Note: This webpage will be updated periodically with important project notifications and status updates. Please check back periodically by bookmarking this site, which can also be accessed by scanning the QR code shown at the bottom of this webpage.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Belmont Creek originates within Belmont and flows downstream through the unincorporated Harbor Industrial Area (HIA) of San Mateo County along the border of San Carlos before reaching San Francisco Bay.  The lower, flatter segments of Belmont Creek that flow through the HIA can experience siltation from upstream sediment deposition during rain events, requiring periodic channel dredging and maintenance.

Over time, Belmont Creek within Twin Pines Park has become degraded due to increased urban runoff, channelization, invasive species, and other factors. Degradation includes channel incision, bank erosion, and loss of riparian vegetation and habitat. Sediment from creek erosion flows downstream towards the flatter reaches of the creek where it settles, reducing channel capacity and exacerbating flooding.

To address these concerns, the Twin Pines Park Belmont Creek Restoration Project will restore the banks and channel bottom of approximately 550 to 1,600 linear feet of Belmont Creek within the City of Belmont’s Twin Pines Park. The restoration work includes, but is not limited to, removing invasive vegetation, regrading and revegetating existing eroded creek banks with riparian vegetation, and stabilizing the creek banks and channel bottom to minimize future channel erosion. The goals of the project are to reduce erosion and resultant downstream flooding impacts from future storm events, improve water quality, enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and enhance the Park experience and educational and creek viewing opportunities for park users.

The project is funded with a $1,000,000 Urban Streams Restoration Grant from the California Department of Water Resources, and $600,000 in local funding from the City of Belmont (Measure I), City of San Carlos, and County of San Mateo.

The project is related to but separate from the City of Belmont’s Twin Pines Park Stormwater Detention Basin Project located just downstream of the project. That project will provide underground stormwater detention facilities under the Belmont City Hall parking lot to reduce the peak flows and downstream flooding during storm events. For more information about that project, please visit: www.belmont.gov/CreekRestoration.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE PROJECT

The project is required to undergo CEQA review. The project has prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document that will be available for public review in September/October 2024. The Notice of Intent to adopt the document is available here. The document will be posted below under “Project Documents” below, and further circulated for public comment. Comments on the document can be submitted by October 14, 2024.

PROJECT DOCUMENTS

Project Information Sign

Existing Conditions Photos

Project Fact Sheet

Approved Plans for Restoration Construction

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Upcoming

None scheduled at this time (when scheduled this webpage will be updated)

Prior

June 1, 2022 @ 7:00pm

Parks and Recreation Commission (Agenda)

May 9, 2023 @ 7:00pm

City Council Meeting (Agenda and Presentation)

May 1, 2024 @ 7:00pm

Parks and Recreation Commission (Agenda and Presentation)

The project was also presented at a table at several Concert in the Park events in July 2022 and July 2023.

Comments or questions regarding the project should be directed to the City of Belmont Public Works Department at (650) 595-7425 or pworks@belmont.gov.