SAUSAL CREEK
EROSION CONTROL
Restoration Project in Dimond Canyon
This project was undertaken to manage urban water runoff from storm drain outlets flowing into the highly-utilized, main stem of Sausal Creek in Dimond Canyon. The goal was to reduce erosion and sediment flow along Sausal Creek. This was accomplished through the design and installation of erosion control strategies at three storm drain outlets that were causing significant erosion along the upper banks of Dimond Canyon and were subsequently significant sources of sediment to the local creek reach. The project utilized natural and engineered techniques to stabilize slopes and infiltrate or slow stormwater runoff, and included the installation of energy dissipation structures and vegetated swales to further stabilize gullies and other erosional features. The project includes the ongoing removal of invasive, nonnative plants and installation of local native plants. It will reduce sediment loads and improve habitat and water quality in Sausal Creek.
In addition to habitat and water quality benefits, the project continues to serve as a teaching tool through FOSC-sponsored community volunteer workdays in Dimond Canyon. We will need the help of community members as well as community service organizations to help us protect the native trees and plants from encroaching non native invasive plants in the project area. FOSC will lead environmental education and hands-on restoration field trips for local students to implement maintenance and monitoring activities.
The project will improve habitat for macroinvertebrates and for the native rainbow trout population in Sausal Creek. By improving water quality, we anticipate an increase in the diversity of macroinvertebrates in this section of Dimond Canyon and downstream in Dimond Park, approaching the diversity found in least-disturbed upstream stream reaches. Invasive plant removal will improve habitat quality in Dimond Canyon to benefit a diversity of species including a growing population of migratory bird species.
This project was funded by the California Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program from Proposition 84. FOSC is working in partnership with the City of Oakland, who co-sponsored FOSC’s grant application.
Project Sites in Dimond Canyon
Project Site 1:
At this site there is an eroded gully that is approximately 250 feet long and originates from a storm drainage system along Park Boulevard and San Luis Avenue. Work will take place both between Old Cañon Trail and San Luis Avenue and between Old Cañon Trail and Sausal Creek. In preparation for the storm drain work, invasive, nonnative acacia trees in poor health were removed above Old Cañon Trail in February 2017.
Project Site 2:
This site has an erosion gully caused by discharge from the storm drain at the end of Benevides Avenue. The storm drain line will be extended down the slope and discharge into an energy dissipater near the creek channel.
Project Site 3:
This site has a drainage gully from a storm drain below Oakmore Road that is also impacting Dimond Canyon Trail. Slowing the flow will address erosion of both the hillside and the trail.
Construction Schedule
Construction began mid-July 2018 and all project sites were completed mid-September, at least one month ahead of schedule!
Community Meetings and Volunteer Opportunities
On January 21, 2015, FOSC held a community meeting at Dimond Library at which the project designer, Questa Engineering Corp., presented preliminary design plans.
On June 9, 2018, FOSC and the City of Oakland led a community tour of the project sites. For a list of project outreach, click here.
