Peshastin Creek Reconnection Alternatives Analysis

Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments

Project ID	09-1473 P
Recovery Domains	Upper Columbia River
Start Date	12/10/2009
End Date	08/31/2012
Year	2009
Status	Completed
Last Edited	05/01/2025

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Description

The CCNRD proposed the Peshastin Creek Reconnection Alternatives Analysis to complete Alternatives Analysis and stakeholder coordination to begin the largest channel reconnection project on Peshastin Creek. The US 97 highway grade has disconnected historic channel and floodplain habitat between RM 3.56 and RM 3.90. This project proposed the reconnection of 2,400 linear feet of creek channel effectively lengthening the channel by 600 feet. The reduction in length at this site accounts for 14% of the total reduction in channel length attributed to construction of US 97. Peshastin Creek is a Category 2 watershed and contains Major spawning area for steelhead and minor spawning area for spring Chinook, and is a bull trout core area (UCRTT 2008). The restoration of ecosystem function through channel reconnection is a priority in Peshastin Creek (UCRTT 2009), and the completion of reconnection would addresses Tier 1 habitat restoration as recommended in the Biological Strategy (UCRTT 2008), and Recovery Plan (UCSRB 2007) for Peshastin Creek.

The CCNRD has been working with WSDOT to provide a long-term fix at the project site that benefits ESA-listed salmonids through full channel reconnection. The CCNRD used data presented in the Yakama Nation Peshastin Creek Reach Assessment, LiDAR, and information collecte onsite to develop and analyze design alternatives and select the highest priority action.

Project Benefit

The Peshastin RM 3.8 Channel Reconnection Project Feasibility Study provides information to aid in selecting projects that have a high certainty of success and significant biological benefit.

Source

Funds

PCSRF

$42,108

Other

$8,040

Report Total:

$50,148

Worksites

1-Peshastin Creek Reconnectio

Worksite Identifier: 1-Peshastin Creek Reconnectio
Start Date:
End Date:

Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

Basin: Upper Columbia (170200)
Subbasin:
Watershed:
Subwatershed:

State: Washington
Recovery Domain: Upper Columbia River
Latitude: 47.54933044
Longitude: -120.61223889

ESU

Upper Columbia River Summer- and Fall-run Chinook Salmon ESU
Upper Columbia River Steelhead DPS
Upper Columbia River Spring-run Chinook Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

B.0 Salmonid Restoration Planning and AssessmentsY (Y/N)

. . B.0.a Planning And Assessment Funding 50,148.00
. . B.0.b.1 Area Encompassed 8.6

. . B.1 Restoration Planning And CoordinationY (Y/N)

. . . . B.1.a Planning and Coordination funding 50,148.00

. . . . B.1.b.8 Conducting habitat restoration scoping and feasibility studiesY (Y/N)

. . . . . . B.1.b.8.a

Name of plan implemented
ICF International. 2013. Peshastin Creek RM 3.8 Channel Reconnection Project Feasibility Study. January. (ICF 00428.11.) Bellingham, WA. Prepared for Chelan County Natural Resources Department, Wenatchee, WA.

. . . . . . B.1.b.8.b

Description and scope of the plan implemented

Peshastin Creek is located on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains in Central Washington, within the Wenatchee River Basin (WRIA 45). Peshastin Creek is a tributary to the Wenatchee River and flows into the river at RM 18. The creek supports populations of salmonids that are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including spring Chinook salmon, summer steelhead, and bull trout. Habitat for these species has been affected by anthropogenic activities throughout the basin. This feasibility study provides the supporting rationale associated with the selection of the preferred alternative for the Peshastin Creek RM 3.8 Channel Reconnection project between river mile (RM) 3.35 and RM 4.30 (Figure 1). The project is being proposed by the Chelan County Natural Resource Department (CCNRD), with engineering and technical assistance provided to CCNRD by ICF International (Project Team). In 2009 and through a state-awarded Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant, the CCNRD began assessing methods and landowner willingness for reconnecting 2,400 linear feet of historical channel and floodplain habitats between RM 3.35 and RM 4.30 on Peshastin Creek (Project Site). The historical channel and floodplain were disconnected from Peshastin Creek with the construction of State Route 97 (SR 97) in the 1950s. The purpose of the reconnection is to increase refuge and rearing habitat for listed salmonids, increase floodplain connectivity, and restore natural channel processes in