 
Gobernador Debris Basin Click images for full-size photos tracking the progress of this restoration project.
 
The Gobernador debris dam, before 2008 re-construction.
The concrete and rock structure severely limits fish migration to habitat upstream in Los Padres National Forest.
A culvert at the base of the dam provides the only flow during dry periods.
Before construction, County biologists prepared to rescue aquatic animals and relocate them to safer waters.
Several coast newts (Taricha torosa), a California "species of concern," were captured and released upstream of the construction site.
Nearly 50 Oncorhynchus mykiss fish were moved upstream to a stream pool outside of the construction zone. Click below for a short video showing the fish release: (mp4 file, opens with QuickTime)
After fish and wildlife are moved out of the construction zone, excavators begin to break apart the surface of the debris dam and haul away soil and sediment.
When the dam has been excavated down to the desired level, trenches are dug on each side of the stream bed. Large boulders and concrete are installed in each trench to provide armoring of the future creek channel.
©Carpinteria Creek Watershed Coalition Last updated Sept 24, 2008
©Carpinteria Creek Watershed Coalition |
