Friends of Sausal Creek
Sewer Replacement Project Continues in Dimond Canyon

by Michael Thilgen

The sewer project is moving along, with new plastic pipe now in place from the upper end of the project, above the Leimert Bridge, all the way to El Centro Avenue.

Although work has been progressing steadily, the project has not gone exactly as planned. At one point, the contractor found the old pipe encased in an underground concrete footing and had to dig into the creek channel to clear the obstruction, using excavators, loaders, and a winch. The creekside road in Dimond Canyon was widened and a temporary road constructed upstream from where the old road ended.

The City's creek restoration consulting team has designed plans for slope reconstruction and erosion control and has submitted them to the State Department of Fish and Game and to the City of Oakland for approval. Slopes will be regraded. The road will be subtly realigned in some places and covered with wood chips. Creek banks will be protected with coconut fiber mats and replanted with cuttings and seed of local native plants.

Sections of the park will be closed to the public during construction. The entire project is expected to be complete in mid-October. Planting will continue into the late fall and early winter. Volunteers are needed for maintenance and other planting tasks in Dimond Park. To get involved, come to the next Friends of Sausal Creek meeting on Wednesday, October 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Dimond Library, or join our next workday, Saturday, October 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, in Dimond Park. For more information, call Anne Hayes at 231-9566.