Natures Image was awarded the 2007 American Public Works Association Project of the year.
Case Studies
Matilija Dam
Restoration Project
Read More>
Las Virgenes Creek Rehabilitation Project
Read More>
San Felipe Tamarisk Eradication Project
Read More>
Summerly Mitigation Project
Read More>
Hill Canyon Wetlands Restoration Project
Read More>
Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Bank Project
Read More>
Tonner Hills
Restoration Project
Read More>
Carden Academy
Reclamation Project
Read More>
Overview
Natures Image worked as a subcontractor to Valdez Construction to restore 400 feet of trapezoidal concrete channel set out by Stakeholders for the City of Calabasas. The project intent was to create a community amenity by returning a concrete stream bed to a more natural state, allowing an extended riparian zone and increasing the wildlife corridor. The project was to be completed while protecting the existing infrastructure and maintaining the current level of flood control.
Las Virgenes Creek Rehabilitation - BEFORE
The Challenge
Soil preparation, plant, hydroseed, and irrigate approximately 35,000 square feet quickly and efficiently, minimizing impact on the surrounding homeowners. It was also necessary to stage and schedule equipment to sufficiently minimize construction congestion and impact on the surrounding habitat.
The Solution
Natures Image worked with the city, designer and the general contractor for the low flow channel design with construction completed in nine days.
The low flow channel design provided step pools with incorporated rock cutoff walls. A biotechnical bank treatment along the channel quickly provided canopy cover, planted rock toe provided scour protection and drought tolerant upper bank zones.
The crews completed the initial weed removal and site preparation in one day. With irrigation systems placed in five days, herbicide was applied to new sprouts of non-native plants.
Planting installation took the crews 2 days to complete. The plant material consisted of a Southern California Native Riparian plant assemblage: 485 1-gallon plants, 45 5-gallon plants, and 30 15-gallon trees. The crew utilized deep pole planting of willows during the trenching operations to ensure high survival rates and optimum erosion control followed by hydroseeding on the final day of restoration construction. Plant establishment period lasted six months.
The Result
Las Virgenes Creek Rehabilitation - AFTER
The Las Virgenes Creek project created a beautifully restored channel with native plant and wildlife re-introduced to the environment, providing a softened landscape for the surrounding urban neighborhood. This design also balanced infrastructure safety, right of way constraints, ease of implementation, and cost considerations.
The project was awarded the 2007 American Public Works Association Project of the Year.
