South Fork Usal Creek Log Jam-boree

This project will install 8 engineered log jams and 142 non-engineered large wood structures within 3.5mi of SF Usal Creek. The structures have been designed to restore fluvial geomorphic processes/channel morphology and increase habitat complexity for spawning/rearing anadromous salmonids. When constructed, the structures will provide valuable cover habitat for salmonids, concentrate summer baseflows into well-defined thalwegs to avoid stranding, and promote scour/bathymetric complexity to improve habitat within the project area. Although past habitat enhancement work has aided in the recovery of portions of the channel network, previously installed wood numbers still fall below wood density targets recommended by federal recovery plans, and most stream reaches still lack the large wood density that would be required to sufficiently improve fluvial geomorphic conditions and meet biological habitat objectives.

Implementation of this project will directly benefit CCC Coho Salmon and NC Steelhead by enhancing the complexity and quality of instream habitat for all life stages in SF Usal Creek. Instream large wood is known to increase pool habitat and depth, increase shelter habitat, sort and distribute spawning gravels, create velocity refuge, and improve connectivity to the floodplain.