Abernathy Creek Riparian Restoration

Cowlitz County used this funding to complete a restoration project on 35 acres (2.5 miles of shoreline) of riparian habitat along Abernathy Creek with the assistance of Cowlitz County Corrections work crews. The project began at the highly disturbed mouth of the creek (on WDFW property) and continued through conservation easements purchased by Cowlitz County, situated below Abernathy Tech Center (a USFWS fish research facility). Abernathy Creek, a tributary of the Columbia River, provides critical spawning and rearing habitat for ESA-listed Chinook and chum (Threatened), and for coho (Candidate), steelhead and sea-run cutthroat. The creek has an excess of fine sediments, it lacks large woody debris (few conifers are present in the riparian zone, even in forested areas) and water temperatures exceed state standards. These conditions were greatly improved by restoring riparian vegetation, fencing out livestock, and restricting vehicle access to the mouth of the creek. The three-year project involved weed removal, fencing, and planting native trees and shrubs (including conifers). Project partners include Cowlitz County (lead), Cowlitz Conservation District, Academy Surveying, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Washington Jail Industries Board.

The goal of the project is to restore native riparian vegetation along salmon bearing streams. The objective of the project is to restore natural streamside vegetation, improve stream temperature, reduce erosion, filtration, and recruit large woody debris.