DESCRIPTION
Trout Unlimited (TU) proposes to partner with the Kittitas
Reclamation District (KRD) and the Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
(WDFW) to evaluate Swauk Creek's streamflow conditions and design a
multi-faceted restoration plan. The project will answer three questions: (1)
when and by how much is flow limited due to non-natural causes; (2) what is the
current status of water rights, consumptive use, and return flows; and (3) what
actions are necessary and reasonable to restore normative flows in Swauk Creek.
Evidence on Swauk Creek flow conditions suggest the stream has
reduced natural flow conditions in Swauk Creek likely connected to land use practices.
However, we have not identified a single source that explains how the status of
land use and water use practices may influence flow restoration. As such, the
overall objective is to identify likely causal factors that impair streamflow
and then design a solution that, when implemented, will provide flow through
low-flow reaches while maintaining the cultural values of the watershed.
Anecdotal evidence from other upper Yakima River subbasins
suggests that a multi-pronged approach is needed to restore flows. The approach
will include an evaluation of KRD's conveyance system to identify its ability
to deliver supplemental flows to Swauk Creek, and then complete a preliminary
design for implementation.
Thi
Trout Unlimited proposes to conduct a feasibility study and develop conceptual designs for a flow restoration project in Swauk Creek, an upper Yakima River tributary in Kittitas County with Critical Habitat for ESA-threatened Steelhead and Bull trout in addition to key spawning and rearing habitat for resident trout and Coho and Spring Chinook salmon. The goal is to develop a feasible water transfer strategy to modify infrastructure to supplement stream flows and enable water right exchanges. The project will focus on streamflow improvements for fish and wildlife benefits in Swauk Creeks downstream-most ~5 miles. Trout Unlimited will work closely with the Kittitas Reclamation District to evaluate and design the project to efficiently use existing District infrastructure that will be a central component to streamflow restoration success. This project has the potential to improve the quality and quantity of habitat available to fish using Swauk Creek. Past and ongoing projects support indicate local support for improving fish numbers and habitat conditions in Swauk Creek.
