Cherry Channel Drainage

The City of Beaumont is proposing to line the existing channel with concrete to improve the channel flow conditions and alleviate the increasing level of maintenance by City staff.  The existing channel is currently lined with a turf reinforced geo-mat along the side slope and channel bottom. The channel is maintained under an agreement with Cal Fire for weed abatement/vegetation control twice a year after the rainy season (March/April) and July/August, prior to the school schedule. 

 Cherry Channel

The channel geo-mats have been affected by urban runoff flows, with sections torn or missing over the years. The proposed Project would remove the existing geo-mat lining, wingwall, and riprap within the channel and be replaced with concrete along the slopes and channel bottom. The existing headwalls and culverts will remain and be protected in place. The Proposed Project would result in reduced maintenance costs and improved flow of runoff to the channel. 

Project Updates

  • EXP U.S. Services (Consultant) has advanced the engineering plans to a 60% level design. 
  • Chambers Group (Consultant) is currently preparing the environmental document and associated technical studies. 
  • In November 2024, the Chambers Group began preparing the applications for regulatory permitting to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (401 Permit), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (404 Permit), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (1602 Permit). 
  • Upon initial discussion with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), it was undetermined if the Cherry Channel is tributary to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and within USACE jurisdiction. 
  • To rule out the possibility and need to obtain such a permit, the City has directed the Chambers Group to conduct field surveys and enter this information into USACE’s Streamflow Duration Assessment Model (SDAM). 
  • On July 15, 2025, the City Council adopted the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigated and Monitoring Report Program (MMRP); the Notice of Determination (NOD) has been filed with the California State Clearinghouse (SCH) and Riverside County Clerk Recorder. 
  • Final Design of the Cherry Channel is currently underway. 

Project Reports