Master of Environmental Science and Management: Master's Group Project
(2025)
Finding Balance in Our Urbanized Watersheds - Policy Recommendations for Alternative Emergency Debris Management Actions in Santa Barbara County
Deliverables:
Proposal
Description
Record precipitation events in Santa Barbara County have increased the need for
flood control strategies that mitigate immediate dangers to the public. Debris basins
have been an ongoing strategy to combat flood risk. These structures are designed to
capture sediment at the mouths of canyons to prevent floods downstream. By capturing
sediment at the canyon mouth, debris basins reduce the potential for flow impediments
at lower reaches. During high-flow events, Santa Barbara County debris management
actions are guided by emergency permits. These permits are designed to streamline
removal and relocation of sediment that threatens life or property near flood-prone
channels. There is growing concern about the physicochemical effects of this practice,
especially as extreme weather warrants more frequent use of emergency permits. A
significant component of debris basin management is sediment relocation. Historically,
Goleta Beach and Carpinteria Beach have been designated as receiving sites for
sediment from upstream debris basins during emergency situations. While this practice
may have the potential to protect coastlines from erosion, the long-term effects on
coastal ecosystems are uncertain. Our team will analyze the differences between routine
and emergency permit actions, and the resulting effects on the San Ysidro Creek ecology
and physical system. Overall, the project will provide a framework for coastal stream
sediment management, using San Ysidro Creek as a model to guide future projects.