DESCRIPTION
The Skagit Conservation District used this funding to protect and restore priority areas of the Nookachamps watershed, which is tributary to the Skagit River. The restoration efforts included fencing to restrict cattle access, planting native species, planting maintenance, and project monitoring. This project was designed to reduce sedimentation and excess nutrient loading, and provide for a reduction in stream temperature and a return to more natural biological processes. Historic use of the project area has been primarily agricultural, with resulting degradation of riparian areas and loss of function in riparian habitat. Specific accomplishments included: culvert replacements and a bridge replacement for fish passage improvements (match from forest stewardship program); engineered log jams for fish enhancement; over 6000 trees and shrubs planted in the riparian zone to provide shade, water cooling, and overall habitat improvement (many were CREP or WRP match), with plant protectors installed to assure plant survival; over 350 willow cuttings installed for stream bank stabilization; over 2,275 feet of fencing to exclude livestock and improve water quality; maintenance to control invasive species and assure plant survival; annual monitoring, photos, and monitoring for plant survival and growth.
The Skagit Conservation District used this funding to protect and restore priority areas of the Nookachamps watershed, which is tributary to the Skagit River (WRIA 3). The restoration efforts included fencing to restrict cattle access, planting native species, planting maintenance, and project monitoring. This project was designed to reduce sedimentation and excess nutrient loading, and provide for a reduction in stream temperature and a return to more natural biological processes. Historic use of the project area has been primarily agricultural, with resulting degradation of riparian areas and loss of function in riparian habitat. The Nookachamps is currently on the Washington Department of Ecology 303(d) list for repeated failure to meet temperature and fecal coliform parameters.
The District used the Skagit Watershed Council's Application Strategy to prioritize projects for water quality improvement and riparian habitat restoration.
Specific accomplishments included: culvert replacements and a bridge replacement for fish passage improvements (match from forest stewardship program); engineered log jams for fish enhancement; over 6000 trees and shrubs planted in the riparian zone to provide shade, water cooling, and overall habitat improvement (many were CREP or WRP match), with plant protectors installed to assure plant survival; over 350 willow cuttings installed for stream bank stabilization; over 2,275 feet of fencing to exclude livestock and improve water quality; maintenance to control invasive species and assure plant survival; annual monitoring, photos, and monitoring for plant survival and growth.
