Petaluma River |
Research and Analysis Report |
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The purpose of this project was to research and analyze the Petaluma River and its watershed. This paper contains a brief overview and history of the Petaluma River and its Watershed. |
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Civ. E 530: Open Channel Hydraulics Erick Sampson |
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5/17/2011 |
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Flow Analysis 4
Flood Frequency Analysis and River Hydrology 7
Petaluma Cross Section 11
Sediment Information 14
Urbanization Effect on Streams; Land-use 18
Stream Impairment 22
Petaluma River Conclusion 26
Petaluma River Tributary: Ellis Creek 27
Introduction 28
Flow Analysis 28
Cross Section Information 29
Sediment Information 30
Urbanization Effect on Streams; Land-use 31
Stream Impairment 33
Ellis Creek Conclusion 35
Appendix 36
A.1 References 37
A.2 Flow Analysis: Discharge 39
A.3 Cross Section Maps 40
A.4 Land use Maps and Data 41
A.5 Stream Impairment; Water Quality Sampling Locations Map 42
A.6 Stream Impairment; Water Quality Data and Graphs 43
A.7 Ellis Creek: Summary of Habitat types 45
A.8 Ellis Creek: Stream Impairment 46
Introduction
The Petaluma River begins along the western slopes of Sonoma Mountain where it receives snow melt and rainfall runoff but is almost dry during the months May through October. Several tributaries join the river as it flows southward including Lichau Creek, Lynch Creek, Washington Creek, and Adobe Creek. It has a total watershed area of approximately 146 square miles. At its lower elevations marshes form along the river's banks near the City of Petaluma. At this point, one more tributary, the San Antonio Creek, merges (confluence) with the Petaluma before it spills into San Pablo Bay. At the river's beginning, the elevation is nearly 300 feet above sea level but the lower reaches of the river has a very mild gradient, in fact, it is fully tidal at a distance of 11 miles from the bay....