Yakima Basin Riparian & Instream Stewardship

Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCF) provided stewardship and improvements to eight high priority restoration properties on the Yakima River & tributaries to improve ecological function. MCF planned to work at one additional property on lower Swauk Creek, but the landowner chose not to participate. Work completed during 2015-18 ensured that past investments in salmon recovery were maximized to provide the greatest habitat value. Previous grants funded plant installation and often the first 1-2 years of maintenance. In our region with arid conditions and intense weed competition, some sites need two to five additional years of stewardship to establish robust, native riparian plant communities. Work varied by site and included weed control, mulching, removal of weed fabric, minor fence repairs, browse protection, and selective planting & watering.

In addition to riparian stewardship, MCF pursued adaptive management at two of the sites: Reecer Creek and Billys Pond. At Reecer Creek, MCF explored the installation of additional large wood in the new channel (constructed in 2011 as part of SRFB# 07-2020) to improve habitat and channel stability. After a technical working group meeting and site visit, we concluded the proposed work was no longer warranted and amended it out of the grant scope. At Billys Pond, located at river mile 109 of the Yakima River, MCF designed and implemented modifications around the pond in order to facilitate native plant establishment and increase shading. Restoration work at Billys Pond was originally funded through SRFB project #11-1565. Modifications funded by this grant (14-1203) included lowering the pond outlet; regrading portions of the pond shoreline; revegetating the site with native trees, shrubs, and grasses, installing fencing to deter beavers, and maintaining the plants. Work at Billys Pond wasnt part of the original scope of work, but became feasible after work at Reecer Cr and lower Swauk Creek was cancelled.

This grant benefits steelhead, Coho and spring Chinook Salmon, Cutthroat and Rainbow trout, and provides critical habitat for Bull Trout. Ensuring the success of these projects is ecologically important. Additionally, successful projects help landowners and the community see the value of habitat restoration and promote future project support.

To restore functioning riparian communities at multiple restoration sites to support juvenile and adult salmonids.