Project represents 20 years of TRWC efforts in Coldstream Canyon to restore habitat, improve natural ecosystem function and address Truckee River pollution
TRUCKEE, Calif. (July 29, 2026) - The Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) has broken ground on the Coldstream Canyon Lower Floodplain Restoration project along the lower reach of Cold Creek. The project will reestablish important habitat for vegetation and wildlife, restore critical ecosystem functions, prevent erosion, increase climate resiliency, and improve water quality flowing downstream to the Truckee River.
The project will create 3.2 acres of floodplain area and 1.9 acres of additional riparian habitat. The effort will remove erosive, nonnative filler soils and upland species such as lodgepole pine to create room for riparian (waterway-adjacent) species that stabilize banks, prevent erosion, and mitigate the impacts of flooding.
“It’s exciting to see two decades of our work in Coldstream nearing completion and the return of healthy wetlands, natural drainage patterns, and overall resiliency in the area,” said Tiffanee Hutton, TRWC project director. “This project will help repair overall ecosystem health while continuing to address the adverse impacts of historic mining, clearcutting and development in this important headwaters area.”
The project site is located along the Legacy Trail just east of Donner Lake. The trail will remain open, with traffic control in place when necessary for users’ safety. Work is expected to be completed this fall.
In 2012, TRWC completed a similar project upstream of the current Lower Floodplain restoration. This previous Floodplain restoration established 2.3 acres of riparian habitat and has since prevented approximately 200 tons of fine sediment from entering the Truckee River each year.
In partnership with California State Parks and other landowners, TRWC efforts in Coldstream Canyon have already restored over 50 acres of degraded stream channel and riparian floodplain, created 12 acres of additional wetland habitat, and repaired 12 miles of dirt roads. The Lower Floodplain Restoration project is being implemented in collaboration with Stonebridge Properties.
Learn more about TRWC’s efforts to restore Coldstream Canyon and support the Truckee River Watershed at truckeeriverwc.org.
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TRUCKEE, Calif. (July 29, 2026) - The Truckee River Watershed Council (TRWC) has broken ground on the Coldstream Canyon Lower Floodplain Restoration project along the lower reach of Cold Creek. The project will reestablish important habitat for vegetation and wildlife, restore critical ecosystem functions, prevent erosion, increase climate resiliency, and improve water quality flowing downstream to the Truckee River.
The project will create 3.2 acres of floodplain area and 1.9 acres of additional riparian habitat. The effort will remove erosive, nonnative filler soils and upland species such as lodgepole pine to create room for riparian (waterway-adjacent) species that stabilize banks, prevent erosion, and mitigate the impacts of flooding.
“It’s exciting to see two decades of our work in Coldstream nearing completion and the return of healthy wetlands, natural drainage patterns, and overall resiliency in the area,” said Tiffanee Hutton, TRWC project director. “This project will help repair overall ecosystem health while continuing to address the adverse impacts of historic mining, clearcutting and development in this important headwaters area.”
The project site is located along the Legacy Trail just east of Donner Lake. The trail will remain open, with traffic control in place when necessary for users’ safety. Work is expected to be completed this fall.
In 2012, TRWC completed a similar project upstream of the current Lower Floodplain restoration. This previous Floodplain restoration established 2.3 acres of riparian habitat and has since prevented approximately 200 tons of fine sediment from entering the Truckee River each year.
In partnership with California State Parks and other landowners, TRWC efforts in Coldstream Canyon have already restored over 50 acres of degraded stream channel and riparian floodplain, created 12 acres of additional wetland habitat, and repaired 12 miles of dirt roads. The Lower Floodplain Restoration project is being implemented in collaboration with Stonebridge Properties.
Learn more about TRWC’s efforts to restore Coldstream Canyon and support the Truckee River Watershed at truckeeriverwc.org.
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