DESCRIPTION
The Larson's reach Phase 1 project was completed in the summer of 2001. The original concept called for 29 logjams, six were built due to funding constraints. We are proposing additional logjams in this area, as well as in the area above Larson's Bridge. Just downstream of the project, the Fobes Reach project constructed 14 logjams in the summer of 2010. Lummi Natural Resources has funds to conduct a hydraulic and geomorphic analysis from RM 20.7 to 23.9, looking at landslides in the area. In 2010, The Whatcom Land Trust completed a purchase of 80 acres in the floodplain in and area known as Elk Flats, around RM 22.6. LNR has been approved to receive a Centennial Clean Water grant for riparian restoration at Larsons, and the Whatcom Land Trust Property at RM 22.6. Habitat objectives for this phase include: 1) Create and improve pool habitat by placing engineered wood logjams in the cool water refuge areas of the Roaring/Plumbago Creek confluence 2) Increase habitat quality and diversity throughout the reach by placing engineered logjams to encourage scour pool formation, promote stable vegetated island formation, increase the availability and retention of spawning sized material, and increase available cover; 3) Increase the stability of existing mid-channel islands by constructing additional logjams; 4) Reduce incision in the reach through the placement of a channel spanning logjam which will aggrade the bed and reduce upstream shear stress.
The Lummi Nation Natural Resources Department constructed 28 engineered logjams to restore habitat in the South Fork Nooksack River. In addition, juveniles will benefit from at least 1.5 miles of off-channel rearing habitat by increasing connectivity with floodplain and side channels. The Larson's Reach Phase 2 in-stream restoration project is located between river miles 19.6 and 21.2 on the main stem of the South Fork Nooksack, including off channels, in Hamilton, Washington (Skagit County). The goal of the project is to restore salmonid spawning, rearing and holding habitat in order to recover self-sustaining salmonid runs to harvestable levels, by addressing limiting factors in the reach. To achieve this goal, this project improved connectivity with off channel habitat, increased available thermal refugia for salmonids during summer months, and increased key habitat quantity by creating pools associated with logjams as areas of refuge for salmonids.
The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery fund administered through the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission provided match to this RCO grant and restoration metrics have been pro-rated accordingly. NWIFC Project ID = FY13 PCSRF