DESCRIPTION
The Bogachiel River, a meandering tributary of the Quillayute River, has a reputation of channel migration and overbank flooding, particularly within the lower Bogachiel River valley, and at the Kitchel Property just above the SR 110 bridge. This project aims to achieve an integrated understanding of the Bogachiel potomology through channel bathymetry, sediment transport, channel-migration zone (CMZ), and erosion hazard analyses in order to prioritize and implement future habitat restoration for the river. Additionally, this will address and mitigate against a river avulsion, which has the potential to eradicate public utilities stationed under the Bogachiel Bridge on SR 110. Furthermore, this project would address issues at the Kitchel Property stemming from ongoing erosion immediately upstream of the property. These objectives will be met by completing a river assessment, which includes a meta-analysis of previous studies, collecting new geomorphic data, and developing a CMZ and erosion hazard analysis. Results will be amassed into a GIS database, and a geomorphic assessment report. This report will include existing conditions, field data, hydrology and hydraulic analyses, geomorphic analyses, limiting factors, and desired future conditions with a restoration prioritization matrix.
Quileute Natural Resources (QNR) worked with Cramer Fish Sciences (CFS) to develop a Bogachiel River Restoration and Resiliency Assessment ("Assessment") for river miles (RM) 0-22. The Assessment included, but was not limited to, channel bathymetry, hydraulics, sediment transport, channel-migration zone (CMZ), and erosion hazard analyses. The goals of this project were to identify and prioritize restoration and resilience actions that enhance and restore salmon habitat in the Bogachiel River, while reducing risks to critical infrastructure. This work also assessed the avulsion threat at State Route (SR) 110 and compared that to historical analyses (WDOT 2004, 2014). An “alternatives and simulation” analysis stemming from the Assessment guided efforts toward completing conceptual designs associated with this project. The designs were developed to assist in restoring natural processes and 1) reduce flood and erosion risk near SR 110, 2) dissipate hydraulic energy, and 3) provide in-stream habitat complexity for salmonids in the lower reaches of the Bogachiel River. The initial agreement included developing preliminary designs but we had intended to develop conceptual designs at this project phase so the agreement was amended to rectify this.
There were four major project goals, each with associated tasks:
1. Conducted an assessment and developed a prioritized list of process-based fish habitat restoration project opportunities for the 22-mile length of the Bogachiel River from its confluence with the Sol Duc River to the Olympic National Park Boundary.
-Task 1: Reviewed existing data and collected field data to characterize and describe the geomorphic reach types and their condition along 22 miles of the mainstem Bogachiel River.
-Task 2: Described the future trajectory of each geomorphic reach under prevailing and future climates and boundary controls.
-Task 3: Identified causes of impairments, identified restoration opportunities, and developed and prioritized conceptual projects to target root causes of degradation.
2. Assessed, based on current and forecasted conditions, the nature and extent of the threats to SR 110 and associated utility lifelines serving the Quileute Reservation, Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, Clallam County residents, and Olympic National Park Beaches.
-Task 4: Developed hydraulic models and determined the flood inundation extents of typical flow recurrence intervals: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 years floods.
-Task 5: Determined avulsion risk and estimated floodplain inundation area needed to reduce flood hazard risk at the SR 110 bridge crossing and find a sustainable, process-based, and resilient solution prior to an infrastructure approach.
3. Developed updated recommendations (based on current and forecasted conditions) for realistic, cost-effective, and achievable solutions to threats to SR 110 identified in the assessment.
-Tasks 4 & 5.
4. Completed conceptual designs for one project identified during the prioritization phase of the project.
-Task 6: Developed conceptual alternatives and a 30% design of the top rated/prioritized restoration project. This is presumably a location in the lower river near SR 110 bridge, but could be another location.
The project selected as the highest priority was identified as Project Area 3 (PA3) between river miles 0.75-2.75. We developed 30% designs for PA3 and obtained landowner acknowledgements from the primary landowners within the project area.