Arastradero Creek Rehabilitation Project
- Project value$5.9M
- Project schedule2027 - 2028
Project Scope
The project will replace the existing gas, water, and wastewater pipelines serving the Palo Alto Foothills community, currently installed parallel to one another approximately three to nine feet below the bottom of the Arastradero Creek channel. The gas pipeline will be lowered to greatly reduce the potential for erosion-related exposure, and the water and sewer pipelines will be relocated outside of Arastradero Creek to Arastradero Trail. Replacement of the existing utility infrastructure enhances the overall safety of each utility distribution and collection system. By bringing the pipelines to current utility standards, it ensures continued reliable utility service to the foothills community for years to come.
The project will also include construction of a series of 10 step-pool structures, approximately 25 post-assisted log structures, and two channel-spanning log grade control structures keyed into the existing banks. In addition, the project will include minor grading along Arastradero Trail, which runs along the left bank of the creek, with the goal of returning functionality to an existing culvert and improving the conditions of the trail. Protecting the integrity of existing stream and riparian habitat and for reducing scouring forces, restoration of the creek would rely on natural materials and geomorphic processes to the greatest extent possible to encourage sediment aggradation on the channel bottom and channel widening to restore stream equilibrium.
Project Timeline
Environmental Assessment
The City, acting as the lead agency, prepared a Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the proposed project. The Draft MND is available for public review for a 30-day comment period between Friday, July 17, 2026 and Monday, August 17, 2026. The City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) is anticipated to consider the project as part of its regularly scheduled meeting on July 28, 2026. City Council will make a final decision on the project following the end of the circulation period and publication of the Final MND.
Notice of Intent to Adopt(PDF, 393KB)
Draft IS/MND(PDF, 130MB)
Comments on the Draft MND may be provided at the PRC hearing, sent via e-mail to Aaron Perkins at Aaron.Perkins@paloalto.gov, or mailed to Aaron Perkins at Water-Gas-Wastewater Utilities 1007 Elwell Court, Palo Alto, CA 94303 by 5 p.m. on August 17, 2026.
If approved, the project would start construction on the gas utility relocation and creek restoration in 2027, with the water and wastewater utility relocations anticipated in 2028. There will be a 10-year monitoring period to monitor the sediment aggradation on the channel bottom and perform minor alterations of the creek structures. Work hours are anticipated to be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Trail Impacts
Arastradero Creek Trail access will be impacted throughout the project. In coordination with Palo Alto Open Space Rangers, any trail closures or other impacts will be shared on this webpage, the Preserves alerts page and the placement of signage throughout the Preserve.
Project Location
View the map for the Arastradero Creek Rehabilitation Project(PDF, 14MB).