Mill Creek & Palmer Creek Instream Habitat Design

This design development project will produce 100% design plans for a series of in-channel and off-channel habitat enhancement features along approximately 1.5 miles on Mill Creek, tributary in the lower Russian River. Designs will create backwater channel features that will improve floodplain habitat by providing connectivity between the incised channel and the floodplain and directly augment habitat in the mainstem channel with LWD installations increasing shelter and habitat complexity.

All habitat features are expected to increase the available habitat area under winter and summer flow conditions in both the main channel and off-channel by increasing channel complexity, encouraging pool creation, deepening existing pools by scour, generating additional cover as well as providing velocity refugia during high flows.