Carriger Creek

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Carriger Creek is a tributary stream to Sonoma Creek in Sonoma County, California. Carriger Creek, which rises on the southeastern slopes of the Sonoma Mountains, is studied by the Sonoma Ecology Center and the Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District. Steelhead migration and spawning occur in Carriger Creek. Ongoing stream bank stabilization and riparian revegetation is being conducted in the creek to prevent erosion and enhance fish and wildlife habitat.^[1] The major correction required was compensation for a poorly conceived concrete ford historically constructed for access to the Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve; this concrete structure led to severe downsteam downcutting and resultant denial of fish passage.^[2] According to the U.S. EPA, Carriger Creek was a "renowned steelhead fishery" prior to the ecological damage of human modification of the streambed. Besides eliminating the downcutting by creating a fish ladder, restoration work will also result in use of rip-rap for certain streambank stabilization. This stream is sometimes known as Fowler Creek.