Location:  Charles & Hosselkus Creeks: Hosselkus:  T.25N R.11E Sec. 4&9; Last Chance at Charles: T.25 R.16 Sec. 7; T.25 R.15 Sec. 1; Last Chance at low-water crossing: T26 R14 S. 23    Project Location Map                                                                  

Sponsors:  Feather River CRM

Project Type: Restoration

Est. Cost:  $308,000                  Amount Funded:  $35,000 Majority Funding approved 8/31/04 for Charles Creek; $115,000 Majority Funding approved 10/26/04 for Hosselkus & Last Chance low water crossing

Est. Start Date:  9/15/04                     Est. End Date: 12/31/05

Project Description:  Both the Hosselkus and Last Chance at Charles project areas will employ the pond and plug technique. The technique involves obliterating a gully by replacing it with a series of earthen plugs and ponds.  The excavation of the ponds provides the fill material for the plugs.  The stream flow that was within the gully is re-directed into an existing remnant channel at the elevation of the meadow, resulting in a defined, continuous channel throughout the length of the project.  To minimize the footprint of the project, the fill material from any pond is moved less than 300 feet to a plug. 

The primary function of the ponds is to provide the fill material for the gully plugs; an ancillary benefit is wildlife habitat enhancement. The plug elevations and widths are designed to reduce the risk of head-cutting and surface erosion during major overland flows.  Project re-vegetation work focuses primarily on the plugs.  Prior to any excavation, topsoil and vegetation is removed and stockpiled.  This material is then spread onto disturbed areas as the last step of construction.  The native seed bank and sod in that material initiates native re-vegetation.

The second project component is the modification of the low-water crossing at the downstream end of the LCCWRP.  This crossing is a key base level anchor point for the Alkali Flat portions of the project constructed in 2003.  That portion of Alkali Flat immediately upstream of the crossing has been restored by the activities of beaver.   Raising the crossing elevation enhances and protects the upstream beaver dam complex and will incorporate an innovative fish passage design. The design has been developed by the USFS watershed program and will be implemented jointly between FRCRM staff and the USFS watershed engineer.

Project Goals/Objectives:

These project areas are now characterized as xeric meadows with incised channels.  The goal of the projects is to restore the function of these floodplain/channel systems.  The objectives of the projects are to eliminate the gully and return the channel to the elevation of the floodplain.  The projects are justified because their implementation will result in restored floodplain function, thus attenuating flood flows, contributing to late summer releases, and improving riparian area productivity for wildlife and meadow productivity for cattle production

Project Activities:

Last Chance at Charles Creek (http://www.feather-river-crm.org/projects/last_chance/lastchance.htm ): Restoration work completed October 1, 2004 – November 30, 2004.  Electric fence installed June 2005. Expenditures: $35,000                                                     

Hosselkus Creek & Last Chance Creek low water crossing: January 1, 2005 – March 31, 2005: CEQA documentation completed; submitted applications for permits.

April 1, 2005 – June 30, 2005: received permits from Army Corps of Engineers and State Water Quality Control Board; met with CA Dept of Fish & Game; watershed analysis completed & submitted.

July 1, 2005 – September 2005: Due to a delay in the NEPA process, construction won’t be done until Fall 2006.  CRM staff coordinated a collection agreement between Forest Service and Flood Control District for work on the low water crossing and obtained approval of a timeline extension for work on both Hosselkus and the low water crossing.

October 1, 2005 – March 31, 2006: Assessed stability of Hosselkus Creek after high flow events in December 2005.  Stabilized new headcut with rock; met w/ landowner to discuss possible design revisions.

April 1, 2006 – June 30,2006: Reconfigured the conceptual design based on discussions with the landowner after changes from high flows last winter; proposed revisions reviewed by Technical Advisory Committee.  Took measurements of ground water wells.

Expenditures to date: $9,893.28