The Chewuch River RM 10R Project has been identified as a critical area of concern in the Chewuch Rvier Reach Assessment. The project area is a moderately confined reach. Bedrock outcrops on both sides of the valley provide the primary constraints on valley width. Glacial deposits overlay the bedrock in most areas and form the low-surface boundary except for at a few locations. The glacial terrace has been eroded and a wide floodplain has developed along the west side of the valley. This surface contains wetlands, but only limited evidence of frequent flood inundation or high flow channels.
The channel forms one large amplitude half-meander. The upstream end of the reach has a large mid-channel bar that creates split flow and pool-riffle development. Downstream, the channel simplifies and is essentially a long run with coarse cobble/boulder bed material. As the channel swings west to complete the half-meander, a deep scour pool is formed on the outside of the bend. At the downstream end of the reach, the channel flows through a tight bedrock constriction where another deep scour pool has formed.


The objective focuses first on protecting existing conditions from further impairment. This objective is followed by reconnecting the fundamental bio-physical processes that will create and maintain habitat conditions over the long-term. Off-channel habitat enhancement (rehabilitation) is also included; these projects occur in conjunction with long-term process reconnection and are also applied in cases where long-term process reconnection is constrained by existing human uses. The primary objectives suggested by the USBR are to "restore wetland or high-flow network", or to "restore primary side channel and wetland". The restoration concepts behind achieving these goals are restoring cleared areas, assessing connectivity, removing riprap, and excavating to enhance side-channel connectivity. The USBR also suggests that addition of LWD throughout the reach may be beneficial.