Martinez Beavers and Hydrology

Martinez Beavers and Hydrology

Subcommittee member Igor Skaredoff summarizes the hydrology section of the report here for the website. In case you don’t already know, his name is synonymous with the stewardship of Alhambra Creek and he has been long honored for his tireless work and dedicated community spirit. Having watched him at close quarters these past three months, I would add praise for a cooperative and diplomatic personal style that allows him to find friends where others would only find argument. He writes:

The Martinez Beaver Committee’s report to the City Council contains a proposed solution to the Beaver coexistence/Flood protection issue.

This proposal leaves the dam in place and controls its height. It also provides some low (2ft tall) “seating walls” to fill in the gaps in the existing structures that help protect against flooding. Additionally, the proposal improves drainage at the Castro/Marina Vista intersection to allow a controlled overland flow to re-enter the Creek north of the Marina Vista Bridge. The floodplain would also be expanded in the section of Creek between the Escobar and Marina Street Bridges by excavating a terrace.

Taken together, these measures would provide flood protection that is equivalent or better when compared with the “pre-beaver” situation.

Additional enhancements, such as interpretive signs, habitat improvement by planting California Native Plants and enhancing the educational improvements are also included.

Several local and county groups and agencies are prepared to partner with the City to develop, execute and steward this project, and to help write grant applications for funding to supplement the City’s investment.

This proposal offers a way for the Martinez community to coexist with the beavers while protecting itself from flooding. The opportunities offered by successful coexistence for stimulating downtown visitation and enhancing education and habitat are also part of the proposal.

The proposed flood protection improvements are shown in the illustration below. For more detail, see the complete report available elsewhere on this webpage.

Igor Skaredoff