OUR WATERSHEDS
Streams are one of the most important natural resources in Placer County. They are a part of our natural heritage, convey water, provide habitat for salmon and steelhead, serve as critical wildlife corridors, and provide many opportunities for recreation. Hidden Falls Regional Park traversing Raccoon Creek, the Truckee River, and the American River are among the county’s most attractive natural resources and most used recreational areas.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land where all water running off the land drains to a particular location. This location can be a stream, river, lake, wetland or ocean. No matter where you live, work, or play, you are in a watershed. A watershed can be millions of square miles or just a few acres. The major Lincoln watersheds are Markham Ravine, Auburn Ravine, and Raccoon Creek, as pictured below.
To see a map of all 14 major watersheds in Placer County click here or read more about watersheds at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.
What is Watershed Management?
Watershed Management is a holistic approach to managing the combined impacts to the water resources and habitats within a watershed. Examples of these impacts are land use practices, erosion, wastewater treatment systems, stormwater collection systems, and pesticide usage. There are four major features unique to watershed management. These features are:
- Create an inventory of the watershed and target priority problems.
- Involve a maximum amount of stakeholders in decision making.
- Use the expertise and authority of the regulatory agencies.
- Measure the success thorough monitoring and other data collection.
Interested citizens and stakeholder groups can also participate in local efforts.
Watershed Restoration Projects
Watershed planning and restoration includes all of the activities related to preserving, protecting, and restoring the streams, wetlands, forests and other natural resources within a watershed.
The Natural Resources Division is managing a number of grants that are affiliated with the implementation of the Placer Legacy Program and watershed restoration projects. The majority of the funding applies to watershed-based planning efforts associated with CALFED Bay-Delta Program (to restore the ecological health and improve water management for beneficial uses in the Bay-Delta System) or Proposition 204 (Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act of 1996).