DESCRIPTION
The condition of Lilliwaup Creek’s habitat limits the spawning and rearing success of ESA-listed summer chum (threatened) and other anadromous species. Stream flow, tidal influence, estuarine connectivity, and spawning range are impaired by gravel aggradation in the 0.7 mile anadromous reach, largely the result of the mass wasting event that brought thousands of yards of gravel downstream into the reach in 2007. Lack of riparian vegetation contributes to channel instability, reduces contribution of large woody debris, and reduces the amount of shade cover to cool the water and provide fish protection. Unmaintained culverts prevent access to side streams and pools. Upstream of the anadromous reach, some tributaries, roads and slopes remain unstable, with the potential for overburdening the creek with excess sediment. Local residents are concerned about the creek’s condition and express interest in seeing it restored. Over 16 years and several hundred thousand dollars in supplementation efforts to recover the Lilliwaup summer chum population are at risk if these issues are not addressed.
This project continued the effort by Long Live the Kings and our consultants to restore and protect the anadromous reach of Lilliwaup Creek. A final, 100% design plan was completed. This design plan provides guidance for improving the hydrological processes, sediment transport capacity, and riparian vegetation abundance and diversity of the creek's anadromous reach, and reducing the potential for more sediment coming into the system than it can manage from areas above the anadromous reach.