Lower Manastash Assessment & Project Development

The Manastash Creek Reach Assessment identified, quantified, and prioritized salmonid habitat restoration projects in the lower 13 miles of the Manastash Creek watershed. This assessment was planned as major irrigation diversion improvements (screening and passage) and instream flow improvements have been or are in the process of being implemented in the lower 6 miles. With fish passage into the watershed nearly restored, the next logical step is instream and riparian habitat improvements. Major flood events in 2011 peaked interest levels of local landowners and agencies, thus the opportunity was presented to inventory and assess restoration projects that address habitat complexity, floodplain connectivity, riparian habitat, water quantity and water quality. This assessment will be used to guide future project development. It was completed in cooperation with the US Bureau of Reclamation so that it is compatible with the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP) tributary plan, opening up additional funding avenues for future projects. This project will benefit spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead.

Project deliverables included 1) 4 meetings of the technical committee to scope and review the reach assessment, 2) 4 public meetings (landowner commitee) to share project information and solicit input, and 3) a reach assessment report that includes a reach by reach analysis of in-channel and riparian habitat conditions and fish passage barriers, prioritization of project opportunities, and 5 conceptual project designs.

The goal of this assessment project was to assess fish habitat and prioritize fish habitat improvement projects in the lower 13 miles of Manastash Creek. This goal was a scope change from the original goal of removing a fish passage barrier. See narrative for explanation.