Slinkard and By-Day Creek Ecological Reserve Watershed Restoration

The Slinkard and By-Day Creek Ecological Reserve Watershed Restoration project is a forecast initiative managed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region, under NAICS code 541620. The project aims to restore hydrogeomorphic function and floodplain connectivity, reduce erosion, and enhance aquatic and riparian habitat complexity to support native species, specifically the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. The work is located in Mono County, California, across two California Department of Fish and Wildlife properties: the 7,000-acre Slinkard Valley west of Coleville and the 460-acre By-Day Creek Ecological Reserve outside of Bridgeport. The scope of work involves the installation of 180 Beaver Dam Analogs along 1.34 miles of stream channel. These activities will be performed by hand crews harvesting woody materials such as willows, conifers, and sage brush, with mechanical equipment limited strictly to vehicles for project access. The project is classified as a Small Habitat Restoration Project and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 15333. Key points of contact include Engineering Geologist Meghan Walsh and Project Manager Lindsay Britton.