Rialto Channel

San Bernardino County Flood Control District

Ecological Resource Specialist

Cactus Basins Improvement ProjectWithin the City of RialtoSouth of the 210

Freeway, north of Baseline Road, west of Cactus Avenue

To meet the flood control needs of the surrounding community an improvement project has been proposed to increase the flood attenuation.

Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectFlows originate in

the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and flow to the Cal Trans Intercept Channel to Cactus Channel to Cactus Basins 3, 2, 1 to Rialto Channel and then finally the Santa Ana River

Cactus Basin Improvement Project• Former sand and

gravel pits north of Basin 3 are proposed to be expanded to Cactus Basin 4 and 5 Cactus Channel will be

absorbed into Cactus Basin 4 & 5

Attenuate flows Possible water

percolation

Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectImpacts

Riparian vegetation and mulefat scrub Least Bell’s vireo habitat

Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrubSan Bernardino Kangaroo Rat

1 male captured in 2001, 2006 and then again in 2012 (hopefully not the same guy)

Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectOn-site Mitigation

Restoration similar to Cucamonga Basin #6 Riversidean alluvial

fan sage scrub on slopes

Riparian and mulefat along basin bottom

Wetland vegetation in wetted areas Cucamonga Basin #6 in the City of Upland

Cactus Basin Improvement ProjectOff-site Mitigation

45 acres of Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub Required by 1988 EIR

Conservation easement over Rialto Channel and the confluence with the Santa Ana River

Riparian vegetation Mulefat scrub Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub Santa Ana Sucker Santa Ana woolly star Least Bell’s vireo habitat

Rialto Channel conservation area

Rialto Channel conservation areaMajority of the

consistent flows originate from the City of San Bernardino RIX facility

Only known spawning habitat of the Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae)

Rialto Channel - MitigationConservation Easement

Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring Plan Annual

non-native/Invasive plant management

Annual non-native fish removal

Annual non-native amphibian removal

Maintenance activities identified Minimization measures Agency partnerships

Rialto Channel - Up to nowRelatively no regular maintenance activities

Emergency drivenLimited planningImmediate to no consultation Partnerships based on availability

October 2004 StormsMassive damage to

the east side of Rialto Channel

Edison lines undermined

Ungrouted rock destroyed habitats downstream

October 2004 Storms

October 2004 Storms

2010 FloodsSeveral large storm

events caused massive damage throughout San Bernardino County and more were predicted. Two large trees were knocked down and blocking the main flow path downstream of La Cadena.

Operation staff felt removal was essential to prevent a repeat of the 2004 flooding

2010 FloodsWe consulted

quickly with USFWS and in coordination with RCRCD, ACOE and CDFW and agreed that trees should be removed

2012 Invasive Plant RemovalCoordination with

RCRCD, CDFW and USFWS and Cal Fire

Non-native vegetation removal

Non-native fish removal

2012 Invasive Plant RemovalSan Bernardino

County Flood Control District removed 33 tons of non-native vegetation from the channelCastor beanTree of heavenEucalyptusFan PalmChinaberry

2012 Invasive Plant Removal2 native trees were

removed which were completely blocking flows and fish passage

Trash was picked up by Cal Fire crewsSeveral shopping

cartsCar bumpersPlastic bags

Unexpected - 2012 Non-native fish removalYellow bullhead

catfishGambusia

Photo courtesy of Tennessee Wildlife ResourcesAgency

2013 Nesting bird surveysMultiple pairs of

least Bell’s vireo in channel

Bull frog have never been

heard before in Rialto Channel

Non-native vegetation resprouting

Upcoming focusSecuring a third

party to hold conservation easement and start management activities

Continue open lines of communication with agency partnerships

Continuing challengesAquatic predatorsNon-native / invasive

plantsUpstream trash

impactsUnauthorized

impacts due to fishing, off-road traffic, trash dumping.

Questions