That’s A Wrap: Third Implementation Season at Van Norden Complete

November 20, 2024November 26, 2024 November 26, 2024

SYRCL is pleased to conclude the third implementation season at Van Norden Meadow. Actions in the 2024 field season focused on adaptive management and treating the surrounding forest.

A map of tree work completed through the year 2024 in gray, and tree work that remains to be completed, in orange.

Adaptive management included the installation of eight beaver dam analogs (BDAs) in the Lytton West Swale, maintenance on existing BDAs in Castle Creek, and reinforcing an upstream section of the channel fill with live sod plugs and vegetation.

Live vegetation mat and live sod plugs placed to stabilize the South Yuba River channel, slow flows and to revegetate. Looking east.

SYRCL also hosted a work party with project partner, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, which resulted in the placement of over 40 willow fascines and a large vegetation mat designed to slow flows and resprout willow.

SYRCL’s Headwaters Science Program Manager, Annie Kent, with Sugar Bowl Ski Area staff holding live willow fascines and willow stakes during the first partner work party. Photo credit: Sugar Bowl Ski Area

Using a combination of handwork and light machinery, these actions will help to slow flows and allow water from the channel to reach the floodplain. This promotes groundwater recharge and wet meadow vegetation establishment.

New BDA in a western swale of Lytton Creek, looking east.

42 acres of forest surrounding the north and south side of Van Norden Meadow were treated in 2024, contributing to the overall accomplishment of 72 acres treated to date. Treatments included full removal where conifers, like lodgepole pine, that have encroached into the meadow and thinning in areas located on higher ground that have become overcrowded.

The full removal of encroached conifers, combined with increased shallow groundwater levels supported by floodplain restoration, gives meadow vegetation the opportunity to reestablish, reclaiming valuable meadow edge habitat. Biomass remains onsite in the form of chips which will help retain moisture and recycle nutrients.

A loader grabbing a bundle of trees to process in the chipper; meadow seen in the background at the same grade. Looking south.

What’s Happening in 2025 Van Norden Meadow:

2025 will be a big year for restoration at Van Norden Meadow. SYRCL is prepped and ready to implement Phase 2: Lytton Fan Restoration. This phase of the project will result in a new and improved Sheep Pens parking area that supports meadow hydrology and improves user experience.

In 2025, adaptive management and evolution of BDAs in Upper Castle Creek will continue. Tree work will also continue, resulting in a total of 114 acres treated throughout the life of the Project.