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REPAIRING HEADCUTS IN UPLANDS AND INCISED STREAM CHANNELS IN CALIFORNIA'S INNER COAST RANGE
Author
Thomsen, Craig D.
Claassen, Vic P.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2015
Body

Accelerated soil erosion, gully formation, and stream channel entrenchment undermine hydrologic function, rangeland productivity, and wildlife habitat. On Bureau of Land Management's 13,000-acre Cache Creek Natural Area in western Colusa County, CA, anthropogenic disturbances have created unstable watershed conditions, warranting rehabilitation efforts. Within our 200-acre project area, we documented 39 active headcuts, extensive gullying, sedimentation, and degraded riparian zones. Our goal was to stabilize eroding sites by using a variety of innovative rock structures that provide grade control, protect landforms, capture sediment, retain soil moisture and facilitate revegetation. We designed and installed 51 structures including One Rock Dams, Zuni Bowls, Rock Mulch Rundowns, Rock Mattresses, Media Lunas, and Check Dams. We based our designs on channel morphology, stream flow intensity, and educational opportunities for stakeholders. Following first-year storm runoff events, we evaluated the integrity of our structures and made repairs as needed. In an upland site, we backfilled gullies to restore natural topography; in creeks, we are relying on natural sedimentation to fill incised channels. To improve site conditions further, we revegetated with native plants. Overall, the structures we installed are providing the watershed rehabilitation function we are seeking. We reduced upland soil erosion from two drainages that were depositing loads of sediment into a wildlife pond. Within an ephemeral creek and associated tributary, scour pools and stream reaches are capturing sediment, enabling channels to regain access to their historic floodplain. At other sites, we are awaiting sufficient flows to evaluate structure effectiveness. Despite two years of intense grasshopper defoliation and three years of drought, our revegetation efforts are providing cover, nesting sites, and food for area wildlife. Our results are encouraging and have wider application for upper watershed rehabilitation and wildlife enhancement projects elsewhere where adequate rock is available.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Sacramento, CA
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts