FishNet 4C Projects — Streambank Restoration
The historic practice of locating roads alongside of creeks has left our coastal counties with a legacy of road related sediment problems. Road slipouts and slides may undermine or collapse stream banks, with the potential to add unwanted sediment into the stream. Streambank failures can cause harm to riparian vegetation, which provides important wood, shade and shelter for young salmon.
FishNet Counties have come a long way from the traditional approach of stabilizing
streambanks with rip rap. Chapter 6.4 Streambank Stabilization, in the FishNet
manual Guidelines for Protecting Aquatic
Habitat for County Road Maintenance, directs counties to use bioengineering
techniques when stabilizing stream banks. Bioengineering involves the use of natural
materials to stabilize banks, such as compacted soil layered with willow stakes and other riparian
plantings, in conjunction with rock where needed. This alternate approach creates
habitat while also protecting the streambank and road.
STREAMBANK RESTORATION PROJECTS
Gazos Creek Emergency Slide Repair; San Mateo County Public Works
View photo series (pdf) of a bioengineered emergency streambank repair project using rootwad boulders, rock and revegetation. Good work San Mateo Public Works!
Zayante Creek Bioengineered Willow Wall: An educational restoration project
for Santa Cruz County Public Works, 2003
In order to learn bioengineering techniques first hand, roads crew members
rotated in daily during construction of a large bioengineered streambank
repair. Layered terraces with willow stakes create a “brush mattress” wall,
that eventually sprouts roots and holds tightly to the road bank. As
willows and other plants fill in, the streambank returns to natural habitat,
providing shade and shelter for fish while also protecting the road.
View
Zayante Creek project installation
Santa Cruz Public Works wins 2nd Place at 2003 EarthVision Environmental
Film Festival
Connie Silva,
film maker and public works employee, did not suspect that the county documentary
on salmon and stream restoration would win awards, but it has! The film
and a two day workshop were part of the grant that funded the Zayante Creek
project.
Our Streams, Our Roads, Our Future - Zayante Creek Streambank Stabilization Project – View film footage at:
SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY
Copeland Creek Restoration Project – This project restored the creek channel along approximately 6,000 feet of Copeland Creek, which was intensively grazed by cattle for over a century. Starting in 1999, the project was implemented in four phases. The fourth and final phase of construction was completed during fall 2003. The project aimed to stabilize banks, decrease creek sediment load, fence and exclude cattle from the creek, and improve habitat for steelhead and other native fish and wildlife.
See photos from
these streambank restoration projects.
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