Lower Mission Creek Debris Racks

Lower Mission Creek is a vital waterway that channels storm runoff from the Santa Ynez foothills through downtown Santa Barbara before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Record storms in 2023 sent heavy debris surging through the channel, destroying the existing debris rack that protects downstream areas from large obstructions. Temporary repairs kept the system functioning in the short term, but a full replacement was required before the next rainy season. With debris flow risks increasing, the City accelerated the schedule to ensure the new rack was in place ahead of winter.

The site sits only a short distance from the ocean and is constantly exposed to salt-laden marine air. During storm events, the channel carries high-impact debris that strikes the steel structure from above and below the waterline. The replacement rack required a protective system capable of withstanding corrosion, abrasion, and repeated mechanical loading. Hot-dip galvanizing provided complete coverage, metallurgical bonding, and long-term performance in environments where moisture, chlorides, and impact are unavoidable. The galvanizer’s timely coordination and efficient turnaround were essential for meeting the project’s condensed schedule, allowing installation to proceed without delay during a critical window before seasonal storms. This improvement occurred in parallel with a major milestone in the broader Lower Mission Creek Flood Control Project, a joint effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the City of Santa Barbara. The multiphase project widens the creek to increase flow capacity, reduce flood damage, and preserve natural habitat. Recent work included construction of a bypass culvert under Highway 101 to handle peak storm flows while allowing normal water levels to continue through the historic Mission Creek, which supports trout passage. Within this system, the galvanized debris racks protect the new bypass culvert by intercepting logs, branches, and other large material during high water events. Galvanizing also reduced long-term maintenance needs in a confined, difficult-to-access channel environment. The racks were fabricated and installed on an accelerated schedule, restoring full debris-control capability in time for the rainy season and strengthening the creek’s flood protection infrastructure for decades to come.