Program Categories:

Watershed Activities:

The RCD has projects underway or recently completed in several Contra Costa watersheds. It is active in building watershed awareness throughout the county.

  • In the East County Delta Drainages and the Kellogg and Brushy Creek Watersheds, an RCD watershed resource specialist worked with landowners to develop beneficial management practices (BMPs) to reduce polluted runoff from agricultural lands.
  • The Pinole Creek Watershed - The RCD and NRCS partnered with The San Francisco Estuary Institute to produce The Pinole Creek Watershed Sediment Source Analysis and Baseline Water Quality Study - The final report is now available online in PDF format at http://www.sfei.org/watersheds/reports/Pinole_Creek/PinoleCreekFinal.pdf . A poster summarizing the study and its recommendations was produced for the State of the Estuary Conference. This poster can be viewed at http://www.sfei.org/presentations_posters/SOE_05/05SOE_Poster_Pearce_MedRes.pdf. Contact Carol Arnold at carol.arnold@ca.nacdnet.net for more information on this study.
  • Pavon Creeks Assessment - As a follow up to the Pinole Creek Sediment Study, the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) worked with the Contra Costa RCD, NRCS, and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) during the 2005-2006 wet season to complete an assessment of the Pavon Creeks sub-basin, a tributary to Pinole Creek to determine the causes of erosion in this sub-basin. These tributaries to Pinole Creek have been identified as the single largest point source of sediment in the watershed. The purpose of the assessment is to gain a better understanding of the processes and rates occurring within the sub-basin so that the stakeholders and land managers can make more informed decisions regarding current and future management of this area. The final report is now available online in PDF format at http://www.sfei.org/sfeireports.htm#WS .
  • In the Mt. Diablo Creek Watershed, the RCD led a watershed planning process. The RCD and NRCS partnered with the Natural Heritage Institute to conduct a biological resource inventory. Contact Carol Arnold at carol.arnold@ca.nacdnet.netfor more information.
  • Rodeo Creek Watershed Assessment for Bankfull Channel Geometry – the RCD and NRCS partnered with the Restoration Design Group to assess the bankfull channel geometry of Rodeo Creek at various locations within the watershed. This study contributed to the restoration design for the Muir Heritage Land Trust’s Fernandez Ranch portion of Rodeo Creek and also provided a watershed overview. Please contact Carol Arnold at carol.arnold@ca.nacdnet.net for more information.
  • A county-wide watershed signage program was implemented in 2004-2005, with the RCD taking a lead role. The goal of this project is to build awareness of our creeks and watersheds by identifying them with attractive signs on trails and roadways.
  • The RCD has sponsored citizen groups in four watersheds. (See RCD sponsored watershed groups below.)
    • Alhambra Creek Watershed,
    • Kirker Creek Watershed
    • Marsh Creek Watershed
    • Mt. Diablo Creek Watershed
  • RCD sponsored watershed groups and contacts:
  • Alhambra Watershed Council (AWC) - This stakeholder group published a watershed plan in April of 2001 and is currently in the implementation phase. Activities include monthly meetings, outreach, restoration and stewardship. for more information on AWC, please contact Lisa Anich at Lisa.anich@sbcglobal.net
  • Kirker Creek Watershed Advisory Group - The RCD sponsored this group from 2001-2007, and assisted in the development and publication of a watershed plan in January 2004. The group now meets independently on an ad-hoc basis to develop and implement projects. For more information contact Laura Wright (lwright@ci.pittsburg.ca.us) or Mitch Schweikert (mschweickert@losmedanos.net)
  • Partners for the Watershed - A group of educators and members of local government and industry who carry out stewardship and environmental education projects in the Kirker Creek Watershed.
    For information on the two groups above, contact Laura Wright (lwright@ci.pittsburg.ca.us) or Mitch Schweikert (mschweickert@losmedanos.net).
  • Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW)- Join this community group to help us identify activities, issues and projects to protect and restore the lower Marsh Creek Watershed. (Focusing in Brentwood and Oakley, downstream of the Marsh Creek Dam). Contact Mary Grim at mary.grim@ca.nacdnet.net
  • Mount Diablo Creek Watershed Planning Group – Has developed a watershed management plan that addresses the interests of diverse stakeholders in the watershed. Contact Linda Ballentine at Linda.Ballentine@ca.nacdnet.net.
  • Rodeo CreekWatershed Vison Planning Process - Spring 2008 marks the beginning of this several-month process. Contact Heidi Petty at heidi.petty@ca.nacdnet.net. 


    Local Weather Data Available Online from the CIMIS Network

    Farmers, golf courses, and landscape maintenance professionals can fine-tune irrigation to local weather conditions using weather data online. The Contra Costa RCD maintains a weather station in Brentwood that is part of the CA Department of Water Resources' CIMIS network. Other Contra Costa agencies maintain weather stations in Walnut Creek and Concord. You can view and download data for these stations, and stations state-wide, at the CIMIS website.


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    Programs for Teens

    Elkus Ranch Range and Natural Resources Camp - June, 2008

    Contra Costa RCD sponsors two high school student from Contra Costa County each year to attend the annual Range and Natural Resources Camp at Elkus Ranch near Half Moon Bay. Students spend a week sleeping in tent cabins and learning about ecology and practical land management skills such as plant identification, livestock management, wildfire issues, and range analysis and improvement. See the Brochure or Flyer for more details. Read about one student's experience at camp.

    Speak-Off Contest

    Contra Costa County high school students can win cash prizes by competing in the annual speech contest sponsored by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts. Students prepare a 3-5 minute speech on the topic: "The RCD's Role in Wildfire Recovery and Restoration."
    Deadline for Entry: Thurs. Sept. 11th. Winner may compete at the regional and state level. Click here for Contra Costa Application. Click here for contest rules and judging criteria. Contact Mary Grim for more information<

    CCRCD Prizes and Contest Date: - Sept. 17th, 6pm, Concord, CA:

    1st Place: $100
    2nd Place $50
    3rd Place: $30

    State Prizes and Contest Date - Nov. 22nd, Riverside CA.

    1st Place: $300
    2nd Place $200
    3rd Place: $100

    The regional contest will be held on October 14th. The regional winner will have the opportunity to compete in the statewide contest at the Annual CARCD meeting in Riverside, CA on November 22th. For more information, please contact Mary Grim at the RCD.

    Field Days and Workshops

    Weed Identification and Management Workshops (held 2007 and 2008) - DVD Available!

    Although Contra Costa County is blessed with much open land, weeds infestations can render this land useless for wildlife and dangerous for livestock. The goals of these two workshops were to improve early detection and reporting of the top weeds of concern for Contra Costa County, and to provide the latest and best weed control information to land managers, ranchers and city and agency maintenance workers. The 2008 workshop on ID and Mangement of Rangeland Weeds was videotaped. Contact Mary Grim to request the DVD.

    These workshops were funded mostly by a grant from the CALFED Watershed Program and organized collaboratively by the Contra Costa RCD, the Contra Costa Department of Agriculture and UC Cooperative Extension.

    Workshop on Maintenance of Ranch Roads and Fire Trails held 2006

    The Contra Costa RCD, NRCS and Contra Costa Fire Protection District recently held a half-day workshop for ranchers to learn more about the fire trail maintenance program and to exchange ideas with fire trail program staff about ranch road management. Ranchers had the opportunity to meet the fire trail management program’s staff, learn about the Fire Trail Program and learn how to prevent or manage erosion problems. Thanks to the USDA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) for funding this workshop.

    If you missed the workshop but would like information on these topics or an on-site consultation at your property, contact the RCD and NRCS office at 925-672-6522 x102.

     

     

    Video: Yellow Starthistle: Managing an Invasive Alien Species

    With support from Contra Costa RCD, Leif Joslyn of Xenobiota Xposures recently completed an instructional video on yellow starthistle control methods. Landowners and resource managers applauded Joslyn's previous videos on pampas grass and other invasive species and CCRCD is pleased to have had a role in creating this new production. Funding for the video was provided by an EQIP Educational grant from NRCS as well as donations from California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Dow Elanco, and the California Native Plant Society.

    There are two versions of the video. The 26-minute version of the video covers yellow starthistle's history, biology, and several control methods, and is suitable for a general audience. For those who want more information, the 50-minute version has additional interviews with California's leading experts on yellow starthistle and delves into the broader issue of the threat of invasive species to California's biodiversity.

    The video and can be viewed at the offices of Contra Costa RCD, borrowed for presentation to groups, or purchased from Leif Joslyn. To purchase the video, call Mr. Joslyn at (510) 524-3031. For more information about his other videos, visit Xenobiota Xposure's website.

    Documents:

      Alhambra Creek Watershed Management Plan

      "Alhambra Creek Watershed, Our Natural Community" - a watershed map and natural history

      "Horsekeeping: A Guide to Land Management for Clean Water"; * a 100-page binder on manure and pasture management, erosion control, runoff management, and maintenance of trails, roads, and water sources.

      Kirker Creek Watershed Management Plan

      "Kirker Creek Watershed" - a watershed map and resource guide

      Kirker Creek Watershed Resources Inventory

      Marsh Creek Watershed Issues Catalog

      Marsh Creek Watershed Resources Inventory

      Know Your Septic System* - A two-page brochure on proper care for septic systems. (392 KB)

      Molasses Spraying* - A two-paged brochure on a Prescribed Grazing Method for Fire Fuel Management and Rangeland Conservation(127 KB)

      *These files are in PDF format. Please click here if you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader ®, which is available free.

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