The decline of ESA-listed Chinook salmon and steelhead runs can be attributed to many factors that exist at McPherson side channel such as extensive flood control riprap placed along the river bank loss of lateral stream movement across alluvial flood plains disconnected side channels and associated habitat reduced offchannel rearing habitat highly simplified channel characteristics altered and reduced riparian habitat instream and flood plain degradation low flows in late summer through winter and limited over-wintering rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids. The McPherson side channel restoration project was designed to restore flood plain connectivity; to increase water flow and improve flow consistency; to enhance side channel habitat and over-wintering refugia within McPherson side channel; to provide off-channel rearing habitat for juvenile fish in a low-gradient side channel environment; to improve the functionality of existing channels and wetlands; and to enhance riparian buffer establishment.