DESCRIPTION
NEED TO ADD IN INFORMATION ABOUT BRIDGE REMOVAL TO THIS PROJECT: Chelan County Natural Resources Department worked with landowners to remove the Cottonwood Flats bridge near RM 18 on the Entiat RIver. This bridge and approach fill limit floodplain connectivity, stream channel migration, and access to side channel and backwater habitat. Approximately 2000 cy of the bridge abutment fill encroaches on the floodplain and causes a backwater affect upstream of the bridge.
This proposal is seeking funds for final design and construction for the Cottonwood Flats floodplain re-connection project which is located near RM 17.65 on the Entiat River. The following text summarizes the biological benefit of this project: Improve floodplain connectivity by creating a 1,200 side channel and 6 acres of rearing and refuge habitat for spring Chinook and steelhead emerging fry; Increase the downstream alcove connection to river, thus increasing opportunities for summer parr (steelhead and spring Chinook) foraging; Increase wood structure to improve floodplain connection, lateral channel migration and channel roughness and cover; Improve floodplain wetland functions for floodwater storage and groundwater recharge;
