Alexander Valley Watershed

Documents

Giant Reed (Arundo donax) Removal in Full Swing in the Alexander Valley
The Sotoyome RCD, in partnership with the Mendocino County RCD, is entering its eighth year of Giant Reed (Arundo donax) control in the Russian River watershed. Arundo donax is an invasive, non-native grass from India that is responsible for the degradation of waterways throughout California, causing damage to riparian habitat as well as surrounding landholdings.

Conservation Activities in the Alexander Valley
The Sotoyome RCD is currently working in partnership with the Russian River Property Owners' Association (RRPOA) and the Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration (CEMAR) through a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service to conduct instream flow monitoring and groundwater level monitoring in Alexander Valley, the creation of a Regional Water Use Analysis for Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Knights Valley, and the development of an on-the-ground conservation project slated for implementation in 2010.

Arundo donax Removal Program: Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Russian River watershed is being invaded by a non-native weed that threatens the viability of numerous fish and wildlife species. The highly destructive giant reed (Arundo donax) is degrading native riparian habitat by displacing native plants and destroying fish and wildlife habitat.

Sotoyome RCD is participating in a cooperative effort to restore and enhance salmonid habitat in the Russian River. These efforts are being spearheaded by the Salmonid Coalition, whose mission is to: ". . . protect and enhance existing habitat, and to restore historic habitat to promote the recovery and maintenance of Salmonid fish populations in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Knights Valleys of the Russian River Watershed . . ."

Sotoyome RCD worked with the landowners, engineering staff from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Fish and Game, to come up with a comprehensive stream bank repair and re-vegetation plan for three sites on Sausal Creek.