Riparian Fencing on Dairy Creek

In 1993, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed a fencing project on Dairy Creek at El Chorro Regional Park. The creek, which flows from its headwaters in Camp San Luis Obispo through El Chorro Regional Park and Cuesta College property before meetings its confluence with Chorro Creek, is primarily bordered by pastureland for cattle. The project sought to protect riparian vegetation and water quality in the creek by fencing most of the creek’s mainstem, but several large gaps were left in the fence line to permit cattle access to drinking water.  


Above: CCC crews work on the new Dairy Creek fence

The Estuary Program's volunteer monitoring program began monitoring the creek in 2002 to evaluate the project's effectivness in improving water quality. Data revealed that although marked improvements in temperature, dissolved oxygen and canopy cover existed, bacteria levels still exceeded the EPA’s recreational contact standard.

In 2008 the  Estuary Program partnered with the CCC to finish the project by closing the gaps in the fence line and installing water troughs for the cattle. The CCC successfully acquired a $38,000 grant from NOAA as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Estuary Program will supply the remainder of the project's funding through the Riparian Fencing Program. The fencing project includes an estimated 3,700 feet of fencing and four troughs. Completion  is expected in late February 2010.