Sotoyome Resource Conservation District page 5

ANNUAL REPORT 2000-2001

pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

Gualala River Watershed

Projects

Wood In Stream Project - Phase I: The purpose of this project was to introduce woody debris at fifteen sites within the Gualala River Watershed north of the Wheatfield Fork to create pools and cover habitat for Coho salmon and steelhead trout. Unanchored large woody debris (LWD) was placed in first order streams as a structural agent to form pools to create summer and winter rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids by increasing the number and depths of pools and increasing cover that is critical for protection from predation, freezing and the reduction of water velocity. Each site was monument with photos points and will be monitored annually.

Little North Fork Sediment Source Assessment: A complete survey to identify, characterize, and quantify road related and upland sediment sources most likely to impact fish bearing streams in the Little North Fork of the Gualala River, developed a prioritized action-plan for site specific cost effective erosion control and erosion prevention for all correctable or preventable sediment sources, and prepared a report describing the results of the survey. This report was then used to prepare a project proposal acquire funding to implement the road improvements outlined in the action-plan. The proposal is pending.

Fuller Creek Road Sediment Source Reduction Project: The objective of this project was to decrease the amount of fine sediment in stream gravel and riffle habitat from entering the stream channel in Fuller Creek. This was accomplished by implementing erosion control and storm proofing measures at 135 sites along 19 miles of road identified during the Fuller Creek road assessment done by Pacific Watershed Associates in 1996.

Outreach and Education Efforts

Gualala River Watershed Enhancement Program: The objective of this program is to improve outreach and education activities to landowners in the Gualala River Watershed by organizing workshops that focus on assessment, monitoring, improved land stewardship, ranch planning, and habitat restoration, provide copies of educational fact sheets describing the effects of land use practices on fish habitat, the distribution of a quarterly newsletter and the coordination of Gualala River Watershed Council meetings. Over the past year the GRWC has completed the following tasks; strategic planning, volunteer monitoring workshops, website committee, newsletters.

Gualala River Watershed Planning and Assessment Program: The purpose of this program is to assess the limiting factors for salmonids in the watershed, identify areas of impact, identify sediment sources and prioritize restoration activities with the framework of broad stakeholder participation. Part of this program includes the development of a volunteer monitor training program, monitoring protocols and a Gualala river watershed monitoring manual in addition to collaborating with the various agencies implementing the TMDL and North Coast Watershed Assessment Program (NCWAP).

Some of the projects funded for this upcoming year include:

• Wood in Stream Project - Phase II: This project is the next phase of the above-mentioned project and will introduce LWD at eleven additional sites in the watershed.
• Kelly Road Sediment Source Assessment Project: Assessment of 17.2 miles of Kelly Road, that will identify and detail cost-effective erosion prevention and control projects that can be undertaken to reduce the risk of future erosion and sediment delivery into the stream channels.
• Sediment Reduction Projects on various roads within the watershed: Implement road improvements on 25.7 miles of road in the Fuller Creek Watershed and 2.5 miles of road along the South Fork of the Gualala River. These projects will be implemented as part of the 319(h) grant entitled “Solutions for Sediment Reduc- tion in the Gualala River Watershed” that is being funded by the State Water Resources Control Board.
• Gualala River Estuary Assessment and Enhancement Plan: This project includes two phases: (1) an as- sessment of the Gualala River Estuary that will identify existing physical and biological conditions and (2) the creation of a plan that would provide strategic recommendations for the enhancement of the lower Gualala River and estuary.

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