DESCRIPTION
The intent of this restoration project is to restore fish passage at three off-channel habitat sites. The goals for this project are to provide permanent access to high quality, high quantity habitat through naturally functioning processes for juvenile salmonids, primarily coho. Tall Timber and T-bone Springs, located in Clallam County, WA on Rayonier Timber Company property; Elkhorn is located in Clallam County, WA on City of Forks Property. All three sites have fishways that were constructed by the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife in the early 1980s that were constructed to provide passage to juvenile rearing habitat. Over time these structures have deteriorated and become partial barriers. Tall Timbers lso includes downstream wiers to aid in fish passage while Elkhorn has a dam structure in the location of the historical beaver dam at the original outlet of the pond.This project would replace the manmade infrastructure with more natural functioning solutions that would be sustained over time. The sponsor proposes to install roughened channels structures and small wood structures to maintain passable gradient and rearing pond levels. Each site will be examined to determine the best approach for the site conditions. Priority Species targeted by this project are all species of juvenile salmonids, mainly Coho, for rearing, and has potential for adult spawning of Coho and Steelhead.
This restoration project aimed to restore fish passage at three off-channel habitat sites: Tall Timber, T-Bone Springs, and Elkhorn Pond, all located in Clallam County, Washington. The overarching goal was to provide permanent access to high-quality, high-quantity habitat for juvenile salmonids, primarily coho, through naturally functioning processes. By replacing deteriorated man-made fishways with sustainable, nature-based solutions, the project supports the long-term recovery of salmonid populations.
Tall Timber and T-Bone Springs are situated on Rayonier Timber Company property, while Elkhorn Pond lies on City of Forks property. All three sites had fishways constructed in the 1980s by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to facilitate access to rearing habitats. Over time, these structures became partial barriers, limiting fish passage. Tall Timber and T-Bone included downstream weirs, while Elkhorn featured a dam structure located at the historical beaver dam site at the pond's outlet.
The project emphasized the use of natural structures, such as roughened channels and small wood installations, to maintain passable gradients and stable pond levels. Priority species targeted by the project included juvenile salmonids, particularly coho, with additional potential for adult coho and steelhead spawning.
Key Project Activities and Outcomes:
- Species Relocation:
De-fishing operations were conducted at both Tall Timber and T-Bone Springs to protect aquatic species during construction. This effort, carried out with the Wild Salmon Center, involved the safe removal and relocation of multiple juvenile salmonid species, sculpins, and salamanders. Temporary net barriers were installed to prevent fish and debris from entering the work area, ensuring the integrity of the ecosystem throughout the process. The areas of Elkhorn pond we worked in were dry during the installation, so no relocation was required.
The project addressed three primary sites: Tall Timber, Elkhorn Pond, and T-Bone Springs. Each location required tailored design plans and methodologies to address site-specific challenges and conditions.
- Tall Timber:
This site demanded the most extensive planning and equipment. The design engineers were involved throughout the entire process and were on site before, during, and after installation. The project began with an evaluation of site designs followed by a "de-fishing" process, conducted in collaboration with the Wild Salmon Center, to safely relocate aquatic species and install nets to prevent debris and additional fish from entering the work area. Construction focused on installing a Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) above the existing fishway, as a preliminary step to stabilize water levels before removal of the structure. Using heavy machinery, posts were driven into place and branches secured to form the BDA, providing a stable foundation to safely manage water flow during construction. The removal of the fishway, which served as a primary water barrier, was carefully managed to prevent downstream flooding. Additional efforts included felling trees and strategically placing logs along the banks to influence hydrological flow, anchoring logs to prevent erosion, and adding gravel to enhance spawning habitat and soil stability. The site was completed with further habitat improvements and a thorough cleanup to mitigate the temporary environmental impact of construction.
- Elkhorn Pond:
Work on this site commenced with the removal of the deteriorated fishway. Since the area lacked standing water, no de-fishing was required, though precautionary nets were installed. The team then constructed a total of 7 Beaver Dam analogs. The larger BDAs were installed with assistance from the 10,000 Year Institute, which expedited the process. Once the BDAs were in place, the materials from the previous fishway were removed, and the site was prepared for future water flow management and habitat improvement. 10,000 Year Institute also treated the wetland area for invasive plants, mainly reed canary grass.
- T-Bone Springs:
This site involved a lengthier process due to specific requirements outlined in the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA). Before dismantling the old fishway, all Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALs) and BDAs had to be installed to minimize water loss and sediment displacement. The project began with de-fishing and net installation, supported by the Wild Salmon Center. Winches and pulley systems were employed to position large timber and construct full bank-width PALs, with assistance from Natural Resources Conservation Services. We installed 9 bank attached PAL's and 3 channel spanning PAL's. Once the structures were in place, the team undertook the careful deconstruction of the old fishway, a labor-intensive task requiring significant time and effort. The structure was built with steel posts, heavy marine grade plywood, some kind of thick typar fabric, and cedar. After completing this phase, the site was cleaned and prepared for long-term ecological benefits.