Fish Passage Improvement at Crossing 4, Quiota Creek (Request No. 1652-2016-007-001-R5)

Fish Passage Improvement at Crossing 4, Quiota Creek (Request No. 1652-2016-007-001-R5)

Pursuant to fish and game code section 1652, Fish and Wildlife has approved the Fish Passage Improvement at Crossing 4, Quiota Creek Project submitted by Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board. The primary purpose of the project is for habitat improvement and barrier removal. The project includes removing a concrete low flow Arizona crossing (barrier), installing a new bottomless-arched culvert, grading the resulting bed of the creek to the natural channel bed gradient, and placing engineered stream material in the resulting graded channel to mimic natural stream geometry at Crossing 4 within Quiota Creek. Vegetated rock slope protection will be placed immediately upstream and downstream of the bridge to increase bank stability and limit scour. All areas disturbed by construction activities will be revegetated using locally native plants and hydroseed. Specifically, the project will provide a net benefit to Southern California Steelhead by re opening access to 3.27 miles of spawning and rearing habitat within the creek. The project will also allow species such as the California red-legged frog the option to cross underneath the new bridge and avoid being potentially killed or injured by vehicles traveling on South Refugio Road. Due to the presence of cattle grazing in the neighboring properties immediately adjacent to the creek, and the need to prevent cattle from crossing underneath the bridge, the project also includes installing cattle exclusion fencing that allows high flow and debris to pass under the fencing while deterring cattle from crossing.

Santa Barbara