Murphy Creek Restoration Project

Murphy Creek is a tributary of the Mokelumne River that traverses Amador and San Joaquin Counties entering the Mokelumne River immediately below Camanche Dam. The Murphy Creek Restoration Project was initiated by several landowners adjoining the creek to:

•   Restore rearing and/or spawning habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead.
•   Restore native riparian vegetation to encourage the re-establishment of neotropical migratory birds and other special status wildlife species.
•   Improve water quality and improve water flows within the creek.
•    Promote sustainable agricultural practices which continue to support livestock and vineyard production within the watershed.

To achieve these goals, the Murphy Creek landowners, in association with the San Joaquin County Resource Conservation District and with assistance from the East Bay Municipal Utility District, have established five actions:

• Remove barriers to fish movements located within three miles of the reach of Murphy Creek with greater than a one-foot drop.
• Increase canopy cover of vegetation to encourage cold-water fisheries-in particular, re-establish an intermediate shrub layer to increase habitat for neotropical migratory birds. Remove non-native plant species (e.g., Himalayan blackberries) and replace with native vegetation.
• Reduce livestock access which might damage riparian zones
• Repair minor erosion/bank instability to reduce creek sedimentation.
• Promote sustainable agriculture within the watershed through use of best management practices.