1. Monitoring Restoration Effectiveness of Lower Redwood Creek Restoration at Muir Beach
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping,
Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
0 1 20.5 Miles
Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Beach Site
Regional Watersheds
Redwood Creek
Watershed
Muir
Woods
Watershed
Restoration ActivitiesLand Use
Habitat Conditions
Watershed Processes
Biological Response
Holistic ApproachProcess-Based Restoration
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
pre-­‐1840
1841-­‐1920
1921-­‐1980
1981-­‐2002
Sediment
Produc8on
Es8mates
(t
km-­‐2a-­‐1)
Sediment
Produc8on
Es8mates
Sediment Production Estimates Historical Extent of Big Lagoon
A.
The
channel
periodically
occupies
areas
previously
"out
of
bounds‟
B.
Channel
and
beach
adjustment
is
not
confined
by
the
new
arrangement
of
features
C.
There
are
no
zones
of
aggradation
or
incision
that
develop
in
response
to
constraint
on
or
excess
sediment
transport.
A.
Does
the
restored
channel
convey
the
1.5-­‐year
flood
event
at
bank
top
elevations,
such
that
flows
above
this
level
inundate
the
floodplain?
B.
Does
the
restored
channel
migrate
within
the
restored
area
during
1.5–2
yr
flood
flows?
A.
Relief
ratio
of
the
channel
thalweg
and
floodplain
remains
approximately
constant
through
time
B.
Relative
beach
profile
remains
similar
4.
Restore
natural
beach
processes.
C.
Does
the
restored
creek
significantly
alter
the
hydroperiod
of
lagoon
closure
and
wave
overwash
episodes?
Comparison
of
pre-­‐
project
and
post-­‐
project
hydro-­‐period.
5–50
years
5.
Re-­‐establish
natural
lateral
and
longitudinal
connectivity
among
channel,
floodplain,
riparian,
and
upland
habitats.
Is
lateral
and
longitudinal
connectivity
among
channel,
floodplain,
riparian
and
upland
habitats
re-­‐established
and
sustained
as
a
result
of
restoration
actions?
A.
Length
of
connected
in
the
restoration
area
is
increased
and
sustained
during
1.5-­‐year
flood
events
and
above.
10
years
Success
Criteria
A.
Channel
flow
occupies
a
bank-­‐top
elevation
during
statistically
“bankfull”
flood
events.
Effectiveness
Monitoring
Testable
Element
TimeframeRestoration
Objective
1.
Remove
constraints
to
natural
geomorphic
processes,
such
as
sediment
transport,
channel
migration,
channel-­‐floodplain
interaction,
and
seasonal
and
long-­‐term
beach
change.
Does
the
modification
of
existing
constraints
(e.g.
visitor
parking
lot,
Pacific
Way
bridge,
levee
road)
allow
(A,
B)
unrestricted
channel-­‐floodplain
interaction,
beach
adjustment
and
(C)
unimpeded
sediment
transport
within
the
restored
area?
50
years
2.
Rely
on
geomorphic
processes
to
maintain
and
support
the
restoration.
5–50
years
Effectiveness
Monitoring
Framework,
Lower
Redwood
Creek
Restoration
at
Muir
Beach
Process:
Hydrology
and
Geomorphology
3.
Accommodate
future
watershed
sediment
delivery.
Does
the
restored
channel
and
floodplain
(A)
retain
relative
relief
in
the
context
of
(B)
sediment
delivery
into
the
restored
area
and
(C)
evolution
of
the
beach
profile?
5–50
years
Project Implementation
Phase 1 (2009)
• Excavated fill adjacent to visitor parking lot
• Added backwater extension to lagoon
Phase 2 (2010)
• Constructed 550-ft channel segment temporarily connected to the
downstream end of the existing channel with a culvert through the
levee road
• Removed gravel along 615 feet of channel upstream of Pacific Way
Bridge and 490 feet downstream to use in channel construction
• Constructed new alignment of Green Gulch Tributary
• Constructed side channels S5 and S6
• Installed large woody debris in new channels
Phase 3 (2011)
• Constructed pools, riffles, and placed large woody debris
• Constructed tie-ins from the 2010 channel to the existing channel
upstream and downstream
• Constructed backwater complex
• Converted former channel to side channel habitat
• Installed new pedestrian bridge
• Removed levee road
Phase 4 (2013)
• New parking lot alignment installed
• Constructed two secondary channels upstream of lagoon
• Remaining section of pedestrian bridge installed
• Headcut draining into expanded lagoon was filled to match
floodplain grades
Site Map Through Phase 4
¯0 160 32080 Feet
Backwater
Complex
Fill Removed
New Secondary
Channels
Parking Lot
Rotation
Lagoon
Expansion
Pacific Way
Bridge
S5
S6
S4
FormerChannel
Green Gulch Tributary
New Channel
Alignment
LeveeRoadRemoved
Large Woody
Debris
Installed
Juvenile coho salmon
Borrowed from Stillwater Sciences, 2004
Pre-Project Site Map
¯0 210 420105 Feet
Pre-Project
Lagoon
Pacific Way
Bridge
Highway 1
Crossing
LeveeRoad
Tributary
Green Gulch Tributary
RedwoodCreek
PacificWay
Muir Beach Site 1960’s

2. 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
75
85
Eleva&on
(+
NAVD)
Distance
from
Le+
Endpoint
(+)
Cross
Sec&on
18+25
Profile
Fall
2011,
2012,
2013,
2014
Nov-­‐11
Nov-­‐12
Nov-­‐13
14-­‐Aug
4
6
8
10
12
14
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Eleva&on
(+
NAVD)
Distance
from
Le+
Endpoint
(+)
Cross
Sec&on
23+31
Fall
2011,
2012,
2013
Nov-­‐11
Nov-­‐12
Nov-­‐13
14-­‐Aug
Flood Inundation and Channel Connectivity
Channel Morphology
Flood Events (100-150 cfs)
Recurrence Interval <1 Year
Number of times inundated
1
2
3
as-built features
Flood Events (500-900 cfs)
Recurrence Interval 1.5-3.5 Year
Number of times inundated
1
2
3
as-built features
XS_A
XS_B
16+84
24+48
15+49
23+31
26+93
14+36
26+40
27+50
28+44
29+74
22+00
21+32
20+34
19+68
18+25
¯0 100 20050 Feet
-­‐1.35
-­‐1.41
0.20
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
-­‐1.56
-­‐1.03
0.16
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
-­‐2.00
-­‐1.50
-­‐1.00
-­‐0.50
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
-­‐1.35
-­‐1.41
0.20
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
-­‐1.56
-­‐1.03
0.16
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
-­‐1.41
0.20
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
-­‐1.56
-­‐1.03
0.16
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
-­‐1.41
0.20
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
-­‐1.56
-­‐1.03
0.16
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
2.35
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
0.16
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
-­‐1.35
-­‐1.41
0.20
1.60
2.14
0.90
-­‐0.22
0.05
-­‐0.68
-­‐0.56
-­‐1.56
-­‐1.03
0.16
1.35
1.60
2.38
1.36
0.08
0.59
-­‐0.08
-­‐0.34
-­‐2.00
-­‐1.50
-­‐1.00
-­‐0.50
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
Change
in
Thalweg
Eleva4on
Change
in
Average
Bed
Eleva4on
Flood Events 2011-2014
Number of times inundated
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
as-built features
March 12, 2012 - View looking downstream
March 12, 2012 - View looking downstream
March 12, 2012 - View looking downstream
February 3, 2014 - View looking downstream
February 3, 2014 - View looking downstream
July 11, 2014 - View looking downstream
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6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Eleva&on
(+
NAVD)
Distance
from
Le+
Endpoint
(+)
Cross
Sec&on
26+93
Profile
Fall
2011,
2012,
2013,
2014
Nov-­‐11
Nov-­‐12
Oct-­‐13
14-­‐Aug
Longitudinal Profile
Cross Sections

3. December 12, 2014 -March 17, 2012 - 567 cfs
-­‐5
0
5
10
15
20
25
-­‐50
50
150
250
350
450
550
650
750
850
Eleva&on
(+
NAVD)
Horizontal
Distance
from
F1
(+)
Beach
Transect
F
Profile
2012,
2013,
and
2014
Spring
2012
Spring
2013
Spring
2014
-­‐5
0
5
10
15
20
25
-­‐50
50
150
250
350
450
550
650
Eleva&on
(+
NAVD)
Horizontal
Distance
from
C1
(+)
Beach
Transect
C
Profile
2011,
2012,
2013,
and
2014
Winter
2011
Spring
2012
2013
Spring
2014
Spring
271
239
168
195
223
177
365
204
190
158
204
272
228
17
158
40
99
155
126
98
114
0
104
100
146
86
25
3
8
22
42
54
27
42
44
44
74
57
9
61
52
68
39
190
33
131
14
6
13
82
112
156
52
17
82
19
13
36
13
27
1-­‐Jan
15-­‐Jan
29-­‐Jan
12-­‐Feb
26-­‐Feb
11-­‐Mar
25-­‐Mar
8-­‐Apr
22-­‐Apr
6-­‐May
20-­‐May
3-­‐Jun
17-­‐Jun
1-­‐Jul
15-­‐Jul
29-­‐Jul
12-­‐Aug
26-­‐Aug
9-­‐Sep
23-­‐Sep
7-­‐Oct
21-­‐Oct
4-­‐Nov
18-­‐Nov
2-­‐Dec
16-­‐Dec
30-­‐Dec
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Length
(days)
Year
Lagoon
Mouth
Open
and
Close
Periods
Open
Closed
¯
Transect Lines
2014
2013
2012
A
B
C
D E
F G
H
I
J
K
L
Lagoon Seasonal Closure
Beach Transects
February 12, 2012 - Lagoon Open Condition
February 10, 2013 - photograph showing overwash event
September 11, 2012 - Lagoon Closed Condition
Prepared by: Allison Jacobson
Candidate- Master of Landscape Architecture Environmental Planning
Conclusions
• Initial response in sediment dynamics exceeded expectations; however, the
channel is still new. Aggradation is occuring in the fluvial reach, but will likely
be transported downstream as the channel adjusts and the site experiences
larger rain events.
• Flood inundation is occuring below a 1-year recurrence interval rain event
enhancing channel-floodplain connection and exceeding success criteria.
• Too early to determine if beach adjustment is affected by project
implementation.
• Hydro-period of lagoon closure is shown to be unaltered by project, and is still
functioning as anticipated.
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Beach Morphology and Lagoon Function
Winter Off-Channel Habitat Connectivity
2009
Winter
Flows Low Low High Low High Low Intermediate Low High Low High
Dates 5/6/09 2/17-­‐2/18/10 1/25-­‐1/26/10 1/24
-­‐1/25/11 3/21
-­‐
3/22/11 2/13
-­‐
2/14/12 3/26
-­‐
3/28/12 2/25/13 12/4/12 2/24/14 4/01-­‐
4/02/14
Mean
Daily
Discharge
26
cfs 14-­‐15
cfs 66-­‐121
cfs 5
cfs 49-­‐75
cfs 8
cfs 29-­‐61
cfs 2
cfs 35
cfs 4
cfs 21-­‐27
cfs
S5
not
constructed
not
tied
in
to
main
channel
X X X X X
S6
not
constructed
not
tied
in
to
main
channel
X X X X X
Green
Gulch X
S4 X X
Former
Channel
X X X
Backwater
Complex
not
constructed
Expanded
Lagoon
not
constructed
X
(at
least
connected
at
downstream
end)
Off-­‐channel
habitat
disconnected
from
main
channel
Feature
not
constructed
or
tied
in
to
main
channel
Indicates
side
channel
was
connected
to
main
channel
(habitat
feature
was
mapped
outside
of
main
channel)
(at
least
connected
at
downstream
end)
Side
Channel
Secondary
Channels
not
constructed
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1948-49
1950-51
1952-53
1954-55
1956-57
1958-59
1960-61
1962-63
1964-65
1966-67
1968-69
1970-71
1972-73
1974-75
1976-77
1978-79
1980-81
1982-83
1984-85
1986-87
1988-89
1990-91
1992-93
1994-95
1996-97
1998-99
2000-01
2002-03
2004-05
2006-07
2008-09
2010-11
2012-13
Rainfall(inches)
Years
Annual Rainfall
Recorded at Muir Woods
Wet Years
Dry Years
A
R
Mean annual precipitation of 37.76 inches
Expanded
Lagoon
Lagoon
Beach
berm
Annual Rainfall