DESCRIPTION
This project is part of a reach scale restoration effort in the Upper White Pine (UWP) reach of Nason creek to restore habitat that is below historical and optimal conditions to aid in the recovery of ESA listed species. The purpose of this aquatic habitat restoration project is to re-establish connectivity between Nason Creek and its floodplain and restore and enhance stream channel, riparian, and wetland habitat functions in the Upper White Pine Reach of Nason Creek from RM 12.8 to 13.25 for spring Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout which are listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Nason Creek contains critical habitat for ESA listed salmonids. The stream channel within the Upper White Pine Reach of Nason Creek is confined by U.S. Hwy 2 to the north, and the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) prism to the south. Additionally, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Chelan PUD transmission corridors are located within the riparian areas and floodplain. Existing fish habitat in this reach of Nason Creek is degraded when compared to historic conditions, primarily as a result of stream bank armoring associated with protection of transportation infrastructure located within the floodplain; and past and ongoing human-made alterations to riparian and floodplain vegetation to maintain transmission and transportation corridors.
These alterations to Nason Creek and its' floodplain, have resulted in degraded aquatic habitat conditions and a need to:
- Reconnect off-channel, and floodplain habitat to Nason Creek.
- Increase habitat diversity and natural channel stability by increasing in-channel large wood complexes.
- Restore riparian vegetation conditions to reduce water temperatures and to recover other lost riparian functions.
