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Creek Care

creek with steep slope Creeks and rivers are formed, maintained, and altered by the water and sediment they carry. The size of a creek channel is determined by four basic factors: quantity and size of sediment, streamflow, and slope. The relationship between these factors can be envisioned as a balance between these factors. If one of them changes, one or more of the others must also change. For example, if streamflow increases and the slope of the channel stays the same, then the quantity of sediment being moved and/or sediment size must also increase for the creek to remain in balance. The likely result of this example is that the creek will move larger (and/or more) sediment downstream. This re-balancing will result in a lowering of the creek bed or broadening of the channel as the bed or banks of the creek erode.

As the creek bed erodes, the groundwater table is also lowered. Creeks naturally work toward a balance between sediment and streamflow. They are constantly reacting to natural and human-induced disturbances in the watershed. These disturbances can significantly alter the size and shape of streams by increasing or decreasing stream flow and sediment supply.

Your job as a creek steward is to foster the natural processes of the creek as much as possible. Your tasks include:

Protect Creek Habitat & Banks. Unstable creekbanks can result in property loss, lead to costly bank failures, and add large volumes of fine sediment to the creek. Creeks are complex systems and repair of eroding banks requires specialized expertise and permits from various resource agencies.

Watch your creekbanks. Bank failures or areas where vegetation has been damaged or removed, can indicate a need to act to restore your streambank to a healthy condition. The type of action necessary to repair eroding streambanks varies from site to site. You may need to stabilize an eroding bank or to allow the stream more room to move. Streambank work is often complex and requires several types of permits to protect surrounding areas. Contact a qualified resource professional to assist you. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Solano County Water Agency can help you get started.

Maintain flow capacity. It is the landowner’s responsibility to keep creeks clear of downed debris and trash to maintain flows and prevent flooding. The Solano County Water Agency can advise you on the best ways to do this.

Avoid locating structures and storage containers near the creek bank. Any structure built within reach of floodwaters is subject to damage or loss and can decrease the creek's ability to accommodate flood flows safely. Structures such as storage sheds, patios, and decks require removal of the creek's natural protective vegetation and often decrease the stability of vulnerable slopes. Construction disturbs the soil and vegetation, adding to sediment buildup in the creek.

Avoid constructing improvements in the flood zone and maintain the area in its natural state. Some communities have creek setbacks requiring that structures be kept a certain minimum distance from the creek. Maintaining riparian areas along creeks helps prevent erosion and property loss, filters pollutants and allows natural flood plain function. Riparian areas also provide essential wildlife habitat and habitat corridors for wildlife to move within.

Avoid diverting water or damming the creek. Water diversions and dams significantly affect the life of a creek by reducing water flow and can cause flooding on upstream properties.

Avoid taking water directly from creeks, especially during the dry season when natural flows are low. The safest approach to good creek care is to avoid altering the watercourse unless the modification is needed to resolve an existing bank problem. Seek advice from the appropriate local agency and the California Department of Fish and Game (see back page).

Encourage infiltration. Pave only where necessary. Paved surfaces increase runoff during storms and peak flows in creeks, adding to flooding and erosion problems. Paving also results in lower creek flows during the dry season.

If you are planning to construct walkways, patios, driveways, or stormwater drains, consider alternatives that maximize permeable surface area. This allows more rainwater to soak into the ground on site.