DESCRIPTION
BPA Contract 64314. The work being proposed under this contract is for two of five restoration projects, scheduled for implementation the summer of 2014, for a reach-based approach to habitat restoration in the Entiat Watershed being monitored as an Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW). Restoration projects are also being proposed by the Yakama Nations on property within River Mile (RM) 2.6 to RM 3.5, and by the Chelan County Natural Resource Department near RM 1.9 (Keystone side channels) and RM 4.0 (Harrison Side Channel). The intent of the IMW approach is to construct reached scale projects in a single calendar year and then monitor those projects and their effects for the following two years. A final round of projects will occur in 2016-2017 in the middle Entiat River area.
The purpose of the project is to create summer and winter juvenile rearing habitat and resting and holding areas for the listed species through backwater areas with cover, off-channel habitat, and habitat diversity in-stream through the installation of boulder clusters and habitat logs. These priorities were outlined in the Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team (UCRTT) Guidelines on the Implementation of the Lower Entiat Reach Assessment Memorandum (2012), and the Lower Entiat Reach Assessment (USBOR 2012).
BPA Contract 64314. The goal of this project is to design geomorphologically appropriate instream habitat treatments to enrich habitat complexity within 1.5 river miles of the Lower Entiat River. The objectives are to increase summer and winter rearing habitat for juvenile steelhead and spring Chinook salmon and increase resting and holding are for various life stages of spring Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. The project works in synchronization with the Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW) study and is planned for construction the summer of 2014. The Lower Entiat has been identified as a Category 2 watershed area. It is an important spawning reach for both spring Chinook and steelhead, and core area for bull trout (Revised UC Biological Strategy - Table A1, 2008).
The proposed actions consist of installing a total of nine instream boulder clusters within two over-widened channel segments, and enhancement of side channel connections at RM 0.85 and RM 1.7. Associated engineered log structures are proposed at the enhanced inlet of the side channel at RM 1.7. In addition, two individual habitat logs are planned along the opposite channel margin at the RM 1.7 side channel area to increase roughness and cover (complexity). Native plantings are planned within the riparian buffer area to replace vegetation that will be disturbed during the installation of the proposed treatments.
The scope of the work outlined will engage Tier 1 habitat action recommendations including instream/LWD pool forming structures and side channel reconnection (Revised UC Biological Strategy, 2008). The following limiting factors will be addressed; (1) lack of overwintering juvenile rearing habitat especially pools and cover, (2) lack of instream complexity especially LWD and pools, (3) off-channel rearing for spring Chinook, (4) lack of adult holding habitat, and (5) lack of steelhead spawning habitat (Reclamation 2009, Nelle et al 2009, CCCD 2004, UC Recovery Plan 2007, and revised UC biological Strategy 2008). US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is designing the project and a partnership between Chelan County Natural Resources Department and Cascadia Conservation District has been established for the implementation of instream structures, side-channel reconnection, and removal of levee projects associated with this area. This involves coordination of efforts relating to permitting, staging, access, and landowner outreach.
