The Project

 

The Upper Truckee River is the largest tributary to Lake Tahoe and the largest contributor of sediment and nutrients which deteriorate lake clarity.

 

The river flows through the California Department of Parks and Recreation (state parks) Lake Valley State Recreation Area (LVSRA) and Washoe Meadows State Park (WMSP) near Meyers, California.

 

The project will study alternatives for restoring a 1.5-mile-long reach of the river that includes the Lake Tahoe Golf Course, which is currently operated under lease for state parks. The golf course was build prior to purchase of the property by state parks. 

 

Channel straightening, grazing, logging and recreational uses have impacted this reach of the river. 

 

This section of the river is experiencing accelerated levels of bed and bank erosion. The project area is part of a major watershed for Lake Tahoe. 

 

The stream has been straightened leading to a decrease in sinuosity and steeping of slope resulting in increased erosive force.  The channel has down-cut relative to its floodplain, leaving the old floodplain to become a terrace that is only flooded in less frequent events, and head-cutting continues.

 

Since the floodwaters do not release onto a floodplain, the depth of water in the channel is deeper, high stress is exerted on the bed and banks, and chronic erosion results. Meadow and flood-plain function is disrupted, and the system has lost its natural mechanism for removing fine sediment.

In-stream and riparian corridor habitat are degraded.

GOLF COURSE PROBLEMS (See more details of the problems)

 

The layout of the golf course also contributes to problems.  The golf course was constructed on the meadow floodplain in the late 1950s.  This area later become Lake Valley State Recreation Area.

 

Several undersized bridges constrict flow and accelerate velocities leading to erosion downstream. Also in many areas, some fairways and holes of the golf course are located adjacent to the river, with no riparian corridor. Rapidly eroding, tall fine-grained banks that do not support vegetation characterize this reach.

 

The banks generate sediment that is introduced directly to the river and into Lake Tahoe.  This situation causes not only damage to the golf course facilities, but also deterioration of riparian habitat and degradation of water quality.  There is also no riparian buffer zone to separate the areas where fertilizer is applied to turf from the river or provide a habitat corridor.

The recent study by Andrew Simon of the National Sedimentation Laboratory (commissioned by the California Water Quality Control Board (WQCB) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) states:

 

"The Upper Truckee River is the greatest contributor of suspended and fine-grained sediment in the Lake Tahoe Basin " and "sediment delivery from the Upper Truckee River could be significantly reduced by controlling stream bank erosion in the reaches adjacent to the golf course and downstream from the airport."

The golf course reach was also identified as the greatest opportunity for rehabilitation in the "Upper Truckee River Upper Reach Environmental Assessment report" by Swanson Hydrology and Geomorphology (SH&G).

 

SOLUTIONS

 

California state parks is pro-actively and voluntarily seeking a solution to improve the habitat and condition of this reach of the Upper Truckee River and Lake Tahoe.  The project goal is to restore the river and its adjacent floodplain and meadows to the extent possible with the constraint of maintaining a similar level of golf recreation.

 

For study as part of this project, state parks has developed five draft alternatives to be evaluated:

 

No Project/No Action Alternative (Alternative #1).

 

Geomorphic Restoration with 18-hole Regulation Golf Course Alternative: Restore river and relocate eight to nine holes to higher capability lands, possibly to Washoe Meadows State Park (Alternative #2).

 

Geomorphic Restoration with Reduced Golf Course Area Alternative: Restore the river and reduce the golf area, with all golf on the east side of the river (Alternative #3).

 

Engineered Stabilization (In Place) Alternative: Stabilize existing river banks  and keep golf course unchanged (Alternative #4).

 

Geomorphic Restoration with no Golf Course Alternative: Restore the river and remove the golf course (Alternative #5). 

 

PROJECT ALTERNATIVES (Project map)

 

No Project/No Action (#1) (Project map)

Golf course and site would remain unchanged. Repairs to site facilities would continue on an as needed basis. Existing conditions on the project site would be projected into the future.

 

Geomorphic Restoration with 18-hole Regulation Golf Course (#2) (Project map)

Under this alternative, part of the golf course would be relocated onto higher land further away from the river to make room to restore the river and floodplain. Using a combination of reconstructing meanders that were previously cut off or obliterated, the channel would be lengthened and the bed raised. 

 

Restoration of a natural meandering pattern and raising the river level to re-connect it to the floodplain would reduce erosion, raise the water table and restore valuable riparian and meadow habitat.

The area being studied for relocation of the golf course in #2 was selected to minimize coverage in floodplain and meadow areas. The number of acres restored along the river would be approximately the same as the number of acres onto which the golf course would be relocated.  

 

The area restored would be reclassified as state park, and the area where the golf course is relocated would be reclassified as state recreation area.  It would be an approximately equal exchange of land area between the two units, but the golf course would be on less rare and sensitive lands, and the ecologically important river and floodplain would be able to function naturally and provide a continuous corridor for wildlife.

 

In alternative 2:

 

-- River channel would be restored to a more natural balanced condition that improves geomorphic function and habitat;

-- Approximately eight to nine of the golf course holes would be relocated to the west side of the river into less sensitive lands more distance from the river;

-- The remaining golf course holes on the east side of the river would be reconfigured and the irrigation, drainage and buffer areas upgraded;

-- The riparian/floodplain area where the golf course holes would be removed from the river corridor would be restored;

-- The five golf course bridges that cross the river would be removed and replaced with a single bridge crossing that spans the floodplain (in the proximity of the existing Hole 6 Bridge);

-- Boundaries of the Washoe Meadows State Park and Lake Valley State Recreation Area would be realigned, essentially trading approximately equal land areas between the two units.

 

Geomorphic Restoration with Reduced Golf Course Area (#3) (Project map)

This alternative would include the same river treatment as Alternative 2,

but the reconfiguring and upgrading would result in a reduced golf area (9-hole or executive) on the east side of the river. All golf course bridges would be eliminated.

 

In alternative 3:

 

-- River channel would be restored to a more natural balanced condition that improves geomorphic function and habitat;

-- The golf course would be in a reduced area on the east side of the river, allowing a buffer zone along the river;

-- The golf course would be reconfigured to either a nine hole course or an executive course;

-- The riparian/floodplain area where the golf course holes would be removed from the river corridor would be restored;

-- The five golf course bridges that cross the Upper Truckee River would be removed.

 

Engineered Stabilization (In Place) (#4) (Project map)

This alternative would include installing bank protection (rip rap) and grade controls (rock weirs) that “lock” the river in 

its current alignment and elevation, incorporating bioengineering with native riparian vegetation and include selection of treatment areas to stabilize the river and minimize erosion. The alternative leaves the existing 18-hole golf course unchanged.

 

In alternative 4:

 

-- River channel would remain in straightened incised alignment;

-- Bed and banks of the river would be stabilized with large rock and enhanced with biotechnical techniques;

-- No change to golf course holes;

-- The five golf course bridges that cross the river would be remain, but some of the bridges might replaced with longer spans.

 

Geomorphic Restoration with no Golf Course (#5) (Project map)

This alternative would include the same river treatment as Alternatives 2 and 3, but the golf course would be eliminated.  The area where the golf course is currently located would be restored.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

 

To restore the river and its adjacent floodplain, meadows and riparian habitat, part of the golf course will need to be relocated or eliminated.  Not only will the restored meanders of the river require more room, the river will also be at a higher elevation and be able to inundate its floodplain more often.  This in turn would raise the water table and support riparian and wet meadow habitat. 

Since approximately eight to nine of the golf course holes would be in the area to be restored to meadow and floodplain, they must either be eliminated (alternative 3, geomorphic river restoration with reduced golf area) or relocated (alternative 2, geomorphic river restoration with relocation of holes to maintain 18 hole regulation golf course). 

 

California state parks has done a preliminary analysis of the lands within WMSP and LVSRA to determine where the holes could be relocated.  The factors considered in selection of the area to be considered include:

-- Minimize stream environment zone area.
-- Minimize connectivity and proximity to river.
-- Minimize area in 100 year floodplain.
-- Avoid sensitive habitat.
-- Avoid archaeological sites.
-- Maximize utilization of upland areas.
-- Accommodate dispersed recreation access.
-- Provide connectivity between golf areas.

Under alternative 2, the reconfigured golf course would be approximately the same size as the existing one, but the course would be removed from the stream zone and the river and riparian habitat restored.  The area impacted by golf course relocation would be mostly upland forest, which had been logged and quarried prior to acquisition by state parks. 

 

This would be a trade of approximately 50 acres of higher capability land more distance from the river for the area to be restored along the river. This would involve an exchange of land and boundaries between the two park units.  The portion of the golf course near the river in the LVSRA would be relocated, as much as is feasible, to uplands in WMSP, and the area along the river would be restored to riparian floodplain and meadow. The boundaries of the LVSRA would be adjusted to encompass just the golf course, and restored riparian areas would be reclassified as state park.

PRELIMINARY PROJECT GOALS

 

The preliminary goals of the project include:

-- Restore, to the extent feasible, natural geomorphic processes that sustain channel and floodplain morphology.

-- Restore, to the extent feasible, ecosystem function in terms of ecological processes and aquatic and riparian habitat quality.

-- Reduce erosion and improve water quality including reduction of the reach's contribution of suspended sediment and nutrient loading in the Upper Truckee River and Lake Tahoe .

-- Minimize and mitigate short-term water quality and other environmental impacts during construction.

-- Improve the golf course layout, infrastructure and management to reduce the environmental impact of the golf course on the river's water quality and riparian habitat by integrating environmentally-sensitive design concepts.

-- In the stream environment zone, reduce the area occupied by the golf course and increase the extent and quality of riparian and meadow habitat.

-- Maintain golf recreation opportunity.

-- Continue revenue income at a similar level to state parks.

-- Avoid any increase in flood hazard to private property.

-- Avoid any increase in safety hazards to golf course and other recreation users.

-- Provide opportunities for informal, non-vehicular recreation.

 

ALTERNATIVE SELECTION PROCESS

 

To date, work on the project has included an assessment of the watershed  that was completed in October 2004. That study provided a detailed review of the history and environmental health of the watershed. Building on that assessment, a March 2006 study reviewed the feasibility and developed conceptual ideas for the restoration.

 

From those recommendations, state parks is developing a conceptual plan for the golf course and river.  Planners have selected a consultant, EDAW,  to conduct the research and prepare the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement as required under the National Environmental Protection Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.

 

Public scoping meetings were held in September 2006 to identify issues to be included in the environmental document and solicit public comments on the plan.

 

The consultant will work on data collection and analyze the effects of the alternatives and will release a draft environmental review document during the summer of 2007.

 

The public and agencies will have ample time to review and provide written or oral comments at public hearings and meetings. In the fall of 2007, a final EIR/EIS that includes a response to comments on the draft will be released.

 

Some time in the spring of 2008, a decision on the alternative for the restoration project will be selected for implementation