South Fork Oak Creek Habitat Enhancement

Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group reconnected floodplains, replenished large wood, and reduced sediment delivery to South Fork and mainstem Oak Creek. Oak Creek is a tributary to the Tieton River, west of Yakima, WA. The South Fork Oak Creek Habitat Enhancement project is an implementation step of the Oak Creek Integrated Restoration Project, begun in 2013. Prior to implementation of this project, the project partners evaluated road-generated sediment delivery, aquatic organism passage, channel conditions, fish distribution, and potential habitat to identify and prioritize aquatic restoration projects. The highest restoration priority area identified was South Fork Oak Creek and its confluence with Oak Creek.

The project added 346 pieces of large wood to South Fork Oak Creek and 205 pieces of large wood to mainstem Oak Creek. An additional 100 pieces of large wood were placed on the stream-adjacent floodplain. Approximately 2,680 linear feet within a 3-mile section of previously decommissioned forest road were de-compacted and/or re-contoured to reduce sediment delivery to the streams. While not the main intent of the project, nearly 1,365 native trees and shrubs were planted and native grass seed was spread on disturbed surfaces to off-set the construction activities. The grant also supported weed control in the project area.

The project also evaluated fish passage and habitat in North Fork Oak Creek in order to assess the value of future proposals for habitat reconnection in North Fork Oak Creek. Improving fish passage in this system was designated with a Priority Index number of 8.5, which indicates that improvement is warranted, but is a lower priority than many other projects in the state.

Project work benefited Mid-Columbia DPS steelhead, which utilize Oak Creek for spawning and rearing.

To reconnect floodplains, replenish large wood, and reduce sediment delivery to SF and mainstem Oak Cr in order to improve spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead. And, to evaluate fish passage and habitat in NF Oak Cr. to inform future restoration.