Bull Creek Stream Bank Stabilization

The January 1997 storm washed out a portion of stream bank along Bull Creek, threatening stability of the Mattole Road, a county thoroughfare, just downstream of Harper Creek, as well as threatening a grove of redwoods in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Humboldt County, California.

California Department of Parks and Recreation North Coast Redwoods District contracted RCAA'sNatural Resources Services division to address the situation. By laying back the over-steepened slopes to a 1.5:1 angle of repose and then armoring the banks with boulders, this two year project successfully prevented the road from being washed out during the 1998 and 1999 winter seasons, and saved the redwood grove from further bank erosion. The rock slope protection employed bio-technical treatment with willow cuttings, and incorporated large woody debris instream structures to improve stream hydraulics and fishery habitat.