Bridge to Bridge - Levee Removal

The Bridge to Bridge Restoration Design project (SRFB #08-2028) developed preliminary plans to improve fish habitat along nearly two miles of the Walla Walla River near Lowden, Washington. Final designs were completed in 2012 (SRFB #10-1819) for work in the upper one-third of the preliminary design reach. The current grant funded the Tri-State Steelheaders to implement that final design.

Tri-State Steelheaders removed approximately one-half mile of levee on WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife property below McDonald Bridge to reconnect the floodplain. Large wood structures were installed to create pools and instream cover and to protect properties that might otherwise be at increased risk of erosion as a result of the project. Native riparian plants were planted on 5 acres. The goals of the project were to reduce channel confinement and floodplain isolation and to improve degraded instream and riparian conditions on this section of the Walla Walla River, which is identified by the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan as a priority restoration reach in the Walla Walla mainstem major spawning area (MSA). Adult and juvenile summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon use the project reach during their migrations. Other species of cultural value and state concern that utilize the project reach are margined sculpin, leopard dace, and river lamprey.

Reduce channel confinement, allow floodplain to function, improve instream and riparian habitat.