Upper Penitencia Creek: Historical Ecology Assessment
Upper Penitencia Creek, on the eastern side of Santa Clara Valley, has locally significant potential for stream restoration and anadromous fish recovery. The Upper Penitencia Creek Historical Ecology Assessment documents aspects of Upper Penitencia Creek's hydrogeomorphology and riparian ecology prior to major Euro-American modification. It describes the historical (ca. 1850) channel alignment, dry season hydrology, and riparian corridor of the creek as interpreted from early maps, textual records, and photographs. It also explores the nature and timing of the diversion of Upper Penitencia into Coyote Creek.
Collaborator
Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD)
Funder
Download the Report
Upper Penitencia Creek Historical Ecology Assessment (16.48 MB)
Related Projects
Coyote Creek Watershed Historical Ecology Study (2006)
Santa Clara Valley historical ecology GIS (2011)
Dates:
2007
Programs and Focus Areas:
Resilient Landscapes Program
Historical Ecology
Watershed Science & Management
Related Projects, News, and Events:
Coyote Creek Watershed Historical Ecology Study (Project)
This report synthesizes historical evidence into a picture of how Coyote Creek looked and functioned before intensive modification. Prepared for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the report helps explain contemporary landscape conditions and identify options for watershed restoration, natural flood protection, and integrated water management.
Vision for Upper Penitencia Creek completed! (News)
SFEI recently completed a resilient landscape vision for Upper Penitencia Creek in San Jose that integrates flood management and ecosystem support. SFEI and the Santa Clara Valley Water District worked with technical advisors and local stakeholders to develop the vision, which identifies a range of multi-benefit management opportunities that increase flood storage in a manner that expands recreational amenities, supports water supply needs, and enhances habitat for a variety of native fish and wildlife species.
Upper Penitencia Creek: Resilient Landscape Vision (Project)
The San Francisco Estuary Institute-Aquatic Science Center and the Santa Clara Valley Water District worked with technical advisors and a group of local stakeholders to explore a range of multi-benefit management opportunities along Upper Penitencia Creek, culminating in this Resilient Landscape Vision. The vision focuses on ways to expand flow conveyance and flood water storage from the Coyote Creek confluence upstream to the Dorel Drive bridge in a manner that works with the existing landscape features and supports habitats for native species.