DESCRIPTION
This site was identified through the WRIA 13 three-year implementation priority list, watershed outreach and inquiries from the former landowner. Lack of LWD is a limiting factor for the Deschutes River as is an excess of fine sediment, lack of riparian cover and temperature. This project addresses all of these. This project seeks to restore the aquatic habitats on approximately 750 linear feet of river channel in the reach by increasing the amount of large woody debris, re-establishing native riparian forest and creating in-stream complexity. The design propose to install flow deflecting ELJ that will redirect the majority of the rivers flow into the stable historic channel, while allowing some flow into the LWD roughened oxbow for much needed off channel habitat. Over 14 sites were identified within the reach as significant sediment sources and this project would see the containment of one of the worst sites in terms of total sediment loads entering the river. Area D has excellent access for mobilizations and the landowner may be able to provide match in the form of large wood. While bank erosion is certainly a natural process within the Deschutes River, erosion rates within the project site have clearly been exaggerated by clearing of riparian forests, agriculture and development. Stabilizing the banks in this reach would diminish fine sediment loading to the river as well as Capitol Lake, and can be accomplished in a way that improves both aquatic and riparian habitat by
The Deschutes River Mile 21 LWM & Riparian design-only project assessed a 1500-ft reach of the Deschutes River in Thurston County near the town of Rainier. South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group, working with a design team, developed a preliminary design to enhance salmon habitat by adding large woody materials, channel complexity and bank roughness to a degraded area of the Deschutes River. The project also developed a riparian planting & maintenance plan for the 12 acre floodplain terrace riparian buffer of native conifers and hardwoods. The project’s goals are to address limiting factors identified in the Deschutes River Coho Salmon Biological Recovery Plan (2015) and Ecology's Deschutes River TMDL Report (2016). These reports identified the following actions as priority for this reach: Restore tributary habitats particularly near cold water sources, reduce fine sediments entering the river: create pools for thermal refuge; and add much needed large woody materials. This project will benefit Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead and coastal cutthroat trout. The project area is owned by the Center for Natural Lands Management, who manages the land for preservation and restoration of Oak Prairie Habitat as identified in the Alliance for a Healthy South Sound Strategy Document (2016).
