DESCRIPTION
The Stillaguamish Tribe installed four Engineered Log Jams (ELJ’s) between river mile 18 and river mile 30 of the North Fork Stillaguamish River west of Darrington, Washington during 2012-2013 field seasons. A reach level GIS assessment of the North Fork from Arlington to Darrington helped inform the project. Suitable ELJ locations were selected so as to optimize spawning and pool habitat for Chinook salmon using a combination of Lidar, aerial photography, FLEER analysis, redd and pool data, and willing landownership/access. Jams were constructed to improve multiple habitat conditions that are limiting Chinook production; they have increased pool habitat and channel complexity, and are intended to reduce temperature, and protect riparian forests. This project continues to work towards achieving the goals outlined in the Stillaguamish Chinook Recovery Plan, which is to place 51 ELJ’s during the first 10 years of its implementation (approximating 30% of properly functioning condition). Since 1999, the Tribe along with several watershed partners have placed 19 complex jams and one 1500' log cribwall in the North Fork Stillaguamish River. Complex wood structures have also been added to Pilchuck Creek, Higgins Creek, and Deer Creek. This project includes $100,000 in PCSRF funding provided by NWIFC to the Tribe and metrics are prorated accordingly.