THE CARMEL RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES

Since the adoption of the Carmel River Management Plan in 1984, the District has carried out over 14 restoration projects along the Carmel River and has helped many property owners revegetate exposed and vulnerable streambanks with native streamside vegetation. These projects have increased the riparian area over 30 acres along the Carmel River from Dampierre Park in Carmel Valley Village to the Carmel River Lagoon. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Carmel River experienced extreme degradation from erosion and loss of the riparian corridor (streamside vegetation) due to surface water diversion and groundwater extraction. This led to loss of property during high winter flows because the roots of the native riparian vegetation were not present to hold the streambanks together. Property owners tried to stop erosion using cars, tires, and concrete rubble on the streambanks with poor results.

Once listed as one of the top 10 most endangered rivers in North America (1999) by American Rivers, the District successfully restored the Carmel River riparian corridor using bio-technical techniques (native vegetation and structural protection) along with extensive water conservation programs.

Schulte Restoration Project

Carmel River before the Schulte Restoration Project in 1982 looking upstream from Schulte Bridge (note concrete rubble used by property owners to try and stop erosion)

The District began restoration of this reach in 1987 by designing a project that incorporated native vegetation and a functional floodplain.

The Schulte Restoration Project looking upstream from Schulte Bridge in 2024.

San Carlos Bank Stabilization Project

Active erosion downstream of San Carlos Bridge before the San Carlos Bank Stabilization Project (2017)

Crib wall construction at the Rancho San Carlos Bank Stabilization Project (2018)

Crib wall at the Rancho San Carlos Bank Stabilization Project (2024) with willows and black cottonwoods providing habitat and shade for steelhead.