Vegetation Management Unit

The Vegetation Management Unit performs corrective or preventative vegetation management activities on over 4,000 acres on improved and unimproved flood control channels and canals. These activities vary in frequency from semi annually to once every ten years. The activities are performed in the quantities described below for the following purposes:

• In stream maintenance for flood conveyance (1300 acres)
• Right of way maintenance on top of bank areas and flood plains for fire control and maintenance access (2700 acres)
• Re-vegetation maintenance (190 acres)

Vegetation Management Unit Functions

For additional information on projects and programs in Vegetation, call the Vegetation Management Office.

On average, roughly 3,580 acres of vegetation management work is performed annually. This total includes:

• 438 acres of in stream work for flood conveyance
• 3017 acres of Right of way maintenance
• 125 acres of Re-vegetation maintenance

Annual flood control activities include:

• Aquatic herbicide applications on approximately 65 acres to non native species and vegetation which exceeds the maintenance standards of each facility.
• In stream removal of vegetation on approximately 60 acres.

Annual Right of way activities include:

• Mowing and discing or hand clearing of weeds for fire prevention and/or access on 480 acres.
• Removal of overhanging brush impeding maintenance access on approximately 50 acres.
• Herbicide applications on 1,130 acres of roadways and firebreaks for fire prevention and access. (these activities are performed twice annually)

Vegetation management activities are relatively the same from year to year. Some areas of work may change, but the accomplishments remain relatively constant. Slight variations in flood control activities occur due to weather patterns. For example, historically, increases in work have occurred during flood years, while decreases occur during extended periods of drought. Right of way activities remain constant regardless of these weather patterns.

Project contact:
For more information about vegetation projects, contact: Mark Wander, Vegetation Manager, Santa Clara Valley Water District, at (408) 265-2600, ext. 3851.

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