DESCRIPTION
The Yakama Nation (YN) is proposing to enhance aquatic and
floodplain habitat within 1.5 miles of Nile Creek by placing large woody
material and small diameter brush/slash in the bankfull channel and on the
floodplain.
The Yakama Nation is proposing to restore reach scale physical fish habitat conditions along a 1.6 mile reach of Nile Creek, a tributary to the Naches River in northwest Yakima County. Restoration will include installing of up to 950 logs to add structure to the in stream habitat. Objectives include reconnecting Nile Creek to floodplain and off channel habitat and increasing surface water flow velocity heterogeneity. Conceptual design modeling for the project indicate an increase in inundation of one acre for the 25 and 100-year peak flow events immediately following construction of the proposed work elements. In addition, a 13% and 18% increase in side channel length was predicted for the 25 and 100 year peak recurrences, respectively. The project will improve habitat for ESA listed steel head and bull trout, in addition to rainbow and cutthroat trout for all life stages. Woody material will be sourced from within the Nile watershed to improve forest health and restore upland habitat for a number of species, including white headed woodpeckers.