Creek Maintenance Policies and Procedures – (6Mb PDF)

Prepared by the City of Ukiah Paths, Open Space and Creeks Commission (POSCC) at the direction of the City Council, this document was prompted by citizen concerns regarding how the local creeks were being maintained for flood control purposes. The primary concern centered on the amount and type of vegetation that was being removed and that the health and ecology of the creeks were being damaged.

This document establishes the policies and procedures for the City crews and other agencies and organizations to follow when performing creek maintenance and garbage and rubbish removal. It strikes a balance between the public health and safety need to control flood waters and the community goal of protecting and restoring the local creeks and their riparian corridors.

If you’re interested in taking an active role in the preservation of local creeks, the Friends of Gibson Creek is an organization dedicated to the health and appreciation of Ukiah area creeks and watershed.

Doolin Creek – A Vision for Restoration & Enhancement

The purpose of the Doolin Creek Restoration and Enhancement Plan is to provide long-term guidance for the preservation of the healthy portions of the creek, restoration and enhancement of degraded areas, and reestablishing parts of the creek as a place for human use and appreciation. In attempting to manage the creek in an environmentally sensitive manner and protect it from further degradation, the City of Ukiah hired RRM Design Group and Golden Bear Biostudies to prepare a conceptual restoration and enhancement plan. In the interest of implementation, this document presents guidelines to achieve these goals over time.

Although this Plan is site-specific and provides some detail, it is conceptual in nature. It is intended to help inform long-term planning and development decisions that would affect Doolin Creek. It is not intended to replace or supersede existing City plans or codes. If any of the improvements presented in this document were to be planned or built, the City would need to perform environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and follow all other applicable regulations and City planning review procedures. Furthermore, in many areas along its length, private property ownership extends to the centerline of the creek; permission must be obtained from private landowners prior to working on private property. Also, a California Department of Fish & Game Streambank Alteration Permit would be required to implement many of the enhancement opportunities discussed later in this document.

City View Trail

The City View Trail winds its way through the west hills. This approximately 1 1/2 mile long extension to existing trails in Low Gap Park has been designed by the Ukiah Valley Trails Group for the benefit of the entire community. Intended as a multi-use trail, for hikers and bikers alike, it will offer breath-taking vistas of the Ukiah Valley with an eye toward the preservation and appreciation of native California flora and fauna.

Work is still being done on the trail by the Ukiah Valley Trails Group. Contact them today to get more involved.

Riparian Vegetation of Ukiah

Riparian vegetation lives around rivers and streams. Many of Ukiah’s trees (including the iconic Valley Oak), shrubs, and vines are considered important riparian vegetation.

Below is a list the Commission had prepared to detail the important riparian vegetation in the area (download the PDF).

Trees

Shrubs

Vines