Tennessee Valley Dam Removal and Lower Valley Restoration Project

Panorama is assisting the National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area with preparation of NEPA documentation for the Tennessee Valley Dam Removal and Lower Valley Restoration Project. The project is planned to eliminate the possibility of catastrophic injury or fatality to Tennessee Valley visitors from sudden dam failure and to restore natural channel, wetland, riparian and coastal functions within the lower valley. The project includes lowering of the Tennessee Valley dam to a 3-foot embankment and stabilization of the embankment, creation of California red-legged frog ponds, filling of an incised channel, stream grade control, trail repairs, and wet meadow restoration. Key issues have included impacts on California red-legged frog during construction, impacts on visitation/use during construction, and elevated pesticide levels (from historical agricultural activities) within removed sediments.