San Luis Obispo Creek at San Luis Bay Drive near Avila Beach Stream Gage Project No. 455R277613/ ED No. 26-0081

The proposed project involves the installation of a stream gage along San Luis Obispo Creek near Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County. The stream gage will include both bridge-mounted and bank-mounted components on and in the immediate vicinity of San Luis Bay Drive Bridge No. 3. A non-contact radar stage sensor and a co-located small wire-weight reference gage will be installed on the existing bridge structure. Bridge-mounted components will be secured to the bridge railing to avoid drilling into or otherwise modifying the bridge. The bank-mounted installation will consist of a gage shelter located along the top of the left (south) bank of San Luis Obispo Creek, near the northwestern corner of the intersection of San Luis Bay Drive and Avila Beach Drive. Additional equipment will include a pressure transducer and a water temperature sensor, which will be routed along existing rock slope protection on the bank and placed within the creek bed. The equipment will be secured using drive pins and rock anchors. In-channel work is expected to be completed using hand tools. Limited excavation above the ordinary high-water mark is proposed, along with minor vegetation trimming. No tree removal or habitat alteration is proposed as part of the project. Vehicle parking and staging of supplies and equipment will occur within previously disturbed areas or on existing paved surfaces.