"Riparian" is a term that means the land adjacent to water bodies such as streams, wetlands, lakes or marine shorelines. Riparian areas provide multiple benefits for fish, wildlife, and humans. Specific functions of a healthy riparian area include improved water quality, soil stability, sediment control, wildlife habitat, microclimate, shade (which reduces water temperatures and therefore helps improve dissolved oxygen levels), nutrient inputs, fish prey production, habitat structure/woody debris, shelter from predators, human health and safety, and aesthetics.

Riparian restoration projects are projects that have actions aimed at improving riparian conditions. These projects include planting native trees and shrubs, controlling exotic vegetation, livestock exclusion fencing, and alternative stock watering.


The projects listed below are divided into 3 groups (A, B, or C) based on location:

A. Chimaucm Creek Lower Mainstem and Estuary: The Lower Mainstem of Chimacum Creek begins at Irondale Beach, continues up through Irondale and Port Hadlock and ends at the confluence of the Mainstem and the East Fork at river mile 2.6.

B. Upper Mainstem, Headwaters, and Tributaties: The Upper Mainstem begins at the confluence of the mainstem (at river miles 2.6) and the East Fork, and continues upstream through Chimacum, Center Valley, and up to the headwaters of the mainstem on Eaglemount.

C. East Fork Chimacum Ck. and Tributaries: The East Fork of Chimacum Creek begins at the confluence of Chimacum Creek (at river mile 2.6) and the East Fork, and it continues upstream through Beaver Valley to the headwaters of the East Fork.

For a comprehensive report of riparian restoration metrics for this watershed please contact Luke Cherney, Habitat Biologist for the Hood Canal Coordinating Council at lcherney@hccc.wa.gov.