DESCRIPTION
Anchor QEA, LLC, was retained by the Columbia Conservation District (CCD) to develop 30% designs for restoration of the Tucannon River from approximately river mile (RM) 4.5 to 1.8. Enhancing and restoring instream habitat in this reach will be accomplished through a variety of treatment actions within the main channel, along the banks, and within the floodplain. This report describes the function, design, and construction of restoration elements that will be implemented throughout the reach including riparian planting, increased floodplain connectivity, activation of disconnected habitat, and construction of large woody debris (LWD) structures and engineered log jams (ELJs). The design development of each restoration action including the physical description, biological benefits, and construction details are discussed for each respective treatment. This report also provides a description of reach-specific construction considerations and best management practices. The purpose of the Project is to improve instream habitat conditions for adult and juvenile salmonids, reduce confinement, enhance floodplain connectivity, and reconnect and enhance side channel habitat for juvenile rearing. The Lower Tucannon reach was identified as a winter rearing and adult/smolt passage area for steelhead and spring Chinook, an overwintering area for all the focal aquatic species (summer steelhead, spring Chinook, fall Chinook, and bull trout), and as one of only two reaches that support fall Chinook (CCD 2004). The actions within this reach address one or more key limiting factors for focal species consistent with the restoration goals identified in the Tucannon Subbasin Plan (CCD 2004), which include but are not limited to the following: Habitat diversity - limited by channel confinement, bank modifications (e.g., levees), lack of riparian function, and lack of LWD, Key habitat quantity - lack of pool habitat, Excessive fine sediment load