Reports
Newly-Released Report:
Watershed-Based Assessment of Hydrologic and Geomorphic Conditions in Cache Creek through Capay Valley
Above: Photo of a point bar surface showing the Cache Creek streambed composed primarily of gravel- and cobble sized sediments.
The Capay Valley segment of Cache Creek flows through a rural area in northwestern Yolo County that supports a productive agricultural community. Resource management issues affecting lands along the stream corridor include: streambank erosion, the spread of invasive, non-native plants, and elevated levels of mercury in the ecosystem. As part of the conservation planning effort to address these issues, the Yolo County Resource Conservation District retained Kamman Hydrology & Engineering, Inc. (KHE) to prepare this assessment of the hydrologic and geomorphic conditions of Cache Creek within Capay Valley. Work was funded through the CALFED Watershed Program, Department of Water Resources and the California Bay-Delta Authority. The assessment describes the physical processes that collectively shape the stream corridor and control channel changes over time. The objectives of the study are to:
- Document the physical characteristics of the stream channel and surrounding watershed;
- Identify the causes of streambank erosion affecting lands along the stream corridor; and
- Evaluate whether the prevailing geomorphic processes and stream channel morphology are indicative of a stable channel.
The preceding is from the Executive Summary of the 107 page report, which you can download here.
