DESCRIPTION
Roaring Creek has long been identified as being flow limited. Factors contributing to flow limitations in the lower portion of the creek include two irrigation diversions that remove a combined total of ~>1 cfs during the period April 1-October 30. Passage barriers are also created by the two instream diversions. The Roaring Creek project replaced the two surface water diversions and leaking delivery system and served irrigators with new groundwater wells. The work by resulted in 1.5 cfs more instream flow in the lower 1.3 miles of Roaring Creek. The project benefits summer steelhead adult holding and spawning and juvenile rearing to smoltification. Spring Chinook juveniles will likely also benefit in the lower reaches of the stream. The project was made possible through funding from a variety of sources including a unique legacy donation from long-time Trout Unlimited member who wanted some of their estate to go toward a fisheries restoration project implemented by TU. .
Beginning in 2012, TU-WWP staff carried the project from conception to completion in six years. The project included partnerships between multiple public agencies, conservation entities and private contractors and exemplifies the benefits of persistence and collaboration. The principle objectives of improving Roaring Creek instream flow and increasing the efficiency of the Roaring irrigation delivery systems were achieved. By completing the project we formally protected 1.4 cfs and decommissioned two diversions which were fish passage barriers, particularly late season. By working with the 8 irrigators to change their historic diversions on Roaring Creek to wells or a diversion on the Entiat River, we were able functionally return Roaring Creek to its natural hydrograph. The Roaring Creek project directly addresses documented limiting factors in the Entiat watershed.
