This fish habitat restoration project is located on Beaver Creek, a tributary to the Methow River, between approximately River Miles (RMs) 6.2 and 7.0. The project area is west of Upper Beaver Creek Road and includes portions of the existing channel floodplain and the historic channel floodplain roughly between (RMs) 6.2 and 7.0.
The pre-project alignment of Beaver Creek is channelized alongside Upper Beaver Creek Road (Ok Co. Rd. 1637) within a riprapped channel approximately 1,600 feet in length. The channel condition severely reduces salmonid habitat quantity and quality. The stream segment includes an irrigation diversion (Batie) at RM 6.4, the last remaining human-caused fish passage barrier on Beaver Creek. The primary purposes of the project are to remove this partial barrier and restore more natural channel gradient and meander conditions to improve fish habitat for ESA-listed fish and other aquatic species in this reach of Beaver Creek. The project will also result in enhancement of riparian and wetland areas by improving floodplain connectivity.
Fish habitat improvements include increased habitat complexity within the project area through creation of a new channel alignment with several habitat-enhancing features in the existing right (west) floodplain. Relocation of the existing irrigation diversion approximately 200 feet upstream diverts water without impeding fish passage in Beaver creek and to provides a functioning fish screen and juvenile bypass system that is easier to operate and maintain while meeting WDFW criteria.
The Upper Beaver Creek Habitat Improvement Project includes the following activities:

Construction of approximately 2,300 feet of new stream channel through the floodplain on the west side of Upper Beaver Creek Road with 1,160 feet of this alignment excavated and the remainder routed through existing grade, likely former stream channels,
Placement of large woody debris (LWD) in the new channel to provide habitat complexity, promote pool formation, improve holding capacity and spawning habitat, and allow for sediment deposition,
Relocation of an irrigation diversion, including a new intake box, headgate, and stilling basin, a jog diversion weir and metal intake sluice structure, a fish screen, and a juvenile fish bypass meeting WDFW criteria,
Construction of two terraces along the east edge of the calculated floodplain of the proposed channel to prevent floodwater from reentering the newly abandoned channel through avulsion; to protect the new diversion infrastructure; and to prevent fish stranding after flooding in the newly abandoned channel,
Fill of the abandoned channel in two locations to extend active floodplain width and deter an avulsion; partial fill of the newly abandoned channel upstream of the diversion (as materials allow) to promote natural recolonization of wetland and riparian habitat
Planting of native riparian vegetation in disturbed areas following construction activities, approximately 0.65 acres

Beaver Creek provides spawning, rearing, and migratory habitat for Upper Columbia spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Upper Columbia summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) of the Upper Columbia Distinct Population Segment (DPS); these species are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).