DESCRIPTION
This is a continuation of the work done with RCO project 11-1580.
The middle Touchet River is a high priority for Mid-C Steelhead within the Walla Walla Basin and is identified as a major spawning group within the Toucher population. The Touchet also supports a ESA bull trout and a non listed spring Chinook population. This project is focused on the restoration of in channel complexity by placing a number of engineered log jams to fource pools and side channel development. The project was implemented in 2013 by the Walla Walla County Conservation District.
Walla Walla County Conservation District completed Phase A of the McCaw Reach Fish Restoration Project. Phase A involved finalizing designs and constructing instream restoration actions on 2,100 ft of the Touchet River near Waitsburg, WA upstream of Bolles Bridge on Highway 12. The project is located in the Touchet River Major Spawning Area for Mid-Columbia Steelhead and is located in a priority area for restoration as identified in the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan. The overall goals were to develop a design that would increase roughness elements, promote sediment storage and create a dynamic channel environment with complex side channels and large wood features. Prior to construction, the channel was reduced in complexity and roughness and had incised in some areas. This project resulted in the placement large wood features in the main channel and side channels to encourage the activation of side channels, increase bar deposition, and develop pools. The completion of this project is intended to provide Mid-Columbia steelhead rearing habitat, bull trout wintering habitat, and non-listed Chinook passage and holding habitat. Overall river channel complexity is also improved by increased bar development, pool establishment, and an overall increase in stream length.