Palomares Creek Restoration Project

Palomares Creek Restoration Project

Restoration Project
Streambank protection on Palomares Creek was implemented to
reshape the active stream channel and to protect four sites of active
erosion. Treatment involved removing debris and fill, reshaping the
active stream channel, and installing four bioengineering practices.
The installations included placing 200 cubic yards of rock riprap,
installing a live (vegetated) crib wall, stabilizing a streambank with
rock toe protection and native vegetation, and placing
bioengineering root wads. Native riparian vegetation was replanted
at all four demonstration sites and a recreation trail was incorporated
into the rock toe stabilization and the root wad revetment. This
project was implemented to improve wildlife habitat and water
quality while reducing sedimentation into Don Castro Reservoir. The
site serves as an educational tool and outdoor classroom for
Palomares Elementary School as well as a demonstration site for
economical and effective bioengineering techniques.

Bioengineering Techniques
Completed in October 2002, the Palomares Creek
Restoration focused on 300 linear feet of bank protection
at Palomares Elementary School in Castro Valley. Four
different bioengineering techniques were used here.
Log Crib Wall
Rock Toe
Stabilization
Root Wads
Rip Rap and
Vegetated
Geogrid

Log Crib Wall
This site suffered from severe erosion as evidenced by
the large gully. Every year, soil, plants and runoff from
the trucking yard above were washed into the creek. To
stabilize the bottom of the bank, we used a log crib wall.
The wall is constructed in a way that looks like Lincoln
Logs. These structures are filled with rock, then soil and
then willows are staked into the structure. The slope was
decreased and a new storm drain installed in the truck
yard helped to decrease erosion from above. The bank
was then covered in coir fabric and we planted native
grasses and shrubs to cover the bank. The roots from
these plants and the willows will help hold the soil in
place and provide great habitat for local critters.

Log Crib
Before
Log Crib
After

Log Crib Willows & Scirpus microcarpus

Rock toe stabilization
The steep slopes and non-native vegetation in this site
were harming native plants and degrading the habitat.
The creek was also cutting away at the streambank and
causing erosion. A trench was dug at the bottom of the
bank and rocks were placed inside it. The banks were
then filled in with soil and coir fabric was spread across
the banks. A trail has been built on top of the structure.
allowing the students at Palomares to have access to the
site for maintenance, science experiments and cleanups.
Native grasses and shrubs were planted along the
banks and willows were staked between the rocks as
well.

Rock Toe
Before
Rock Toe & Trail
After

View of Rock Toe and trail.

Root wads
Severe undercutting and erosion
effects were present on the steep creek
banks. Root wads were placed in this
area to help slow the flow and to build
pools for habitat and sediment
settlement. Non-native eucalyptus trees
were buried up to 12 feet in the bank
with the root balls extending into the
creek. Frogs, fish, spiders and other
wildlife have been noted in the area.

Root Wads
Before
Root Wads & Trail
After
Root Wads
Close-up

Vegetated Geogrid & Road
Before
Vegetated Geogrid & Road
After
Vegetated Geogrid
Close-up

Palomares Creek Restoration during a 2002 storm event.

Palomares students, parents
and Conservation Partnership
staff at a weed pulling and
maintenance day event.

Palomares students testing
water quality downstream
from the project site.