The Cole Creek restoration plan

Lake County is planning a restoration of Lower Cole Creek that aims to reduce flooding in Green Acres and help Clear Lake hitch. This page tracks where the project stands, using public records and our own updates. We'll keep it current as the work moves along.

Last reviewed October 23, 2026.

Where things stand

Current stage
Planning and design. FlowWest has started work and is setting the scope and schedule.
Design funding
CDFW grant of up to $500,122. FlowWest contract of $349,647.
Design deadline
March 1, 2028, when the grant and contract end.
Construction funding
Not identified yet.
Latest creek maintenance
County sediment removal, October 2026.
Advisory Collaborative meetings
Third Friday of every month, by invitation.

What the project is for

The county's agreement with FlowWest describes the goal as

design drawings for an implementation project to reduce flooding and improve habitat conditions for Clear Lake hitch.

The county's request for proposals covers about 1.55 miles of Cole Creek. For years, sediment has filled the channel, so storm water spills onto nearby land and stays there. Hitch that swim up the creek to spawn get stranded in the flooded fields. One project can address both problems.

FlowWest has just started, and the specific work will come out of their planning. We'll add details here as they're shared.

Steps to a lasting fix

  1. 1.

    Fund the planning and design

    Done June 2025

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded the Lake County Watershed Protection District up to $500,122 to plan and design work on Cole Creek. Read more

  2. 2.

    Hire a design team

    Done August 2026

    After a public request for proposals, the Board of Supervisors approved a $349,647 agreement with FlowWest. Read more

  3. 3.

    Plan and design the restoration

    Underway Through March 1, 2028

    FlowWest has started work. The scope, schedule, and public meetings are being worked out now. The goal is a design that is ready to build.

  4. 4.

    Find money to build it

    Needed Not identified yet

    The current grant and contract pay for planning and design only. Construction needs its own funding.

  5. 5.

    Build the project

    Not started Not scheduled

    Construction can start once the design is finished, permits are in place, and funding is found.

What we're asking

These are the questions we bring to the county and its partners, with the best answer we have today.

What work will address the flooding and help fish get through the creek?
The FlowWest agreement aims to reduce flooding and improve habitat for Clear Lake hitch in Lower Cole Creek. The specific work will come out of the planning now underway.
What money is available, and what else is needed to get the work done?
Planning and design are funded through March 2028. Money to build the project has not been identified.
Who's handling each step, and when should we expect it?
The Lake County Watershed Protection District leads the project and FlowWest is doing the design. A schedule has not been published yet.
Will the channel be kept clear until the project is built?
The county cleared debris and sediment in 2025 and 2026. We'd like to see that maintenance planned every year until construction is done.

Timeline

  1. Late 1950s

    Cole Creek is straightened and a levee is built near Clark Drive.

  2. February 2023

    The Board of Supervisors declares a Clear Lake hitch emergency.

  3. May 2023

    After months of standing water, CDFW authorizes emergency clearing of a blocked culvert.

  4. October 2023

    County and NRCS staff survey the creek's bottlenecks.

  5. August 2024

    Agencies, Big Valley Rancheria, and neighbors start meeting monthly about the creek.

  6. January 2025

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes listing Clear Lake hitch as threatened.

  7. Winter 2025

    A Pharo Place pasture stays flooded for at least 135 days, peaking at 2.31 feet.

  8. January to April 2025

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State Water Board, and county supervisors visit the flooding.

  9. June 2025

    CDFW awards the District up to $500,122 for Cole Creek planning and design.

  10. August 2025

    County crews clear vegetation and sediment upstream of Clark Drive Bridge.

  11. September 2025

    The county asks for proposals to plan and design 1.55 miles of Cole Creek.

  12. December 2025

    California Conservation Corps crews clear vegetation from the channel.

  13. Winter 2026

    With similar rainfall, the same pasture peaks at 0.40 feet and drains within days.

  14. April 2026

    The Center for Biological Diversity sues to force a final decision on protecting the hitch.

  15. May 2026

    The county selects FlowWest for the planning and design work.

  16. August 2026

    The Board of Supervisors approves a $349,647 agreement with FlowWest.

  17. September and October 2026

    County crews clear debris and sediment ahead of winter.

  18. March 1, 2028

    Planning and design grant and contract end.

Who's involved

Lake County Watershed Protection District and Water Resources
Leads the project, manages the grant and contract, and maintains the channel.
FlowWest
Planning and design contractor.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Funds the planning and design and permits work in the creek.
Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Partner in monitoring and planning.
State Water Resources Control Board
Partner in water level monitoring at Pharo Place.
O'Connor Environmental
Runs the Pharo Place water level sensors.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Deciding whether to list Clear Lake hitch under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Green Acres neighbors
Document conditions, share local knowledge, and take part in planning.

Agencies, Big Valley Rancheria, FlowWest, and neighbors meet on the third Friday of every month as the Cole Creek Advisory Collaborative. Participation is by invitation. If you work on the creek or have a stake in it and would like to take part, email mail@colecreekflooding.com.

Sources

Spot something out of date? Let us know at mail@colecreekflooding.com.