Wilson Creek Instream Habitat Improvement Design Project

This design project proposes to assess instream habitat and biological and physical conditions, as well as identify opportunities for instream structure placement within the upper 3.5 miles of Wilson Creek on Green Diamond Resource Company (GDRC) lands. This proposed project will assess existing instream habitat conditions and develop constructable non-engineered plans and designs for wood loading in the project reach. This project will characterize and document the risks and potential impacts associated with different design options developed in coordination with CDFW and the landowner. The comprehensive field investigation involves characterization and prioritization of stream reaches for treatment, which is integral for the development of the project designs.

Large wood is known to create habitat complexity and enhance valuable habitat for coho and Chinook salmon, and steelhead of all life stages (Dolloff et al. 2003, Cederholm et al. 1997). This proposed design project aims to significantly increase large wood densities throughout the anadromous reaches of Wilson Creek. The benefits of implementing (constructing) the habitat features designed in this proposal are improved conditions for all life stages of steelhead, Chinook and coho salmon.