Creeks and Watersheds

The Conservation Partnership has worked closely with other partners in the area to illustrate alternative stream restoration practices on several bioengineering projects. Bioengineering is the use of rocks trees, soil and native plants to help solve erosion problems and to stabilize stream banks. Traditional fixes like concrete, pipe, wire and harder structures impede a stream's natural tendency to change. These structures increase the speed of water as it flows through the stream channel. The result is usually severe erosion further downstream. Bioengineering attempts to imitate the natural stream process by using soil and vegetation to slow the flow and hold soil in place. These techniques also provide wildlife habitat and can contribute to better water quality.

Arroyo de la Laguna

The Conservation Partnership teamed up with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Livermore-Amador Valley’s Zone 7 Water Agency, Alameda County Public Works Agency, Alameda County Water District, and the Dublin San Ramon Services District to plan and fund this $650,000 project. Construction was completed in November, 2006. The project demonstrated the use of bioengineering techniques for stream bank restoration and habitat enhancement in a semi-urban stream setting. Read more...

San Lorenzo Creek Watershed Sediment Reduction and Habitat Enhancement Project

The Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (ACFCWCD) undertook the San Lorenzo Creek Watershed Sediment Reduction and Habitat Enhancement Project as a way to address both water quality and wildlife habitat concerns in the upper watershed. ACRCD hired a San Lorenzo Creek Watershed Coordinator who oversaw coordination of the project and did extensive outreach and education. Creek restoration was completed at three sites with resource concerns that were representative of typical rural/urban challenges to controlling non-point source pollution and erosion in the steep canyons of the upper watershed. Read more...

Mission Creek Non-native Eucalyptus Tree Removal

This project involved the removal of 55 eucalyptus trees from Mission Creek in Fremont. Four Winds Growers, a citrus nursery in Fremont, requested assistance to remove the trees and replant the site with native trees and shrubs. The trunks were re-used as structural components of the Arroyo de la Laguna Project. Partial funding was provided through mitigation funds from a Hayward development project.