"Where do rivers start?"
in threads hills and gather to here
but the river is all
of it everywhere,
all flowing at once.
all one place"
Gary Synder
916 771- 2013
P.O. BOX 1311 ROSEVILLE, CA 95678-8311
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To: Mark Morse
Community Development
City of Roseville
From: Gregg Bates
Executive Director
Dry Creek Conservancy
Subject: Unauthorized vehicle access to Stoneridge Preserve
Dear Mark,
A survey showed that there are four areas of possible access:
There is also an access problem along Taylor Road near the confluence of Secret Ravine and Miners Ravine, but though they can drive down to the creek they can't get across to the Stoneridge Open Space very easily.
There doesn't appear to be any access from Europa in the development along Olympus Drive.
An area to watch is the comer of Lead Hill Road and Roseville Parkway, though it doesn't look like anyone is going through there since the street was finished and the open space access parking lot installed.
The most common entry points seem to be the Sutter Hospital area and the Greenbrae Road area. I think closing these off would eliminate most of the traffic. A long time resident near Greenbrae Road told me that traffic had increased greatly since City of Roseville removed gates associated with the water tanks about five years ago. A motorcycle rider I spoke to told me he had been told by other riders it was all right to come in by the hospital and ride on the Guntert property. A list of possible access points follows, a map of them, and photos are attached.
Stnrdgaccess October 9, 2000 Page I
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Sutter-Medical Facility/Stoneridge
Sierra College Blvd.
Greenbrae Road
Undeveloped property along this road (thought to be the Fisher property) is prominently posted but appears to be a major entry point. Heavy steel gates have been pulled out of the ground. The Placer County Water Agency maintenance road for the Boardman Canal begins here. Though developments (Granite Lakes Estates) behind the Fisher property will close off some access, this road will remain a potential access, I observed several makeshift barricades erected on some of the roads and was told that a resident of Rustic Hills Estates put them up But they don't seem to be effective since there are many roads and they can be driven around.
China Garden Road
It looks like this entry has been effectively blocked by the owner with boulders, fence, and a steel gate. This is also a future entry to Granite Lakes Estates
Recommendations:
Stnrdgaccess October 9, 2000 Page 2
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June 6, 2001
Glenda Marsh
Fishery Biologist
Department of Water Resources
Fish Passage Improvement Program
020 9th street<
Sacramento, CA 95925
Dear Ms Marsh:
Thank you for the opportunity to inspect potential fish passage barriers in the Roseville area on May 24. Although the timing of the inspection was not ideal for evaluating the full extent to which Marsh obstacle may prevent or delay upstream passage of adult salmonids, I can make preliminary, general comments about each site I saw. No physical measurements were taken at the sites, thus my as assessment is my best professional opinion based on observations.
The extent that each obstacle visited acts as a barrier to fish passage is somewhat difficult to ascertain from simple observations at low flow conditions. To satisfactorily evaluate the obstacles. a study of the hydrology of the areas must be performed, timing of upstream and downstream migration periods must be determined and design in-stream flow ranges for those times must be chosen. Waiter surface profiles for the design flow rate&, whether determined through a HEC analysis or other means. along with fish performance data. will allow the degree of passage delay to be estimated It is important to remember salmonids often move upstream shortly after peak flows of storm events. so passage must be allowable at those times. Predicted water surface profiles may be confirmed by site visits during winter high-flow events. Fish behavior at the sites should be observed as well when possible.
Central Valley steelhead are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). and am likely to be present in ft Dry Creek watershed Any barrier that may result in passage delay, or that may cause injury or otherwise harm a listed species should be modified in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, to avoid a "take" violation. as defined in the ESA.
Below are some site-specific comments on each site we visited.
Site #I - Cottonwood Dam on Miner's Ravine
Cottenwood dam poses a certain barrier to fish pass* under all imaginable now conditions, in in opinion. The sheer face, - rising 10 15 vertical feet presents a substantial barrier to overcome for up-migrating salmonids. My preliminary inspection of the site leads me to conclude that under 'no foreseeable hdraulic conditions will this obstacle not cause substantial delay, and will most likely completely block passage for most salmonids. Additionally, the dam prevents sediments from moving downstream, filling the pond with sediment, and will most likely result in scour problerns further downstream. I highly recommend options for dam removal be investigated.
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Site #2 Buried pipes crossing Secret Ravine
An unknown number of pipes cross Secrete Ravine at a near 90 degree angle to the creek, Secrete Ravine is split into two forks at the pipe crossing, forming an island through which the pipes are buried. At the time of the site visit, the function of the pipes was unknown, and the ownership was uncertain. I was unable to inspect the pipe crossing on the right channel (as looking downstream). The crossing on the left channel was covered by a concrete apron, effectively paving approximately 20 feet of the creek, The apron was relatively level across the channel, and deflected downward on its downstream edge. The upstream edge of the apron was nearly flush with the creek invert, but the downstream creek channel had been down cut several feet. Under the existing conditions at the time of the site visit, a water surface differential across the apron was approximately three feet. Water passing over the apron was in a thin sheet.
The pipes are an obstacle migrating fish must negotiate. Under flow conditions at the time of inspection, some passage would be possible, but would result in injury do to the abrasive surface of the apron. At higher flows, the pipes may present less of a passage barrier, but my expect modifications are necessary to avoid substantial delays and possible injuries to migrating fish.
Options for improving fish passage include, 1) removing the pipes crossing the waterway; or 2) building up the downstream channel invert to historical elevations, and incorporating grade control structures to prevent recurrence of the existing problem. If the pipes are removed and the channel grade is evened out, one channel may be groomed to take the majority of the water, and the second would be watered up only in higher flows, If the pipes remain in place, water depth over the apron should be a minimum of one foot during periods of adult salmonid migration. This may be accomplished by constricting flow through a notched weir at the downstream edge of the apron. Elevating the upstream water surface may have negative impacts on downstream channel features, and must be anticipated.
Site #3 - Exposed sewer pipe crossing Dry Creek at grad
The pipe appears to be- flush to grade on the upstream side with some scour on the downstream side. Change in water surface elevations appears to be less than one foot. Rubble was placed along the downstream edge of the pipe, presumably to reduce under cutting of the pipe. The pipe is nearly level with a thin, uniform sheet of water spilling over to the downstream pool. Passage is possible under existing conditions, and would be enhanced at river flows greater than that at the time of inspection. Witness reports indicate a constriction point downstream of the site backs up water to flood the surrounding area on a regular basis, The City of Roseville is considering altering the constriction point which could have the affect of lowering the water surface elevation in the pool downstream of the sewer pipe, thus increasing the head differential across the pipe, and negatively affecting fish passage.
Under conditions existing at the time of inspection, the sewer pipe presents a minor barrier to fish passage. Most healthy salmonids could pass, although the possibility of them being abraded by the rubble on the downstream side of the pipe, and scraping over the pipe, makes the obstacle less than ideal. Passage could be improved by concentrating flows to the center of the creek channel, creating a deeper notch through which fish could swim. A deeper plunge pool downstream of the notch, reinforced to prevent scouring under the pipe, would also benefit fish passage. These modifications may not be needed under flows normally seen when salmonids are actively migrating upstream A study of the area's hydrology and fish timing is needed to better assess the situation. Modifications to the constriction downstream of the size could negatively affect fish passage at the sewer pipe, and must be considered when designing that modification.
This concludes my comments on the potential fish barriers we inspected- Because each of these sites will potentially take salmon and steelhead by delaying fish passage and injuring fish attempting to pass, and may increase incidences of poaching, i higher recommendations a "Tudy it) identify the true barriers. Appropriate alternatives for solving the passage problem, and implementation of those solutions should also be expedited to assist in restoring health), salmonid populations to these urbanized waterways. If I may be of further assistance, or if you have any questions regarding my comments, please call me at (707) 575-6079.
Steven L. Thomas
Hydraulic Engineer
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State of California
Memorandum
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To : Files |
Date: November 5, 2001 |
From : Department of Fish and Game - Dr. Rob Titus, NAFWB, Stream Evaluation Program
Subject: Perennial Rearing Habitat for Juvenile Steelhead in the Dry Creek Drainage (Placer County)
Native Anadromous Fish and Watershed Branchs Stream Evaluation Program (Program) conducted reconnaissance level assessment of steelhead distribution and , abundance relative to stream habitat conditions in the Dry Creek drainage (Sacramento and Placer counties) during1998-1999. The Program also monitored juvenile salmonid emigration from the upper drainage during 1999 and 2000. Following is a very brief summary of the results of these surveys, in particular as related to the distribution of perennial rearing habitat for steelhead.
Methods
The approximate distribution of juvenile steelhead rearing was determined primarily by backpack electro fishing at various points in the upper Dry Creek drainage from November 5, 1998 through June 8,1999. Areas sampled included Secret Ravine and Miners Ravine. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recognizes Secret and Miners ravines as the primary production areas in the Dry Creek drainage for chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
Emigration of juvenile salmon and steelhead was monitored by use of a 5-ft rotary screw trap situated about 100 in downstream from the confluence of Secret and Miners ravines. The trap was run from November 6, 1998 through June 2, 1999, and from January 9, 2000 through June 8, 2000
Secret Ravine
Sampling in Secret Ravine extended from the lower creek area near its confluence with Miners Ravine in Roseville to the upper creek area at Gilardi Road near Penryn. Juvenile steelhead were found in sample sections from the Brace Road crossing near Loomis to the Gilardi Road crossing, and at each of four intermediate sites: Loomis Basin Park near the King Road crossing, the L.D.S. Recreation Park upstream from the Penryn Road crossing, and at one site on each of two forks of the upper creek accessed from Penryn Rock Springs Road. Observed steelhead ranged in fork length (FL) from 21 to 3 10 mm, FL and averaged 117 mm FL (n = 58). While this characterization is based on limited sampling, the presence of young-of-the-year steelhead (<80 mm FL) demonstrates that this stream area supports natural reproduction of steelhead, as well as perennial rearing with the presence of yearling and older steelhead (117-310 mm FL).
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November 5, 2001
Page 2
Juvenile steelhead were not found in Secret Ravine sample sections from the confluence with Miners Ravine to Sierra College, including two intermediate sections just downstream and upstream of the East Roseville Parkway crossing. However, juvenile fall-run chinook salmon were sampled at each of these sites. Steel head rearing in Secret Ravine was not accounted for from Sierra College to Brace Road.
Environmental variables that may distinguish creek areas that support steelhead spawning and rearing from those that do not were not investigated in detail. However, some differences were apparent. Lower Secret Ravine (mouth to Sierra College) represents a lower-foothill stream environment with relatively low gradient and which is highly impacted with fine sediment, likely the result of extensive disturbance from urban development along much of this reach. Although used for spawning and early rearing by chinook salmon, year-round resident fishes were dominated by common warm water species including predatory spotted bass and other introduced centrarchids, and Sacramento pikeminnow and Sacramento sucker. In addition, daily mean water temperature in lowermost Secret Ravine peaked above 90' F in summer 1999, which is a temperature level typically regarded as unsuitable for over-summering juvenile steelhead.
In contrast, upper Secret Ravine (Brace Road to Gilardi Road) represents the foothill and "headwater" environment of the creek with higher gradient by virtue of the associated climb in elevation. Although not pristine, upper Secret Ravine appeared relatively less impacted by fine sediment and included intact riparian and upslope attributes in many sections that were conducive to a healthy foothill stream environment. The fish fauna in upper Secret Ravine was dominated by native fishes including Sacramento pikeminnow, Sacramento sucker, steelhead, and lamprey although local abundances of introduced centrarchids were observed. Daily mean water temperature at Gilardi Road never reached 70' Fin summer 1999, which is a temperature level typically regarded as tolerable for over-summering juvenile steelhead in California.
Miners Ravine
Sampling in Miners Ravine extended from the lower creek area near its confluence with Secret Ravine to the upper creek area at the King Road crossing. Juvenile steelhead were only found in a sample section upstream from the Dick Cook Road crossing. steelhead were observed at this site on both occasions it was sampled: in mid-December 1998 and in late March 1999. These fish ranged in length from 72 to 400 mm. FL and averaged 211 mm. FT (n - 12). Again, while this characterization is based on a very limited sample. The presence of young-of-the-year-sized steelhead (<80 mm FL) in late March demonstrates that this stream area supports natural reproduction of steelhead. as well as perennial rearing with the presence of yearling and older steelhead (tip to 400 mm FL).
Juvenile steelhead were not found in Miners Ravine sample section,, upstream or downstream from the Dick- Cook Road site. Upstream sites included the first bridge crossing, on Auburn-Folsom
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November 5. 2001
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Road just north of Horseshoe Bar Road, and the King Road crossing. However, juvenile fall-run chinook salmon were sampled in lower Miners Ravine in each of six sections from the creek mouth to above the fourth bicycle-trail bridge upstream during late March early April 1999. No salmon or steelhead were found at the Barton Road crossing or in two sample sections just downstream from the dam at Cottonwood Lake in Hidden Valley during the same period. The dam at Cottonwood Lake is recognized as a full barrier to upstream migration of adult chinook salmon because of relatively low flow conditions during the salmon migration period, and as a partial barrier to steelhead because passage around the dam is possible wider high flow conditions. That steelhead do migrate past the dam at least in some years was evidenced by the presence of juvenile steelhead above the dam.
Miners Ravine, from Kings Road to its confluence with Secret Ravine, transitions from relatively high to low gradient as a function of elevation, in much the same manner as Secret Ravine. Water temperature was monitored only as far upstream as Dick Cook Road where daily mean temperature spiked at 77' F on three occasions during July 1999, but averaged 70' F (+/- 3 SD) from June 1, 1999 through August 31, 1999. Stream temperature may have been cooler farther upstream in the system as on Secret Ravine, but was not monitored there.
One notable difference between Secret and Miners ravines that may serve as an overall index of habitat quality for juvenile steelhead rearing was the composition of the fish fauna in each creek. Fishes in Secret Ravine transitioned from a spotted bass/Sacramento pikeminnow/Sacramento sucker dominated fauna in Its lowermost reaches to a predominantly native fish fauna including steelhead and lamprey in its upper reaches. In contrast, there was no longitudinal trend in catch composition on Miners Ravine. With the exception of juvenile steelhead at the Dick Cook Road site, fishes were typically dominated by one or a combination of introduced warm water species including cyprinids(namely golden shiners) and centrarchids (largemouth bass, bluegill. and other species) and portionately very few observations of Sacramento pikeminnow and Sacramento sucker. That the fish fauna was so variable from site to site and consisted primarily of introduced warm water fishes when juvenile chinook salmon were presenting the creek below Cottonwood Dam) suggests that localized habitat conditions in the creek may also be highly variable, possibly as a function of water quality and pond development within the system. Localized dominance of especially golden shiner may be indicative of high temperature and low dissolved oxygen conditions that are unsuitable for the native fishes in the system, especially steelhead.
Steelhead Smolt Emigration
Three steelhead smolts (177-212 mm FL) were captured in the rotary screw trap from March 14 1999 through April 7, 1999, and 10 smolts (160-23 8 min FL) were captured from March 1, 2000 through April 28, 2000. Because the rotary screw trap was located below the confluence of Secret and Miners ravines, the trap catches may have included smolt production from either or both creeks. Trap efficiency for steelhead smolts was not determinable because of small catches.
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November 5. 2001
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Conclusions and Management Implications
Our surveys demonstrated that the upper Dry Creek drainage continues to support production of steelhead as recognized historically but-presumably at lower levels due to habitat impacts from urban development. The upper creek areas appear to be especially important for spawning and rearing, given the stream gradient and temperature conditions there. Any actions which protect or improve access to and the quality of these areas will benefit steelhead production in the system.
The lower creek areas, including mainstem Dry Creek, need to be protected and improved for chinook salmon spawning, juvenile rearing and emigration and for seasonal rearing and migration of steelhead. The most conspicuous needs are to identify, control, and prevent sources of sediment pollution, and to discourage land-use and waterway practices that favor production of introduced warm water fishes, especially as related to pond development and stocking of these species within the system.
Two factors may be especially limiting to steelhead production on Miners Ravine. The first factor is the darn at Cottonwood Lake, the most conspicuous migration barrier in the system. We suggest that improving passage of adult steelhead to upstream areas that contain favorable gradient and temperature conditions for spawning and juvenile rearing will increase steelhead production in Miners Ravine. The second factor may be variable water quality within the system as evidenced by the highly variable localized composition of the fish fauna. mostly introduced warm water species including golden shiner. We recommend that localized water quality and associated biota be assessed in Miners Ravine to identify potential water quality problems that may be limiting to steelhead production.
Ms. Kelly Finn, National Marine Fisheries Service. Sacramento. California
Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California
Mr. Rich Dixon, Dr. Larry Eng, Mr. John Nelson. Ms. Katie Perry
Mr. Chris Lee, Department of Water Resources, Sacramento, California
Mr. Mark Morse, City of Roseville
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