truckee river restoration
DESCRIPTION
Review of restoration projects along the Truckee RiverTRANSCRIPT
A Stream System in Transition
Michael Josselyn, PhDWRA, Inc.
Why the Truckee River?Small western river—100 miles in lengthImportant water source to Reno and Lake Tahoe area—years of litigationEncompasses alpine to great basin desert biomesFederal, state, local, and tribal interests in restoration
Small western river—100 milesIntrastate and tribal interests—extensive litigation on water rightsEncompasses alpine to basin desert biomesActive restoration efforts by federal, state, local, non‐profits, and tribal agencies
Personal interestLive on the Truckee RiverKayak and float the riverSail on Lake TahoeVolunteer for restoration activities on the riverProfessional activities involve wetland restoration in Truckee watershed
Public uses of the Truckee
Drinking water sourceIntrastate Water Master
Irrigation Agriculture in lower reach
Active RecreationRaftingFishing
Passive recreationTribal uses in Pyramid LakeNumerous agency, public, and non‐profit stakeholders
Changes to watershed since 1850sMultiple timber harvestsIncreased urbanization and impervious surfaceLand clearing for ski resorts/golf coursesFilling and alteration of wetlands and streamsIncreased nutrient loadingIntroduction of invasive speciesDevelopment in flood plain
Habitat loss in upper reaches
Stream incision in middle reach
Flooding is major issue in lower Truckee
Ranking of Issues per ReachImpact Upper Middle Lower
Habitat loss +++ ++ +++Water impairment +++ ++ +
Flooding + + +++
Invasive species +++ + +Stormwatermanagement +++ ++ ++Endangeredaquatic species + +++ +++
Upper
MiddleLower
Habitat Restoration GoalsUpper Watershed (Lake Tahoe)
Restore alpine meadow and high gradient streamsReduce sediment discharge and nutrient input
Middle Watershed (Truckee River Valley and Canyon)Restore wet meadowsRestore fish habitatReduce water quality impairment
Lower Watershed (Reno and Pyramid Lake)Flood managementRestore riparian habitat
Restoration of Upper Truckee
Alpine meadows feeding Lake Tahoe filled
Marina and housingAirportGolf course
Channel straightened Flow rates increasedChannel incisionLoss of hydrology to meadow area
1960s style development in south Lake Tahoe
Joint Project of California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Bureau of Reclamation andthe Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)
Project envisioning process (2004‐2009)
Driven primarily by water quality concernsHabitat loss recognized, but of secondary concernNumerous stakeholdersBoth ecologic and economic driversProject phased with first phase being conducted by State Parks at golf course
Clear basis for action due to loss of golf course California DPR
Golf Course Phase:
1. Increase stream length2. Remove fairways and restore
wet meadow3. Install grade controls in channel
Raises thalweg and hydrologic connection to low terrace wetland
2010 Project status: Design and environmental review complete; State funds frozen
Water quality improvement around Lake Tahoe
Primary goal is to restore lake water clarity—78 feet Objectives
Reduce sediment input to LakeReduce nutrient inputs to LakeReduce impervious surface surrounding lakeControl stormwater input from urbanized areas
Funded through federal, state, and local governments‐‐$1.5 billion over last ten years
Sediment control actionsDrainage to swales Curb and cut erosion controls
Stormwater Treatment WetlandsWetland swales near parking areas Wet meadow detention basins
Restore wetland meadowsRecreating ponded areas
behind lake bermsRemoving channelized
sections
Small stream restorationRestore meanders Use logs for grade control
RevegetationWillow plantings Mulching and hydroseed
Blackwood Creek Restoration303 (d) “impaired water” due to sediment dischargeCold water fish habitat loss Local flooding and bridge structure loss
VideoFrom SWRCB (2007)
Grade control action to provide spawning habitat
Blackwood Creek restorationRedirect stream using boulder placement Restore natural gradient
Middle Truckee: Meadow Restoration
Valley floor meadows degraded over timeHabitat lossLoss of water storageIncrease in nutrient dischargeRestoration focused on restoring natural hydrology:
Pond and Plug methods
Restoring natural hydrology
Natural hydrology of Wet Meadow
Watershed degradation
Increased flow flows and incision of
channel
Drying and loss of hydrology to wet
meadow
Pond and Plug: Create ponds and use soil to fill incised channel
Photos: Jim Steele, SFSU
From Barry Hill (US Forest Service)
Carmen Creek ProjectBefore After
Downcutting of streamIsolation of wet meadow
Plug in far backgroundPonds water into meadow
Jim Steele, SFSU
Perazzo Meadow Project: Little Truckee River
Dairy operations in wet meadow; channel incisionWater table lowered 3 feet1.5 miles of pond and plug (30 plugs)Funded under ARRA
USDA, FS
Perazzo Meadows: Volunteer Work Day
Back‐filled channel Planting plugs around ponds
Restored hydrology: Bear Creek
Hammersmark 2008
Truckee River Canyon: A Natural Area between Truckee and Reno
Lower Truckee: Flood managementRiver highly constrained by development in RenoBridges are primary constraint to flow downtownOutside of urban core: opportunity for riparian habitat
Downtown:Free standing bridges/flood walls
Improve flood flowLittle opportunity for habitat improvement along edge of riverSome additional
recreational benefits I including trails and
river park
Raising flood elevation at bridges with public access to the river
Downstream opportunitiesSuburban areas Rural areas
Flood protection still vital to protect public health and safetySome limited area for habitat improvement
Opportunity to expand flood plain and restore natural river hydrologyMajor habitat restoration possible
Suburban: Flood walls/terracing
River diversion for constructionCreating diversion Diversion channel
Under Construction: 2010Flood wall and walkway Dewatered channel
construction
River Park Completed: 2010Lower part of
reconstructed gradient Looking upstream to GSR
Lower Truckee Ecosystem Restoration Project Goals
Restore 50 miles of the Truckee River's ecosystemRestore fisheries, including the threatened Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and endangered Cui‐uiEnhance deer, mountain lion, duck, and song‐bird habitat Enhance water quality Provide enhanced recreation opportunities, river access, and open‐space
McCarran Ranch ProjectPilot project to demonstrate restoration of habitat and natural river hydrology
Meant to stimulate additional restoration on lower Truckee
Project funded at $1.2 millionMany project participants:
Nature Conservancy, Cities of Reno and Sparks, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Corps of Engineers, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Regional Water Planning Commission, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the US Bureau of Reclamation
Riparian habitat restorationMcCarran Ranch Pilot Project
River previously channelized for flood controlLoss of wetland and fisheries habitat
From Chris Dunn, HEC
Project goalsCreate new river meanderPond and riffle construction for fish habitatOxbow wetland creationLeopard frog breeding pondsNest boxes; brush piles; underground dens for wildlife
Corps of Engineers: Ecosystem Functions Model (EFM)
Links hydraulic parameters with ecological properties
HEC‐EFM linked to HEC‐RASGIS framework
Allows for testing under various flow regimesProvides for basis to predict future conditions under modified landscapeDeveloped at Corps ERDC and U Nevada DRI
HEC‐EFMFunctional relationships with flow and stageStatistical computational package developed by CorpsTranslates statistical results on flow and stage:
Water depth, velocity, and inundated areaLinked to GIS
From Chris Dunn, HEC
From Chris Dunn, HEC
Project Design and ConstructionPartially Funded under Corps 1135 program
Grade control Oxbox construction
Video
Current conditions: 2010
Future projects
SummaryTruckee River is a unique example of river restoration
Alpine to desert environmentsIncludes areas of national interest: Lake TahoeWatershed impacts include wide range of activities
Restoration includes a wide‐range of technologiesWetland restoration of alpine meadowsStream gradient control and channel restoration
Expanded efforts to restore entire length of river and watershed
Broad governmental and non‐profit partnerships