South Creek Streambed Profile Restoration Project

The project will restore streambed profile and riparian function along South Creek, an intermittent, deeply incised tributary of La Hoya Creek within the Salsipuedes Creek watershed, which drains to the Santa Ynez River. The project applies low-tech, process-based restoration (LTPBR) to reverse channel incision and re-establish the connection between the stream and its historic floodplain. Restoration is achieved by installing simple, hand-built structures that mimic natural wood accumulations and beaver activity; post-assisted log structures (PALS) and beaver dam analogues (BDAs). These structures slow surface flows, capture and store sediment, raise the local water table, and initiate recovery of native riparian vegetation and aquatic habitat over time.