PROPOSED LONG TERM MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

FOR SALSIPUEDES AND CORRALITOS CREEKS

SUBJECT: SALSIPUEDES CREEK AND CORRALITOS CREEK FLOOD CONTROL MAINTENANCE

To Whom It May Concern:

The following is a description of maintenance duties performed in Salsipuedes Creek and Corralitos Creek by the Santa Cruz County Public Works Drainage Maintenance Division for the Pajaro Storm Drain Maintenance District (PSDMD).

The purpose for the work is to maintain a standard level of flood control to protect the health, safety, welfare and property of people living in the area along the creeks and in the City of Watsonville. Maintenance work has been ongoing since the establishment of the PSDMD in 1939.

The flood control work is performed annually and is done in accordance to a maintenance memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Department of Fish and Game. Any necessary flood control duties which do not fall under the guidelines of the MOU are performed after an agreement has been reached with the State Department of Fish and Game through the 1601 Streambed Alteration Agreement process.

The degree of maintenance varies within the two creeks. Salsipuedes Creek has been substantially changed from its natural state by a levee system constructed in 1949 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Corralitos Creek still remains in its natural condition.

SALSIPUEDES CREEK

Salsipuedes Creek begins as it exits the pump station at the outlet of College Lake. It does not drain on its own from the lake during the spring and summer months. College Lake is pumped dry annually for the purpose of agriculture. It then flows under State Highway 152 and College Road through two separate culvert pipes, where it then joins Corralitos Creek at the State Highway 152/East Lake Avenue bridge. From the 152 Bridge, the flow of both creeks is contained on the west side of the channel by the levee system and by the natural bank on the east side. At Lakeview Road, a levee system begins on the east side of the channel and continues to the State Highway 129/Riverside Drive bridge and the to the Pajaro River.

Between the College Lake outlet and the confluence of Corralitos Creek, the maintenance which normally occurs is the removal of fallen trees, overhanging trees, debris jams, and silt removal on an as needed basis. There are no levees in place here.

Between the E. Lake Ave. /Hwy. 152 bridge (confluence of Corralitos Cr.) and the Lakeview Road area, vegetation on the east side, where the natural bank occurs, in not routinely maintained. Only fallen trees which divert or block water flow are removed.

On the West side, and on the east beyond Lakeview Road, vegetation on the levee slopes and benches is controlled by a combination of mechanical mowing and herbicide applications on a semi annual basis, however, neither of these events takes place in the month of April so that there is more vegetation to benefit nesting birds in the area. The herbicide Roundup-Pro is applied only to the levee slopes and benches.

Channel bottom maintenance takes place annually throughout the whole stretch of the creek and consists of removal of all woody vegetation, fallen trees and log or debris jams. Tule growth is left in place as it normally “lays down” during the winner storm flows. This vegetation removal is performed by hand. No equipment is operated in the channel bottom. The woody growth consists mainly of willow saplings.

Siltation and sandbars which restrict channel capacity and divert water are removed on an as needed basis, using equipment. This type of work is scheduled only after the Fish and Game 1601 Streambead Alteration Process has been completed and approved, and the proper permits attained from County Planning Department.

Levee roads and slopes are maintained on an as needed basis and include activities such as; application of base rock, grading of levee top and slopes, pothole and shoulder patching and replacement of gates and fences and rodent control.

Flapgate channels, which direct the flow of street drainage from pump stations, across the levee bench to the creek, are cleared of all vegetation and siltation on an as needed basis using equipment operated from the top of the bank. Normally twice a year, once before winter and once after. An aquatic herbicide (Rodeo) is applied semi-annually to the channel.

In the stretch of creek between the State Highway 129/Riverside Drive bridge and the confluence of the Pajaro River, the terrain changes. The banks are steeper and there are numerous mature trees lining the banks. A levee road and slope still exists on both sides of the creek. A levee road and slope still exists on both sides of the creek. Maintenance in this area consists of herbicide application to the levee slopes only, and removal of fallen or learning trees which would block or divert storm flows.

CORRALITOS CREEK

Corralitos Creek is patrolled between the Browns Valley bridge, near the town Corralitos, and downstream to the East Lake Avenue/State Highway 152 bridge. The creek through most of this area normally dries up during the summer months, leaving only occasional ponded areas.

Within this stretch, fallen trees, or any leaning trees which would block or divert storm waters are cut into three to four foot sections and left in place. Their root structures are not cut and are also left in place so as to provide habitat. This work is done by hand during times of low flow. No equipment is operated in the channel bottom. In the winter months when there is substantial water flow, and a tree blocks or diverts the water, equipment is operated from the top of the channel and the tree is removed from the channel.