The Samish River Large Woody Debris (LWD) Bank Protection project is located north of Sedro-Wooley along the Samish River off of Prairie Road. Lateral erosion from the Samish River is encroaching into pastureland and delivering sediment to Samish River, increasing turbidity and decreasing water quality. A lack of established riparian area, invasive plant species, and easily erodible soils contribute to the soil loss and impaired water quality in this reach of stream. The objective of this project was to 1) Improve water quality by excluding livestock along 2,000+ feet of stream with fencing 2) Increase bank stability by eliminating bank erosion with LWD installations and grading techniques 3) Restore riparian habitat adjacent to the Samish River with the removal of invasive species and the planting of new native ones.

This project included the installation of 28 pieces of bioengineering structures (root-wad/LWD installs) at two sites of significant erosion, both along the right bank of this stretch of the Samish River. All bioengineering structures were installed along the right bank of the stream. The installed structures act to protect the bank from erosion and accumulate sediment while at the same time provide ideal fish habitat. To prevent further soil loss and create a stable planting surface, the slope of the banks were terraced and coir fabric was laid across the bank down to the water. Willow cuttings and other native plants were then planted on top to increase soil stability.

Additional planting was done a minimum 35 feet landward from the actively eroding banks with an average buffer width of 35 feet from the ordinary high water mark over the length of the project. This project also included the installation of more than 2,000 feet of livestock exclusion fencing to reduce fecal inputs from livestock and further prevent bank erosion. Skagit County is currently working with this landowner to expand this project to an adjacent parcel in the future. Site maintenance will continue through 2013.

Final designs and permit documents were developed for this project as part a Department of Ecology grant (WA120317-2-1). The Samish River LWD Bank Protection Project design project was lead by Skagit County Public Works (SCPW) in partnership with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) with the goal of design and permitting restoration actions to improve riparian habitat. This project was part of the Skagit County Natural Resource Stewardship Program.