Putah-Cache Watershed Arundo Eradication Program, Phase 1
Program
Riparian Habitat Restoration
Primary RCD
Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Lead Implementer
Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Funders
Cache Creek Conservancy, Putah Creek Council, Solano County Water Agency, Solano Resource Conservation District, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wildlife Conservation Board, Yolo Basin Foundation , Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District , Yolo County Resource Conservation District, Yolo County, CA
Other Organizations
California Conservation Corps, California Department of Water Resources, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
Project Primary Contact
Heather Nichols (nichols@yolorcd.org)
Project Stage
Implementation
Duration
2020 - 2024
Watershed Restoration
Riparian Habitat Restoration
This project aims to enhance streamflow and improve riparian habitat quality by removing extensive infestations of Arundo donax (arundo) in the Putah-Cache Watershed, including Putah Creek and its tributaries Pleasants and Dry Creeks, Cache Creek and Willow, Chickahominy, Union School and Dry Sloughs in Yolo and Solano counties. Spaces vacated by arundo removal have been allowed to passively restore with native vegetation. Where rapid soil protection or stabilization is needed, woody cuttings, plugs, and seed will be used to accelerate re-colonization by native plants.
Key Accomplishments
- Invasive Species Control: 70.40 acres
- Plants Installed: 5,000
Project Themes
- Forests and Fire
- Healthy Watersheds
A stand of arundo donax along Salt Creek, summer 2021
Credit: Greg Pelaez
Location
Expenditures
Expenditures by Funding Source to Date: $2,638,696.39
Prop 1 (WCB): $2,008,241
In Kind (Yolo County RCD): $87,539
In Kind (Solano RCD): $20,805
In Kind (Yolo Basin Foundation ): $1,048
In Kind (YOLCO): $2,701
In Kind (YCFCWCD): $5,750
In Kind (Solano Water): $371,783
In Kind (Cache Creek Conservancy): $138,017
In Kind (Putah Creek Council): $2,812
Photos
A stand of arundo donax along Salt Creek, December 2021 (Timing: During)
Credit: Greg Pelaez
Herbicide treatment on arundo donax cut stumps, July 2022 (Timing: During)
Credit: Greg Pelaez
Plugs being planted at revegetation site, December 2022 (Timing: During)
Credit: Greg Pelaez
Project last updated 6/27/2023