Sunol Valley

Sunol Valley Restoration Plan

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is developing a Sunol Valley Restoration Plan to determine what restoration is physically and biologically feasible in the Sunol Valley reach, and that will guide restoration, conservation, and monitoring efforts in the Sunol Valley. Read the July 2010 draft scope of the restoration plan.

The SFPUC gravel quarry lease for mining in the southern end of the Sunol Valley at SMP-30 includes permit terms and conditions for creek restoration and environmental enhancements within the Sunol Valley reach. The SFPUC and the quarry operator will coordinate with PG&E to modify their pipeline crossing so it is no longer a barrier to upstream fish passage; restore riparian vegetation on the stream banks of Alameda Creek and San Antonio Creek adjacent to the mining pit; install a cutoff wall around the quarry to eliminate or minimize percolation loss of stored water to be released as creeks flows for fishery management purposes; and accommodate possible future public access trails through the area that may be desired by the East Bay Regional Park District.

PG&E Crossing

A cement armored PG&E gas pipeline crossing of Alameda Creek in the Sunol Valley poses a barrier for fish migration at most water flows. PG&E has identified potential alternatives for fish passage projects at this site and is coordinating with the SFPUC to implement a fish passage project at this site.

Sinbad Creek

Sinbad Creek drains the valley formed by Sunol Ridge and Pleasanton Ridge. Sinbad Creek is a tributary to lower Arroyo de la Laguna, just upstream of its confluence with Alameda Creek in Sunol. The creek runs along Kilkare Road. Local residents have photographs of steelhead trout and salmon caught in the creek during the 1940s and 1950s. Read a report on potential steelhead habitat in Sinbad Creek written by a U. C. Berkeley hydrology class.

Steelhead trout caught in Sinbad Creek 1940s

Salmon caught in Sinbad Creek 1950s

Sunol resident Randy Mills with steelhead trout caught in Sinbad Creek 1953

Welch Creek

Welch Creek is a small tributary to Alameda Creek in the upper Sunol Valley paralleled by Welch Creek Road. Volunteers with the Alameda Creek Alliance surveyed lower Welch Creek in December 2003 to assess fish passage and fish habitat. Read the Welch Creek stream survey.