PWA - Project Detail - Piute Creek

For a newly designated creek corridor in the City of Susanville’s downtown Memorial Park, PWA provided design services for comprehensive channel realignment, bank stabilization and flood terrace restoration. PWA conducted an integrated watershed and geomorphic analysis, providing the basis for a geomorphically appropriate design that responded to the creek projects location and function within the watershed. Specific goals for the project included rainbow and brown trout habitat enhancement, integrated flood management and environmental interpretation.

The restoration reintroduced a meandering alignment to approximately 1,500 feet of multi-stage creek channel. Biotechnical streambank stabilization and native species revegetation plans were improvements that diversified the aquatic and riparian habitat throughout the project reach. Large wood structures (using trees recovered from the site) were introduced as deflector and drop structures, concentrating base flows in the thalweg channel. The structures encourage point bar and plunge pool establishment at several locations and enhance in-stream structure/habitat diversity and sediment transport through the reach.

A small seasonal wetland was crafted to provide additional habitat, expanding the physical and visual connection of the creek to the surrounding park. A multi-use recreational trail parallels the creek and reconnects the park to Main Street, downtown Susanville and nearby neighborhoods.

PWA’s services included hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, geomorphic assessments, permitting support, engineering design, construction documents, project management and contractor coordination. Early in the design process, PWA facilitated funding opportunities with the California Department of Water Resources. Construction observation and support services were also provided throughout the construction period.

The Piute Creek Restoration was implemented in Fall 2002, with additional planting and interpretive project installations in Spring 2003.

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Title		Piute Creek Restoration (PDF) 150k
Project Summary		PWA provided design services for comprehensive channel realignment, bank stabilization and flood terrace restoration for a newly designated Piute Creek corridor in downtown Susanville.
Date		2001 - 2002
Location		Memorial Park, Susanville, CA
Client		Lassen Land & Trails Trust, City of Susanville

Project Detail		For a newly designated creek corridor in the City of Susanville’s downtown Memorial Park, PWA provided design services for comprehensive channel realignment, bank stabilization and flood terrace restoration. PWA conducted an integrated watershed and geomorphic analysis, providing the basis for a geomorphically appropriate design that responded to the creek projects location and function within the watershed. Specific goals for the project included rainbow and brown trout habitat enhancement, integrated flood management and environmental interpretation. The restoration reintroduced a meandering alignment to approximately 1,500 feet of multi-stage creek channel. Biotechnical streambank stabilization and native species revegetation plans were improvements that diversified the aquatic and riparian habitat throughout the project reach. Large wood structures (using trees recovered from the site) were introduced as deflector and drop structures, concentrating base flows in the thalweg channel. The structures encourage point bar and plunge pool establishment at several locations and enhance in-stream structure/habitat diversity and sediment transport through the reach. A small seasonal wetland was crafted to provide additional habitat, expanding the physical and visual connection of the creek to the surrounding park. A multi-use recreational trail parallels the creek and reconnects the park to Main Street, downtown Susanville and nearby neighborhoods. PWA’s services included hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, geomorphic assessments, permitting support, engineering design, construction documents, project management and contractor coordination. Early in the design process, PWA facilitated funding opportunities with the California Department of Water Resources. Construction observation and support services were also provided throughout the construction period. The Piute Creek Restoration was implemented in Fall 2002, with additional planting and interpretive project installations in Spring 2003.