Camp Sacramento Erosion Control Project - 5 Years Later

摘要

The Camp Sacramento Erosion Control Master Plan (ECMP) was prepared in 2011 under the direction of the El Dorado County Resource Conservation District. The purpose of the ECMP is to reduce runoff and erosion from barren surfaces that transport soil tothe South Fork American River (SOFAR). In 2012, the initial phase of the ECMP included paving 106.7 meters (350 feet) of steep entry road and construction of two connected detention basins at the base of the paved road. Since initial construction, additional erosion control and habitat improvements prescribed in the ECMP have been implemented through volunteer efforts and have included revegetation, rock-slope protection, a rock-lined channel (RLC), road shoulder improvements, and improved trail definition.The Phase 1 and volunteer-built facilities have been in place for 5 years. The winter season typically includes rainfall runoff and snowmelt events that generate runoff and erosion of Camp Sacramento (Camp) roads and trails. The first four winters were mild, reflecting the ongoing drought. However, the 2016/2017 winter included several large rainfall events and heavy snow. Observations were made during a heavy rain in late October 2016 that yielded several conclusions about the operation of the erosion-control facilities. Key findings included that erosion will continue from nondurable driving and walking areas, necessitating strategic placement of collection basins and runoff control; rock slope protection and organized trails reduce the erosion potential; retention basins will hold water, allowing infiltration into the soil rather than direct runoff to the SOFAR; although temporary facilities built each fall can handle the rainfall/snowmelt conditions, they must be reconstructed annually, and therefore, are not optimal for long-term use; and erosion-control facilities must be consistent with the recreation use of the Camp.