The Martis Creek watershed covers 26,204 acres. There are four branches of Martis Creek: West, East, Middle, and Main.

The Martis Creek watershed has a long history of human occupation, beginning with Native American tribes.  Current land uses include significant recreation areas such as Waddle Ranch Open Space, California Department of Fish and Game properties, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Martis Reservoir and Martis Creek Recreation Area, Northstar-at-Tahoe ski and golf resort, and several additional private golf courses.  Recreation activities include alpine and nordic skiing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and golf.

Residential and commercial developments include Northstar Mountain Properties, Lahontan, Martis Camp, Timilick and part of the Town of Truckee and the  Truckee Tahoe Airport. Martis Valley is a transportation corridor with Highway 267 running through the watershed. Despite existing and planned development there is significant opportunity for restoration that will result in meaningful gains in water quality, wildlife habitat, and watershed function.

Our past projects include small scale restoration related to trail re-alignment and meadow improvements in the Martis Wildlife Area, and spawning gravel augmentation below Martis dam.  In 2011, we completed a watershed assessment of the Martis Creek watershed to prioritize additional restoration. The assessment included an analysis of natural processes, identified where those processes have been disrupted and listed restoration opportunities.  Based upon the assessment, we are moving forward on project design for two projects on Middle Martis Creek. The assessment will provide a framework for additional future restoration.

Funding for this project comes from (listed in alphabetical order):

• Bella Vista Foundation
• Caltrans
• Lahontan Community Foundation
• The Martis Fund
• The Nature Fund of the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation
• Northstar Community Service District
• Truckee Donner Land Trust
• Donors of the Truckee River Watershed Council
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers