Piute Creek Restoration

Lassen Land and Trails Trust

Piute Creek, a centerpiece of Susanville's identity and local history, is an altered creek running through the central part of town and into the Susan River. The Lassen Land and Trails Trust chose the approximately 1,600-foot stretch of creek along Memorial Park for restoration due to its highly visible location and its severely degraded channel. WMA's design for the restoration took into account the site's hydrology and flood control requirements, biological resources and recreation needs, while also focusing on educating the community regarding the benefits of a properly restored channel. Key features of the restoration included stream realignment to achieve a stable meander sequence; bank revegetation and habitat restoration; opportunities for public information and education; and connection to the regional trail system.