Water Resources Collections and Archives

In 2000, an 850-ft reach of Baxter Creek in Booker T. Anderson Jr. Park, Richmond, CA was regarded and the banks planted with riparian vegetation to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, and to provide an attractive amenity for the neighborhood and educational opportunity for nearby schools. Baseline studies of the restoration project were completed in 2000. In November 2005 we conducted a post-project appraisal, by surveying three cross sections and a long profile, mapping site characteristics, measuring water flow and temperature, and assessing growth of riparian vegetation by comparing current conditions with those documented on photographs taken pre-project and after construction. Our results showed that channel geometry has remained stable and riparian vegetation has increased. However, the channel has accumulated a great deal of trash, including shopping carts, mattresses, plastic bottles, and oil residues on the water surface. Improvement in certain wildlife habitat parameters is offset by the large volume of trash and its negative effect on water quality and aesthetics.