Special Projects
Jacoby Creek
A large, landscape-scale restoration project (or series of projects) is envisioned for Jacoby Creek and the adjacent floodplain in the vicinity of Bayside and the southern portion of Arcata. The projects would integrate multiple benefits including habitat restoration and enhancement, alleviation of flooding impacts to private property and public infrastructure, and sea level rise adaptation. From 2020 through 2024, the Jacoby Creek Land Trust, County of Humboldt, City of Arcata, and State Coastal Conservancy sponsored a feasibility study to improve the understanding of the hydrology and flow patterns in the valley and to identify restoration concepts most likely to be feasible for implementation. The final report (August 2024) is available here:
Appendix A – Landowner Survey Results
Appendix B – Historical Maps and Images
Appendix C - Flooding Images and Mapping
Appendix D - Gradation of Streambed Material
Appendix E - Water Quality Measurements
Appendix F - Jacoby Creek Habitat Assessment
Appendix G - Fisheries Field Memo
Appendix H - USGS StreamStats Return Period Flow
Appendix I - Old Arcata Road Interim Drainage Improvements Memo
Appendix J - Next Steps Workplan
The August 2024 feasibility study evaluated options for restoring the tidelands along lower Jacoby Creek and for restoration and improvements along the freshwater portion of Jacoby Creek upstream of Old Arcata Road. Developing feasible, viable projects will be challenging because they could extend along multiple ownerships and the natural systems involved are complex and dynamic. These types of projects require detailed engineering, technical studies, and environmental permitting along with landowner access and are developed over multiple years.
In the Fall of 2024, the parties who sponsored the initial feasibility study invited the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (RCD) to consider taking a lead role in advancing the next phase of project development and stakeholder engagement work. The RCD is a special district with an appointed board that directs staff. The RCD specializes in projects involving rivers and creeks, sloughs and wetlands, forests and floodplains, and working landscapes. They have valuable experience addressing similar conditions and issues and implementing projects in the lower Salt River (Ferndale). The RCD is highly regarded for their collaborative approach, understanding multiple perspectives and interests, working with willing landowners to find optimal solutions, securing and managing grants, and implementing projects.
On March 13, 2025, the Humboldt County RCD board agreed to authorize their staff to develop a grant application for the next phase of work in the Jacoby Creek valley. The RCD staff expect to bring back the application to their board in May, with the goal of having the Coastal Conservancy approve funding in September (funded through Proposition 4). Funding will likely be on the order of $900,000. Contracting will take a few months and then hopefully the next phase of work can begin in approximately January 2026. Once the RCD has secured funding, they can initiate engagement work in the valley.
Salt River
Humboldt County supports the Salt River Ecosystem Restoration Project, a collaborative effort between private landowners, non-profit organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies to restore fish habitat, improve water quality, and alleviate flooding impacts. The project is coordinated by the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District. The Salt River project is distinctive for the scale of the restoration, the complexity of the issues, and its commitment to being community- and partnership-based. The project encompasses the Salt River, Francis Creek, and Williams Creek which suffer from severe sedimentation and hydraulic dysfunction. Humboldt County Public Works provided technical assistance from 2007 through 2009 with funding from the State Coastal Conservancy.
In 2020, Humboldt County Public Works implemented a streambank stabilization project along the left bank of Williams Creek to limit flooding impacts to Ambrosini Lane and adjacent property following severe winter storms in February 2019 that were a declared disaster. Primary funding was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Emergency Watershed Protection program.
Mad River Bluff Streambank Protection Project
Humboldt County Public Works completed a bioengineering streambank stabilization project in 2008 along the right bank of the lower Mad River, with funding from NRCS, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and adjacent landowners.