Benefits

The project will greatly enhance the natural functioning of Lower Colgan Creek and is designed to provide the following community and environmental benefits:

• Increase the riparian canopy in both width and cover over the restoration reach. The widened channel will increase the area available for aquatic and terrestrial species living within or migrating along the creek. 
• Increase stream length by ~250 feet in Phase 2 by re-creating a meandering channel.
• Increase habitat diversity with log habitat structures to support pool development; boulder clusters to create natural riffles; and in-channel islands to support a variety of organisms and their life stages. In addition, the Project will add floodplains dominated by sedges (Carex sp.) and rushes (Juncus sp.), with a dominant tree canopy of oaks (Quercus sp.) and willow (Salix sp.).
• Remove invasive species and install genetically appropriate native species throughout the Project area. The site is dominated by Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and non-native grasses like Harding grass (Phalaris aquatica), rip-gut brome (Bromus diandrus) and wild oat (Avena fatua). 
• Increase flood capacity of the channel from 25-year to 100-year flood capacity, by increasing the channel width and reconnecting the creek to a portion of its historical floodplain.
• Increase ground water infiltration by slowing the flow within the channel. The Project will increase the thalweg length from 1,950 to 2,200 feet by introducing meander into the existing flood control channel.
• Improve water quality by reducing sediment from failing banks, increasing canopy cover over the channel and providing a vegetated floodplain that increases the surface area for plants to cleanse pollutants and excess nutrients from the storm runoff.
• Provide educational opportunities to the schools in the watershed. Phase 1 of the Lower Colgan Creek Restoration Project developed curriculum for elementary and high school students. This curriculum includes support for participating teachers to conduct water quality monitoring, native plant identification and propagation, bioassessment of benthic macroinvertebrates and participation in creek restoration. Phases 2 and 3 will continue to support these educational goals.
• Provide a bicycle and pedestrian path that at the completion of all three phases will have created a 1.4 mile trail that connects schools, neighborhoods, Sonoma County Regional Parks Trail and a planned neighborhood park. Phase 2 will construct approximately 1,900 linear feet of this trail, which will support active recreation and encourage physical activity while being located outside of sensitive creek habitat. 
• Increase aesthetic beauty by supporting a healthy riparian canopy that will provide a natural visual and acoustic screen throughout the reach.
• Increase the property values throughout the southwest area. Research has shown that creek restoration projects increase property values and projects that include paths with off-street connections and recreational activities have the greatest benefits.