Post Project Appraisal of Village Creek Restoration, Albany, CA

Village Creek, located in Albany, California, is the lower tributary of Marin Creek. In 1998, the University of California at Berkeley daylighted a 900-foot stretch of the Creek and restored it to an 1,125 feet long open channel flanked by 0.77 acres of riparian and aquatic habitat. The objective of the project was to increase aquatic habitat, provide conveyance for a 100-year flood, and recreate the natural stream dimensions for a bankfull channel, floodplain, and upper bank. This appraisal evaluates the current hydraulic and geomorphological conditions to determine the change from initial implementation and design. The study of the newly formed channel complexity showed changes in gravel and sand bars, as well as pools, riffles, and glides. A comparison between the current state of the creek and the intended design allowed the determination of extent to which the restoration meets the intended goals. Longitudinal and cross-sectional surveys along with channel mapping revealed an increase channel complexity and minor changes in the channel shape. In addition, an evaluation of the vegetation shows significant improvement in the riparian habitat. However, there was no observed development in aquatic habitat in Village Creek