Tahoe Sierra IRWM

Project Template

Please provide information in the tables below:

I.  Project Proponent Information

Agency/ Organization / City of South Lake Tahoe
Name of Primary Contact / Ray Jarvis, Public Works Director
Name of Secondary Contact / Stan Hill, Associate Engineer
Mailing Address / 1052 Tata Lane, South Lake Tahoe
E-mail / ,
Phone (###)###-#### / (530) 542-6031, (530) 542-6039
Other Cooperating Agencies/Organizations/Stakeholders / US Forest Service, California Tahoe Conservancy, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, South Tahoe Public Utility District
Is your agency/organization committed to the project through completion? If not, please explain / Yes, if adequate funding is acquired, the project will be completed.

II.  General Project Information

Project Title / Bijou Park Creek Watershed and SEZ Restoration Project
Project Category /
Project Description
(Briefly describe the project, in 300 words or less) / Bijou Park Creek is an ephemeral stream with a relatively large and steep drainage area capable of producing very high flows during large storm events. Construction of the Heavenly Ski Resort (California Lodge) parking lot diverted the upper portion of Keller Canyon Drainage and artificially increased the Bijou Park Creek watershed area by approximately 260 acres (45 percent). Existing conveyance facilities (primarily road culvert undercrossings) are undersized and previous creek channel and adjacent Stream Environment Zone (SEZ) areas have been heavily modified and realigned multiple times. Heavy sediment loading associated with road abrasive applications for public safety on the streets in the upper watershed and Heavenly Ski Resort parking area are leading to active channel aggradation, further compounding localized flooding issues. Erosion and water quality problems within the watershed are largely associated with elevated Fine Sediment Particle (FSP) concentrations in road runoff and scour resulting from road runoff travelling down unprotected road shoulders.
The project includes restoration of realigned channels and dispersed floodplains and construction of water quality facilities to increase natural filtration and flood attenuation. Additional road shoulder stabilization would occur as source control measures, while distributed infiltration facilities would be considered to provide hydrologic source control to reduce the amount of runoff from impervious areas.
Project Prioritization: / Total number of projects submitted by your Agency: / 12
Agency Prioritization of this project (e.g., 3 of 5) / 5 of 12
Does this project contribute to a larger Project (e.g., TMDL, EIP, Phase 2 of 3) ? If so provide description. / Yes, this project is EIP No. 01.01.01.0086 and is a critical component City’s TMDL compliance strategy.
Political Support – List related MOUs, agreements or TACs currently in place. / The City’s 2008 Drainage Master Plan identified the project area as a high priority drainage problem area and low lying areas along Blackwood Rd. that experience frequent flooding have reported multiple drainage issues to the City.
Project Location:
Latitude: / 38.946431
Longitude: / -119.959773
Project Location Description (e.g., along the south bank of stream/river between river miles or miles from Towns/intersection and/or address): / The Project area located in the commercial and residential areas between Highway 50 (Lake Tahoe Blvd.) and Pioneer Trail and from Blackwood Rd. on the west to Bowers Ave. and Ski Run Blvd. on the east. The Project drainage system discharges directly to Lake Tahoe via the Ski Run Marina.

III.  Plan Objectives Addressed

For each of the objectives addressed by the project, provide a one to two sentence description of how the project contributes to attaining the objective and how the project will be quantified. If the project does not address any of the draft IRWM plan objectives, provide a one to two sentence description of how the project relates to a challenge or opportunity of the Region (see the bottom of page 4).

Objectives: / Will the project address the objective? / Brief explanation of project linkage to selected Objective / Quantification (e.g. acres of streams/wetlands restored or enhanced) /
WQ1 - Meet approved TMDL standards in accordance with the attainment date, and participate in the development of future TMDLs. / / The Project is a key component to the City's strategy for compliance with the Lake Tahoe TMDL as the Project treats high pollutant load storm water discharged directly to Lake Tahoe via the Ski Run Marina. The Project will be registered into the Lake Clarity Crediting Program following implementation. / Preliminary TMDL modeled pollutant load removal of 8,600 lbs of FSP/year, which represents approx. 21.5% of the City's 2016-21 TMDL load reduction obligation.
WQ2 – Reduce pollutant loads by implementing measures such as stormwater LID retrofits, erosion control/restoration to meet Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) for receiving water bodies established in the Basin Plan within the planning horizon. / / The Project will treat urban stormwater runoff discharged directly to Lake Tahoe via the Ski Run Marina utilizing erosion control, SEZ restoration, and LID infiltration retrofits in order to meet WQO identified in the Lake Tahoe TMDL and Basin Plan. / Preliminary TMDL modeled pollutant load removal of 8,600 lbs of FSP/year, which represents approx. 21.5% of the City's 2016-21 TMDL load reduction obligation.
WQ3 - Implement water quality monitoring programs through planning horizon, and coordinate annually throughout the Region. /
WQ4 - Ensure that drinking water supplied by public water systems continues to meet Federal and State standards. /
WQ5 - Restore degraded streams, wetlands, riparian and upland areas to re-establish natural water filtering processes. / / The Project includes stormwater improvements designed to mimic natural systems to spread, treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and urban areas in order to reduce impacts to Lake Tahoe from the high priority, directly connected urban catchment. The SEZ restoration will restore natural hydrologic function and processes to attenuate peak flood flows, provide natural filtration and controlled overbank inundation opportunities, and improved SEZ habitat. / Preliminary TMDL modeled pollutant load removal of 8,600 lbs of FSP/year, which represents approx. 21.5% of the City's 2016-21 TMDL load reduction obligation. Precise area of SEZ restoration is currently being determined through preliminary planning, design and technical studies.
WQ6 -Operate and maintain, build, or replace infrastructure for reliable collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater. /
WS1 - Provide water supply to meet projected demands for a 20-year planning horizon. /
WS2 - Operate and maintain, build, or replace infrastructure to reliably supply water. /
WS3 - Implement and promote water conservation measures and practices to meet state goals. / / The Project will include revegetation utilizing drought tolerant and climate appropriate plants. / A SEZ restoration and revegetation area is currently being determined through preliminary planning, design and technical studies.
GWM1 - Maintain and monitor groundwater supply to assure future reliability. / / The Project will include beneficial use of storm water for infiltration and recharge of groundwater. / Preliminary model work indicates the project will provide an average annual infiltration volume of 3.7 acre-feet of runoff.
GWM2 - Promote groundwater protection activities for high quality groundwater, and advocate for improvements to impacted groundwater quality through public education. /
GWM3 - Manage groundwater for multiple uses (e.g. municipal/industrial/agricultural supply and environmental use). /
ER1 - Enhance and restore water bodies, wetlands, riparian areas and associated uplands to support healthy watersheds, viable native fish, wildlife and plant habitats. / / The Project includes stormwater improvements designed to mimic natural systems to spread, treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and urban areas in order to reduce impacts to Lake Tahoe from the high priority, directly connected urban catchment. The SEZ restoration will restore natural hydrologic function and processes to attenuate peak flood flows, provide natural filtration and controlled overbank inundation opportunities, and improved SEZ habitat. / Preliminary TMDL modeled pollutant load removal of 8,600 lbs of FSP/year, which represents approx. 21.5% of the City's 2016-21 TMDL load reduction obligation. Precise area of SEZ restoration is currently being determined through preliminary planning, design and technical studies.
ER2 - Develop and implement programs to prevent the spread of existing invasive species and colonization of potential future invasive species. /
ER3 - Implement, in coordination with public and private landowners, activities to manage forest health and wildfire risks. /
ER4 - Minimize ecosystem impacts caused by existing and new development. / / The Project includes stormwater improvements designed to mimic natural systems to spread, treat, infiltrate, and retain flows from roadways, commercial areas, and urban areas in order to reduce impacts to Lake Tahoe from the high priority, directly connected urban catchment. The SEZ restoration will restore natural hydrologic function and processes to attenuate peak flood flows, provide natural filtration and controlled overbank inundation opportunities, and improved SEZ habitat. / Preliminary TMDL modeled pollutant load removal of 8,600 lbs of FSP/year, which represents approx. 21.5% of the City's 2016-21 TMDL load reduction obligation. Precise area of SEZ restoration is currently being determined through preliminary planning, design and technical studies.
IWM1 - Conduct local and regional water-related planning activities within the planning horizon as supported by current and future watershed science. /
IWM2 - Ensure collaboration among multiple jurisdictions within the Region for information exchange. / / The Project will involve collaboration between the City other public land holders (California Tahoe Conservancy and US Forest Service) for use of public lands in the Project area for water quality treatment and SEZ restoration. / Preliminary TMDL modeled pollutant load removal of 8,600 lbs of FSP/year, which represents approx. 21.5% of the City's 2016-21 TMDL load reduction obligation. Precise area of SEZ restoration is currently being determined through preliminary planning, design and technical studies.
IWM3 - Increase public education and awareness of watershed functions, protection and restoration needs to encourage stewardship by the public. / / Through outreach efforts associated with the Project, there will be an increased public awareness of watershed and SEZ restoration and water quality issues.
IWM4 - Promote activities that reduce flood risk. / / The Project will reduce flood risk via infiltration/storage of stormwater runoff. The SEZ restoration will restore natural hydrologic function and processes to attenuate peak flood flows, provide natural filtration and improved SEZ habitat. / Preliminary model work indicates the project will provide an average annual infiltration volume of 3.7 acre-feet of runoff.
IWM5 - Address climate change (e.g. water quality, water supply, groundwater recharge, flood management) in local and regional planning efforts and support efforts to continue improving the science. / / The Project will reduce flood risk via infiltration/storage of stormwater runoff. / Preliminary model work indicates the project will provide an average annual infiltration volume of 3.7 acre-feet of runoff.
IWM6 - Monitor water storage, release and exchange activities in order to improve coordination with regional planning. /

If no objectives are addressed; describe how the project relates to a challenge or opportunity of the Region:

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Project Impacts and Benefits

Please provide a summary of the expected project benefits and impacts in the table below or check N/A if not applicable; do not leave a blank cell.

If applicable describe benefits or impacts of the project with respect to:
a.  Native American Tribal Community considerations. /
b.  Disadvantaged Community considerations1. / / The IRWM Disadvantaged Communities Mapping Tool identifies the entire City of South Lake Tahoe as a Disadvantaged Community (Place ID# 063108). The tool indicates the Median Household Income (MHI) in the City is $41,004, while the Statewide MHI is $61,094 for the same data set. The City MHI is 67% of the Statewide MHI, well below the 80% threshold.
c.  Environmental Justice 2 considerations. / / The IRWM Disadvantaged Communities Mapping Tool notes the Project area is within Tract ID 060170302005. The U.S. Census American Community Survey linked to the tool indicates the 41% of the population in the area is classified as Hispanic or Latino. As such, the project would improve conditions and reduce flooding for people of all races, cultures and incomes in an economically disadvantaged area.
d.  Assist the Region in adapting to effects of climate change3. / / The Project is anticipated to provide stormwater runoff infiltration of an average annual infiltration volume of 3.7 acre-feet of runoff. The increased runoff infiltration/storage and reduction of peak flows in the watershed, will be beneficial to both flooding and drought conditions resulting from climate change.
e.  Generation or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. green technology). /
f.  Other expected impacts or benefits that are not already mentioned elsewhere. /

1. A Disadvantaged Community is defined as a community with an annual median household (MHI) income that is less than 80 percent of the Statewide annual MHI. A map has been provided with the Project Template Instruction for reference.

2. Environmental Justice is defined as the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. An example of environmental justice benefit would be to improve conditions (e.g. water supply, flooding, sanitation) in an area of racial minorities

3. Climate change effects are likely to include increased flooding, extended drought, and associated secondary effects such as increased wildfire risk, erosion, and sedimentation.

IV.  Resource Management Strategies (RMS)

For each resource management strategy employed by the project, provide a one to two sentence description in the table below of how the project incorporates the strategy. A description of the Resource Management Strategies can be found in Volume 2 of the 2009 California Water Plan here: http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/cwpu2009/index.cfm