DESCRIPTION
The Walla Walla County Conservation District will use
this grant to develop and provide engineered designs for an instream habitat
restoration project on 0.56 miles of ideal Steelhead spawning and rearing
habitat. The property is located on the Walla Walla River just upstream of Last
Chance Road in WRIA 32 in Walla Walla County. The project is located within a
major spawning area for ESA listed steelhead, bull trout and other species of
concern. The design project will include construction ready plans to enhance
instream habitat, re-establish side channels, and retain existing mature
riparian vegetation. The project reach
has recently exhibited significant lateral migration of the channel and
disconnection of the floodplain resulting in concentrated erosion and loss of
established riparian vegetation and cropland. There are currently 2 pump
diversions on this stretch that require annual dredging to maintain river
connection to the diversion. The design will incorporate large woody debris
placement, side/overflow channel connection, setback levees in strategic
locations and control structures to maintain water flow at diversion points. These design elements, once implemented, will
reduce limiting factors for steelhead recovery and increase resiliency during
flood events.
The Walla Walla County Conservation District developped final engineered designs for an instream habitat restoration project on 0.56 miles of stream habitat. The property is located on the Walla Walla River just upstream of Last Chance Road in Walla Walla County. The project is located within a major spawning area for ESA listed steelhead, Chinook, bull trout and other species of concern. The project designs enhance instream habitat, re-establish side channels, and retain existing mature riparian vegetation. The project reach has recently exhibited significant lateral migration of the channel and disconnection of the floodplain, resulting in concentrated erosion and loss of established riparian vegetation and cropland.The design incorporate large woody debris placement, side/overflow channel connection, setback levees in strategic locations and control structures to maintain water flow and avoid additional annual instream excavation. These design elements enhance habitat for Chinook and steelhead recovery and increase resiliency during flood events.