Bringing back Bear Creek’s Lower Meadow
Intimate and picturesque, the Bear Creek Lower Meadow is often overlooked. It was once a healthy, wet, meadow with multiple, small channels crisscrossing its surface. But centuries of past land uses and road construction beginning in the 1960s degraded the area. Bear Creek was confined to a single channel, actively incising, and disconnected from the meadow surface. Our restoration will bring it back.
Increasing resilience through restoration
30 acres of mountain meadow and 3,000 ft of stream restored
By restoring streams to their natural channels, we allow the meadow to once again ‘hold water’—a natural function of a healthy meadow.
Improving water quality and aquatic habitat
When functioning, this meadow can filter as much as 60% of the sediment as water flows through, making the water downstream more fishable, drinkable, and swimmable.
Enhance meadow hydrology and habitat
By slowing erosion and preventing soil loss, we are encouraging the development of mature soils. This supports more diverse vegetation to restore the meadow’s ability to sustain life.
Aerial view of the Bear Creek Lower Meadow (2017).
Where it
all happens
Located in the southern portion of the watershed, Bear Creek is located approximately 10 miles south of the town of Truckee or 3.5 miles north of Tahoe City.
Fast Facts
Location: 10 miles south of the town of Truckee or 3.5 miles north of Tahoe City on the north side of Alpine Meadows Road
Scale: 30 acres of degraded meadow and 3,000 feet of stream
Schedule: August 2020 – October 2020
Estimated Project Cost: $1.3 Million
100% funded
Partners: US Forest Service, Placer County
Timeline
Dig
deeper
For more information on assessments, monitoring, plans, reports, and general information on the Bear Creek Lower Meadow project, explore this resources section.