Hancock Springs Restoration Phase 4

The project completed the restoration of Hancock Springs, continuing the methods used in the reconstruction of the upper 450m of channel in 2011 (Phase 3, SRFB #06-2292), and extending the restoration downstream an additional 730m. Phase 4 rebuilt near-historical channel dimensions to fit the spatially-variable discharge so that a narrow, sinuous, pool-glide-riffle channel replaced the wide, shallow, homogeneous channel prism. New fill was added to rebuild the channel and, since the site is an herbaceous wetland, sedges and rushes were grown from local seed and used in both wetland sod mats and plugs, lining the scour-prone margins of the new channel. In total, 205 wetland sod mats, over 45,000 wetland plugs, and 625 shrubs and trees were placed or planted. Reed canary grass was also eradicated during project restoration. Over 200 logs of various sizes were placed in the channel to create complexity, cover, and velocity heterogeneity. Wetland plantings have established well through their first full growing season, and in the spring immediately following construction, steelhead were found spawning in a riffle created by the project.

To restore instream habitat to historical conditions, improving complexity, cover, and water quality for ESA-listed spring chinook, steelhead, and bull trout