Indian Creek channel rehabilitation project completed!
This is the fourth channel rehabilitation project area, and a total of eight individual
sites, constructed by the Trinity River Restoration Program to enhance river processes
and increase fisheries habitat downstream of Lewiston Dam. The project location is near Douglas City, California, upstream and downstream of the Indian Creek delta on the Trinity River. In addition to increasing juvenile salmonid rearing habitat, the project is also expected to lower upstream flood elevations.
(mouse over for additional photos) |
||||
Gravel processing |
Large wood placement |
Thicket and berm removal |
Berm notching |
Completed side channel |
| Notice of Preparation (NOP) final draft [PDF - 70 kb] |
|
| NOP Figure 1 Vicinity [PDF - 171 kb] |
|
| NOP Figure 2 Location [PDF - 230 kb] |
|
| The Indian Creek Suite of Rehabilitation Sites: Trinity River EA/Draft EIR - A public scoping meeting was held on February 8, 2006. The EA/Draft EIR public review period closed September 18, 2006.
Indian Creek Revised Environmental Assessment/Recirculated Partial Environmental Impact Report, November 14, 2006 announcement letter. Indian Creek Supplemental EA/ Recirculated Partial Draft EIR - A 45 day review period started on December 29, 2006 and closed on February 13, 2007. |
|
| Indian Creek Rehabilitation Site:
Trinity River Mile 93.7 to 96.5 FONSI-EA/Final EIR (2 pdf files) FONSI, Cover letter, Table of Contents, and Chapter 1: Introduction [PDF - 1mb] Chapter 2: Response to comments, Chapter 3: Changes to the EA/EIR, Chapter 4: Mitigation Monitoring & reporting Program [PDF - 3.8mb] |
|
Notice of Preparation Comment Period: A thirty day public review period for the Notice of Preparation (NOP) started on January 20 and ended on February 21, 2006. The purpose of this comment period was to provide interested agencies and the public with an opportunity to learn about the Project and to solicit comments to assist the Lead Agencies in identifying the range of actions, alternatives, mitigation measures, and environmental effects to be analyzed in the joint EA/Draft EIR. The County, as the state Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other agencies will use this EA/Final EIR when considering proposed actions, permits, and/or other approvals for the Project.
Public Scoping Meeting: A public scoping meeting was held on February 8, 2006 at the Weaverville Library. Information on the Project was presented and comments on the scope of the joint EA/Draft EIR accepted. Public announcement of the meeting was made in Weaverville's local newspaper, the Trinity Journal, and by letter to local landowners adjacent to the Project area.
I. Project Background
The Trinity River Record of Decision (ROD) requires that the TRRP address flooding of structures caused by ROD releases.
From the 2000 Trinity River Mainstem Fishery Restoration Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (TRMFR EIS/EIR): Appendix C: Implementation Plan:
Structures at risk include at least one home, a number of mobile homes and trailers, various outbuildings and portions of access roads. Other improvements such as campgrounds, satellite dishes, garden and animal enclosures, mining operations and water systems would also be affected (USBR, 2000). Recognizing that implementation of the flows identified in the Preferred Alternative may affect these properties, mitigation measures may be appropriate and will be determined on a case by case basis. Affected land owners will be contacted, and right-of-entry and property modifications agreements negotiated to allow control surveys of structures.
From the TRMFR EIS/EIR 2000 Record of Decision (ROD):
Infrastructure improvements or modifications, including rebuilding or fortifying bridges and addressing other structures affected by the peak instream flows provided by this ROD.
Reclamation will take appropriate steps in a timely manner to ensure that affected bridges, houses, and out-buildings are structurally improved or relocated or otherwise addressed before implementing recommended peak releases for Wet or Extremely Wet water years (8,500 and 11,000 cfs, respectively).
This was the first TRRP channel rehabilitation project that will have substantial flow protection benefits to adjacent properties and structures. The Project was planned for summer 2007construction. Structures and other private improvements in the Douglas City area, and elsewhere, will continue to be addressed by the TRRP on a case-by-case basis.
II. Indian Creek Rehabilitation Project: Trinity River Mile 93.7 to 96.5 - Description
The Indian Creek Rehabilitation Project: Trinity River Mile 93.7 to 96.5 was the fourth channel rehabilitation project to be built that works together to enhance river processes and increase fisheries habitat downstream of Lewiston Dam. The Project is located upstream and downstream of the Indian Creek delta on the Trinity River near Douglas City, California.
In addition to berm and vegetation removal, floodplain lowering, feathering selected river edges (10:1 slope), and revegetation, the TRRP defined additional treatment activities for potential implementation within the Project that targeted enhancement of river processes and creation of juvenile fish rearing habitat. These activities included lowering the floodplain for inundation between 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 6,000 cfs, excavation of the Indian Creek delta, and development of a high flow side channel just upstream of the mouth of Weaver Creek on the Trinity River. These activities not only increase fisheries habitat, but are also expected to lower upstream flood elevations.
The Project purpose and need was to provide increased juvenile salmonid rearing habitat on the mainstem Trinity River and to reduce flow impacts to homes and other human improvements located adjacent to the Trinity River, from implementation of ROD flows.
Preliminary modeling indicates that there will be reduced flow impacts from ROD flows to infrastructure in the Douglas City/Indian Creek vicinity now that the Indian Creek project is completed. Implementation of the Indian Creek project was in coordination with the TRRP's ongoing infrastructure improvement work to meet flood protection requirements specified in the Implementation Plan and the ROD.
The TRRP continues to evaluate the flood risk to structures with ROD releases and to resolve these, in compliance with environmental laws, on a case by case basis.
References
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Hoopa Valley Tribe, and Trinity County. 2000. Trinity River Mainstem Fishery Restoration Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report. October 2000. State Clearinghouse No. 1994123009.
Map - Indian Creek Rehabilitation Project
