Stream Maintenance Manual

The District has developed the Napa County Stream Maintenance Manual (SMM) to improve the management of streams and drainage channels in the District’s county-wide jurisdiction through establishing consistent guidance for stream maintenance activities. The SMM provides the Before: Large downed tree crossing Dry Creek and causing debris jam. organizational framework to oversee routine stream maintenance activities, including vegetation management, erosion protection and bank stabilization, sediment removal and habitat enhancement. 

The District’s stream maintenance approach relies on recognizing fundamental hydrologic, geomorphic and biologic processes that affect a given stream reach and adaptively manages and maintains streams based on the underlying processes. These maintenance activities occur mainly in engineered channels and “collectors”, modified channels and also in natural streams throughout Napa County on an as-needed basis.