The Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group implemented a project to improve instream habitat, riparian condition and floodplain connectivity on Lower Cowiche Creek in Yakima, WA. Lower Cowiche Creek supports spawning and rearing habitat for ESA listed Mid-Columbia steelhead. Cowiche Creek has been listed as an Impaired Water for temperature and nutrient loading and was included in the 2008 Upper Naches River Temperature TMDL. The project accomplished the following: · Improved habitat by removing concrete and non-native material from the channel and banks. Reshaped formerly armored banks and established a native riparian plant community where there were weeds. · Increased floodplain complexity, stream shading and bank stability by revegetating 1.3 acres of riparian and floodplain; · Completed final engineering and design for removal of 1,100 feet of old railroad berm and bank armor that are constricting the stream; · Removed and disposed of surface debris and garbage on approximately 5.4 acres; and · Developed New Projects: Worked with other landowners in the reach to garner support for similar restoration work, identified restoration opportunities on 2 more properties, and gained landowner support for these actions. In the original application, the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group proposed to also remove 1,100 feet of an old railroad berm and a concrete embankment and bank armor associated with that berm. In conjunction with berm and armor removal, they proposed to construct a setback dike and instream structures, and revegetate the newly accessible floodplain with native plants. However, berm removal (and all associated work) was not feasible as future trail alignment concerns related to berm removal on the project site could not be addressed within the timeframe of the grant. This project benefits steelhead and coho in a priority location and supports actions called for in the Yakima Steelhead Recovery Plan. This project was funded with a combination of NOAA 2010 and 2012 grant funds.