The removal of metal and concrete debris from the American River is closer to fruition after the Placer County Board of Supervisors authorized for the contract to be finalized Tuesday. The State Route 49 Bridge broke into three pieces and was washed away in December 1964, when the partially constructed Hell Hole Dam failed during an atmospheric river event. The debris was never removed, as construction of the Auburn Dam three miles downstream was authorized, and still lies in a stretch of the river within the Confluence of the Auburn Recreation Area 60 years later. The board approved a fund transfer agreement in February 2023 to receive $8 million from the California 2022-23 budget for the American River Debris Removal Project, following coordination with Protect American River Canyons (PARC).

Other fluvial restoration and protection news:

• Delta Science Program: Healthy rivers and landscapes science plan independent peer review
• The Source Weekly (Bend, Ore.): Editorial: Klamath River run was great TV, but the lasting effect is hope
• KCRA (Sacramento, Calif.): 3 things Sacramento wants boaters to do protect its rivers
• KQED (San Francisco): Cupertino quarry owner begins $25 million Permanente Creek cleanup effort