International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure 2019
North Fork Matilija Creek: A Model for Environmentally Nuanced Restoration Projects
Publication: International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure 2019: Leading Resilient Communities through the 21st Century
ABSTRACT
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 7 North Fork Matilija Creek (NFMC) Geomorphology, Fish Passage, and Engineering project protects local steelhead trout habitat while repairing erosion along State Route 33. This project was unique as the existing step-pool system provided an excellent rearing habitat for juvenile steelhead. The canyon steepness limited the potential approaches that would be compliant with existing environmental guidelines. Engineers demonstrated that the 5-foot drops outside the design manual recommendations were within the steelheads’ capabilities. After demonstrating that adult fish could pass through the step-pools, further analysis determined that the channel widening would not fill the juvenile rearing pools with sediment. Trees, riparian habitat, and habitat structures were added to keep the stream cool and provide cover and shelter for the fish. The system protects the juvenile fish rearing pools and will help the steelhead population increase within the creek.
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REFERENCES
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure 2019: Leading Resilient Communities through the 21st Century
Pages: 409 - 419
Editors: Mikhail V. Chester, Ph.D., Arizona State University, and Mark Norton, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8265-0
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Nov 4, 2019
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