Stanford has completed its four-year study on the future of Searsville Dam and Reservoir, setting the stage for reviews by regional, state and national authorities before approval of any strategy.
The report from a 12-person faculty and staff committee co-chaired by Professor Chris Field, faculty director of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, recommends consideration of two options for the environmental management of the dam. Both plans attempt to address the issues created by the sediment—approximately 2.7 million cubic yards—that has accumulated since the construction of the dam in 1892.
The first option is to create an opening at the base of the dam for a flow from the Corte Madera Creek, providing a passageway to upstream creeks for fish as well as a level of stormwater retention for downstream areas. Further study is needed to determine if the fine sediment behind the dam can be safely moved downstream to San Francisco Bay.
The second option would allow the reservoir to completely fill with sediment, stabilize the accumulation behind the dam, facilitate development of wetlands and a new stream channel through the accumulation, and construct a fish ladder or rerouted passageway for fish moving upstream.
