1999-Ongoing

In late 1999 residents of the 33 square mile Sulphur Creek watershed in eastern Plumas County expressed concern about the loss of their land due to erosion. The Plumas Corporation was contacted and a meeting was arranged to discuss concerns and explore options. The Sulphur Creek watershed is a major source of sediment into the Middle Fork Feather River.  The intent of the project was to provide landowners with the necessary information to develop a long-term restoration strategy for Sulphur Creek and its tributaries.   In 2002, the project was funded through a Proposition 13 watershed grant for $177,000.  The Mohawk Valley Watershed Restoration Committee was formed and in coordination with the Feather River Coordinated Resource Management group they started a citizen monitoring effort, and assisted in the development of a detailed long-term restoration strategy and assessment completed in 2004. 
Project development funds provided by the Plumas County Water Forum were used to conceptualize project proposals and coordinate amongst landowners.  Two demonstration projects, Rapp-Guidici and Boulder Creek, were identified as high priority in the Sulphur Creek Watershed Analysis because the entrenchment of both of these channels has nearly worked upstream to the edge of the coarse material alluvial fan off the steep western slope of the watershed.  The analysis revealed that this material is a primary source of a vicious cycle of instability on the mainstem of Sulpur Creek, and the restoration of natural sediment capture features in the watershed is a primary restoration goal.  The Rapp-Guidici project was recently approved for funding through PL106-393, Secure Schools, Title II monies. The Boulder Creek project was submitted to the state for funding through Proposition 40 in February of 2006 with an array of other Middle Fork Feather River watershed projects.  On Boulder Creek the existing entrenchment  merges with neighboring Rapp-Guidici Creek about 200 feet before merging with Sulphur Creek.  The projects propose to restore the floodplain function through the use of the pond and plug technique.  Utilizing the existing remnant channel would result in Rapp-Guidici and Boulder Creeks merging approximately 400 feet further up valley than they currently do.  Concurrent construction of these two projects together (planned for 2007), would result in a savings of approximately $25,000. 

Activities

•   Watershed Assessment.pdf
  
•   Assessment Appendices.pdf
  

•      Restoration Strategy  and          Project List

Maps

	Shaded Relief Map
	USGS Topoquad with private vs. public land ownership