PWA - Project Detail - Miller Creek Restoration

Miller Creek is the major drainage way for the Lucas Valley watershed in Marin County. A home to ranching and dairy farms for two centuries, Lucas Valley now includes residential subdivisions and an active movie studio upstream in the watershed. Years of agricultural use in the Valley resulted in severe channel erosion and incision. In response to proposals for additional residential development along the Creek, the Marin County Flood Control District commissioned PWA to analyze geomorphic changes, flooding, sedimentation and bank erosion and provide design and management recommendations for the channel.

Completed in 1985, Miller Creek introduced the concept of multi-stage river channel design to the restoration and enhancement approaches of the time. Still today, Miller Creek represents one of the best-established multi-objective stream enhancement projects in California. For the Flood Control District, PWA developed design recommendations for stream stabilization and restoration as well as a creekside pedestrian access trail for recreational users. Significant design innovations introduced by this landmark project include rock-lined swales to increase infiltration of surface run-off and vegetated river spur dikes that protect channel banks from erosion.

<< Return to project summaries
Title		Miller Creek Restoration (pdf) 124KB
Project Summary		The Marin County Flood Control District commissioned PWA to develop design recommendations for stream stabilization and restoration of Miller Creek.
Date		1981-1985
Location		Marin County, CA
Client		Marin County Flood Control District

Project Detail		Miller Creek is the major drainage way for the Lucas Valley watershed in Marin County. A home to ranching and dairy farms for two centuries, Lucas Valley now includes residential subdivisions and an active movie studio upstream in the watershed. Years of agricultural use in the Valley resulted in severe channel erosion and incision. In response to proposals for additional residential development along the Creek, the Marin County Flood Control District commissioned PWA to analyze geomorphic changes, flooding, sedimentation and bank erosion and provide design and management recommendations for the channel. Completed in 1985, Miller Creek introduced the concept of multi-stage river channel design to the restoration and enhancement approaches of the time. Still today, Miller Creek represents one of the best-established multi-objective stream enhancement projects in California. For the Flood Control District, PWA developed design recommendations for stream stabilization and restoration as well as a creekside pedestrian access trail for recreational users. Significant design innovations introduced by this landmark project include rock-lined swales to increase infiltration of surface run-off and vegetated river spur dikes that protect channel banks from erosion.