Upper Arroyo Burro Restoration at Barger Canyon

In late 2013, the Creeks Division purchased a 14.19-acre parcel on Foothill Road along Upper Arroyo Burro in Barger Canyon. The parcel was an environmentally sensitive and degraded site with approximately 1,800 linear feet of creek frontage on both banks of Arroyo Burro.

The property is upstream of a significant Creek Tree Program restoration project, and includes an important scenic view corridor from Foothill Road up to the Los Padres National Forest. The creek channel in this section of Arroyo Burro is also an important corridor for wildlife moving up and down the watershed.

In 2016 the Creeks Division completed a creek restoration project which realigned the lower portion of Arroyo Burro to recreate natural meanders, while removing over 600 tons of concrete and debris from the creek. Eroding creek banks were laid back and stabilized through native revegetation efforts. An upland treatment wetland was created by intercepting a storm drain from neighboring developed properties. Non-native vegetation was also removed and replaced with nearly 5,000 native plants and trees. The project has improved native riparian and wildlife habitat on site, and improved downstream water quality within the watershed. 

The property is not open to the public, but is available for tours upon request. Please contact the Creeks Division at Creeks@SantaBarbaraCA.gov for more information.