Hanford ARC provides specialized wetland construction services guided by technical expertise in a variety of wetland types. We have built vernal pools, tidal wetlands, and freshwater wetlands with both seasonal and perennial hydrology.

We provide construction services from rough grading through fine grading, the spreading of duff and seed, and stabilization. We have built from plans based on detailed topographical surveys, and worked with designers in the field using free-form grading to achieve a desired acreage of jurisdictional wetland. Many of our projects have involved working with or in close proximity to endangered species and habitat.

Vernal pool projects have been of special interest to our company. Our operators’ skill and equipment used for grading vernal pool projects allow the finish product to blend very well into the existing landscape. We take pride in grading pools that are indiscernible from native vernal pools in the vicinity. Our goal is to create vernal pool habitat that is both biologically functional in the long term, and aesthetically pleasing.

Strawberry Point School Wetland and Field Restoration
Mill Valley, CA

Mill Valley School District contracted Hanford ARC to build this wetland designed by Brian Powell and Associates. The project increased the area of an existing tidal wetland while restoring a dormant area behind Strawberry Point Elementary School into a beautiful playfield.  The enhanced wetland will become an ‘outdoor classroom’ for the children of the school which has a naturalist on staff. More...

Kimbo Red-Legged Frog Pond
Sunol, CA

As a part of Alameda County NRCS's larger plan to restore several ponds in the county, Hanford ARC was contracted to repair this failing pond. Regrading as well as installing a new outlet structure and dam were all components of this effort with NRCS to improve the funtion of this pastureland and provide habitat for the endangered CRLF. More...

Devil’s Slide Wetland Mitigation
Montara, CA

In 2005, Caltrans awarded Hanford ARC the wetland mitigation portion of the five-phase, Highway 1 Devil’s Slide tunnel construction project, extending from Pacifica to Montara. Hanford ARC excavated approximately 25,000 CY of soil in fall 2005 and winter 2005/06 to create two wetland basins, followed by seeding and planting in the spring of 2006. A temporary overhead irrigation system, including five 2500 gallon water tanks, has been installed for the plant establishment period ending in 2009. More...

Slippery Rock Vernal Pools
Santa Rosa, CA

This project established 41 vernal pools and swales to address impacts to both vernal pool species and the federally listed California tiger salamander. Utilizing its GPS system with survey level accuracy, Hanford ARC imported CAD plans and performed project layout based on eight control points across the 31 acre site. This allowed us to maintain a high level of accuracy, less than 0.1’, and the ability to achieve optimal pool depth and swale elevation efficiently. More...

South Santa Rosa Vernal Pool Mitigation Bank
Sonoma County, CA

Vernal Pool Technologies, Fall 1999. This project, designed by Marco Waaland, Golden Bear Biostudies of Santa Rosa, constructed a series of vernal pools and swales on a 12-acre parcel located on the Santa Rosa Plain, south of the City of Santa Rosa. Historically, vernal pools that existed on this site were leveled for orchards; therefore the goal of this project was to return the native topography. More...

Triangle Rock Vernal Pool and Seasonal Wetland Habitat Enhancement
Sacramento, CA

This project is a comprehensive habitat restoration as mitigation for quarry operations east of Sacramento, Ca. Hanford ARC constructed 55 vernal pools among existing pools in a large preserve area, a 3 acre seasonal wetland, planted 800 willow cuttings adjacent to Laguna Creek, and planted and installed irrigation on a 1.5 acre terrace above Laguna Creek. The seasonal wetland work item involved excavation of a 3-acre basin adjacent to Laguna Creek, a water quality/detention pond, and several inlet and outlet structures. More...

Highway 1 Red Legged Frog Pond
Pacifica, CA

This endangered species habitat was constructed in preparation of roadwork along Highway 1. Red legged frogs will be relocated from a farm pond in the path of road construction to this temporary habitat, to be returned once the work is complete. Hanford ARC implemented the design, which included installation of a concrete diversion structure, grading of a swale and pond, and erosion control. More...

Vernal Pool Construction and Consolidated Wetland Mitigation
Sonoma County Airport

Hanford ARC was contracted for two vernal pool projects on Sonoma County Airport property, north of the City of Santa Rosa. Both projects were designed by LSA Associates of Point Richmond, Ca., as consolidated mitigation sites. The first project, constructed in the fall of 1999, established 44 vernal pools and enhanced four swales on a 15-acre parcel at the northeast corner of the airport. More...