DESCRIPTION
The Lummi Natural Resources department developed a 100% design for the Cavanaugh Island Restoration project, located at RM 16.6-17.0 in the South Fork Nooksack River. The Cavanaugh Creek reach includes the greatest length of side channel habitat in the South Fork watershed and is a known cool water tributary. The main habitat limiting factors in the South Fork Nooksack are elevated summer water temperature, loss of habitat diversity, and a loss of holding and rearing habitat for Spring Chinook. Summer water temperature in the river routinely exceeds 20°C (and has been observed to be higher than 24°C); the South Fork has been listed as impaired for water temperature by the State of Washington. Tasks completed:1) alternatives analysis and outreach to landowners and local stakeholders 2) 30% preliminary design for the preferred alternative with design report and cost estimates, to include consultation with permitting agencies, and 3) final design. The project objectives included increasing habitat quantity, improving conditions for spawning, and increasing thermal refugia availability. To meet these objectives, the final design included six engineered logjams and 9 habitat structures in the side channel.