Rheem Creek restoration expected to reduce flooding in Richmond neighborhood 

Rheem Creek no longer looks like a stream that wreaked havoc on the Rollingwood neighborhood in northeast Richmond for more than two decades.

The urban stream now flows peacefully through a small canyon that cuts behind the backyards of homes along residential streets such as Greenwood Drive, Moyers Road and Shane Drive.

The transformation is the result of a recently completed five-year project that involved residents, nonprofit organizations, state and county agencies and Richmond city employees.

The refurbishing  is expected to significantly reduce flooding along the channel and will allow native plants to reclaim ground that had been taken over by invasive species.

“This project transformed Rheem Creek from a source of annual flooding and frustration into a cherished natural asset,” said Richmond City Council member Soheila Bana, whose district includes this area. “It gave residents the opportunity to appreciate and care for the creek and its riparian habitat, fostering a deeper connection with nature. It represents another step toward peaceful coexistence with the environment, rather than damaging or fighting against it.”

Rheem Creek flows through various parts of Richmond for more than three miles before emptying its waters into San Pablo Bay.

Creek caused local flooding in yards, homes and streets

Most of its route is through underground culverts and engineered channels. However, a 1,200-foot open section of the creek in the Rollingwood neighborhood caused serious problems for more than 20 years.

The waterway had become clogged with sediment and choked by invasive species of plants such as Himalayan blackberry, ivy and crabgrass. That caused the creek to overflow during rainstorms, flooding backyards, garages and even the interiors of homes. The backup also caused storm drains to overflow, sending water into the streets.

“It was really serious. Every year, the neighborhood would see local flooding,” said Juliana Gonzalez, executive director of The Watershed Project, a Bay Area nonprofit organization that helped coordinate the creek restoration efforts. “The quality of life of these people was impacted.”  

Fixing the problem was logistically challenging. For starters, the Rollingwood neighborhood is in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The creek is also on private property with 27 homes each owning a piece of it. The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District had some stake in cleaning up the mess. So did the city of Richmond.

“This situation on this one was particularly tricky,” said Sarah Puckett, the Central Valley program director for American Rivers, a nationwide group known for watching over the health of major waterways such as the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

In 2019, city and county officials got together with residents to formulate a plan to clean up Rheem Creek. They were joined by The Watershed Project and American Rivers as well as other nonprofit groups such as Urban Tilth.

The city of Richmond received more than $2 million in Proposition 68 funds from the California Natural Resources Agency and also kicked in some general fund money for the project.

All the participants then set to work.

Over a five-year period, the project participants excavated 900 cubic yards of dirt from the Rheem Creek channel and shored up the embankments. That construction phase was completed in October 2024.

In January, members of Urban Tilth, a Richmond nonprofit with seven community and school gardens that trains local residents to cultivate agriculture, as well as interns and apprentices from The Watershed Project, finished removing invasive species along the creek, replacing them with 667 native plants.

New fences were also built, and an interpretive sign was installed where the creek crosses under Fordham Street. The Watershed Project members will remain active in maintaining healthy vegetation along the creek for the next two years.

“The project helps the community recognize creeks as critically important spaces,” said Nathan Bickart, the director of watershed restoration programs at Urban Tilth.

Bana said the project is a success.

“It not only protects residents’ homes from flooding but also safeguards the creek and strengthens the health of our community watershed,” she said.

“There seems to be a mixture of relief and gratitude among the residents,” added Bickart.

The work is ongoing. Members of The Watershed Project continue to coordinate with residents to help keep the creek free of debris and watch over the native plants.

Those involved hope the refurbished creek will inspire residents to not only take care of Rheem Creek but to also understand there’s a need to maintain other urban waterways.

“I hope the city and county will collaborate to protect San Pablo Creek from invasive species and pollution as well,” Bana said.

The project was funded by a $2.2 million grant from the California Natural Resources Agency through Prop. 68 as well as by the city of Richmond, which is covering additional construction and maintenance costs.