DESCRIPTION
This project will complete 90% design and permit applications for restoration in the North Fork Nooksack River, Farmhouse Phase 4 Reach. The project will include the design of 55 engineered log jams in a 1.0-mile river segment, completing restoration in the broader Farmhouse reach. Log jams are designed to: (1) increase length of stable side channels available for spawning; (2) form pools and increase habitat diversity; and (3) promote forested island formation and persistence. Specific deliverables include: (1) 90% design planset; (2) basis of design report; (3) technical specifications, construction quantities and costs; and (4) permit applications. The project will design restoration that implements high priority actions in a high priority reach for NF/MF Nooksack early chinook. The goal is to address North/Middle Fork Nooksack chinook limiting factors of high channel instability and low habitat diversity.Restoration will also benefit ESA-listed steelhead and bull trout; coho, chum, and pink salmon; and cutthroat trout. NF/MF Nooksack early chinook are a genetically unique chinook population that is essential for ESU recovery, but productivity is critically low. The Farmhouse reach is just upstream from the Kendall hatchery, site of the North Fork/Middle Fork Nooksack early chinook population rebuilding program, and the reach has the potential to be heavily used, increasing certainty of benefit.
The Nooksack Tribe finalized the 90% design and the associated deliverables for restoration of instream habitat in the North Fork Nooksack River, Farmhouse Reach (Phase 4, RM 47-48) located between Kendall and Maple Falls in Whatcom County.
The 90% design includes 53 engineered log jams and 5 flood fence structures that are designed to: (1) increase length of stable side channels available for spawning; (2) form pools and increase habitat diversity; and (3) promote forested island formation and persistence. Specific deliverables completed include: (1) 90% design planset; (2) 90% basis of design report; (3) 90% design technical specifications, construction quantities and costs; and (4) 90% design hydraulic modeling memo.
The design includes restoration that implements high priority actions in a high priority reach for NF/MF Nooksack early chinook. The goal of restoration is to address North/Middle Fork Nooksack chinook limiting factors of high channel instability and low habitat diversity. Restoration will also benefit ESA-listed steelhead and bull trout; coho, chum, and pink salmon; and cutthroat trout. NF/MF Nooksack early chinook are a genetically unique chinook population that is essential for ESU recovery, but productivity is critically low. The Farmhouse reach is just upstream from the Kendall hatchery, site of the North Fork/Middle Fork Nooksack early chinook population rebuilding program, and the reach has the potential to be heavily used, increasing certainty of benefit. Funding this design project advanced priority actions in a priority reach.