Dutch Charlie Creek Instream Coho Habitat Enhancement Project

This project addressed forest legacy impacts by adding 268 pieces of large wood to 2.17 miles of high-priority habitat in Dutch Charlie Creek. This project d individual logs (anchored), individual logs (unanchored), logs fastened together (complex structure), and stumps with roots attached (root wads). All structures were installed following guidelines from Chapter VII of the CDFW Salmonid Habitat Restoration Manual.

This project will improve spawning and rearing requirements for salmonids and will address riparian dysfunction, habitat complexity, and water quality impairments. Large wood structures will increase pool frequency and depth, sort and store stream sediments, and decrease water velocities. The installation of large wood features will also increase the availability of over-summer and over-winter juvenile rearing habitats. Installed structures will also help to sort and store suspended fine stream sediments, which coupled with an increase in pool frequency and depth, will address stream temperature and water quality. It is also anticipated that the habitat created through the placement of large wood will be readily utilized by both target fish species.