These projects will stabilize and enhance the remaining areas of "natural" spawning and rearing within the lower Elwha River Drainage. The Elwha dams have restricted the recruitment of gravels to the lower river, consequently the main channel substrate has become much larger than the "natural" conditions which existed prior to dam construction. There are several side channels in the lower river which still contain appropriate sized gravel substrates for salmonid spawning, and the majority of natural spawning occurs in these areas. Protection and enhancement of these areas is vital to maintenance of the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the remaining anadromous stocks in the river. Additionally, one of the projects will have the benefits of protection of one of these channels, maintenance of the water supply to the Elwha Hatchery, and maintenance of the current channel meander pattern and quantity of mainstem habitat available. The elements of this project will build on previous efforts to stabilize/enhance habitat in the lower river as well as expansion of the amount of habitat available. These projects can be completed by October 15, 1999.