Sausal Creek Restoration

The Sausal Creek Restoration at Dimond Park in Oakland, California restored a previously buried reach of urban creek within a heavily used neighborhood park into a more natural, ecologically functioning stream system. RDG’s designs re-established a dynamic channel form with step-pool and riffle-pool sequences, provided fish passage into Sausal Canyon, and reintroduced native riparian vegetation to stabilize banks, enhance habitat, and improve water quality. Carefully integrated with surrounding park amenities and circulation, RDG’s designs transformed a buried creek into a visible, accessible, and resilient waterway that strengthens watershed function, ecological health, and community connection to the landscape.