DESCRIPTION
This proposed project is located in a tidally influenced section of the Chehalis River with tidal fluctuations as much as 10 vertical feet. Located 12 miles upstream from Grays Harbor, much of the water draining from the Chehalis River Basin flows through this reach. Based on aerial photography, the landowners witnessed about 70 feet of bank erosion between 1990 and 2016. The property
This project proposes to slow bank erosion rates and improve habitat conditions along denuded, eroded riverbanks. Restoration actions may include regrading, installing biotechnical techniques and/or bioengineered structures such as engineered log jams, to slow erosion rates. This project also proposes to plant a vegetation buffer in order to improve instream and riparian habitat conditions, improve hydrologic dynamics and habitat complexity. Secondly, this project may include installation of culverts in two low spots on Arland Road to raise the road elevation in order to maintain floodplain connectivity while enabling landowner access during flood events. Thirdly, if beneficial, a component to improve off channel habitat and/or floodplain connectivity in an existing forested wetland is possible.