Diversion of Streamflow for Habitat Creation Projects: A Watershed Management Approach

As an element within watershed management activities, habitat creation and opportunities for habitat enhancement within urban watersheds are typically constrained by development that is directly adjacent to the channel's right-of-way—development that precludes channel widening due to the associated cost of real estate. However, multi-objective projects that include habitat creation may be implemented at various locations adjacent to rivers and streams through the diversion of streamflow into pockets of available rights-of-way. The current paper discusses this opportunity and its application to a habitat project within Mason Park in the County of Orange, California.