfallsovertheheadcut,itcontinuouslyerodesthecutface,andthegullyexpandsHeadcut movement

SMALL HEADCUT FORMSAT WEAK POINT IN SOIL

SURFACE

RUNOFF

FALLING WATER CUTSHEADCUT FURTHER UP HILL

AND DEEPER

HEADCUT WILL CONTINUETO DEEPEN AND MOVE UPHILL

UNTIL IT REACHES THE TOPOF THE HILL OR A

NON-ERODIBLE POINTSUCH AS TREE ROOTS

OR ROCK

BEDROCKOUTCROP

GRASS AND SHRUBSBEGINNING TO GROW INGULLY AS IT STABILIZES


upthehill.Somegullieshavemorethanoneprimaryheadcut,eachspreadingintoasubdrainage.

Secondaryheadcutsornickpointsworkwithinthegullybythesameaction,underminingthegullyfloorandtherebydeepeningthechannel.Somegullieshaverelativelyuniformbottoms,withnosecondaryhead-cuts.Othersstairstepuptheslopewithaseriesofnickpoints.Asgulliesdeepen,thetoesofthebanksareweakened,thebanksslumpdownandthegulliesgrowwider.Deepgulliescanlowerthegroundwatertable.Inrangeland,thisinturncanhaveaprofoundeffectonthesurroundingvegetation,oftenmakingiteasierforhardierweedyspeciestooverwhelmmoresucculentforageplants.

Beforeyoutackleagully,alwaystrytofigureoutwhatstarteditandwhatismakingitworse.Doesadirtroadabovethegullyfocuswaterintothegullydrainage?Ifso,yourmostcost-effectiverepairmaybetomodifytheroaddrainage.(SeeChapter6.)Anythingthatdisruptsthenaturaldrainagepatternisapotentialculprit.Ifmostofthedrainageswithinawatershedaregullied,thentheproblemmaybeafunda-mentalimbalancesuchasanincreaseintherateofrunoffduetosoilcompactionoramajorchangeinvegetativecover.Iffeasible,itiswisetoaddressthesemorefundamentalproblemswhilealsotreatingtheirsymptoms.

Belowarestepsforrepairingmostgullies.Descriptionsofspecifictechniquesandcaveatsfortheirusefollowthesteps.Rememberthatworkingulliesmayrequirethesamepermitsthatapplytostreams(Chapter12).

1. Trytodiscoverwhythegullyformed.Ifpossible,addressthecause.Reducingflowwillreduceitserosivepower.

2. Stoptheheadcutting.Stabilizingthegullyheadwillatleastpreventthegullyfromlengthening.

3. Restrictlivestockaccessifthegullyisongrazinglandandplantnativegrassandwoodyspecieswhereveryoucanonthegullybanks.Sometimesthesefirstthreestepsareenoughtosignificantlyslowtheerosionandallowthegullytoheal.Iferosionistooactivetoallowforplantstobecomeestablishedorifdowncuttingthreat-ensheadcutrepairs,movetosteps4,5and6beforeplanting.

4. Stopthedowncutting.Ifactivesecondaryheadcutswithinthe

Gully impact on groundwater table

WATER TABLE

GROUND SURFACE

GULLY


gullyarenotstabilized,theymaycreepupslopeandunderminewhateverworkyouhavedoneupstream.Downcuttingmaybetreatedbyprotectingthesecondarycutsjustasyouwouldtheheadcutand/orconstructinggradestabilizationstructuresacrossthefloorofthegully.AswecautionedinChapter3,gradestabi-lizationistrickybusiness.Westronglyrecommendthatyouseekexperienced,professionaladvicebeforeinstallingcheckdamsorgradestabilizationstructures.

5. Considerraisingthelevelofthegully.Checkdamsareaformofgradestabilizationstructurethatallowssedimenttosettleoutintheslowerwaterabovethedam.Alternately,thechannelcanbefilledbehindthestructureatthetimeofconstruction.Asthefloorofthegullyrises,thewatertablealsorises,andthebanksofthegullybecomeshorterandmorestable.Plantsareabletotakerootbecausethesoilstaysinplaceinsteadofcontinuallywash-ingaway.Checkdamsarebestusedinsteep(5%slopeorgreater),ephemeralchannels.

6. Slopethebanksofthegullybacktoastableangle.Withtheheadcuttinganddowncuttingstabilized,thiswillusuallyoccurnaturallyintime.However,slopingthebanksallowsvegetationtobecomeestablishedandspeedsuptherecoveryprocess.

7. Revegetatethegullywithgrassseedand/orothernativeplants(Chapter5).Theprimarypurposeofthestructuralworkistoholdthesoilstilllongenoughforplantstotakeoverthejob.

Stoppingthefrontline:headcutsAsthefastesterodingpartofthegully,headcutsarehardtostop.AllthetechniqueslistedbelowhavebeenusedsuccessfullyincoastalCalifornia,buttheyarenotallappropriateforeveryheadcut.Whatevermethodyouuse,followtheguidelinescarefullyandbevigilantaboutcheckingthesiteandrepairinganydamagepromptlyduringthefirsttwoorthreewinters.Get professional advice for any headcut greater than � feet in height or if any of the conditions identified in the Pro-fessional Designer box in Chapter � exist on the site.

Formostrepairs,werecommendfirstshapingtheheadcut.Pullingbacktheheadcuttoanangleofreposeandsmoothingthesoilsurfacedistributestherunoffflowingintothegullyoverawiderareaand

Shaping a gully headcut

CUTHEADCUTBACKTO HERE


reducestheenergygivenoffaswaterfallsaverticaldistance.Oncetheheadcutisshaped,thesurfacesoilneedstobeprotectedwithoneofthemethodsdescribedbelow.Plantingspecificationsforseedingandmulch,sprigsandcontainerplantsareinChapter5.

Type of Headcut Repair Gully Activity* Watershed drainage area

Common Reasons for Failure

Shaping and revegetation, herbaceous cover with fabric

low to moderate

1-5 acres Poor germination rate due to late or early seeding or incorrect seed mixture; mulch or fabric does not stay in place; slope too steep

Shaping and revegetation, other trees and shrubs

low 1-5 acres High flows tear out plants; insufficient water in dry season; slope too steep; animal damage. Best used after headcut is stabilized with other methods.

Shaping and revegetation, willow sprigs

low to high 1-5 acres Sprigs planted upside down, too sparsely, not deep enough or too late; sprigs too small; site too shady; insufficient water in dry season; slope too steep; animal damage

Wattles low to moderate

1-5 acres Site too shady; insufficient water in dry season; animal damage

Shaping with brush mattress or brush layers; willow wall on shaped or vertical surface

moderate to high

1-10 acres Anchoring not secure; site too shady; insufficient water in dry season; animal damage

Shaping and rock moderate to high Any size Rock too small; no filter under rock; rock not tightly placed; slope too steep.

Shaping, rock and woody plants

high Any size Insufficient water in dry season; slope too steep; animal damage; rock too small; no filter under rock; rock not tightly placed

* Low–Headcut is shallow (less than 2 feet deep) and does not grow noticeably during heavy rainfall. Banks are gently sloped and mostly covered with grass, tree roots or other vegetation.Moderate–Headcut is shallow, but expands noticeably during winter storms. Banks are gently sloped and mostly covered with vegetation with occasional steep areas of raw, exposed soil.High–Headcut is more than 2 feet deep and moves rapidly uphill during heavy rainfall. Banks are steep with little vegetation.


Tryyourself

Canbeusedbythelaypersonunderthecircumstancesdescribed

Requiresprofessionaldesignandinstallation

Shaping and Revegetation with herbaceous Cover

Inshallowgullieswithlowflowvelocitiesandgoodsunexposure,perennialgrassformsastrong,densematthatwithstandshighflows.Seedmixturesthatcontainseveralkindsofgrassesarerecommendedbecausetheyprovidelong-termprotectionandabackupincaseonekindofseeddoesn’tperformwellatthesite.Usingnativegrassspeciessupportsnativewildlifeandcreatesasmallreservefortheseplantstospreadintoneighboringareas.ProtecttheseedwithmulchandanaturalfiberblanketasdescribedinChapter5.Youcanalsotrysedgeandrushplugsplanted12inchesapart.

Shaping and Revegetation with Other Trees and Shrubs

Rootednativetreesandshrubscanalsobeplantedinheadcutsandothergullypoints,buttheyarenotrecommendedforactivegulliesuntiltheheadcuthasbeenstabilizedwithothertechniques.Sincetreesandshrubsarebestplantedduringtherainyseason,theywon’thaveachancetogrowstrongrootsystemsbeforestormflows,andunlikewillows,youcan’tbury75%oftheirlengthandexpectthemtolive.Coyotebrush(Baccharis pilularis)isexcellentfordroughtysites,andsedges(Carex spp.)anddogwood(Cornus sericea)forshadysites.Usecoconutmatstoprotectexposedsoil.

Shaping and Revegetation with Sprigs

Willowsprigsareaneffectiveandinexpensivewaytoarmoractiveheadcutsandgullybanksinsmallgullies,buttheyrequiresoilsthatstaymoistthroughthedryseason.Infact,byabsorbingandusingwater,theycanhelpdryoutanoozingheadcut.Rememberthatwillowsneedasunnysitetothrive.Dogwoodcuttingscanbeusedinshadysites.


Willow Wattles, Brush Mattress, Brush Layering, or Willow Wall With or Without Shaping

Thesetechniques,describedinChapter3forstreambankstabilization,areexcellentcandidatesforheadcutrepair.Willowwattlesorfascinesarebestinsmallgulliesthatdrainlessthan5acres;brushmattressesandbrushlayeringcanbeusedinlargergulliesthatdrainunder10acres.Aswhenusingthesetechniquesforstreambankrepair,werecom-mendthatyouconsultwithNRCS,yourRCD,Countystafforaprofes-sionaldesignertohelpselectthebestmethodandadaptittoyoursite.

Shaping and Rock

Rockiscommonlyusedtoarmorheadcutsandnickpointsoflargeandhighlyactivegullies.Unlikepurelyvegetativerepairs,itremainsinthelandscapeandfixesthegullyinplace,evenwhenyouwouldratherhaveitdisappear.However,therearetimeswhenrockisneededtohaltsevereerosion.Seekprofessionalassistancebeforeusingrocktorepairaheadcutandmakesuretocheckifyouneedpermits(Chapter12).

Rockmustbecarefullysizedandinstalledtostayinplaceduringstormflows.Thetwomostcommoncausesoffailurearepipingandrockmovement.Pipingoccurswhenwaterfindsacrannybetweenthesoilandtherocklayerandproceedstowashawaythesoilunderlyingtheriprap.Alayerofgravelorfilterfabricbelowtherockallowswatertopercolatethroughwithoutmovingthesoil.

Filterfabriciseasytotransportandinstall,butitcaninhibitvegetationfrombecomingestablishedbetweentherocks.Generally,filterfabricisrecommendedforslopessteeperthan2:1(2feethorizontalrunfora1footverticalrise)andgravelforgentlerslopes.

Bigstormscanwashawaythemostcarefullyinstalledrock,butyoucansubstantiallyreducethechancesoffailurebyfollowingtheseguidelines:

1. Slopetheheadcutbackatagentleangle.A3:1isbest;1:1isminimalandshouldbeusedonlyonslopeslessthan2feettall.

2. Useangular,notroundedrock.

Headcut repair with willow wattles or fascines

LIVE WATTLES

POLE PLANTING

LIVE STAKESBRUSH APRON

CONSTRUCTION STAKEMANILA OR HEMPROPE - TIE DOWNBRUSH

FLOW

Willow wall headcut repair


3. Locklargerockstightlytogetherwithsmallerones.Placingrockislikeputtingtogetherajigsawpuzzle—youhavetosearchthroughthepiletofindtherightrockforeachspot.Youshouldbeabletowalkontherock-coveredsurfacewithoutwigglingindividualrocks.

4. Usedenserock.Riprapshouldhaveaminimumspecificgravityof2.5,whichmeansthatacubicfootofrockweighs2.5timesacubicfootofwater.Donotuseconcretechunks;theyhaveamuchlowerspecificgravityandcanbetoxictowildlife.

5. Sizetherockaccordingtotheflowvelocity.It’sgoodalsotolookatneighboringdrainageswithsimilarflowvelocitiesandseewhatsizerockstaysinplacethere.Biggerisalwaysbetter.

6. Checktherockworkfrequentlyduringthefirsttwotothreewinters.Ifyouseeanycavities,rearrangetherockssecurely,orpackthemtightlywithstonesorflexible,leafybrush.

Hand rock placement

START PLACING ROCKSIN TOE. USE BIG ROCKS.

ATTACH FILTER FABRICSNUGLY TO SOIL SURFACEWITH 6” STAPLES ORLARGE NAILS AND WASHERS

CHINK SPACES BETWEENLARGE ROCKS WITHSMALL ROCKS


Rock headcut repair, profile

3:1 MAx PROFILE SLOPE3H

ENERGY DISSIPATOR1.5 H

ExISTINGHEADCUT

H

MIN 6” DEEP POOL

CONFORM TO ExISTING CHANNEL BOTTOM

FILL INTERSTICESW/ TOP SOIL

FLOW

HAND PLACE ROCKTO A MIN OF18” THICK

USE CLASS 2 DRAIN ROCKUNDER ROCK PLACEMENT TOA MIN OF 4” THICK ORCOIR EROSION CONTROL BLANKET

NOTE: “H” = HEIGHT OF ExISTING HEADCUT

Rock headcut repair, section

OPTIONAL WILLOW SPRIG PLANTING

2:1 SIDE SLOPES6” MIN

HIGH FLOW

ExISTING GRADE


Shaping, Rock Riprap and Woody Plants

Willowsprigsorothertreesandshrubsplantedbetweenrocksaddbothwildlifevalueandstabilitytoheadcutrepairs.Thesprigsarebestdrivenintotheheadcutfirstandtherockplacedaroundcarefullythem.However,iftherockworkneedstobeinstalledbeforethewil-lowsaredormant,PVCpipecanbeinsertedwhiletherockisplaced,andthenremovedandreplacedwithsprigs.Gravelworksbestundertherockinsteadoffilterfabricwhenaddingplants,althoughwillowsprigscanbepokedthroughfabriconthesidesoftheheadcut.

to Diverting flow

Divertingthewaterfromagullycanbeaneffectivebutriskywaytoreduceheadcutting.Thismethodisbestusedwhenthegullyhasclearlybeencausedbychanneleddrainage,asinthecaseofaroadculvertfocusingtherunofffromawideareaintoanarrowchannel.Becauserainandgroundwaterwillcollectinthegullyevenifthemajorflowhasbeenrerouted,theheadcutwillstillrequirearmoring,althoughitneednotbeassturdyaswithoutthediversion.Diversionalternativesincludethefollowing:

• Redistributingtherunofftobettermatchnaturalrunoffpatterns.Anexampleistheoutslopingofranchandforestroads(Chapter6)toallowwatertodrainevenlyofftheentireroadsurfaceinsteadofthroughafewculverts.

• Redirectingtherunofftoadifferentarea.Extremecaremustbetakenwiththismethodbecauseitcanrecreatethesameprobleminanewspot.Itshouldbeusedonlywhennootheroptionsareavailableandthenwithsomegoodprofessionaladvice.Therunoffshouldbedirectedtoastablearea,eitheranaturalrockoutcroporanenergydissipatorasdescribedforroadrepairsinChapter6.


Preventingdowncutting:gradestabilizationOncetheheadcutsarestopped,anotheroptionistoslowdowntheflowandtoraisethelevelofthegully.Checkdamsorgradestabilizationstructuresaccomplishbothofthesetasks.Checkdamsextendabovethegullybottomandtrapsedimentovertime.Gradestabilizationstructuresarebackfilledatthetimeofconstruction.Theyallowmorecontroloverthegullyflowandfinalshape,buttheytypicallyrequireheavyequipment.Werecommendyouseekprofessionalassistanceforbothtechniques.

Checkdamsfallintotwobroadcategories:porousandimpermeable.Porouscheckdamsallowwatertopercolatethroughthedamface.Sedi-mentisdepositedmoreslowlyupstreamthanifthewaterwascompletelystopped,butsuchdamsaremoreresistanttoblowoutsthanimpermeabledamsandtheyareabletoadjusttosmallchangesintheshapeofthegullybottom.Materialsusedtoconstructporouscheckdamsincludestrawbales,wovenwillowbranches,brush,looserockandlogs.Imper-meablecheckdamsincludeboard,compactedearth,mortaredrockandconcretestructures.Inthishandbook,wefocusonporousdamsbecausetheyaresaferandgenerallymoreeffectiveovertime.

Aslongasthebasicguidelinesarefollowedcarefully,manyotheron-siteorreadilyavailablematerialscanbeusedforconstructingcheckdams.Sincethedamsareinwatercourses,avoidusingtoxicmaterials,suchascreosotedrailroadties,concretechunksorpressure-treatedpeelerpoles.Rememberalsothatthedamwilllastonlyaslongasthematerialsusedtoconstructit,unlessdeeply-rootedvegetationiseitherplantedinthedepositedsoilorallowedtogrowbacknaturally.

Guidelines for Checkdam Construction1. Leaveplentyofroomforwater.Youwantyourgullychanneltobe

abletocarrystormflowssafelywithoutcausingadditionalerosion.

2. Aseriesofshortcheckdamsisusuallymoreeffectivethanfewertallstructures.Ifonedamfails,theentiregullyrepairwillnotbethreatened.Also,sincetallerdamsworkharder,holdingbackagreatervolumeofwaterandsoil,smallflawsinconstructionaremorelikelytocausemajorfailures.Shortdamscanberaisedoveraperiodofyears,ifnecessary,tohealadeepgully.Nodamshouldhaveaneffectiveheightofmorethanthreefeetwithoutbeingdesignedbyanengineer.


3. Usealeveltospacethecheckdamssothatthetoeofoneislevelwithorslightlybelowthecrestorspillwayweirofthedown-streamdam(seeillustration).Otherwise,thegullywillcontinuetodeepenandunderminetheuppercheckdam.

4. Mostcheckdamsrequireaspillwaytocontainoverflowsandpre-ventcuttingofthegullybanks.Forgullieswherethereislittleornorisktopropertyorsafety,thespillwayshouldbelargeenoughtoaccommodatea10-yearstormifthedrainageareaislessthanafewacres.Repairsingulliesthatdoposesignificantrisksshouldbedesignedbyaregistereddesignprofessional.Inasmallgully,youcanexperimentwiththesizeofthespillway.Startbiggerthanyouthink,andbepreparedtoenlargeitduringthewinter.YourNRCSfieldofficecanhelpyoudeterminespillwaysize.Becarefultoaimthespillwayatthebottomofthegully,notthesides,evenifthisrequiresthatthespillwaybeoff-center.

5. Alwaysprovideanonerodibleenergydissipator(orapron)atthedownstreamendofthestructureforthecheckdamoverflow.Rockandsecurelyanchoredbrusharetwoofthemostcommonlyusedmaterials.Duringhighflows,theapronsaresubjecttotremendousforce.Apronsthataretooshortornotstrongenougharefrequentcausesofcheckdamfailure.Apieceoffilterfabricoralayerofgravelshouldbeplacedundertherocktopreventthesoilfromwashingaway.Theapronshouldextendacrosstheentirewidthofthegully.

Checkdam placement

ENERGY DISSIPATOR(IF SPECIFIED)

TOE OF CHECKDAM SHOULDBE KEYED IN BELOW ELEVATION OF DOWNSTREAM WEIR

SURFACE WATER

CHECKDAM

ORIGINAL GRADE

COMPACTED SOIL FILL ORDEPOSITED SEDIMENT


6. Thetopofthecheckdammustbelevel.Evenwithalargespillway,stormflowssometimesovertopthedam.Ifthewaterisfocusedononebank,yourdamwillprobablyfail.

7. Keyallcheckdamssecurelyintothegullybanksandbottom.Keydepthvariesaccordingtothesizeandtypeofdamandisdiscussedfurtherinthefollowingdescriptionsofcheckdams.Thesoilaroundthekeysshouldbefirmlytampedin6-inchlifts.Onlysoil,norocks,shouldbeused.Ifthesoilisverydryorverywet,itwon’tcompactwell.

8. Constructcheckdamsperpendiculartotheflow.Thisiseasyinastraightgully,butalittletrickyinamoretypical,sinuousone.

9. Makesureyouhaveallthenecessarypermits.Manygullyrepairs,particularlythosethatuserock,aresubjecttothesamepermitsasstreambankrepairs.Anyworkwherethreatenedorendangeredspeciesoccuralsorequirespermits.

Strawbales

Strawbalesareaninexpensiveandeasy-to-installformofcheckdamforuseinmild,shallowgullies.Theyperformbestingullieswithrelativelystablesidesandsomeexistinggrasscover.Sincethebalesdeteriorateintwotothreeyears,itisessentialthatvegetationbewellestablishedonthedepositedsedimentwithinthattime.Balesshouldbekeyedintothebankasshownandsecuredwithtwopiecesofrebarorstakesperbale.Multiplebalescanbeusedinarowacrossthegullyfloor.Userebarwithcaution.Oncethebalesdisintegrate,thestandingrebarcanhurtlivestockorpeople.Generally,singlestraw-balecheckdamsareconstructedwithoutspillways.Multiplestrawbaledamscanbearrangedsothatthecenterislowerthanthesides.

Brush Checkdams

Brushcheckdamsareespeciallyusefulforhard-to-reach,smallgullieswithaplentifulsourceofwoodybranchesnearby.Brushcheckdams

Strawbale checkdam

INSTALLENERGY DISSIPATOR ACROSS ENTIRE WIDTH OF GULLY.

BOTTOM KEYWAYMUST BE LEVEL

COMPACTEDFILL

½” REBAR

2’ MIN


areusuallyanchoredwithwoodenpoles,preferablywillow,but¾-inchrebarorsteelt-posts(triangularfenceposts)canalsobeused.A6-inchlayeroforganiclitterislaidonthegullyfloorbothupstreamanddownstreamoftheposts,andthengreenbranchesarestackedontopofthelitter,buttendupstream,packeddownsecurelyandthentiedtothepostswithstrongrope.Longerbranchesshouldbeplacedonthebottom,extendingfurtherdownstream,toformtheenergydissi-pator.Leaflitterorerosionblanketisplacedattheupstreamendofthecheckdamtocatchfinesediment.References#14and#15havemoreinformationonconstructingbrushcheckdams.

2 YRS AFTER INSTALLATION

Brush checkdam

OPTIONAL LIVE WILLOWFASCINE ENERGY DISSIPATOR

EROSION CONTROL BLANKET OR LITTER6’ - 10’ DENSELY PACKED BRUSH

2” - 4” x 5’ LIVE WILLOW POSTLEAF LITTER OR PACKED STRAW

FLOWPREDICTEDSEDIMENT DEPOSITION

TYPICAL 6” KEY

6” MIN. FABRIC KEYINSTALL TOE OF UPSTREAM CHECKDAM AT ENDOF PREDICTED SEDIMENT DEPOSITION

TRAPPED SEDIMENT

TOP OF BANK

AFTER SEDIMENT IS TRAPPEDADDITIONAL WILLOW CUTTINGSSHOULD BE PLANTED

PROFILE

PLAN

SECTION

PACKED LITTEROR STRAW

FLOW

LIVE FASCINE

TOP OF BANK PLACE BUTT ENDS OFBRUSH UPSTREAM

USE ¼” MANILA OR SESSILEROPE LASHING ON CROSS POLE

PACKED BRUSHEROSION CONTROLBLANKET ORLEAF LITTER

3’ 2’ 3’

LIVE WILLOW POLES

USE CROSS POLES TO COMPRESSBRUSH AS TIGHT AS POSSIBLE

EROSION CONTROL BLANKET APRON

TOP OF BANK

2 YEARS AFTER INSTALLATION


Log Checkdams

Checkdamsmadefromon-sitelogsaresuitableforsmallgullieswithawidthof3feetorless.Unlessbackedwithfilterfabric,logdamsshouldbeusedonlywheretherunoffisrichinorganiclitter.Mostavailablewoodcanbeused,butrememberthatsomespecies,suchasCaliforniabayandalder,rottooquicklyforplantstobecomeestab-lished.Thecloserthelogsfittogether,themoreeffectivethedamwillbeintrappingsediment.Thelogsshouldbeinsertedatleast1footdeepintothebanksand6inchesintothegullybottom.Aspillwayshouldbecutintothetoplog,butalwaysleaveatleast4inchesofthelogdiameterintactorthelogmaybreakunderforce.Theaproncanbeeitherrockoveralayeroflitterorfilterfabric,orathicklayerofsecurelyanchoredleafybrush.Iffilterfabricisnotused,theup-streamtoeofthedamshouldbesealedwitha6-inchlayeroforganiclitterheldinplacewithsmallrocks,orwithsmallgravel(3/4inchorsmaller)mixedwithpebblesandcoarsesand.Theupstreamrocksneednotbeaslargeasthoseformingtheapron,sincethedamitselfwillpreventthemfromrollingdownstream.

Rock grade control structures

Theseareconstructedinlarge,activelyerodinggullieseitheratgrade(thesamelevelastheexistinggullybottom)topreventdowncutting,orabovegradeandbackfilledtorestoreamorestablegullyslope.Theyrequireprofessionaldesignandinstallation.Ifallofthestructuresneededcannotbebuiltatonetime,findastablebasepointsuchasaflatslope,abedrockoutcroporaculvert,andbegininstallingthemupstreamofthispointsotheywon’tbeundercutasnickpointsmoveupstream.


UsInG planTs To pRevenT anD RepaIR eRosIon

Livingplantsprovidethebesterosioncontrolinmostsituations.Evenwhenahardenedsurfaceisneeded,plantscanusuallybeincorporatedintotherepair,aswedescribeinthechapterson

streambankandgullystabilization.Restoringnativeplantstoadis-turbedareaprovidestherawmaterialsforhealingtocontinuewhennewerosiondevelops.Alderseeds,forexample,washdownstreamtosettleandgerminateonnewlydepositedsediment.

Anyonewhohasevertriedtodigupapatchofnativegrassknowsjusthowdeepanddensetherootsgrow.It’shardtoevenpiercethesoilsur-facewithyourshovel,nomatterhowhardyoustomponit.Whilerootsholdsoilinplaceandabsorbwater,theplant’sleavesinterceptraindropsbeforetheyhittheground,therebyreducingtheirerosiveforce.

Nativeplantshaveevolvedtofitspecificsoilandclimateconditionsandtoprovidefoodandshelterfornativewildlife.Whenyouusenativetrees,shrubs,grassesandwildflowersforyourerosioncontrol,youhelprestorehabitatforbirds,salmonandsteelhead,pondturtles,butterfliesandmanyotherwildanimals.Whenyouuseexoticspecies,youcrowdoutnativeplantsandreducehabitatvalue.MarinCountyStormwaterPollutionPreventionProgram(MCSTOPPP)hasmoreinfor-mationonnativeplantsontheirwebsite,aswellastwoguides,Creek CareandGo Nativewithplantlists,instructions,andlocalnurseries(References#26and#27).

Neveruseinvasiveexoticplantsforerosioncontrol.Theseplants,suchasthegiantreed(Arundo donax)orcapeivy(Delairea odorata),aggressivelyout-competenativeplantstodominateentireareas.

Hereareafewbasictipsforplantselectionforstreamandgullyrestoration:

1. Usenativeplantsthatbelonginyourarea.

COMMON MARIN INVASIVE PLANTS

Giant reed Arundo donaxPeriwinkle Vinca majorScotch broom Cytisus scopariusFrench broom Genista monspessulanaSpanish broom Spartium junceumHimalayan blackberry Rubus discolorTree-of-heaven Ailanthus altissimaBambooPampas grass Cortaderia selloanaGerman or cape ivy Delairea odorataEnglish ivy Hedera helixAcacia spp.Ice plant Carpobrotus edulisMedusahead Taeniatherum caput-medusaeOblong spurge Euphorbia oblongataItalian thistle Carduus pycnocephalusBarbed goatgrass Aegilops triuncialisYellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialisPurple starthistle Centaurea calcitrapaDistaff thistle Carthamus lanatusGorse Ulex europaeusHarding grass Phalaris aquaticaVeldt grass Ehrharta spp.Velvet grass Holcus lanatus


2. Findareferencereachinthesamewatershedorinaneighboringone.Referencereaches,definedmorethoroughlyinChapter3,arewellfunctioningareaswhereyoucanseewhichplantsthriveandwheretheygrowbest.

3. Chooseavarietyofplants.Ifoneisweakorslowtogetstarted,theotherscanfillin.Plantdiversityalsoincreasesthetypesofshelterandfoodforwildlife.

4. Becarefulwhereyouplantwillowsprigs,especiallyshrubbyarroyowillows(Salix lasiolepis).Althoughtheyprovideoutstand-inghabitatanderosioncontrol,theycanspreadacrosschannelsinslowmovingstreams.Donotplanttheminchannelbottomsornearbridgeorculvertopenings.Insituationswhereexuberantgrowthcouldcauseproblems,considerplantingotherwillowspeciesthatgrowinlessaggressive,treeforms.

5. Promotestructuraldiversitytoencouragebirddiversity.Amixtureofherbaceousplants,shrubsandtreesprovidethebestprotectionfrompredatorsandthegreatestchoiceofnestingsites.

6. Plantthesamespeciesinclustersof3plantsormore.

7. Forstreamplantings,plantextratreesonthesouthbanktopromoteshade.

8. Iftreesdon’tworkforyoursiteormanagementneeds,don’tgiveuponplanting.Grasses,sedges,andshrubsallprovideexcellenterosioncontrolandimportantwildlifehabitat.

SeedingSeedinggrassandotherherbaceousplants,suchascloversandwild-flowers,isbestdoneinSeptemberandearlyOctober.Californianativeperennialgrassesarenowcommerciallyavailable.Differentspeciesdobetterinsunorshade,heavysoilsorsandysoils,droughtysitesorwetsites.AcommonerosioncontrolmixtureforMarinandSonomaCoun-tiesincludesbluewildrye(Elymus glaucus), meadowbarley(Hordeum brachyantherum) andCaliforniabrome(Bromus californica).Yourseedvendorortheothernativeplantnurseriescanhelpyouselectaseedmixthatfitsyoursitedependingonsoiltype,soilmoistureregime,andamountofshade.Althoughnativeperennialseedcostsmorethanmanyofthetypicalintroducedannualseedmixes,thelong-term


benefitsinlongevityanddeeprootstructuremaywellovertakeanyshorttermsavings.

Beforeseeding,areasofbaresoilshouldbesmoothedandrakedoncontourtominimizeunevensurfacesandreduceanypotentialcon-centrationofwaterwhichmaycauserilling.Ifthesoiliscompacted,deeperrippingordiskingmayberequired.Broadcastseedatarateof40-60poundsperacreor1-1½poundsper1000squarefeet.Manyseeddealersrenthandspreaders(sometimescalled“belly-grinders”)thatcanbesetattherequiredrates.Otherwise,handbroadcasttheseedasuniformlyaspossible.Immediatelyfollowingseedapplication,lightlyraketheseedoncontourorrollitwithalawnrollerbutdonotburyseedmorethanone-quarterinchdeep.It’sfineforsomeseedtobeshowing.

Thesurfaceshouldthenbecoveredwithamulch,bothtoholdtheseedontheslopeandtoprotectitfromhungrybirdsandsmallmammals.Whereslopesaregentlerthan2:1(2feetofhorizontaldistancefor1

Erosion control fabric installation

PIN PARALLELEDGES W/4”OF OVERLAP BURY THE TOP

END OF THE BLANKET IN A6” DEEP TRENCH,PIN INTO PLACE& TAMP TRENCHFULL OF SOIL

PLACE ENDOVER ENDW/12” OFOVERLAP

3.3’

1.6’4’

2’

SOIL PINS W/WASHERS ORSTAPLES

Pin spacing for erosion control blanket on a 2:1 slope

4”


footofverticaldistance),spreadalayerofweed-freericestrawapprox-imatelyoneinchthick,or3,000poundsperacre.Somesoilshouldbeshowingthroughthestraw.Whenfinishedspreadingthestraw,wateritsothatitdoesn’tblowaway.Youmayneedtowateritagainorapplyatackifierifthestrawdriesouttoomuchbeforetherainyseason.Ascheduledregularwateringcanspeedupthegerminationprocesssothatyourseedinghasaheadstartbeforetheheavyrainscome.

Inareasofsteeperslopes,orswalesthatwillbecarryingflow,cover

SECURE SEEDLINGPROTECTOR WITH1” x 1” OAK STAKE

INSTALL EMITTERUNDER OR THROUGHSEEDLING PROTECTOR

12” DIAMETERWATERING BASINFOR PLANTSON SLOPES

DEPTH OF HOLE ±2”DEEPER THAN ROOTBALLSCARIFY SIDES OFHOLE AS NEEDED

PLACE 1 TSP. SLOWRELEASE FERTILIZER 1”BELOW ROOTBALL &COVER WITH SOIL. FIRM IN NATIVE BACKFILLAROUND ROOTBALL TO GRADE

INSTALL 36” TALLDOUBLE WALLED TUBESEEDLING PROTECTOR(TUBEx/SUPERTUBE) 1-2”INTO GROUND

INSTALL WITH PLANTROOT CROWN AT ORSLIGHTLY ABOVE GRADE

2-4” COMPACTEDBERM ON DOWNHILLSIDE OF PLANT

36” x 36” WEEDCONTROL FABRIC

GRADE

ANCHOR WITH 50dNAIL AND WASHER OR6” STAPLE AT EACHCORNER, MINIMUM

NOTE: REMOVE SEEDLING PROTECTOR AFTER 3 YEARSOR WHEN PLANT IS WELL ESTABLISHED

NO WATERING BASINFOR PLANTS INSTALLEDON FLAT GROUND

Planting details for slopes and flat ground


theseedwithastraworcoconuterosioncontrolblanketfollowingthemanufacturer’sinstruction.Donotuseblanketswithplasticnettingwhichcantrapbirds,snakesandothersmallwildanimals.Theblanketmustbesecuredevenlyacrossasmoothsoilsurfacetoavoidtenting.

PlantingwoodyplantsRootedtreesandshrubsarebestplantedinthewinterwhentheyaredormant.Smallplantsareinexpensiveandwithcare,mayquicklycatchupingrowthwith15-gallonorlargerplants.Makesureyourplant’srootsarenotjammedintoitspot.TreesthathavebeengrowninlongTreepotsorDeepotsoftentransplantmoresuccessfullythanthosegrowninshortercontainersinwhichtherootsmayspiralandeventu-allygirdletheplant.

Weedmatsormulchwillkeepweedsfromchokingoutnewplants,andplantprotectorskeepbrowsersatbay.Whenplantingtrees,con-siderhowyoursitewilllookwhenthetreesare20feettalland10feetwide.Youdon’twanttoplantthemsoclosetogetherthatyouneedtothinthemout.Andyoudefinitelydon’twanttoplantatall-growingtreeunderapowerline.

Someplants,suchasoaksandbuckeyes,canbegrowndirectlyfromseed.SeeChapter13forinformationresourcesongrowingplantsfromseed.

Willowsareamongthefirstplantstobreakdormancy,andshouldbecollectedandplantedfromOctoberthroughDecember.Willowsre-spondwelltoheavypruning,sodon’tbetooworriedaboutcollectinggenerouslyfromagrove.Thin,however,insteadofclearcutinordertoleavecoverfortheresidentfauna.Cutbranchesbacktothemainstemorabudwhichwillre-sprout.

Forsprigging,usestraightwillowbranchesthatarebetween3/4to1½-inchindiameterandabout3feetlong.Besuretoplantthewillowsright-sideup.Onealmostfoolproofmethodistocutanangleontheplantingendofthesprigrightafteritisprunedfromthetree.Useaheavydiggingbartoprepareahole,andthensteparoundthesprigtofirmthesoil.Thesprigsshouldbeinsertedintothesoil75to80%oftheirtotallength.Ifyoucan’tgetitinasdeeplyasyoulike,trimthesprigwithlopperstoachievetherightratio.Remembertochoosetherighttypeofwillowforyoursite.(SeePlantingTip4.)Willow sprig

INSERT 75-80%OF TOTALSPRIG LENGTHINTO SOIL

INSERT SPRIGWITH BUDPOINTING UP

GROUND SURFACE

TRIM OFF BRANCHES

CUT END TO A POINT FOREASIER INSTALLATION


Tolerates partial shade

Tolerates clay soil

Tolerates wet conditions

Tolerates dry conditions

Evergreen

TreesAcer macrophyllum big leaf maple D

Acer negundo boxelder D

Aesculus californica Calif. buckeye D D D

Alnus rhombifolia white alder D D

Cornus sericea American dogwood D D D

Crataegus douglasii hawthorn D D

Fraxinus latifolia Oregon ash D D D

Juglans californica var. hindsii Calif. black walnut D D

Myrica californica waxmyrtle D D

Quercus agrifolia coast live oak D D

Quercus kelloggii black oak D

Quercus lobata valley oak D D

Salix spp. willows D D

Sequoia sempervirens coast redwood D D D

Umbellularia californica Calif. bay-laurel D D D D D

ShrubsBaccharis pilularis coyote brush D D D D

Calycanthus occidentalis spice bush D D D

Corylus cornuta hazelnut D D

Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon - christmas berry D D D

Lonicera hispidula Calif. honeysuckle D

Rhamnus californica coffeeberry D D D

Ribes sanguineum pink flowering currant D

Rosa californica Calif. rose D D

Rubus ursinus Calif. blackberry D D D D

Sambucus mexicana blue elderberrySymphoricarpos mollis creeping snowberry D

Vaccinium ovatum huckleberry D D D

Vitis californica Calif. grape D D D D

NOTE: These species are available from native plant nurseries and have been used successfully in restoration projects.Wet conditions = low bank, floodplainDry conditions = upland slopes

A PARTIAL LIST Of WOODY PLANTS IN MARIN COuNTY


Susan Pinkerton

Thespacingofthesprigsdependsupontheactivityoftheerosion.Inmorestableareaswithrelativelysmallwatersheds,thesprigscanbeplaced2feetapart.Inlargeorrapidlyerodinggullies,spacethesprigs1footto18inchesapart.

Cattleanddeerfindtender,youngwillowsproutsquitedelectable.Beforewarned,andprotectyourplantingsifyouexpectthemtobeexposedtoheavybrowsing.

CaringforyourplantingWoodycontainerplantsneedmaintenanceforseveralyears.Allrequireweedingandeventualremovaloftheplantprotector.Althoughsomeplantscanlivewithoutwatering,survivalratesaremuchhigherformanycontainer-grownspecieswithtwotothreeyearsofsummerwater.Unlessyouarecaringforonlyafewplantswithinreachofyourgardenhose,youwillprobablywanttoinstalldripirrigationoraslow-releasegelpack(suchasDriWater®orRainBird®IrrigationSupple-ment).Thegelslowlyreleaseswaterintotherootzone.Thepacksmustbereplenishedtwotofourtimeperseasondependingonconditionsandthemanufacturer’srecommendations.Whenusingdriporhandwatering,allowthesoilsurfacetodryoutbetweenwateringstopreventrootrot.Dependingonsoiltextureandsolarexposure,wateringonceortwiceperweekshouldbeadequate.

Wheretrunkgirdlingbymiceisaproblem,consideracommerciallyavailablespiraltreewrap.Ifdeerbrowsingissevere,considerbuildingtallwirecagesaroundindividualtreesorerectingtemporarydeer-netfencing.Becarefulnottoblockwildlifemigrationcorridorsorallowfloodwaterstocarryawaytheplantprotectors.


RoaDWays

Unsurfacedroads,drivewaysandevenhorsetrailsandfoot-pathscontributesedimentdirectly,aswellascauseandaccelerateothererosionproblems.Whenbuildinganew

roadway,mostofthetypicalproblemscanbeavoided.However,inmanyareasofnortherncoastalCalifornia,theunsurfacedroadswerebuiltmanyyearsago,oftentoaccessloggingorremoteranchland,andhavebeenplaguingwatershedseversince.References#11,#30and#32areexcellenthandbooksfordesigning,constructingandmaintain-ingsafeandnondestructivesmallroads.Werecommendthatyouseekexperiencedprofessionalhelpforrepairingsignificantroaddrainageproblems,allculvertandbridgeinstallation,anddesigningandbuild-ingnewroads.Workontrailsanddrivewayswherethereisnoriskofdamagingstructures,otherroads,utilities,orstreams,whereyoucanaccomplishyourworkwithashovelandyourhands,andwhereyoucancheckitregularlyduringwinter,canusuallybedonesafelybylandowners.Ifindoubt,contactyourlocalNRCSorRCDoffice.

Thefollowingprocesscanhelpgetanerodingunsurfacedroad,drivewayortrailinshape,aswellasprovideguidanceforavoidingthesamemistakeswhenconstructingnewroadways.

Evaluate, and if necessary, modify the surface drainage. Mostroaderosionandrelatedproblems,suchasgulliesandlandslides,areduetothewayrunoffreactstotheroadsurface.Throughgrading,theroaddrainagecanbemodifiedtoreduceoreliminatesuchproblems.Theobjectiveistohavetherunofftravelasshortadistanceaspossiblebeforesafelycrossingtheroadandleavingatawellprotected,non-erodiblepoint.Thelongerthewatertravelsalongtheroadsurface,themorelikelyitistoconcentrateintorillsandwashouts.


Oneroadcanincorporateseveralkindsofdrainagetoachievethisobjective.Therearefourbasictypes:

• Inboard ditch.Theroadisgradedintotheslope.Waterfromtheroadandthehillsideaboveitcollectsinaditchandeitherrunstheentirelengthofthehillorexitsthroughculvertsorwater-bars.Whenproperlyconstructedandrigorouslymaintained,theadvantageofthismethodisthatrunoffiscarefullycontrolledandcanbechanneledtowell-protectedareas.However,oftenpoorconstructionandinfrequentmaintenanceleadtopluggedculverts,washoutsandgullies.

• Crown.Theroadsurfaceisslopedgentlytowardsbothsides.Thisisusuallyusedonlyonhigh-qualityroads,ofteninconjunctionwithlargecutandfillslopes.Itisrelativelyuncommononlightlyusedroads.Ditchesandculvertscarryrunofftoeitherside,dependingonslope.

• Outslope.Theroadisgradedwiththeslopeatagentleangle.Culvertsandditchesarenotnecessary,exceptwherestreamscrosstheroad,becauserunoffsheetsevenlyfromtheroadsurface.Outslopingistheleastdestructivemethodtothenaturaldrainagepatterns.However,itmaypresentasafetyhazardonroadsinclaysoils,especiallyoncurves.

• Middle of the road.Someoldroadswereconstructedstraightdownthemiddleofacreekorasatroughcuttingthroughahill.Theonlysafewaytogetwateroffthemistodirectitintolinedditchesononeorbothsidesoftheroad.Insomecases,theonlywaytopreventseriouserosiononsuchroadsistoabandon,recontourandrevegetatethem,andbuildabetterroadelsewhere.

Herbaceousvegetationalsohelpsprotectroadsurfacesandslowrun-off.Onseldom-usedroads,agrass-seedmixturecanbesowndirectlyontheroadbedtoprotectitduringthewinterseason.Existinglowplantsshouldnotbegradedfromroadsunlesstheyposeafirehazardordangerouslylimitvisibility.

Transport water safely across the roadway. Wheneverthereareditches,orwherestreamsandwinterswalescrossanunsurfacedroad,lookforerosionproblems.Evenaslightwashoutorrilledareathathastoberegradedeveryyearcancontributetensoftonsofsedimenttotheneareststreamoverafewyears.Onewaytoget

Types of surface road erosion

OUTSLOPE

INBOARDDITCH

CROWN


ahandleonhowmuchsoilhaswashedawayfromaseeminglystableroadsurfaceistolayaflatstickorboardacrosstheroad.Assumingthattheroadwasoncegradedtoarelativelyflatsurface,thegroundbetweenthestickandthecurrentsurfacehasbeenlost.

Alltypesofcross-drainageexceptoutslopingrequirethatthewaterleavetheroadintowell-vegetated,low-gradientgroundoraprotectedoutlet.Rockenergydissipatorsarethemostcommonformofprotec-tion.Therockshouldbeplacedovergravelorafilterfabricblanketwithvoidsbetweenthelargerrocksfilledwithsmallerones.Aswithallrockusedforerosioncontrol,itshouldbeangularandlargeenoughtowithstandheavyflows.Rockenergydissipatorsshouldbebuiltintoabowlortrough-shapeddepressiondugintothegroundwiththedown-streamendrocksatthesameelevationasthenaturalground.Makesurethatthewaterdoesnotdischargeintofilloreasilyerodiblenativesoilonceitleavesthedissipator.

Themethodemployedtotransportflowacrosstheroaddependsonhowmuchusetheroadreceives,thevolumeofflow,whethertheroadisregularlymaintainedand,ofcourse,yourbudget.Thelastitemcanbedeceptive,sincemorecostlymethods,suchasbridges,oftenquicklymakeupforthehighpriceofinstallationinreducedlong-termmaintenancecosts.Allmethodsmustbesizedtohandlethedesiredstormflows.Herearefourpossiblechoices:

Rock energy dissipator under culvert

3 - 5x DIAMETEROF PIPE

ENERGY DISSIPATOR

18” MIN.POOLDEPTH

CULVERT SIZED FOR 100 YR STORMROAD

FILL VOIDS WITH SMALL ROCKS

FILTER FABRIC BETWEEN ALLROCK & SOIL CONTACT

ROCK SIZE TO BE1x SIZE OFCULVERT

NOTE: FOR PIPES UNDER 3’ DIAMETER


Rolling Dips Rollingdipsaresmoothdepressionsintheroadsurfaceusedinoutslopedroads.Theuproadsideofthedipisoutslopedandhasagradual,gentlecutbelowtheoriginalroadsurface.Thedownroadsidecomesbackuptotheroadgradeataslightlysteeperslopetokeepthewaterfrombreakingoutofthedip.Rollingdipsarepermanentfeaturesandshouldbeconstructedsothattheyareeasytodriveover.Theyneedtobeplacedatsufficientintervalstopreventtheroadsurfacefromrilling,butfarenoughapartforuninterruptedvehicletravel.Makesurethattheyexitatastable,protectedarea.Rollingdipsshouldnotbeconstructedinunstablefillslopesorforroadgradientsover12%.

Waterbars

Waterbarsareatemporarymeansofbreakingsurfaceflowoverslopedsectionsofseasonalroad.Inapinch,theycanbeconstructedwithhandtools.Theyconsistofashallowditchandroundedbermplaceddiagonallyacrosstheroadsurface.Oftentheymustbereconstructedeveryyearbecausetheyeitherweardownduringthesummeroraresoannoyingtothosewhoregularlyusetheroadthattheyaregradedout.Aswithrollingdips,makesurethewaterbarsdirectflowtoaprotectedareathatwillnoterode.

Waterbarscanbemademorepalatablebyincreasingthewidthandtherebyreducingtheslopeofboththeditchandtheberm.Installingaserieswillreducetheflowvolumeandhencethecuttingactionineachwaterbar.

Rolling dip

Estimated Hazard Rating

Road or Trail Gradient10% or less 11-25% 26-50% 50% or more

extreme 100 75 50 50high 150 100 75 50moderate 200 150 100 75low 300 200 150 100

WATERBARS

Maximum distance between waterbars in feet. (California Forest Practice Rules, 1999)

CUT BANK TIE-IN POINT 6” - 1’ INTO ROADBED

ROAD CL

ANGLE WATERBAR30-45º DOWNGRADE

WITH ROAD CENTERLINEROCK ENERGY

DISSIPATOR

DEPTH OFTROUGH = 1’ HEIGHT OF

BAR = .5’

COMPACTED FILL

Water bar

+3’ +2’ +4’


Concrete Ford

fordsFordscanbeusedtocarryephemeralorintermittentstreamsacrossroadswithverylighttraffic,suchasranchroads.TheyareessentiallyrollingdipssurfacedwithrockorconcreteandshouldbedesignedforspecificsiteswithhelpfromNRCSoraregisteredprofessionaldesigner.Fordconstructionrequirespermitsfromthoseagenciesregulatingworkinwatercourses(Chapter12).

Culverts Installingaculvertisoneoftheriskiestmanagementactionsonecantake.Culvertsconfineandconcentrateflow.Theyinterruptsedimenttransportandfrequentlyblockfish.Theyareamajorsourceofsedi-mentationinmanywatershedsthroughroadfailuresandgullyerosion.However,iftheyareproperlysizedandinstalledintherightplace,theycanbeveryhandy.Specificationsforspacingandinstallingcul-vertsaregiveninReference#32,butwewillemphasizeseveralcriticalguidelineshere.Culvertinstallationinstreamsofanysizerequirespermitsfromthoseagenciesregulatingworkinwatercourses(Chapter12).Ditchreliefculvertsusedtocarrywinterrunoffsolelycollectedfromtheroadsurfaceduringrainsmaynotrequirepermits.

Culvertscarryingephemeralorintermittentstreamflowshouldfollowthenaturalstreamalignment.Theyshouldbesetbelowtheorigi-nalstreamgradetoallowforanaturalstreambedtoforminsidetheculvert.Thosethatcarryflowfrominboardditchesshouldexitwheretheywillnotcausesubsequenterosion.Placelargerockcarefullyunderneaththeoutflowasdescribedabovetoprotecttheunderlyingsoil.Iftherunoffhastotraveloverfillslopesorunstableareasafteritleavestheenergydissipator,makesuretocarryitthroughadownspoutorrock-linedchannel.Neverletaculvertextendintheairandshootthedischargedwaterontothesoilbelow.Thisinvariablycausessevereerosionandroadfailure.

Culvertscarryingperennialstreamfloworwhereverfisharepresentshouldbedesignedbyacertifiedprofessionaldesigner.Fish,aswell Culvert alignment under road

ROAD

POOR

ROAD

GOOD


asthestream’ssedimentloadandflowsfrom100-yearstorms,mustbeabletopassthroughtheculvert.Arch,openbottomorboxculvertsareoftenusedsothatthenaturalstreambottomcanremainintact.

Pluggedculvertinletsareoneofthemostcommoncausesofroadwashouts.Theyshouldbecleanedbeforetherainyseasonandcheckedduringstorms.Ifaculvertplugsaftereverymajorstorm,considerusinganothermethodand/oraddressingtheupstreamsourceofdebris.Trashracksorperforatedriserscanalsohelpkeeptheculvertopen,buttheyarecertainlynotmaintenance-free.Culvertsshouldbeslopeddown-wardtopreventsedimentfromaccumulatinginside.

BridgesWheretheyarefeasible,bridgesaretheultimatedrainagesolutionbecausetheyleavefishpassageandstreamfunctionintact.Manypre-builtbridgesarenowavailableforsmallroadsandtrails.RailroadflatcarshavebeenusedsuccessfullyinnumerousMarinandSonomaCountysitesforranchroadcrossings.TheydorequireengineeredabutmentsandCountypermits.

Undertake a regular maintenance program. Manyroaderosionproblemscanbenippedinthebudiftheroadiswellmaintained.Agooddry-seasonmaintenanceprogramshouldincludereplacingenergydissipatorsthathavewashedaway,cleaningculverts,replacinginadequateculvertswithlargeronesoranothertypeofcross-drainage,addingadditionalcross-drainageifnecessary,smoothingrillstopreventthemfromgrowingintogullies,modifyingthesurfacedrainageasneededand,inearlyfall,seedingtheroadbedoradjoiningareasofexposedsoil.Whengradingtheroadsurface,spreadthescrapedsoilevenlyovertheroadedgeinsteadofformingbermswhichcollectandchannelflow.Inwinter,energydissipatorsshouldbeinspectedandreinforcedifnecessary,culvertsandditcheskeptclean,andrillerosioncheckedbyconstructingwaterbars.Winterisalsothebesttimetonotewherechangesinsurfaceorcross-drainageareneeded.Asthemajorcausesofroaderosionarerepaired,mainte-nancewillbecomeeasierandourstreamscleaner.

Arch culvert with natural stream bottom

Traditional box culvert with concrete bottom


neW ConsTRUCTIon

Buildinganything,whetherastandingstructure,aroad,aparkinglotoraplayground,almostalwaysinvolvesremovingvegetationandchangingdrainagepatterns—actionswhichcanprovokeandac-

celeratesoilloss.Thischapterisdividedintotwomainsections—oneondesigningyourprojecttoreducestormrunoffandincreaseinfiltration,andtheotheronpreventingerosionandsedimentationduringconstruction.

DesignforBetterInfiltrationThroughincorporatingmaterialsandpracticesthatreducestormrunoffintonewconstruction,youcanpreventerosionandhelpmaintainthenaturalfunctionofyourwatershed.CheckChapter13forresourcesfordesignideas,specificationsandlocalexamples.Thefollowingare

Infiltration techniques at home

RAIN GARDEN

RAIN BARRELS

INFLOW

MANHOLE

OUTFLOWPOROUS CONCRETE PAVERSW/VEGETATED SPACINGS

UNDERGROUND CISTERNFOR WATER STORAGE

INFILTRATION TRENCH

DROUGHT TOLERANTPLANTINGS

GREEN ROOF– METAL OR VEGETATED


basicelementstoconsidertoincreasetheamountofrainfallcapturedandretainedonyoursite:

1. Reduce impervious surfaces. Hardsurfacesincludingroofs,streets,parkinglotsandpaveddrive-waysdonotallowanywatertosoakintothesoil.Considerusinggravel,stripsofconcretewithgrassorgravelinthemiddle,perviousconcrete,concreteunitpaversorotherpermeablepavementsfordrive-waysandpaths.Incorporatevegetatedislandsandgrass-linedswalesintoparkingareas.Theadventurousmaywanttoinvestigategreenroofsthatarebuilttoaccommodatelivinggrassandotherplantsoneitherpartoralloftheroofsurface.

2. Capture and dissipate runoff.Whenhardsurfacesarenecessary,directtheresultingrunoffintoanareaorstructurewhereitcanslowdownandsoakintotheground.Foundationplantings,forexample,canbreaktheforceofrainfallingoff

Bioretention basin

NATIVE PLANTINGSTOLERANT OF SEASONALFLOODING

PONDING DEPTH 12” MAx.

NATIVE GRASS(SEEDED UNDER BLANKET)

COIR EROSION CONTROL FABRIC(TO BE KEYED IN @ TOP OF SLOPE)3:1 MAx2:1 MIN

36” MIN. PLANTINGSOIL MIx

6” - 12” SAND (OPTIONAL)

FILTER FABRIC

8” - 12” PEA GRAVEL

OPTIONAL PERFORATED SUB-SURFACEDRAINAGE PIPE CONNECTING TOSTORM DRAIN OR CREEK

NOTE:AN OVERFLOW SHOULD BEPROVIDED FOR STORM RUNOFF INTHE FORM OF A PIPE OUTLET ORROCK SPILLWAY.


aroof.Roofscanalsobeusedtocollectwaterwhichcanbedirectedintodrywellstorechargegroundwaterorstoredinrainbarrelsorcisternsforirrigationorotheruses.Bio-filtration swales,shallowditchesplantedwithdensegrass,cantransportwaterslowlyfromadownspoutordrivewayoutletwhilesimultaneouslyallowingmuchofittopercolateintothesoil.Rain gardensandbioretention basinspondwaterandusesoil,organicmulchandbothwoodyandherbaceousplantstotrapsediment,increaseinfiltrationandremovepollutants.

3. Disconnect surface runoff. Leaveorinstallpermeableareasbetweenroofs,driveways,parkinglotsandstreetstoslowanddisperseflowinsteadofcreatingaspeedwayforstormrunoff.

4. Keep existing plants...and plant more.Vegetationisthebestdefenseagainsterosion.Protecttreesandshrubsduringconstruction,andconsiderplantingmore.Rememberthatnativeplantssupportbirdsandotherwildlifeaswellasprotectsoil.

ErosionControlatConstructionSitesStormwaterpollutionfromdevelopmentsitesisregulatedthroughtheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard’sGeneralPermitforDischargesofStormWaterRunoffAssociatedwithConstruction.Construction-relatedpollutionsourcesincludeoilandgrease,asphalt,concrete,paintandsolvents,sanitarywasteandpathogensfromtemporaryrestrooms,andofcourse,sedimentfromdisturbedandstockpiledsoil.MostcitiesandcountieshaveenactedlocalordinancestocomplywiththeGeneralPermit.TheMarinCountyStormwaterPollutionPreventionProgram(MCSTOPPP)andtheSonomaCountyPermitandResourceManage-mentDepartment(PRMD)bothhavehelpfulwebsitestoguidebuilderstotherightordinance(Chapter13).

Inaddition,ownersofanyconstructionprojectthatdisturbs1ormoreacresofsoilmustsubmitaNoticeofIntenttotheStateWaterResourceControlBoardandprepareandimplementaStorm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).TheSWPPPshouldincludeasitemapthatshowsdrainagepatternsaswellasbothexistingandproposedbuildings,roads,andotherfeatures.TheSWPPPmustalsolistBest Management Practices (BMPs)thatwillbeusedtopreventstormwaterpollution,and


1. Check with Marin County Planning Department or Flood Control Dis-trict for creek set-back requirements.

2. During grading phase, track-walk up and down slopes, not parallel.

3. Stabilize site entrance and tempo-rary driveway with 3” crushed rock up to 50’ to prevent tracking soil off site.

4. Install straw wattles along contour at or >2:1 slope, keyed into ground at least 3” deep (25 to 50’ apart).

5. Install silt fence as secondary measure along contours to keep sediment onsite and to minimize vehicle and foot traffic beyond limits of site disturbance.

6. Install erosion blankets on any dis-turbed area at or > 2:1 slope.

7. Construct a concrete washout site adjacent to stabilized entrance. Clean as needed and remove at end of project.

8. Cover all stockpiles and landscape materials, keep behind silt fence, and away from water bodies.

9. Use pea-gravel bags around drain inlets located both onsite and within gutter as a last line of defense.

10. Place port-a-potty near stabilized site entrance and away from storm drain inlets and water bodies.

11. Cover all exposed soil with straw or straw/tackifier.

Note: Sediment and erosion control shall be continually maintained throughout the local rainy season and to remain effective during construction phase. Continue inspection and maintenance of BMPs before and after rain events.

MINIMuM EROSION CONTROL MEASuRES fOR SINGLE fAMILY hOME CONSTRuCTION

From Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program


identifywheretheywillbeused.Chapter12includesinformationonwhereyoucanlearnmoreabouttheGeneralPermitrequirements,BMPsandSWPPPpreparation.

HerearesomecommonBMPsthatapplytomanyconstructionsites.RememberthatyouneedtofindanduseBMPsthatspecificallyaddresspotentialpollutiongeneratedbyworkonyoursite.

Educate your construction workers.Explaintoyourworkerswhycleanwaterisimportantandwhatactionsyouaretakingtokeepsedimentandotherpollutantsoutofstormdrainsandwaterways.Askthemfortheirhelpandtheirideas.

Schedule construction activities during dry weather.Constructionthatmovessoil,disturbsvegetativecoverorrequiresuseofunsurfacedroadsshouldbecompletedbeforethewinterrainyseason;innortherncoastalCalifornia,October15isthestandarddateusedtomarktheofficialendofdryweather.Largeearth-movingprojectsshouldbescheduledbetweenApril15andOctober15.Ifunfinishedworkneedstobeheldoveruntilspring,exposedsoilmustbeprotectedandsedimenttrappedbeforeleavingthesite.

Be ready for rain.Checktheweatherforecastandmakesureyouhaveallofthematerialsyouneedtoquicklyprotectyoursite.

Protect existing vegetation. Plant more.Whereverpossible,plantsalreadygrowingonthesiteshouldbespared,unlesstheclearedareaistobeimmediatelyreplantedorland-scaped.Eventhen,becautiousaboutremovingvegetation.Itmaytakemanyyearsfornewplantingstoduplicatethecharacterandsturdyrootsystemsoftheon-sitetreesandshrubs.Thinninggrovesofmaturetrees,especiallyonridgetops,maymaketheremainingtreesmoresusceptibletowindthrow.Andrememberthatchangingvegetationchangesthewildlifeuseofanarea.Ifyouhavegrowntoenjoytheflocksofwarblersmigratingthroughyournewpieceofpropertyeveryfall,don’texpectthemtoreturnafteryouhaveremovedalltheundergrowth.

Whereconstructioncallsformassdisturbanceofwildlandvegetation,suchaslargecutandfillslopes,thenativeplantcommunityshouldbe


restoredthroughrevegetation.Large-scalerevegetationprojectsdif-ferfromhomeorcommerciallandscapinginthattheplantsreceiveminimalmaintenance.Theareaisoverplantedwiththeexpectationthatsomeoftheplantswilldie.Plantsaregrownfromseedsorcut-tingscollectedonorneartheconstructionsitesothattheywillbewell-adaptedtospecificsoilandweatherconditionsatthesiteandthushaveabetterchanceofsurviving.Sinceittakesonetotwoyearstogrowaplantbigenoughtoinstall,revegetationprojectsshouldbeplannedwellinadvanceofactualconstruction.

Protect bare areas and spoils piles with seed, mulch or plastic sheeting.Allbaresoil,includingtemporaryspoilspiles,shouldbeprotectedwellbeforetherainsbegin.Followtheseedingandmulchingrecommenda-tionsinChapter5.Annualgrains,suchasoatsandbarley,arefrequentlyusedasone-timewintercoverbecausetheyarerelativelyinexpensiveandreseedpoorly.“Re-Green”,asterilewheat,isavailablethroughsomelocalsuppliers.Hydroseeding,amechanicalprocessofapplyingaslurryofseed,fertilizer,mulchandatackifier,isusefulforestablishinggrasscoveronslopes.Erosioncontrolblanketsshouldbeinstalledonanyslopesgreaterthan2:1.

Install silt fence and straw wattles on contour to prevent concentrated flow.Strawwattlesshouldbeburied3to4inchesintothesoilandstakedevery4feet.Theyshouldbeusedonlyon3:1orgentlerslopes.Siltfencesshouldbetrenched6inchesintothesoil,stakedevery6feet,andplaced2-5feetfromthetoeoftheslope(SonomaCountyPRMD).Strawbaleshaveahighfailurerateassedimentfences;thestrawisbetterusedasmulchonyourconstructionsite.Checkwattlesandsiltfencesregularlyduringthewinterandrepairthemifnecessary.

Stabilize entrances with crushed rock. Vehiclewheelscarrysedimentandotherpollutantsontonearbyroad-ways,causingbothhazardsandpollution.

Protect drainage inlets.Usegravelbagsorstrawwattlestotrapandfilteranypollutedwaterthatmayescapeyoursitedespiteyourbestefforts.


lIvesToCK anD eRosIon

California’sgrasslandsevolvedoverthousandsofyearswithgrazinganimals.Manynativegrassesandwildflowersdependonregulargrazingforfertilization,keepingcompetingplants

incheck,andremovingdeadthatch.Thenetimpactofprehistoricgrazingwastokeeprangelandvegetationhealthyandsoilsaliveandpermeable.Thisharmonyhasbeenchallengedbythereplacementofnativegrassesandforbswithintroducedannualspecies,theconfine-mentoflargenumbersofanimalsinfencedpastures,andthecompleteremovalofgrazingfromsomegrasslandareas.Grazingmanagementistheartandscienceofusinganimalstoproduceandsustaindesiredrangeconditions.Ranchersandrangemanagersforpubliclandscanusedifferenttypesoflivestock,fencing,waterdevelopment,seedingandothertoolstomaintainhealthy,productivegrasslandsandreduceerosion.

Horses,sheep,cattleandotherlivestockcanaffecterosioninmanyways.Concentratedinasmallarea,livestockcancompletelydenudethesoilsurface,exposingittosheetandrillerosion.Theweightoftheanimalscancompactthesoiltoconcrete-likehardness,whichinturnincreasesthespeedofrunoffandactivatesgullyandstreambankerosionlowerinthewatershed.Compactioncanalsooccurinlargepasturesifthelandhasbeenheavilygrazedformanyyears.

Livestockchangethevegetationbyselectivelyeatingcertainspecies,givingotherhardier,less-palatableplantsroomtoflourish.Someplants,suchasoakseedlings,mayeventuallydiefromrepeatedbrowsing.Largeranimalscancausemechanicaldamagetostreamandgullybanksbywalkingonthemandcrushingoreatingthenewvegetationthatmightstabilizethebanks.Ontheotherhand,livestockcanalsobeusedtorestoreandmaintainplantvigoringrasslands,therebyreduc-ingrunoffratesandresultingerosion.Theyreducethatch,themassofdeadleaves,thatimpedesnewgrowthandstifleswildflowers.They

Soil compaction restricts root growth


canfertilizeandgentlydisturbsoiltocreateseedbeds,andweedoutundesirablespecies.

SeveralexcellentrangemanagementresourcesareidentifiedinChapter13,includinganewgrazinghandbookproducedfortheSotoyomeResourceConservationDistrict(reference#41)andripariangrazingmanagementguidelinesfromtheMarinResourceConservationDistrict(reference#40).NRCSandUCCooperativeExtensionalsoofferinforma-tionandsitespecificrecommendations.

Followingaresomeideasandtoolstoreduceerosioncausedbylivestock:

Protect riparian areasRiparianzonesarethevegetatedareasalongstreams,riversandlakes.Theyareextremelyvaluabletomanywildlifespeciesbecausetheyprovideasafetransitionbetweenwateranduplandareasaswellasarichfoodsupplyandplentifulcover.Healthyriparianhabitatcoolswaterandcapturesnutrientsandpollutantsbeforetheywashaway.Riparianzonesareparticularlyvulnerabletolivestockinducederosion.

Animalscanbreakdownbankstability,damageordestroyplantsthatholdsoilinplace,andhelpdeliversedimentdirectlyintostreams.Ranchersandlandmanagerscanprotectstreamareasinseveralways.

Exclusionfenceskeeplivestockoutoftheriparianzoneallormostofthetime.Theyshouldbebuiltwithgatesincaselivestock,oftencalvesorlambs,gettrappedinside.Exclusionsrequireminimallivestockman-agement,althoughtheyoftenrequireregularmanagementofinvasiveweedsorover-exuber-antwillowgrowth.Theyofferthebestprotectionforre-establishingnativeripariantreesandshrubs.

Riparian Fencing


Exclusionfencescanpresentformidablechallengesforlivestockman-agers.Sincetheanimalscannolongerdrinkfromthecreek,alternativewatersourcesmustbedeveloped.Bridgesorprotectedcattlecrossingsmaybeneededtomovelivestockandranchvehicles.Inlargeflood-plains,fencesmaywashouteveryfewyearsunlesstheyareplacedsofarfromthestreamthattherancherlosestheuseoflargeareasofhighly-productiveland.

Riparianpasturesaredesignedtoallowcarefully-managedgrazingwith-intheriparianzone.Fencescanbesetfartherbackfromthechanneltogivethestreamroomtoevolve.Cleargoalsmustbeestablishedtomakeriparianpasturesworkasbothgrazinglandandstreamprotection.Regu-larmonitoringshouldbeconductedtomodifythegrazingprescriptionasneededtomeetthegoals.Ifplantingisincluded,livestockshouldbekeptoutforatleastthreeyearstogivetheplantstimetobecomefirmlyestablished.Forplantingwithineitherexclusionsorriparianpastures,considerleavinganun-plantedstripalongthefencetoallowvehicleaccessinsidethefenceandtodiscouragelivestockfrompushingagainstthefence,therebyweakeningit,whilebrowsingonlowbranches.

Thesizeofariparianpasturevarieswiththetopographyandotherlandscapefeatures,andtheplanneduse.TheSotoyomeRCD’sGrazingHandbookstatesthat,“Ideally,riparianpasturesshouldbeofasizethatwillallowtheherdtomakeuseofavailableforageoverafewdays,allowingampleregrowthofvegetationbetweengrazingperiods”(Reference#41).Determiningthebesttimestoallowgrazingdependsonthevalueoftheforage,thestabilityofthebankandtheneedsofriparianwildlife.PointReyesBirdObservatoryrecommendsavoid-inggrazingduringthenestingseasonwhichcanlastfrommid-MarchthroughlateJuly(Reference#45.)

Cross-fencingcreatespasturesperpendiculartothestream.Somepasturescanberestedwhileothersaregrazed.Althoughthissystemdoesnotcreatethelevelofprotectionofeitherexclusionfencingorriparianpastures,itcanbeausefultoolwhenalternativewatersourcesarenotavailableandwhenintensivegrazingmanagementispracticed.

Provide alternate water and salt sources.Increasingthenumberofplaceswherelivestockhaveaccesstowaterandsaltspreadsthemovertheavailablerangeandreducesthecom-pactionandovergrazingnearexistingwatersources.


Seed and fertilize pastures. Use no-till and minimum-till cultivation.Increasingthequalityanddensityofvegetationwillslowrunoff,allowingittopercolatedowntoreplenishgroundwatersupplies,andreducesheetandrillerosion.Inno-tillcultivationofhayandsilagecrops,thenewseedisplantedthroughtheoldstubble.Thelandisnotplowed,andthereforethesoilisneverexposedtowinterrains.Aspecialseeddrillisusedthatinjectstheseedandfertilizerallatonetime.Thefieldislightlyplowedinminimum-tillcultivation,enoughtobreakthesoilbutnottoremoveallthestubble.Witheithermethod,thefieldmayoccasionallyhavetobeclean-tilled,withallstubbleplowedin,forweedcontrol.DetailedinformationisavailablefromNRCS.

No-tillandminimum-tillcultivationarehighlyrecommendedforslopedfields,especiallythosewithrecurringrillerosion.Sheetandrillerosioncanbedeceiving.Aquarterinchofsoillostevenlyovera40-acrefieldyields900tonsofearthwashedintotheneareststream.

Modify your grazing.Grazingprogramsmanipulatethenumberofanimalsinagivenarea,howlongandwhentheygrazethere,andtheamountofforageandavailablewatertoprovidemaximum,sustainableuseoftheland.Mostgrazingsystemsrequirefencingandregularrotationoflivestockfrompasturetopasture.Somecallforanevendistributionofanimalsovertherange;somecallfortheintenseuseofsmallareasoflandforashorttime.Thebestgrazingmanagementcombinesscientificresearchwiththelandowner’sownspecificknowledgeandneeds.ResourcesformoreinformationarelistedinChapters12and13.

Separate clean runoff from contaminated runoff.Cleanstormwatershouldbecapturedanddivertedaroundbarns,manurestorageareas,paddocksandotherareasthatproducesedimentand/ormanureladenwater.Roofguttersanddownspoutsshouldbeinstalledandmaintainedonagriculturalbuildings.Inheavilyuseddairypaddocks,considerusingcoveredloafingbarns.

Grass-linedswales,bermsandsurfacedrainscanbeusedtocollectanddivertcleanwater.Alwaysmakesuretodeliveranddissipatethecapturedwatertoasafe,non-erodibleplacesuchasalow-gradient,grassyarea.


Horse paddocks separated from vegetated swale.

Locate paddocks away from streams and steep slopes.Keephorsesandotherconfinedanimalswellawayfromstreams.Evensmall,ephemeralchannelsshouldbeprotectedwithgrassbuffersastheypickupnutrients,pathogensandsedimentduringrainfallandcarrythemdownstream.Wherepossible,alsokeepconfinedanimalsoffsteephillsides.

Use vegetation to slow and filter runoff.Maintainwell-vegetatedbufferstripsbetweenhorsepaddocks,alongunsurfacedroadsandparkingareas,aroundmanureandsoiledbed-dingstorageareas,andadjacenttowetlandsandnaturaldrainages.Vegetationfilterssediment,absorbsnutrientsandallowssoilbacteriatobreakdownmanytoxins.Inperennialandseasonalstreams,treesandshrubsalongwithgrassandunderstoryplantsshouldbeusedtoprovideshade,bankstabilityandwildlifehabitat.Forephemeralstreamsandotherareas,grassisanexcellentfilter.SeeChapter5forplantingguidelines.

Keep confined-animal paddocks dry and well-drained.Protectingpaddocksurfaceswithsand,woodchipsorotherporousmaterialskeepsthesoilinplace.Fibar®,anengineeredwoodproductplacedovergeotextilefabric,hasbeenusedsuccessfullyinwestMarinCountypaddockstokeephorsesoutofthemudwithoutgettingstuckintheirfeet.


InMarinCounty,smallrotationalslumpsoftenoccurindrovesafterunusuallyseverestormsandtypicallystabilizeandrevegetatebythemselveswithinafewyears.Largerlandslidesarenotsoreadily

resolved.Althoughtheyarenotoriouslydifficulttopredictorrepair,therearewaystoatleastnotmakethemworse.

• Noconstructionshouldoccuronknownlandslides.Ifyouhaveanydoubts,contactaregisteredgeologistorageotechnicalengineer.

• Runofffromroads,roofs,oranyothersurfacesshouldneverbedirectedtoaknownslidearea.

• Existingdirtroadsthatarecutintolandslidesshouldbeoutslopedorbetteryet,reshapedtotheoriginalcontour,seeded,andaban-doned.(SeeChapter6onroaderosion.)Westronglyrecommendthatyougetprofessionalhelpbeforemakinganyalterationstoroaddrainagethroughlandslides.

• Existingvegetationshouldbeleftundisturbed.

lanDslIDes


Haltinggulliesandrepairingroadwashoutsdomorethankeepsoilonthegroundandoutofourwaterways—erosioncontrolhelpswildlifeinbothimmediateandlong-termways.

Examplesofquickbenefitsincludethecreationofawoodyoasisforbirdsacoupleofyearsafterplantingwillowsinapasturegully,andtheinstantshadeandprotectionfrompredatorsprovidedforfishbyLargeWoodyDebris.

Long-termsoilstabilizationhasslowerbutevenmoreimportanteffectsonwildanimals.PointReyesBirdObservatoryreportsthatthenumberofbirdsinriparianfencingandrevegetationprojectsinMarinandSonomaCountiesgrowsfromjustafewspeciestoover20speciesin10to15years(CaliforniaPartnersinFlight,2006).ManyofthesespeciesareneotropicalsongbirdsthatbreedinNorthAmericaandmigratetoCentralandSouthAmericaduringthewinter.Althoughcommonintherecentpast,manyarenowseriouslythreatenedbyhabitatdestructioninallpartsoftheirrange.

SedimentreductionhasbeenakeyfactorinsteelheadandcohosalmonrecoverystrategiesthroughoutcoastalCalifornia.Afterapopulationcrashinthe1970sand80s,LagunitasCreeknowhasoneofCalifornia’slargestcohoruns.Althoughresearchisstillbeingconductedtobetterunderstandtheirrecoveryandwhattheyneedto

continuetothrive,twentyyearsofcon-certedattentiontoreducingfinesedimentsinLagunitasCreekanditsmajortributarieshasundoubtedlycontributedtothecoho’ssuccess.

Salmonidsarevulnerabletoexcessivesedimentationatmanyphasesoftheirlifecycles.Fineparticlesinspawningbeds

WIlDlIfe

California red-legged frog

COMMON RIPARIAN BIRDS

Acorn woodpecker • American robin Anna’s hummingbird • belted kingfisher

Bewick’s wren • black phoebe black-headed grosbeak • bushtit

California towhee chestnut-backed chickadee

common yellowthroat downy woodpecker • hermit thrush

Nuttall’s woodpecker • osprey Pacific-slope flycatcher • red-shouldered hawk

ruby-crowned kinglet • song sparrow Swainson’s thrush • tree swallow

warbling vireo Western scrub-jay • Wilson’s warbler

Adapted from Bringing the Birds Back: A Guide to Habitat Enhancement in Riparian and Oak Wood-lands for the North Bay Region.


canreducethenumberofeggsthathatchbyimpedingcirculationofoxygenandothernutrients.Largerparticlesfillinthepoolsthatrear-ingfishuseforshelterandrest.Chronic,long-termsedimentationhasreducedestuaryvolumeinmanyCaliforniastreams,whichinturnaffectsthetiminganddurationofsandbarformation.Assandbarsremainclosedlongerintothewinter,somesalmonids,suchascohowhomoveupstreamprimarilyinDecemberandJanuary,canneverenterthestreamtospawn.

Californiared-leggedfrogs,westernpond-turtles,Californiafresh-watershrimpandahostofwetlandspeciesfromDungenesscrabstoCaliforniaclapperrailsalsobenefitfromcontrollingacceleratederosionandmaintaininghealthy,well-functioningwatersheds.Manyofthesespecieshavespecialfederaland/orstateprotectionandcannotbeharmed,evenasaninadvertentsideaffectofarestorationorsoilstabi-lizationproject.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutwhetherornotprotectedspeciesliveonyourproperty,contacttheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame(CDFG).CDFGalsomaintainsanon-linedatabaseofspeciesofconcern,theCaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase(CNDDB),thatidentifiesthreatenedandendangeredspeciesobservedinspecificareas.Chapter13includesinformationonhowtoaccessthisdatabase.

Fencingourhomesoftenexcludeswildlifeunnecessarilyfromtheirs.Aswemoveintowildlifecorridors,weneedtopreservetheirmigra-tioncorridors,feedingandrestingareas,andaccesstowater.Creatingfencingtomeettheneedsofthelandownerandwildlifeispossiblewithalittlepropertyevaluationandplanning.Dependingonyourneeds(livestock,gardens,orpropertyboundary),simpleadjustmentstospacing,height,andmaterialscanhelpcreatewildlifefriendlyfencing.FordetailedinformationseeReference#38.

• Propertyboundaries:Considerusingtreesandshrubstocreateanaturalboundarytoyourproperty.Youwillattractwildlifetoyourareawhilekeepingadistinctpropertyline.

• Livestockfencing:Spacing,height,andfencingmaterialscanaccommodatesomewildlifeandexcludeothers.

• Exclusionfencing:Trytofencesmallareasifyourgoalistoex-cludewildlifecompletely.Fenceoffagardenorbarnasopposedtotheentirepropertytoallowanimalstopassthroughtherestofyourproperty.

SPECIAL-STATuS fISh AND WILDLIfE SPECIES Of MARIN COuNTY*

This list includes animals identified as threatened, endangered and California Species of Concern

*For a complete list of all special-status species occurring in your area, visit the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov/sacramento) and California Department of Fish and Game ( HYPERLINK “http://www.dfg.ca.gov” www.dfg.ca.gov).

tidewater goby

coho salmon

steelhead

chinook salmon

Tomales roach

Myrtle’s silverspot butterfly

California freshwater shrimp

California red-legged frog

foothill yellow-legged frog

western pond turtle

western snowy plover

saltmarsh common yellowthroat

tricolored blackbird

yellow warbler

California clapper rail

California black rail

northern spotted owl

burrowing owl

San Pablo song sparrow

salt-marsh harvest mouse

Point Reyes mountain beaver


MaInTenanCe anD MonIToRInG

Allerosionrepairandrestorationprojectsrequiremonitoring,andmanywillrequireperiodicmaintenance,especiallyinthefirstfewyears.Monitoringshouldstartbeforeyoubeginyourrepair

projectwithcleargoalsanddocumentationoftheexistingconditions.Effectivenessmonitoringismakingsurethatyourprojectisachievingthedesiredgoals.Asyoucheckyourworkindifferentweatherconditionsandoverseveralyears,youcanmakeadjustmentstotherepairs,findoutwhichtechniquesandplantsperformbestonyoursite,andnoteanyunintendedresults,eitherbeneficialorproblematic.

Photographicmonitoringisanexcellentandinexpensivewaytotracklong-termchanges.ChooseatleasttwomonitoringstationsbeforeyoubeginworkandmarkthemwithstakesorGPS.Rememberthatplantsgrow—manyaphotomonitoringstationhasbeenconsumedbyriparianforestafterafewyears—andselectstationsthatwillshowyourworkevenwithdensevegetation.Takephotographsduringandafterconstruction,andthenperiodicallythereafteratregularintervals.Takingthematthesametimeofyearwillallowyoutomakemoreaccuratecomparisonsofchanges.

Ifyouareinterestedintrackingchangesinhabitatandwaterqualityparameters,checkwithUCCooperativeExtension,yourlocalRCD,orMCSTOPPPtofindoutwheretogettrainingandequipment(Chapter13).Somewildlifepopulations,suchasbirdsandmanyinsects,arerelativelyeasytomonitorwhileothers,suchascohosalmonandsteel-head,mayrequirespecialexpertiseandassistancefromtheDepart-mentofFishandGameorotheragencies.Plantsurvivalandchangesinplantcompositioncanbereadilymonitoredwithafieldguideortwo.NRCSandUCCooperativeExtensioncanhelpyoudesignaprogramtomonitorrangeconditions,orleadyoutootherresourcesinyourarea.

Alwaysincludetimeandcostformaintenancewhenyouplanan


erosioncontrolproject.RevegetationmaintenanceisdescribedinChapter5androadmaintenanceinChapter7.Evensimpleproblems,suchastallgrassstuckonafencethatdivertswateraroundaheadcutrepair,canleadtoexpensivefixesiftheyarenotaddressedearly.

A few years after restoration.

Before restoration.


peRMITs

Workalongcreeksorthecoast,withinriparianandotherwildlifehabitat,orjustaboutanyplacewhereconstructionactivitymaypotentiallyaffectourcommonresourcesrequirespermits

fromregulatoryagencies.Consultationwithagenciesshouldbeginassoonasyouhaveaprojectinmindasthereviewprocesscantakeanywherefromafewweekstoseveralmonthsafteranapplicationissubmitted.Itisbesttostartwithyourlocalcityorcountyplanningdepartment,thenmovetotheregional,state,andfederalagencies.

Keeptrackofcommunicationinwritingandaskforcopiesofyourpermitapplicationsandlettersofauthorizationasyoucontinuewithyourproj-ect.Somepermitsrequireafollow-upvisit,monitoring,orareportatthecompletionoftheproject.Agenciestendtoguidetheprocessalong,notify-ingotheragenciesorinforminglandownersaboutotherrequiredpermits.

Ifyouareunsurehowtoobtainregulatorycompliance,askforhelp.TheMCSTOPPPwebsiteisagoodplacetostart(http://www.mcstoppp.org/).Professionalservicesareavailabletoassistwithpermitacquisition,whichmaybeagoodidea,especiallywithmorecomplexprojects.ThelistbelowoffersanoverviewofthemajorregulatoryrequirementsinCalifor-nia,althoughtheremaybeadditionalregulationsandlocalorregionalpermitsthatapplytoyourproject.

MarinCountyhasmonthlyprojectcoordinationmeetingstoreviewandguideprojects.Thesemeetingsareattendedbyrepresentativesfromtheregulatoryagenciestostreamlinethepermitprocess.Landownersmaypresenttheirprojects(bringphotos,sketches,orconceptualplans)toreceivefeedbackfromtheregulators.Tobeaddedtotheagenda,callMarlaLafer,SanFranciscoRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardat(510)622-2348orLizLewis,MarinCountyPublicWorksat(415)499-7226.

ProjectsintheSanFranciscoBayAreafurtherbenefitfromanotherstreamlinedprocessknownastheJointAquaticResourcePermit


Application(JARPA).TheJARPAallowsapplicantstoapplyforpermitstomanystateandfederalagencieswithoneapplication.TheSanFranciscoEstuaryProjectoverseestheJARPAform(510)622-2315.

http://sfep.abag.ca.gov/projects/JARPA/JARPA.html

County and City Public Works and Planning Departments:Thesearegoodstartingplacestofindoutaboutlocalregulationsandper-mits.Theyarealsogoodsourcesofaerialphotographs,resourceinventoriesandmaps,regionalknow-howandreferencesforadditionalinformation.

MarinCountyPublicWorks(415)499-6528http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PW/Main/index.cfm

SonomaCountyPermitandResourceManagementDepartment:(707)565-1900http://www.sonoma-county.org/prmd/

Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) §�0� Certifica-tions under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA):RWQCB§401certificationsregulateprojectsthatmayresultinapollutantdischargetoawaterbody.Dischargesarenotlimitedtotypicalconstructionmaterials;theyalsoincludesedimentintheformofdust,mud,andsilt.TheRWQCBhastherighttoauthorize,waive,ordenyprojectsinordertoprotecttheState’swaterbodies.Whenevera§404permitisneededfromtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers,a§401certificationisalsorequired.

SanFranciscoBayRegion(510)622-2330http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/

California Department of fish and Game (CDfG) §��0� Streambed Alteration Agreement under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA):Under§1600etseq.oftheCaliforniaFishandGameCode,CDFGhasjurisdictionoveranyactivityinacreekorriverwhereanexistingfishorwildliferesourceexistsorwheresuchresourcesderivebenefit.Proj-ectsaffectingorpotentiallyaffectingfishandwildlifemustobtainanagreementfromCDFG,whichusuallyimposesconditionstoprotecttheenvironment.Projectareaswithspecialstatus(endangered,threatened,orrare)speciesrequireadditionalprotectionmeasures.TheCDFGweb-


siteprovidesaccesstoinformationaboutspecialstatusspeciesthroughtheCaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase(CNDDB)USGSquadmaps.Thesemapsprovidegeneralinformationforaregionalareaandareastartingpointforresearchingprotectedspecies.

StateHeadquarters:(916)445-0411BayDeltaRegion3:(707)944-5500http://www.dfg.ca.gov/1600/http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/html/cnddb.html

State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality:CompliancewiththeNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)oftheCleanWaterActrequiresapermitforstormwaterdis-chargesassociatedwithconstructionactivity.Constructionactivitydoesnotincluderoutinemaintenancetore-establishoriginallineandgrade,hydrauliccapacity,ororiginalpurposeofafacility,nordoesitapplytoemergencyconstructionactivitiesrequiredtoprotectpublichealthandsafety.Forconstructionprojectsdisturbinganareagreaterthanoneacre,aNoticeofIntent(NOI)mustbefiledandaStormwaterPollutionPreven-tionPlan(SWPPP)mustbepreparedandkeptonsite.TheSWPPPisusedtodeterminethescopeoftheconstructionactivityandidentifyBestMan-agementPractices(BMPs)topreventpollutantsfromenteringstormwater.

StateWaterResourcesControlBoardGeneralLine(916)341-5250DivisionofWaterQuality(916)341-5536http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/stormwtr/construction.html

State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights:TheDivisionofWaterRights(DWR)hastheauthoritytoissuewaterrightsappropriationsorregistrationstolandownersforavarietyofprojects,includingsmallreservoirs.DWRregulateswaterlicensesforwatertakenfromasurfaceorundergroundflowaswellasthestorageofthewater.

DivisionofWaterRights(916)341-5300http://www.waterrights.ca.gov/forms/

California Coastal Commission (CCC): San francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC):Workincoastalwaterbodiesrequiresadditionalauthorization.BCDCjurisdictionincludesallofSanFranciscoBay,definedtoincludelandswith-inthefirst100feetinlandfromtheshoreline,includingsometributaries.


BCDCregulatesavarietyofactionsthatincludeconstruction,remodel-ing,orrepairofastructure,gradingorsubdivisionofproperty,substantialchangeinuseofaproperty,dredging,ortheplacementofsolidmaterialinthebay.Inaddition,theCCCrequiresapermitfordevelopmentwithinthecoastalzone.Yourlocalplanningofficeshouldbeabletoassistwithcoastalzonepermits.

BayConservationandDevelopmentCommission(415)352-3600http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/

CaliforniaCoastalCommissionHeadquarters(415)904-5200http://www.coastal.ca.gov/cdp/cdp-forms.html

u.S. Army Corps of Engineers §�0� Permits under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act:TheCorpsregulatesthereleaseofdredgedorfillmaterialtoanychan-nelortributarytoachannelthatisanavigablewateroftheUSorthathasrealorpotentialinterstatecommercevalue.Dischargesincludesedimentorrockaswellasotherpollutants.Bydefinition,achannelisawatercoursewithabedandbankandanordinaryhighwatermark.Whileourcreeksareoftennotconsiderednavigablewaters,theymostlydraintonavigablewaters(includingSanFrancisco,SanPabloandTomalesBays),resultinginaneedforconsultationwiththeCorps.

ArmyCorpsofEngineersSanFranciscoDistrictOffice(415)977-8659http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries:NOAArequirespermitsforactivitiesaffectingthreatenedandendangeredmarineandanadromousfishspeciesundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct.

u.S. fish and Wildlife Service (uSfWS):TheUSFWS,partoftheDepartmentoftheInterior,requirespermitsforactivitiesaffectingthreatenedandendangeredfishandwildlifespeciesundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct.

Withsuchadauntinglistofpotentialregulationsthatmayaffectyourproject,landownersmaybetemptedtoworkwithoutthebenefitofpermits.Don’tdoit!Violatorsincurfinesforillegalwork,mustrepairworktosatisfyregulators,andmayberequiredtomediatefordamagedonetotheenvironment.


WHeRe To GeT MoRe Help

ORGANIZATIONSThefollowingorganizationsprovideinformationand,insomecases,on-siteassistancewithidentifyingandrepairingerosionproblems.

County and City Public Works and Planning Departments:Thesearegoodstartingplacestofindoutaboutlocalreg-ulationsandpermits.Theyarealsogoodsourcesofaerialphotographs,resourceinventoriesandmaps,regionalknow-howandreferencesforadditionalinformation.

Marin County Public Works: (415)499-6528http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PW/Main/index.cfm

Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department:(707)565-1900http://www.sonoma-county.org/prmd/

Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program:MarinCounty’swebsitehasinformationforstreamsandstormwater-relatedissueswithresourcesandlinksforlocalandgeneraluse.(415)499-6528http://www.mcstoppp.org/

Resource Conservation Districts:MostCaliforniacountieshaveoneormoreRCDsthatofferassistancetoagriculturallandownersforprojects

thatbenefitwaterandsoilresources.RCDsoftenfundwatershed-widestudiesandindividuallandownerprojectsincooperationwithmanylocal,state,andfederalagencies.

MarinandSonomaCountyRCDs:http://www.sonomamarinrcds.org/MarinRCD(415)663-1170SouthernSonomaRCD(707)794-1242SotoyomeRCD(707)569-1448GoldRidgeRCD(707)874-2907

EastandWestLakeRCD(707)263-4180

MendocinoCountyRCD(707)468-9223

CaliforniaAssociationofRCDs:http://www.carcd.org/

uSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): NRCScanprovidetechnicalspecifications;informationaboutpossiblefinancialassistancefromgovernmentcost-sharingprograms;soilsinformation;on-siteadviceonselectinganappropriaterepair;andhelpwithfindingacontractor,consultantorunusualmaterials.Theyusu-allyhavewell-stockedlibrariesoftheirownpublicationsandothererosioncontrolreferences.Localofficeshaveavailabletothemgeologists,engineers,wildlifebiologists,agronomistsandahostofotherspecialistsattheserviceofthepublic.(707)794-1242,PetalumaFieldOfficehttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/


university of California Cooperative Extension (uCCE) university of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Department: UCCEoffersawealthofresearchandexpertisetothepublic.Theyhaveofficesinmostcountieswithadvi-sorsforfarms,4-H,nutrition,familyandconsumersciences.MasterGardenersareavailabletoassistwithgardening,plantresources,andpestcontrol.Extensionstaffmakesitevisitstohelpwithspecificproblems,offerfinancialassistance,andextensivelibrariesforthepublic.(415)499-4204,Marin(707)526-6797,Sonomahttp://ucanr.org/index.cfm

California Division of Mines and Geology: Thisgroupoffersagoldmineofmapsandreportsonlandslidesandrelatedgeologicalfeaturesthatbothaffectandhelpexplainerosionproblems.AlistofpublicationsandpricesisavailablefromtheDepart-mentofConservation,DivisionofMinesandGeology,PublicationsandInformationOffice,P.O.Box298O,Sacramento,CA95812,(916)445-5716.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):TheEPAhasawealthofinformationpertainingtowater-shedsontheirwebsite.Theirnon-pointsourcepollutionpagehasbackgroundinformationaswellastechnicalreportsandlinkstoadditionalresources.GeneralInfor-mation(WashingtonDC)(202)566-1155,EnvironmentalInformationCentertollfree(866)EPA-WESTNon-pointsource:http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/categories.htmlGeneralwatershed:http://www.epa.gov/owow/

fishNet�C: TheFisheryNetworkoftheCentralCali-forniaCoastalCountieshasawebsitecontaininginfor-mationonlocalprojectsinthelocalareaandgreatlinkstootherhelpfulsites.MarinCountyFishnetProject(415)499-7331http://fishnet4c.org/index.html

uS fish and Wildlife Service (uSfWS):AlsopartoftheDepartmentoftheInterior,USFWScanprovideinformationonthreatenedandendangeredspecies,andonenhancingandprotectingwildanimalhabitat.(800)344-WILDhttp://www.fws.gov/

uS forestry Service (uSfS): AnotherServiceoftheDe-partmentofAgriculture,USFShasdonemuchpioneer-ingresearchonerosioncontrolmethods.Theyhavemanyfinepublicationsavailabledescribingerosionproblemsandpracticalwaystofixthem.DCoffice:(202)205-8333,PacificSouthwestRegion(707)562-8737http://www.fs.fed.us/

uS Geological Survey (uSGS): PartoftheDepartmentoftheInterior,USGSstudiesandinventoriesgeologicalandrelatedresources.Theyhaveawealthofmaps,aerialphotos,infraredphotosandmanyotherusefullandmanagementtools.CaliforniaWaterScienceCenter(916)278-3000,WesternRegionalOffices(650)853-8300http://www.usgs.gov/

Russian River Watershed Directory: TheSotoyomeRCDhasreleasedadirectoryofusefulreferencesforwatershed-relatedworkintheirdistrict.ManylistingsextendbeyondSonomaCountyandcouldbeusedtodeterminewhathelpisavailabletoyou.(707)569-1448http://sotoyomercd.org/publications.htm

SELECTEDREFERENCESThefollowingisbynomeansanexhaustivelist,butitshouldgetyoustarted.

River Science and Management

1. Downs,PeterW.andKennethJ.Gregory.2004.River Channel Management: Towards Sustainable Catchment Hydrosystems.OxfordUniversityPress.


2. Dunne,ThomasandLunaLeopold.1978.Water in Environmental Planning.W.H.Freeman,Inc.

3. KansasStateConservationCommission.Kansas River and Stream Corridor Management Guide.Thiswellwrittenguideisawonderfulprimeronriversystems,dynamics,anderosioncontrol.Availablefreeonline.http://www.accesskansas.org/kscc/KSRiversGuide.pdf

4. Leopold,Luna.1996.A View of the River.HarvardUniversityPress.

5. Leopold,Luna,GordonWolmanandJohnMiller.1964.Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology.W.H.Freeman,Inc.

6. Leopold,Luna.1997.Water, Rivers and Creeks.UniversityScienceBooks.

7. Riley,AnnL.2003.A Primer on Stream and River Protection for the Regulator and Program Manager.TechnicalReferenceCircularW.D.02-#1.SanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard.Anoutstandingandaccessibleresourceforregulators,publiclandmanagersandanyoneinterestedinhowriversworkandhowhumandevelopmentaffectsnaturalprocesses.

8. Riley,AnnL.1998.Restoring Streams in Cities: A Guide for Planners, Policymakers, and Citizens.IslandPress.

9. Rosgen,Dave.1994.Applied River Morphology.WildlandHydrology.

Erosion and Bioengineering

10. Soil SurveysofmostcountiesareavailablefromtheNaturalResourcesConservationService.Thesemapdifferentsoiltypesanddescribetheirprop-ertiesinrelationtoconstruction,septicsystems,plantgrowth,erodibility,wildlifehabitat,recre-ationaluseandmanyotherfactors.

11. CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame.1998withupdatedsections.California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Handbook.Thisguidecontainsbackgroundandtechniquesforthoseinterestedinrestorationoffish-bearingstreams.WrittenbystaffofCDFG,thisistheplacetobeginresearchforfish-friendlyrestoration.Availablefreeonlineorbymailforashippingchargeof$7.http://www.dfg.ca.gov/nafwb/manual.html

12. Eubanks,EllenandDexterMeadows.2002.A Soil Bioengineering Guide for Streambank and Lake-shore Stabilization,U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureForestService.Thisstunningguideisaneasytoreadanddetailedguidetostreamsandbioengi-neering.Contentsincludebackground,planning,andtechniques.Availablefreeonline.http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/soil-bio-guide/

13. Gray,DonaldH.andRobbinSotir.1996.Biotech-nical and Soil Bioengineering Slope Stabilization: A Practical Guide for Erosion Control.JohnRileyandSons,Inc.NewYork,NY.Principles,repairconsiderations,techniquesandmethodsforbioen-gineerederosioncontrol.

14. Heede,BurchardH.1976.Gully Development and Control: The Status of Our Knowledge.U.S.D.A.ForestService.ResearchPaperRM-169.RockyMountainForestandRangeExp.Station,Ft.Collins,CO8O521.ThisisoneofmanypublicationsbyHeedebasedonhisextensiveexperimentsonrepairinggullies.Containsspeci-ficationsformanytypesofcheckdam.

15. Kraebel.CharlesJ.andA.F.Pillsbury.1934.Reissued1980.Handbook of Erosion Control in Mountain Meadows.USForestService.Clear,down-to-earthexplanationsofhowgulliesgrowandhowtorepairthem.Includesspecificationforwillowsprigging,wattling,andbrushcheckdams.


16. Lowdermilk,W.C.1953,Revised1975.Conquest of the Land through 7000 Years.USDASoilConser-vationService,Ag.Info.Bull.No.99.Adelightfullywrittenandfascinating(thoughsobering)accountofhowsoilerosionhaseradicatedmanyancientcities,andevenentirecivilizations.

17. NaturalResourceConservationService(SoilConser-vationService).1992.Engineering Field Handbook.Chapter16,StreambankandShorelineandChapter18,SoilBioengineeringforUplandSlopeProtec-tionandErosionReductionareespeciallyuseful.Availablefreeonline.http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/EFH-Ch16.pdfhttp://www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/EFH-Ch18.pdf

18. Schiechtl,Hugo.1980.Bioengineering for Land Reclamation and Conservation.UniversityofAlbertaPress,Edmonton,Alberta.Acreativeandhistoriclookatbiotechnicalerosioncontrol,fullofintriguingmethods.

Plants

19. Best,Catherine,et.al.1996.A Flora of Sonoma County.CaliforniaNativePlantSociety.

20. CaliforniaNativePlantSociety:http://www.cnps.org/

21. Faber,PhyllisandRobertF.Holland.1988.Common Riparian Plants of California.PickleweedPress.

22. Howell,J.T.1970.Marin Flora.UniversityofCaliforniaPress,Berkeley.

23. Schmidt,Marjorie.1980.Growing California Native PlantsUniversityofCaliforniaPress,Berkeley.

24. Sunset Western Garden Book.1995.SunsetPub-lishingCorporation.

25. Young,JamesA.andCherylG.Young.1992.Seeds of Woody Plants in North America.DioscoridesPress(animprintofTimberPress).Detailedtextanddrawingsdescribingcollection,germination,andtheplantingofwoodyplantsfromseed.

Several informative and free booklets available from MCSTOPPP:

26. Creek Care, A Guide for Urban Marin Residents.

27. GO NATIVE, Using Native Plants for Your Yard, Patio, Creek.

28. Invasive Weeds of Marin and Sonoma Counties,bytheMarinSonomaWeedManagementArea.

Roads

29. California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual.See#11

30. FishNet4C.2004.Guidelines for Protecting Aquatic Habitat and Salmon Fisheries for County Road Maintenance.WrittenforCountyandagencyroadsstaff,thisresourceoffersbackgroundandBMPsforroadmaintenancenearsalmonidhabitat.

31. MarinMunicipalWaterDistricthasdevelopedaMemorandumofUnderstandingforthemainte-nanceandmanagementofunpavedroadsintheLagunitasCreekWatershed.Thefocusistoreducesedimentonunpavedroads.Availableonline.http://www.marinwater.org/

32. Weaver,WilliamE,andDannyK.Hagans.Hand-book for Forest and Ranch Roads: A guide for planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, maintaining and closing wildland roads.Anindis-pensableresourceforconstructingandmaintainingranchandfireroads.AvailablefromtheMendocinoRCD,http://mcrcd.org/


New Construction

33. BayAreaStormwaterManagementAgenciesAssociation.Start at the Source: Design Guidance Manual for Stormwater Quality Protection.Thishelpfulguidesuggestsvariousmethodsforreducingrunoffonpropertiesfromhomestolargeindustrialcomplexes.Availablefreeonline.http://www.basmaa.org/documents/index.cfm?fuseaction=documents&doctypeID=3

34. CalTranshasextensiveinformationaboutstormwaterbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)andstormwaterpollutionpreventionplans(SWPPPs)ontheirwebsite.ASWPPPtemplateisavailableforpublicuse.http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/construc/stormwater/manuals.htm

35. SanFranciscoRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard.1996.Erosion and Sediment Control Field Manual.ThismanualborrowsheavilyfromtheCalTransBMPstocondensetheinformationandmakeforamoreuser-friendlyguide.http://www.informinc.org/cwp2Field_Manual.pdf

Livestock and Erosion

36. AlamedaCountyRCDhasaseriesoffactsheetsforhorseowners.http://www.acrcd.org/eqine.html

37. Anderson,M.K.2005.Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California’s Natural Resources.UniversityofCaliforniaPress,Berkeley.

38. Buckman,Allan.WildlifeFriendlyFencingGuidelines.Availableonline.http://www.nswg.org/april05fencing.htm

39. Edwards,S.W.1992.“Observations on the Prehistory and Ecology of Grazing in California.”Fremontia20:3-11

40. MarinResourceConservationDistrict.2005.Managing Riparian Pastures in the Marin Resource Conservation District.

41. SotoyomeResourceConservationDistrict.2006.Grazing Handbook: A Guide for Resource Managers in Coastal California.TextbyLisaBush.AvailablefromtheSotoyomeRCD.http://sotoyomercd.org/index.html

Landslides

ContactUSGSandNRCS(above)foradditionalresources.NRCSlikelyhasmanyofthesereferencesintheirlibrary.

42. CADivisionofMinesandGeology.1986.Landslide Hazards in the Southeastern Part of the Petaluma Dairy Belt, Sonoma County, California.OpenFileReport86-5SF.

43. Huffman,M.E.andC.F.Armstrong.1980.Geology for Planning in Sonoma County,byCADivisionofMinesandGeology,SpecialReport120.

44. Rice,S.J.andG.B.Chase.1973.Geology and Geologic Hazards of the Novato Area, Marin County,byCADivisionofMinesandGeology.PreliminaryReport21.

Wildlife

45. Kreitinger,KimandTomGardali.2006.Bringing the Birds Back: A Guide to Habitat Enhancement in Riparian and Oak Woodlands for the North Bay Region.CaliforniaPartnersinFlightRegionalBirdConservationPlanNo.1.http://www.prbo.org/calpif/pdfs/north_bay.pdf

46. Guidelines for Protecting Aquatic Habitat and Salmon Fisheries for County Road Maintenance.See#30.


47. House,Freeman.1999.Totem Salmon: Life Lessons from Another Species.Abeautifulbookabouttheintertwinedlivesofpeopleandsalmon,andtheefforttorestoretheMattoleRiver.Thebookendswith,“Thereisnoseparatelife.”

48. MarinMunicipalWaterDistricthasdevelopedamemorandumofunderstandingregardinglargewoodydebrisintheLagunitasCreekwatershed.TheMOUoutlinesclear,informativelanguageaboutthebenefitsofwoodydebrisincreeks.Availableonline.http://www.marinwater.org/

49. Wildlifefriendlyfencingguidelines.See#38

Several websites offer images and information:

50. AmericanFisheriesSociety:http://www.afs-calneva.org./

51. TheAudubonSociety:http://www.audubon.org/

52. MarinChapter:http://www.marinaudubon.org/

53. Madrone(SonomaCounty)Chapter:http://audubon.sonoma.net/

54. CalPhotosisawebcollectionofphotosofwild-life,plants,landscape,andpeopleandculture.Photoscanbesearchedbytype,nameandloca-tionmakingidentificationalittleeasier.http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/

55. NorthernCaliforniaHerpetologySociety:http://www.norcalherp.com/

56. PointReyesBirdObservatory:http://www.prbo.org

57. SFBayAreaChapterofTheWildlifeSociety:http://www.tws-west.org/bayarea/index.htm

58. TheXercesSocietyforInvertebrateConservation:http://www.xerces.org/

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