DESCRIPTION
In 1999, the Elwha Klallam Tribe was awarded two grants, under the SRFB - GSRO and the SRFB - IRT Early Action cycles, to construct several engineered logjams (ELJs) in the Elwha River. A third grant was awarded to the Tribe in 2000, under the SRFB - Early 2000 cycle, for floodplain restoration activities including the construction of additional ELJs. To date, seven (7) ELJs have been constructed and up to four (4) more are planned for construction in 2001. Using these completed structures as treatments, we evaluated the effects of engineered logjams (ELJs) on the physical habitat and biological response in the Elwha River over a five year period. The study concluded that ELJ's were stable after being subjected to over 30 bankfull flood events. ELJs also had posititive effects on a number of physical habitat parameters including pool formation, pool depth, reductions in peak temperature, on changes in physical habitat, and were effective at storing gravel used by salmonids for spawning. Positive effects were also documented on biological indicators including an increase in primary production, invertebrate abundance, and several species of juvenile fish. The Tribe partnered with scientists from the NOAA and USFWS to conduct the study.