In the early morning, California’s Central Valley awakens with birds singing and critters chirping. In a shady grove next to a river, an owl swoops down from the branches of an ancient oak tree. The tree’s trunk bears a white ring, marking the flood level from last year when the San Joaquin River overflowed. This area, known as Dos Rios, is a floodplain that has been transformed into California’s newest state park.
A New State Park
Dos Rios State Park opened this summer, offering 2.5 square miles of lush greenery amid the Central Valley’s agricultural expanse. Named for the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers that converge at the park’s edge, Dos Rios is unique for its nature-based climate solutions aimed at reinvigorating native wildlife and mitigating local flooding.
Transforming Farm Fields Back to a Floodplain
Just 15 years ago, the land where Dos Rios now stands was used for farming. Conservationist Julie Rentner and her team at the nonprofit River Partners have been working since 2008 to purchase and transform this plot back into a floodplain. Their efforts included reintroducing native plants that thrive on occasional flooding, such as willows, cottonwoods, mugwort, and gum plants.
Working with Nature to Mitigate Flooding
The San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers’ seasonal flooding is now welcomed at Dos Rios. The park helps absorb floodwaters, reducing the risk of flooding in nearby communities like Stockton. This natural floodplain approach involves cutting holes in berms and levees, allowing rivers to overflow and soak into the ground, recharging groundwater and protecting downstream areas.
Community Benefits
Grayson, a small farming community near Dos Rios, benefits from the park’s flood mitigation and recreational opportunities. Community leader Lilia Lomeli-Gil recalls the devastating floods of 1997 and expresses relief that Dos Rios now provides a place for residents to enjoy nature and improve their mental health.
Increasing Accessibility and Educational Opportunities
Dos Rios is committed to accessibility, offering guided tours in multiple languages to accommodate the diverse local population. The park plans to develop campgrounds, host family events, and organize educational visits for students, ensuring that the space is inclusive and beneficial for all.
Indigenous Involvement and the Native Use Garden
The park also collaborates with Indigenous tribes to support cultural practices. Austin Stevenot, a member of the Northern Sierra Miwok tribe, has helped create a Native Use Garden, planting shrubs and plants used for traditional purposes. This initiative allows tribal members to gather plants for ceremonial use, reconnecting them with their ancestral lands.
Future Expansion Plans
Dos Rios exemplifies a successful model of environmental restoration and community engagement. The park’s success has inspired plans for similar projects. Governor Gavin Newsom’s “30 x 30” initiative aims to conserve 30% of California’s lands and waters by 2030, encouraging efforts to create more parks like Dos Rios.
Community Benefits
Dos Rios State Park offers a glimpse into the potential for harmonizing environmental conservation with community benefits. By restoring floodplains and involving local communities, Dos Rios provides a blueprint for future projects aimed at preserving nature and improving quality of life in California’s Central Valley.
References:
NPR: California’s newest state park is like a time machine
California State Parks: California’s Newest State Park, Dos Rios, Now Officially Open to the Public
