DESCRIPTION
This project will complete designs for the Phase 3 reaches in the middle part of the Middle Nemah River. The Middle Nemah is a moderate sized stream system utilized by chum, coho, Chinook and Steelhead. This system is the Priority Watershed within the Willapa Bay watershed for the Willapa Bay Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery. The Conservation District worked with Cramer Fish Sciences and the landowner, WA DNR to assess habitat conditions throughout the watershed, identify restoration opportunities and prioritize those actions with stakeholders. Phase 1 and 2 designs are now complete and moving towards implementation. This would design the next highest priority restoration actions identified through this Priority Watershed planning and implementation process.
This project will complete stream, floodplain and riparian restoration designs for the Phase 3 reaches in the Middle Nemah River (RM 3.4 to 5.2). The Middle Nemah is a moderate sized stream system utilized by chum, coho, Chinook and steelhead. This system is the Priority Watershed within the Willapa Bay watershed for the Willapa Bay Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery. The Pacific Conservation District worked with Cramer Fish Sciences and the landowner, WA Department of Natural Resources, to assess habitat conditions throughout the watershed, identify restoration opportunities and prioritize those actions with stakeholders. Phase 1 and 2 designs are now complete and moving towards implementation. This project would design the next highest priority restoration actions identified through this Priority Watershed planning and implementation process. The Habitat Assessment recommended additions of high densities of large wood to increase streambed complexity by increasing width variability, increasing water depth, initiating lateral migration, retaining sediment and increasing the regularity of floodplain connection. All of this will improve rearing habitat for juvenile Chinook, coho and steelhead by increasing high-flow refugia, providing off-channel habitat at a variety of flows, improving prey abundance and providing cover from predators. Floodplain connection will also be improved through removal of portions of an abandoned road prism.