Horse Creek DamolitionHorse Creek Damolition
Presenters:Matt Stoecker, Stoecker
Ecological and
Thomas B. Dunklin Productions
Presenters:Matt Stoecker, Stoecker
Ecological and
Thomas B. Dunklin Productions
Horse Creek
Santa Barbara
Sisquoc River Steelhead Barrier Assessment and
Recovery 2003
Sisquoc River Steelhead Barrier Assessment and
Recovery 2003 Funded by the Coastal Conservancy Identified migration barriers Historic steelhead documentation/current observations Habitat assessment Prioritize barriers for fish passage projects
Funded by the Coastal Conservancy Identified migration barriers Historic steelhead documentation/current observations Habitat assessment Prioritize barriers for fish passage projects
Key FindingsKey Findings
Santa Maria R. was 2nd largest steelhead run in SB Co. Twitchell Dam (1950’s) blocked 264 miles, Cuyama R. Majority spawners used Sisquoc R. (Shapovalov, 1945) Over 203 miles historically accessible in Sisquoc River. Abundant high quality spawning and rearing habitat. Historic documentation and current wild O. mykiss
population. 31 anthropogenic barriers identified, plus natural
barriers. Horse Creek Dam blocks the most habitat at 19 miles Most limiting factor to Sisquoc steelhead is reduced
surface flow for migration on the Santa Maria River caused by inadequate releases from Twitchell Dam and excessive groundwater withdrawal
Santa Maria R. was 2nd largest steelhead run in SB Co. Twitchell Dam (1950’s) blocked 264 miles, Cuyama R. Majority spawners used Sisquoc R. (Shapovalov, 1945) Over 203 miles historically accessible in Sisquoc River. Abundant high quality spawning and rearing habitat. Historic documentation and current wild O. mykiss
population. 31 anthropogenic barriers identified, plus natural
barriers. Horse Creek Dam blocks the most habitat at 19 miles Most limiting factor to Sisquoc steelhead is reduced
surface flow for migration on the Santa Maria River caused by inadequate releases from Twitchell Dam and excessive groundwater withdrawal
Historic Steelhead Documentation
Historic Steelhead Documentation
Sisquoc River 1916 (above) “ The stream is so full of mountain trout. I am
confident that we saw in some places more than 500 at one sight….and had no difficulty capturing all we wanted with our hands.” Stephen Bowers 1879
Sisquoc River 1916 (above) “ The stream is so full of mountain trout. I am
confident that we saw in some places more than 500 at one sight….and had no difficulty capturing all we wanted with our hands.” Stephen Bowers 1879
Current Steelhead Documentation
Current Steelhead Documentation
Sisquoc R. Habitat
Sisquoc R. Habitat
Sisquoc R. Steelhead Survey 2005
Sisquoc R. Steelhead Survey 2005
Adult Steelhead over-summering 6 feet down in a cave under this bedrock ledge.
Adult Steelhead over-summering 6 feet down in a cave under this bedrock ledge.
Funded by DFG
Looking up Horse Creek Canyon
Looking up Horse Creek Canyon
Dam
Sisquoc River
Horse Ck. DamHorse Ck. Dam Built 11/3/1969 after
Wellman Fire Sacrete bags on
concrete footing, with re-bar
Dam crest 62 feet Dam height 10 feet
(5’ Dam, 5’ perched) Filled with sediment Stream gage, never
used
Built 11/3/1969 after Wellman Fire
Sacrete bags on concrete footing, with re-bar
Dam crest 62 feet Dam height 10 feet
(5’ Dam, 5’ perched) Filled with sediment Stream gage, never
used
Horse Creek Habitat and Barriers
Horse Creek Habitat and Barriers
21.8 mi2, 1000-5000’ elev
Dam 850 feet upstream from Sisquoc River
19 miles of habitat (poor to good) upstream of dam to natural barriers.
Both perennial and intermittent reaches.
No trout observed, Arroyo Chub present.
21.8 mi2, 1000-5000’ elev
Dam 850 feet upstream from Sisquoc River
19 miles of habitat (poor to good) upstream of dam to natural barriers.
Both perennial and intermittent reaches.
No trout observed, Arroyo Chub present.
Horse Ck. Upstream of the DamHorse Ck. Upstream of the Dam
Also Upstream in Horse Creek
Also Upstream in Horse Creek
Channel Assessment Study 2005
Channel Assessment Study 2005 Funded by American
Rivers/NOAA Fisheries Michael Love and Assoc.
and Stoecker Ecological Longitudinal Profile
2,200’ 7 channel cross
sections 2 downstream, 1 at
dam, 4 upstream Wolman pebble count of
stored sediment 250’ u/s
Funded by American Rivers/NOAA Fisheries
Michael Love and Assoc. and Stoecker Ecological
Longitudinal Profile 2,200’
7 channel cross sections
2 downstream, 1 at dam, 4 upstream
Wolman pebble count of stored sediment 250’ u/s
Plan MapPlan MapPlan Map
Longitudinal Profile Survey
Sediment Deposit Upstream of Dam
Sediment Deposit Upstream of Dam
Horse CreekHorse Creek
Cross Section at DamCross Section at Dam
Downstream Reference Channel
Downstream Reference Channel
Anticipated Removal Outcome
Anticipated Removal Outcome
Channel incision 2,321’ upstream 15,400 cubic yards of sediment u/s mobilized
(Annual Sisquoc R. 255,000-367,000 yd3)4-6% increase in one year, but will take more
Sediment released relatively course (gravel and cobble) Wolman pebble count.
Minimal to no negative impacts downstream Unobstructed wildlife/fish passage and
improved habitat and surface flow upstream
Channel incision 2,321’ upstream 15,400 cubic yards of sediment u/s mobilized
(Annual Sisquoc R. 255,000-367,000 yd3)4-6% increase in one year, but will take more
Sediment released relatively course (gravel and cobble) Wolman pebble count.
Minimal to no negative impacts downstream Unobstructed wildlife/fish passage and
improved habitat and surface flow upstream
The Preferred AlternativeThe Preferred Alternative Removal Obsolete Not consistent with
Wilderness and Wild Scenic management
Most effective fish and wildlife passage
Restore surface flows and channel complexity
Inexpensive vs. fishway
Removal Obsolete Not consistent with
Wilderness and Wild Scenic management
Most effective fish and wildlife passage
Restore surface flows and channel complexity
Inexpensive vs. fishway
Explosives Staged release of sediment
not necessary No danger to people Difficult access Inexpensive vs. heavy
equipment Reduced impact to bank and
channel DFG and CCC technical
support and explosives (ammonium nitrate) available for project
Interest in gaining experience/knowledge with this technique
Explosives Staged release of sediment
not necessary No danger to people Difficult access Inexpensive vs. heavy
equipment Reduced impact to bank and
channel DFG and CCC technical
support and explosives (ammonium nitrate) available for project
Interest in gaining experience/knowledge with this technique
Detonation Cords Going Off
Detonation Cords Going Off
Coastal Conservancy, Los Padres Nat. Forest, American Rivers, NOAA Fisheries, Dept. Fish and Game, California Conservation Corps, Community Environmental Council, Sisquoc Ranch, Thomas B. Dunklin Productions/Joan Dunning, Stoecker Ecological, Forest Watch
Coastal Conservancy, Los Padres Nat. Forest, American Rivers, NOAA Fisheries, Dept. Fish and Game, California Conservation Corps, Community Environmental Council, Sisquoc Ranch, Thomas B. Dunklin Productions/Joan Dunning, Stoecker Ecological, Forest Watch
Un-Dam it and they will come!Un-Dam it and they will come! Matt Stoecker [email protected]
Photo/Assistance thanks: Bob, Doug, Jim Stoecker Thomas Dunklin Michel Love Shaw Allen Kevin Cooper Tony Llanos Donna Toth
Matt Stoecker [email protected]
Photo/Assistance thanks: Bob, Doug, Jim Stoecker Thomas Dunklin Michel Love Shaw Allen Kevin Cooper Tony Llanos Donna Toth