Pomo Bluffs Park—Fort Bragg, CA   
Winner of 2007 CELSOC Engineering Excellence Award
Pomo Bluffs Park is one of the few locations along the Mendocino Coastline from which to watch fishing boats come in and out of the Noyo Harbor and where one can catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales, or simply enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. Under the oversight of the Coastal Conservancy and the City of Fort Bragg, Green Valley completed construction documents which included: public access to the coastal bluff, ocean-view overlooks, over one mile of pedestrian/bicycle pathways designed to be sensitive to fragile cliff life, innovative interpretive signage, restoration of native plant communities, a staging area with parking for 45 cars and RV vehicles, and various aesthetically designed amenities including benches and restrooms, all incorporating current ADA and Water Quality Control Board standards.

Laguna de Santa Rosa
Wetlands Enhancement Project  
Wetland and riparian habitat was restored along Laguna de Santa Rosa, one of the largest seasonal wetland complexes in California. The Laguna acts as an important flood control basin for the Russian River watershed which is home to two federally listed species of salmon.

Green Valley worked with numerous agencies and non-profit associations in the design of this major restoration project on the Laguna. The work was coordinated with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Sonoma County Water Agency, the North Coast Water Quality Control Board, the State Department of Fish and Game, the City of Santa Rosa, Ducks Unlimited, and Trout Unlimited for the Laguna Foundation.

In the end the project was the creation of new wetland conditions through the restoration of this portion of the Laguna to the configuration that existed before channelization in the 1960's. New habitat was created for a variety of animal and plant species that live in the Laguna area. The project included construction of approximately two acres of constructed natural slough area, two acres of constructed upland habitat area, eight hundred linear feet of constructed distributary channels, and four hundred linear feet of constructed natural swales. More than seven thousand cubic yards of material were rearranged as a part of the project.

Sonoma County Riverfront Regional Park   
Winner of the 2005 ASCE Outstanding Environmental Engineering Project of the Year
Located on Eastside Road in Windsor, California, the Sonoma County Riverfront Regional Park was a former gravel and mining quarry. Acquired in 2002 through the joint efforts of the Sonoma County Water Agency and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the project goal was to protect riparian habitat in the Russian River watershed by preserving the Riverfront property as permanent open space. The 305-acre property features a variety of habitats, including 132-acres of reclaimed gravel- mining pits converted to three year-round recreational lakes with large mouth bass fishing, 32-acres of marshland, 15-acres of redwood forest, and 5,500 feet of pristine frontage along the Russian River. Park amenities now include: Redwood grove, restrooms, volleyball courts, paved and natural trail systems, parking lots, lake access and viewing areas along the Russian River.

Villa Pompeii-Beringer Vineyards Russian River
Restoration Project   
The designing and engineering of this creek and bank restoration was complex and had to take in many considerations as we had to prove that upstream and downstream conditions would not be affected by any changes to the restored section. The first order of business was to create a temporary diversion channel to divert low summer flows while Green Valley bioengineered a permanent bank in partnership with Bioengineering Consultants from Laytonville, California.

The restoration was for approximately 700-foot section along the Russian River where we employed bioengineering including Live Building Systems which instead of traditional rip-rap of the embankment we used whole willow trees to create natural protections. Willow trees have an immensely strong root system and grow vigorously which provided immediate bank stabilization without compromising the surrounding environment.

HEC-RAS studies of the channel were required to model river flows and provide elevations to prove the new bank would not compromise downstream or upstream conditions. Extensive permitting from several agencies was required including NOAA Fisheries, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Fish and Game and the Permit and Resource Department of Sonoma County.

Cloverdale River Park   
The Russian River once ran through City of Cloverdale limits with no public access. Thanks to City, County, and State funding, residents can now enjoy this gorgeous nature preserve. Cloverdale River Park is the largest riverfront park in Sonoma County, and boasts over 1 1/2 miles of paths that travel alongside the scenic river connecting city and county parking lots at either end. Designed by Green Valley, the path offers enchanting surroundings for walkers, bicyclists, and roller skaters who can travel along under 200-year old cottonwood trees, giant oaks, and alders. Bird watchers have spotted herons, egrets, and eagles. The park includes barbecue and picnic areas with access for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.