Sonoma County Participation in FishNet 4C

Mumford Dam Fish Passage and Riparian Restoration
A partnership between the Sonoma County Water Agency, California Department of Fish and Game, Coastal Conservancy, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and American Rivers to provide fish passage over a major barrier to anadromous fish migration on the main stem of the Russian River. See detailed project report with plenty of good photos: http://www.scwa.ca.gov/mumforddam.html

Crocker Creek Dam Removal Project
The objectives of this project were to restore anadromous fish passage to the Crocker Creek watershed and stabilize eroding stream banks in the vicinity of the Crocker Creek Dam. Historically, the Crocker Creek Dam was a concrete buttress dam approximately 30 feet high and 100 feet wide, constructed in the early 1900s. In 1995, the entire northern side of the dam collapsed and the creek upstream of the dam experienced major erosion and collapsed banks as a result of the acute loss of the major grade control structure. The dilapidated dam continued to obstruct fish passage. The project consisted of demolishing the remaining dam and spillway structures, stabilizing the dam abutment, biotechnical channel adjustments, and bank recontouring and revegetation. This fish passage project had its desired effect - adult steelhead were observed spawning above the restored dam area in 2005.

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.
• Copeland Creek Restoration Project Monitoring Plan

Copeland Creek Restoration Project before (left) and after (right).

Sweetwater Springs Fish Passage Project
Double barreled, aging culverts on Sweetwater Springs Road cause a fish passage barrier on Porter Creek. Ranked as #1 highest priority for Sonoma County (Taylor 2002), the project will open up approx. 11,800’ (2 miles) of upstream habitat Replacement with a clear span bridge will be completed Summer 2005. Project funded by the Department of Fish and Game Fisheries Restoration Grants Program.

Tyrone Gulch Bridge Replacement
Twin undersized, culverts blocked fish passage on Tyrone Gulch- a tributary to Dutchbill Creek in West Sonoma County. The Goldridge RCD, with a grant from Fish and Game, collaborated with County Public Works to replace the culverts with a clear span bridge, allowing migration up and downstream for juvenile and adult salominds. Endangered coho salmon have recently been sighted in Dutchbill Creek, making this a high priority for restoration efforts.

See before and after photos

Willow Creek Road and Old Cazadero Road Restoration
Road erosion problems have plagued these two county roads for years. Assistance from Fish and Game and other grants have helped in the past years to tackle major road drainage problems. More work is yet to come, including outsloping sections of road and installing rolling dips and cross drain culverts.

Installation of rolling dips on Willow Creek Road helps to drain water
from the road surface and prevents sedimentation into the creek below.