Negro Canyon Watershed Assessment and Restoration Project Design

Integrated Environmental Restoration Services (IERS), in partnership with River Run Consulting, developed and implemented a new erosion-focused watershed assessment methodology for rapidly identifying and treating problem areas in disturbed watersheds. This assessment methodology was implemented in the Gregory Creek watershed (Negro Canyon) near Truckee, CA to identify problem areas and establish restoration priorities. More specifically, this erosion-focused watershed assessment methodology was used to rapidly characterize past disturbances, map water flow paths, identify erosion "hot spots", scope treatment actions, and develop a sequencing plan for restoration projects based on hydrologic connections between problem areas. The Truckee River Watershed Council leveraged the watershed assessment to secure funding for project design and permitting. IERS was hired to lead the design for Phase One restoration projects in Negro Canyon, which included stream channel improvements, stabilization and revegetation of ephemeral drainages, and road obliteration/restoration. IERS prepared construction plans and specifications for five interconnected projects as part of the Phase One restoration effort. The erosion-focused watershed assessment methodology developed and demonstrated by IERS provides a cost-effective and logical approach for those who want to address, rather than simply define, the root causes of watershed issues.