DESCRIPTION
This is a multi-phase project. With this project, the Land Trust and the
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will work to conserve priority parcels in the
Elwha River, Little River and Indian Creek watersheds through
conservation easements or fee simple acquisition, and restoration may
also be pursued. Projects could be implemented as early as 2015. Phases
will be guided by planning work being completed in 2014. By the end of
2014, North Olympic Land Trust and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will
have a prioritized individual parcel plan for the Elwha River, Little
River and Indian Creek watersheds. The plan will identify properties
that are most important to restore and maintain physical processes that
form habitat. A geomorphic approach will be combined with landowner
interviews to identify the most important parcels for long-term
conservation. This Project will implement that plan.
Why Project is Needed:Efforts to restore the Elwha watershed have necessarily centered around dam removal which was completed in 2014. Complimentary habitat restoration is being pursued systematically by the Lower Elwha Tribe targeting floodplain and tributary restoration outside of Olympic National Park. In this proposal we will conduct a geomorphic, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis on a 1.9 mile reach of mainstem Elwha River and associated floodplain. That analysis will lead to a basis of design report that will support engineering designs to achieve restoration goals within the reach. The reach targeted is located upstream of the Highway 101 bridge to the boundary with Olympic National Park. The reach has been affected by chronic wood loss, channel incision and the construction of spur dike to protect a county road.Benefits to Salmon:This project will implement a road map to protect and restore habitat in a 1.9 mile reach for ESA listed species in the Elwha River, including Chinook, Steelhead and Bulltrout. Non-listed stocks of fish will also benefit, including Coho, Chum, Sockeye, Pink and Cutthroat.
WRIA18 West: Elwha River Watershed
