Rialto Channel

Rialto ChannelSan Bernardino County Flood Control District

Ecological Resource Specialist

Cactus Basins Improvement ProjectWithin the City of RialtoSouth of the 210 Freeway, north of Baseline Road, west of Cactus AvenueTo meet the flood control needs of the surrounding community an improvement project has been proposed to increase the flood attenuation.

Cactus Basin Improvement Project

Flows originate in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and flow to the Cal Trans Intercept Channel to Cactus Channel to Cactus Basins 3, 2, 1 to Rialto Channel and then finally the Santa Ana River

Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectFormer sand and gravel pits north of Basin 3 are proposed to be expanded to Cactus Basin 4 and 5Cactus Channel will be absorbed into Cactus Basin 4 & 5Attenuate flowsPossible water percolation

Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectImpactsRiparian vegetation and mulefat scrubLeast Bells vireo habitatRiversidean alluvial fan sage scrubSan Bernardino Kangaroo Rat1 male captured in 2001, 2006 and then again in 2012 (hopefully not the same guy)Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectOn-site MitigationRestoration similar to Cucamonga Basin #6Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub on slopesRiparian and mulefat along basin bottomWetland vegetation in wetted areas

Cucamonga Basin #6 in the City of UplandCactus Basin Improvement ProjectOff-site Mitigation45 acres of Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrubRequired by 1988 EIRConservation easement over Rialto Channel and the confluence with the Santa Ana River Riparian vegetation Mulefat scrubRiversidean alluvial fan sage scrubSanta Ana SuckerSanta Ana woolly starLeast Bells vireo habitatRialto Channel conservation area

Rialto Channel conservation areaMajority of the consistent flows originate from the City of San Bernardino RIX facilityOnly known spawning habitat of the Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae)

Rialto Channel - MitigationConservation EasementHabitat Maintenance and Monitoring PlanAnnual non-native/Invasive plant managementAnnual non-native fish removalAnnual non-native amphibian removalMaintenance activities identifiedMinimization measuresAgency partnerships

Rialto Channel - Up to nowRelatively no regular maintenance activitiesEmergency drivenLimited planningImmediate to no consultation Partnerships based on availabilityOctober 2004 StormsMassive damage to the east side of Rialto ChannelEdison lines underminedUngrouted rock destroyed habitats downstream

October 2004 Storms

October 2004 Storms

2010 FloodsSeveral large storm events caused massive damage throughout San Bernardino County and more were predicted. Two large trees were knocked down and blocking the main flow path downstream of La Cadena.Operation staff felt removal was essential to prevent a repeat of the 2004 flooding

152010 FloodsWe consulted quickly with USFWS and in coordination with RCRCD, ACOE and CDFW and agreed that trees should be removed

2012 Invasive Plant RemovalCoordination with RCRCD, CDFW and USFWS and Cal FireNon-native vegetation removalNon-native fish removal

2012 Invasive Plant RemovalSan Bernardino County Flood Control District removed 33 tons of non-native vegetation from the channelCastor beanTree of heavenEucalyptusFan PalmChinaberry

2012 Invasive Plant Removal2 native trees were removed which were completely blocking flows and fish passageTrash was picked up by Cal Fire crewsSeveral shopping cartsCar bumpersPlastic bags

Unexpected - 2012 Non-native fish removalYellow bullhead catfishGambusia

Photo courtesy of Tennessee Wildlife ResourcesAgency2013 Nesting bird surveysMultiple pairs of least Bells vireo in channelBull frog have never been heard before in Rialto ChannelNon-native vegetation resprouting

Upcoming focusSecuring a third party to hold conservation easement and start management activitiesContinue open lines of communication with agency partnerships

Continuing challengesAquatic predatorsNon-native / invasive plantsUpstream trash impactsUnauthorized impacts due to fishing, off-road traffic, trash dumping.

Questions