Project Overview
Prior to 1900, Middle Creek flowed over a wide floodplain on the north shore of Clear Lake. This area was a significant lakeshore wetland that provided natural ecological values including fish and waterfowl habitat, water quality through filtering and trapping of sediments, and natural flood attenuation. Reclamation of the historic Robinson Lake floodplain for agriculture began in the early 1900s and was completed in the 1930s, reducing this regionally significant wetland by 85%. The Middle Creek project area was a critical part of the lakeshore marsh complex.
In 1954, Congress authorized construction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Middle Creek Project, which included construction of 14.4 miles of levee, diversion structures, and a pumping station, to reduce flood risk to the community of Upper Lake and about 4,000 acres of agricultural land from Middle, Scotts, and Clover creeks. Construction was completed in 1966, effectively isolating the historic Robinson Lake floodplain. Issues with levee subsidence has forced Lake County to flood fight in order to maintain the levees and prevent flooding of the reclaimed agricultural lands and associated homes. Rather than continue flood fighting, the local sponsors have expressed interest in returning the reclaimed acreage to lakeshore wetlands.
Project Design
The ecosystem restoration design (Recommended Plan), developed in 2004, would restore native habitats by reconnecting the Middle Creek floodplain to the historic Robinson Lake floodplain. It aims to reduce potential flood damages by removing structures and residences out of the floodplain and restore ecosystem functions and values. Lake County is working with affected landowners to relocate out of the project area.
- Breach the Middle Creek Project levees.
- Construct channels to reconnect the historic floodplain.
- Restore 1,650 acres of habitat in the Robinson Lake area; 765 acres of wetlands, 230 acres of riparian habitat, 405 acres of open water, and 250 acres of upland habitat.
What's Next?
USACE is working on a validation study to determine whether the recommended plan is still within USACE authority and compliant with USACE policy. This will also include developing an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act. Scoping for this document is anticipated to occur in Spring 2025.