DESCRIPTION
The Quileute Tribe, in collaboration with the National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Salmon Partnership, and Wild Salmon Center is implementing the Quillayute River-Thunder Field Restoration project to 1) complete an assessment of the Quillayute River, which includes a geomorphic assessment, hydraulic model, channel migration assessment, project identification, and conceptual alternatives, 2) develop conceptual and 30% designs of fish-friendly structures to stabilize the riverbank at Thunder Field, and 3) provide engineering services to either enhance the existing flood berm or design a levee to protect the village of La Push and construction to the current protection berm based on the engineered solution. The primary issue the project seeks to address is changes in the Quillayute River resulting in the loss of the natural meander which created a shallow, high velocity channel. The river is a threat to the National Park Service's Mora Road and the Quileute Tribe's Thunder fields, that could lead to negative impacts to the US Coast Guard Station, La Push Marina, the jetty, recreational access to Rialto Beach and Mora Campground, and the village of La Push.
Under WCRRI Project 18-2156, the Quileute Tribe took great steps in leading efforts to restore the Quillayute River. The Tribe developed strong relationships and partnerships with private and public stakeholders of the Quillayute River through monthly "Quillayute River Restoration Working Group" meetings, which continue to this day. This includes, but is not limited to, working relationships with: Olympic National Park, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Salmon Partnership, Wild Salmon Center, 10,000 Years Institute, and Clallam Conservation District.
Achievements that were funded in whole or in part by the 18-2156 project include: 1) completing the 2020 Quillayute River Geomorphic Assessment and Action Plan, including hydraulic modelling, identification of resource concerns, and a roadmap for the next decade of reach-scale restoration on the mainstem Quillayute River; 2) development of Conceptual (30%) engineering designs for the "Reach 3" Restoration Project, which has since been implemented (in 2022) as Phase 1 of Quillayute River restoration, and included fish-friendly bank protection at Thunder Field, large wood structures, and floodplain reconnection; 3) engineering, permitting, and construction to rehabilitate the La Push flood berm to reduce risk of river flooding in the Tribal village; 4) the completion of the NEPA process for the "Reach 3" project with the National Park Service and Lead Agency and NRCS and BIA as Cooperating Agencies; 5) the development of a Cooperative Agreement between Olympic National Park and the Quileute Tribe to implement "Reach 3" restoration in 2022; 6) Engineering and hydraulic modeling consultation on Mora Road storm damage repair plans developed by the Federal Highways Administration, which led to redesigns that better supported Tribal priorities; and 7) development of Conceptual (30%) engineering designs for "Reach 4" of the Quillayute River, which includes both Historic Oxbow reconnection and restoration, as well as engineered log jams in the main stem of the river. In addition, cost extension for this grant was awarded in Spring 2022 to assist in final hydraulic modelling ahead of the "Reach 3" implementation to account for channel migration and erosion in the project area that occurred in Fall 2021.
Quillayute River Basin Management Unit
