Rockaway Creek Riparian Enhancement Project

Creek management practices by past owners had restricted stream flows on Rockaway Creek, preventing flows from spreading out onto the adjacent floodplain during storms and creating a high velocity channel. This caused channel incision and bank erosion in several locations of the channel. Steelhead trout migrate up Rockaway Creek to spawning areas upstream. In 2003, the Fish Friendly Farming program worked in partnership with Sotoyome RCD and Circuit Rider Productions, Inc. to relocate fences, re-contour excavated rock piles, and install native riparian plants to allow flood flows to naturally overflow the channel onto the floodplain, dissipate energy, and reverse the incision process. As part of their Fish Friendly Farming certification, the landowner, Rodney Strong Winery, is working to maintain this restoration site.