SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Dry Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project Phase II
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Odin was selected to execute Phase II of the Dry Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project, which includes the restoration of 47 acres of stream, floodplain, and riparian habitat along 2.6 miles of Dry Creek. Located along Dry Creek downstream of Warm Springs Dam in Healdsburg, California, the project is part of the larger Dry Creek ecosystem restoration effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Sonoma Water. Restoration measures include increasing habitat complexity and improving hydrologic connectivity within the floodplain by constructing combinations of riffles, large woody structures,
backwaters, side channels, and alcove pool features. Riparian habitat will be improved through invasive species reduction and riparian revegetation with native species.
Odin’s responsibilities consist of clearing, grubbing, and removal of trees of various sizes, dewatering, diverting creek flows around the work area, removing riparian vegetation, excavating habitat enhancement features, placing boulder and log structures, and conducting winter maintenance. Project challenges include heavy vegetation and numerous biological resources that must be monitored and protected. The project requires excellent communication with local farmers during harvest seasons.
Project Highlights:
- 2025 Outstanding Environmental Engineering Project of the Year, awarded by the ASCE San Francisco Section
- Water diversion and coffer dams
- Protection of sensitive wildlife species and vegetation
- Critical placement of habitat structures
- Working closely with local landowners
Dry Creek is home to coho salmon and steelhead trout. Construction of alcoves, riffles, backwaters, and side channels improves outcomes for these threatened and endangered species. The project design incorporates logs, logjams, and rocks to create safe side channels for fish during high-flow events. Bank stabilization measures have reduced erosion. Native flora around the creek now provide erosion control and shade. These natural processes minimize the project’s environmental footprint. Protecting and enhancing the Cry Creek Watershed provides local and national economic benefit, improved the aesthetics of the area, and provides ongoing storm and erosion-protection.
ROD and Odin worked closely with USACE and Sonoma Water, the non-Federal sponsor, to ensure that the design was implemented per plan and completed as intended. With Odin’s input, minor design changes were made without delaying the project’s strict schedule and meeting the environmental deadlines.
Odin employed a full-time Biological Monitor to ensure the protection of avian, aquatic, and terrestrial species during construction. Odin also implemented erosion control measures to avoid discharge of any material into the creek that would cause turbidity.
Odin worked closely with the USACE, Sonoma County, and more than 10 local landowners, wineries, and growers along Dry Creek to minimize disruption from the project. One example was protecting vineyards, which were immediately behind the construction area and required protection from construction-generated dust. Odin instituted aggressive dust control measures that protected the vineyards during the critical growing season.
Numerous complications were encountered during the first construction season related to working in water. Water infiltration through the rocky subgrade was considerably more than anticipated in the work area. As a result, during the first season, only 15 percent of the designed structures were installed. Odin refined means and methods that allowed us to work more effectively in this riparian environment during the second season. The second season was completed under budget and ahead of schedule, and garnered accolades from ROD, the prime contractor.
Odin employed GPS equipment on excavators to ensure that the grades and structures were installed per the plans. All material and quantities were calculated based on surveys.
Odin was selected to execute Phase II of the Dry Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project, which includes the restoration of 47 acres of stream, floodplain, and riparian habitat along 2.6 miles of Dry Creek. Located along Dry Creek downstream of Warm Springs Dam in Healdsburg, California, the project is part of the larger Dry Creek ecosystem restoration effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Sonoma Water. Restoration measures include increasing habitat complexity and improving hydrologic connectivity within the floodplain by constructing combinations of riffles, large woody structures, backwaters, side channels, and alcove pool features. Riparian habitat will be improved through invasive species reduction and riparian revegetation with native species.
Odin’s responsibilities consist of clearing, grubbing, and removal of trees of various sizes, dewatering, diverting creek flows around the work area, removing riparian vegetation, excavating habitat enhancement features, placing boulder and log structures, and conducting winter maintenance. Project challenges include heavy vegetation and numerous biological resources that must be monitored and protected. The project requires excellent communication with local farmers during harvest seasons.
Project Details
START DATE:
July 2023
END DATE:
September 2024
VALUE:
$5.7M
