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Implementation of Multi-Benefit Juvenile Salmonid Habitat Restoration on the Lower Yuba River:
The Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project

Jai Singh
cbec eco engineering
Richmond, VA

Authors:
J. Singh, cbec, eco engineering, Richmond, VA
C. Sawyer, cbec eco engineering, West Sacramento, CA
S. Hammersmark, cbec eco engineering, West Sacramento, CA
J. Diaz, cbec eco engineering, West Sacramento, CA
K. Merz, Cramer Fish Sciences
P. Selheim, Cramer Fish Sciences
A. Colombano, Cramer Fish Sciences
T. Zettler-Mann, South Yuba River Citizens League
P. Goodearly, South Yuba River Citizens League
P. Cadrett, United State Fish & Wildlife Service
J. Mathew, Yuba Water Agency

Anthropogenic activities in California’ Yuba River Watershed dating back to the Gold Rush altered geomorphic and hydraulic conditions, and subsequently the available habitat for rearing juvenile salmonids. The Hallwood Side Channel and Floodplain Restoration Project on the Lower Yuba River was developed to address the United States Fish & Wildlife Service Anadromous Fish Restoration Program’s goal to double natural production of anadromous fish in California’s Central Valley rivers. Specifically, the Project was designed to restore and enhance ecosystem processes, focusing on juvenile rearing fall and spring-run Chinook Salmon and California Central Valley (CCV) steelhead. The Project is supported by numerous agencies and stakeholders, and leverages relationships with aggregate mining landowners to facilitate economically efficient habitat enhancement. The design process targeted increasing inundation frequency and duration during the rearing period in a network of perennial and seasonally inundated side channels, removing unnatural constraints separating the main channel from its floodplain, and reducing non-native predator habitat. Two-dimensional hydraulic models and habitat suitability indices were used to predict habitat benefits, including an increase in suitable acreage for rearing and wetted edge habitat. The multi-year construction effort began in 2019 and is nearing completion. When finished, the project will create or enhance up to a total of 157 acres of seasonally inundated floodplain habitat, 1.7 miles of perennial channels, and 6.1 miles of seasonal side channels and alcoves. The project also provides flood benefits by reducing water surface elevations by several feet and reducing pressure on training walls bounding the floodway. The initial results of a rigorous monitoring program that is measuring the effects of restoration on a range of ecological parameters will also be presented.