Rifle Range Creek

Rifle Range Creek runs from its headwaters in the East Bay Regional Park District's Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve beneath Keller Avenue and through the 167 acre site of the former Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, then into a long culvert under Interstate 580. It's named for the former State Rifle Range in the area, and ultimately joins Arroyo Viejo Creek near the Golf Links Road undercrossing.

A 3,500-foot stretch of the creek running through the Oak Knoll property was restored, decades after being culverted, by the developer, SunCal Companies. The Project Description with Goals for the area is as follows:

Goals

  • Conduct an environmental analysis of site resources to enable construction of a mixed-use housing and retail development
  • Secure environmental permits and ensure regulatory compliance for restoration of 3,500 feet of Rifle Range Creek
  • Prepare habitat enhancement, restoration, and monitoring plans for sensitive habitats at the site 1

Project Description

WRA provided biological services to SunCal Companies to support the redevelopment of the 167-acre former Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, located in Oakland, California. Working with SunCal, Phillip Williams & Associates Ltd., BKF, Engineers, and other firms, WRA assisted with the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) portion of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process. WRA conducted a range of biological surveys including nesting bird and bat surveys, rare plant surveys, and oak woodland surveys. Based on the information collected during these surveys, WRA prepared a wetland delineation report and agency permit applications for the restoration of 3,500 feet of Rifle Range Creek, including a California Department of Fish & Game Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement and Clean Water Act Section 401 and Section 404 permits. In addition to the biological surveys and creek restoration assistance, WRA developed a comprehensive Native Oak Woodland Enhancement Plan, a Resource Management Plan, and a Riparian Restoration and Monitoring Plan for the site. 1

In 2011 when the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital was demolished, the creek ran through an underground culvert, but it has since been fully daylighted as the property nears development after a series of delays and developers. 3

creek map excerpt 2

Links and References

  1. Oak Knoll Mixed-Use Community Development WRA Environmental Consultants
  2. Creek and Watershed Map of Oakland and Berkeley Oakland Museum of California
  3. "Can a New Developer Finally Get Oak Knoll Off the Ground?" The Oaklandside, July 21, 2025
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