Butte Creek Floodplain Restoration Project
Client
Friends of Butte Creek
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Floodplain RestorationEnhancing Butte Creek’s Floodplain for a Healthier Watershed
FlowWest is proud to support the Butte Creek Floodplain Reconnection and Channel Restoration Project, a critical effort aimed at revitalizing essential habitat for Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon. Decades of gold dredging and gravel mining left behind altered landscapes that hinder natural water flow and disrupt salmon migration. Our team is leveraging advanced data analysis, modeling, and habitat restoration techniques to reconnect historic floodplains, improve hydraulic connectivity, and create a more resilient ecosystem for salmon and other native species.
Innovative Solutions for Floodplain Restoration
Successful floodplain restoration requires a deep understanding of hydrology, sediment transport, and ecological function. FlowWest is utilizing state-of-the-art lidar mapping, aerial imagery, and hydraulic modeling to identify optimal areas for restoration. By strategically regrading floodplain areas and reconnecting side channels, we aim to reduce fish stranding risks, improve water quality, and enhance natural flood processes. Our science-based approach ensures that restoration efforts are effective, sustainable, and adaptive to future environmental changes.
A Lasting Impact on Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health
Restoring Butte Creek’s floodplain is a significant step toward supporting the long-term recovery of threatened salmon populations. Improved habitat conditions will increase juvenile salmon survival rates and promote overall watershed resilience. Beyond ecological benefits, this project strengthens the local community’s connection to Butte Creek, providing opportunities for education, recreation, and environmental stewardship. FlowWest remains committed to advancing innovative water management solutions that balance ecological restoration with community and stakeholder needs.
