Tag: Branciforte Creek

This project removed the 8-foot Cahill Dam, built in 1931, from Branciforte Creek — the last tributary of the San Lorenzo River before it reaches the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz County. The dam had blocked migration and buried natural spawning substrate under 250 feet of sediment. Following removal, nearly three miles of upstream spawning and rearing habitat were opened and natural sediment transport restored, benefiting Central California Coast steelhead and providing a high-priority reintroduction corridor for coho salmon.