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Upper Washougal Bedrock Channel
Restoration
Project began in 2004 with the intent of restoring channel
conditions degraded by historical log drives that scoured the
river and many tributaries between 1880 and 1940. The log drives
caused watershed scale channel incision resulting in decreased
production of wild salmonids. Summer steelhead are the target
species with lesser benefit to Chinook, coho, winter steelhead
and resident fish.
Photo Gallery
Little Washougal Riparian
The
Little Washougal Riparian project is a continuation of a
multi-reach riparian planting effort that was started in 2003.
Our crew and volunteers removed extensive patches of non-native
vegetation and planted over 10,000 native plants. Project
partners included the Stauffer and Marks families, NFWF/ SRFB
and WDFW LIP.
IN-STREAM HABITAT PROJECTS
Hamilton Creek Engineered Logjams
In
2008, we completed the assessment and design for a large
in-stream project in lower Hamilton Creek; a small but very
important tributary to the Columbia River located in the City of
North Bonneville. The construction phase of the project was
funded by SRFB in 2008 and implementation is underway.
Spawning Chum at the
Hamilton Video
Grays River LWD Complexity
In
early 2007, we initiated work on a SRFB funded project in the
Grays River designed to enhance the in-stream complexity
necessary for improving adult holding cover and for improving
juvenile rearing success in the highest priority reaches of the
Grays River Basin. This reach of the Grays River is
characterized by a lack of pools and in-stream complexity, as
well as high depth-to-width ratios. In 2008, we constructed 12
in-stream structures which resulted in new pools and gravel bars
forming over the course of the following winter.
Washougal River
Projects:
The Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) identified a 7-mile
portion of the Washougal River as a limited salmon and steelhead
production area in the upper watershed. The project
specifically addressed that area as it had become deeply incised
in a bedrock channel due to log drives and catastrophic fires in
the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The project directly benefits
ESA-listed summer Steelhead, as well as contributing populations
of ESA listed Chinook and Winter Steelheads. Many other species
are present and will benefit from our work.
The objective was to increase in-stream cover, spawning and
rearing areas, pool depth, sub-service flows, and decrease
channel width. The In-Stream Habitat Projects or constructed
Engineered Log Jams, (“ELJ”s), are designed by a team of
engineers and geologists to ensure long-term stability capable
of withstanding peak flows and function as fish habitat. The
Department of Natural Resources, (“DNR”), Longview Fibre,
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Skamania County
were valuable partners in this habitat restoration project.
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