Deep Creek Restoration Support Project

94 pieces of high quality conifer LWD were flown into Deep Creek using a heavy lift helicopter. The pieces were placed into multiple aggregations at 10 locations between river mile 2.5-3.0. The wood has been through three small flood events to date, and is performing as expected.

This project is classified as a large wood supplementation project. We will add 100 pieces of high quality large, conifers to a 1.0 mile reach of Deep Creek using a heavy lift helicopter to improve spawning and rearing conditions for native anadromous salmon. This reach of channel was identified in the Deep Creek watershed analysis (USFS 2002) as lacking in in channel wood necessary to support habitat forming processes. The watershed analysis also recommended wood supplementation in this reach (and others) as it has a suitable geomorphology and would respond positively to wood additions. Placed wood is designed to slow water velocities, trap spawning gravel, improve floodplain connectivity, and form complex pool habitats. Improved spawning and rearing habitat would be realized for coho salmon (Olympic Peninsula ESU), steelhead (Olympic Peninsula ESU), chum salmon (Olympic Peninsula ESU) and coastal cutthroat trout.