DESCRIPTION
This grant funded the conceptual design of a project that restores natural processes to a suite of floodplain habitats in the Stillwater reach of the Snoqualmie River. The Stillwater reach of the Snoqualmie River offers an important opportunity for process restoration in a large area of publicly owned mainstem habitat. This reach is also significant because it includes the entire floodplain wetland complex associated with the junction of Harris Creek, a major anadromous tributary.
Currently, habitat forming processes in the Stillwater reach are impaired by bank hardening, a lack of large woody debris, and reduced riparian forest cover. This project developed a geomorphic reach analysis that was used to inform restoration conceptual designs. Elements of restoration design that were assessed through this analysis included: the location and extent of large wood enhancement, the amount of riprap removal required for the re-establishment of alluvial migration processes, and ideal locations for riparian forest plantings.
The restoration design derived from the geomorphic reach assessment will be implemented by the project partners, in phase 2 of the project. Project partners include the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, King County, the Stilly-Snohomish Fisheries Enhancement Task Force, Ducks Unlimited, and the Wild Fish Conservancy.