DESCRIPTION:
The subject creek flows through Rhodes Horse Ranch in Oso, WA. The creek's headwaters are on the sandy and gravelly forest plateau above the farm, and as it drops off the plateau and flows through the ranchland it deposits the gravels and sediments carried down off the plateau. Over the years, this active sedimentation has been problematical to the Horse Ranch and the property's previous owners as the creek fills, cuts, and jumps its course upon its alluvial fan without regard to the locals' property management and farming plans. During the wet season the creek floods and sheet flows across the horse pastures, washing several acres worth of horse droppings into the North Fork Stillaguamish as well as stranding an untold number of juvenile coho and trout.

In cooperation with Rhodes Horse Ranch, this project will establish a 50'-60' fenced buffer on each side of the creek's length as it flows through the horse ranch. Virtually this entire buffer area will be excavated down to an average depth of about 2 feet below the surrounding pasture lands. The spoils will be hauled and graded to fill the low spots in the pastures that currently trap and strand the most fish. Additional excavations will create new meandering portions of stream. Finally, instream LWD will be added for habitat and native riparian plants will be planted. These riparian plantings will be maintained for 3 years, and a conservation agreement will be signed with the landowner.

Several years ago, the previous property owner "took matters into his own hands" regarding the creek. Thumbing his nose at WDFW he took to his backhoe, dredging and excavating the streambed and relocating its course straight as an arrow along the property line. This escapade earned him heavy fines and a short stay in jail, establishing for himself (and the creek) a certain level of notoriety that lingers even today amongst the locals. The notoriety of this particular stream endows this cooperative project an additional opportunity for education and outreach. The entire neighborhood will be watching our progress and commenting upon the execution and effectiveness of the project.

OBJECTIVES:
1) To improve and protect water quality in Rhodes Horse Ranch Creek.
2) To improve and protect fish habitat in the creek.
3) To create additional wetlands and enhance existing wetlands functions.
4) To allow for more natural stream processes to occur without negatively impacting fish or water quality.
5) To demonstrate that cooperative efforts are feasible between natural resource agencies and local ranchers.