Doty Ravine Preserve

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Doty Preserve is a 427-acre property north of Lincoln, California that is owned and operated by the Placer Land Trust. Cattle are ranched on the property, which centers on Doty Ravine, a perennial creek and floodplain. Doty Ravine is fed by agricultural runoff and water diversions during summer months, with winter flooding during heavy rain events.

When the property was acquired by Placer Land Trust much of Doty Ravine’s floodplain was open pasture with scattered trees or blackberry bramble. Restoration along the upper portion of Doty Ravine began in 2008, with 5000 trees planted in a 20-acre area. Beavers have also reshaped this upper portion of the ravine, rerouting the stream’s flow and inundating much of the floodplain.

Restoration is ongoing along the lower portion of the ravine to restore the riparian ecosystem and reconnect the floodplain. A levee remains along lower sections of the ravine. Portions of this were removed in the summer of 2016 and 2017, restoring the creek's access to its historic floodplain. Access to the lower floodplain is aided by the addition of beaver dam analogues (BDAs) at key locations near levee breaches. In total, the ravine and adjacent floodplain include 73-acre area where this assessment was run.