Spring Creek Restoration Project

The Spring Creek Restoration Project, led by the Feather River Resource Conservation District and Point Blue Conservation Science, focuses on restoring approximately 202 acres of meadow and adjacent upland habitat in Plumas County, California. The project aims to restore floodplain connectivity and hydrology that were compromised by legacy grazing, road construction, and the 2021 Beckwourth Complex fire. Key objectives include improving downstream water quality, increasing carbon sequestration, and enhancing wildlife habitat through the restoration of approximately 9,892 linear feet of channel and stream. Implementation is scheduled from June 2026 to December 2030, with primary construction occurring during the dry season between August 1 and October 30. The scope of work involves stabilizing vertical and lateral erosion using a variety of techniques, including channel fill, headcut treatments, riffle augmentation with rock and sod, and the installation of beaver dam analogs, post-assisted log structures, and willow fascines. Heavy equipment will be used to recontour artificial berms and ditches to match natural topography. The project is governed by a statutory exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, with concurrence from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Performance will be verified through visual inspections and photo documentation of all restoration structures. Additionally, the lead agency will conduct annual site visits for at least three years post-restoration, utilizing an adaptive management approach and a 2025 baseline data set focusing on bird populations, vegetation, and soil carbon flux to ensure success criteria are met.