DESCRIPTION
The quality of the salmon habitat in the Snow Creek watershed has been severely impaired by the historic and current land use, particularly in this study reach. The disconnection of Snow Creek from being a Salmon Creek tributary, it's relocation to a perched location on the eastern valley wall and related straightening of Snow Creek in the lower watershed is a significant contributor to the channel incision observed in the lower reaches. This study will assess the feasibility of a reconnection project that is likely to address channel incision and highly impacted salmon habitat in the lower mile of Snow Creek, a reach that is critical for ESA-listed Summer Chum salmon.
The quality of the salmon habitat in the Snow Creek watershed has been severely impaired by the historic and current land use, particularly in this study reach. The disconnection of Snow Creek from being a Salmon Creek tributary, it’s relocation to a perched location on the eastern valley wall and related straightening of Snow Creek in the lower watershed is a significant contributor to the channel incision observed in the lower reaches. This study will evaluate what channel condition and location modifications of lower Snow Creek will provide the greatest benefit to ESA-listed Hood Canal Summer Chum spawning and rearing habitat and produce a feasibility report with a preliminary design.