Belmont Creek restoration nears completion; staff touts flood reduction, invites public to Dec. 3 ribbon cutting

Daniel Matthews, assistant engineer in the City of Belmont Public Works Department, gave a status update Wednesday on the Belmont Creek Restoration Project, saying the effort "aims to reduce downstream flooding and enhance the beauty of Twin Pines Park by restoring Belmont Creek using natural and sustainable methods." Matthews presented before the Parks and Recreation Commission and answered questions from residents and commissioners.

The project team removed nonnative blue gum eucalyptus trees and reconstructed the creek channel this year, Matthews said. Contractors placed log structures and "constructed riffles" to slow and detain storm flows, created pools to increase detention capacity, and regraded banks to more stable two‑to‑one slopes. Trails near the creek have been repaved, and the contractor used logs salvaged from the tree removal as in‑channel habitat and bank…