West Fork Cow Creek Watershed Restoration Collaborative Implementation (phase II)

Worksite Elk Valley Creek: 1.55 miles of stream treated with log placement via helicopter, line pulling, and directional falling. The helicopter portion of this restoration project was completed in half a day and came in under budget.

Worksite WF Cow Creek Mainstem: After surveying areas of the mainstem, the collaborative discovered that invasive species was not as much of an issue as initially thought. Therefore it was decided to not complete this portion of the project and put those funds towards other projects that would be more beneficial to the watershed. Part of those funds went creating a story map highlighting what we have accomplished in the watershed. The story map can be viewed here:

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3fbcd57574a542eabecf38e618654b2f

The project will simultaneously improve habitat complexity and water quality for OC Coho and other native species in the West Fork Cow Creek Watershed. Instream structure (logs) placement will help to collect gravel suitable for spawning habitat, increase the amount of pool habitat essential to juvenile fish in both the summer and winter, and increase the amount of refuge habitat available during peak winter flows. Invasive plant removal in the riparian area will provide locations for native plants to be planted. Native plants, including trees and shrubs in the riparian area provide stream shading and cover. Native trees that are planted will provide for future large wood recruitment into the stream due to natural processes.