DESCRIPTION
Shinglebolt: Remove fill from old channel and incorporate LWD into Shinglebolt Slough located south of Sultan on left bank of Skykomish River. South Slough: Provide riparian enhancement and LWD placement along South Slough (a large side channel).
The Shinglebolt Slough project is mainstem, off channel, riparian, and floodplain restoration project. The goals are to reconnect the filled and cutoff floodplain side channel at average spring flows, restore mainstem edge and off channel habitat forming processes, establish a robust riparian buffer, reduce flooding impacts in the adjacent area, and retain viable low-impact agriculture land use on the elevated portion of floodplain. This project will provide off channel juvenile rearing and refugia as well as restore mainstem edge habitat and channel complexity. Chinook Salmon are the priority species the habitat restoration is supporting. The project's increases in natural habitat diversity and channel complexity should benefit all salmonid and terrestrial species in the area. The entire project will restore river process, increasing habitat quality and quantities to over 4,000 feet of side channel and 600-900 feet of mainstem edge habitat. The project includes excavation of 1,600 feet of filled and cut-off side channel habitat. Reconnection and enhancement of 2,600 feet of remnant side channel. Early concepts call for 6 large jams, 10 medium jams, 10 small jams and 16 wood placement structures. Planting plans include floodplain riparian invasive vegetation treatments that have already begun with ~35 acres of knotweed treated. Plantings will consist of ~18 acres of bare earth native riparian vegetation establishment as well as 20 acres of riparian planting enhancement.