Larson Reach Phase 2 In-Stream Restoration

The Lummi Nation Natural Resources Department constructed 28 engineered logjams to restore habitat in the South Fork Nooksack River. In addition, juveniles will benefit from at least 1.5 miles of off-channel rearing habitat by increasing connectivity with floodplain and side channels. The Larsons Reach Phase 2 in-stream restoration project is located between river miles 19.6 and 21.2 on the main stem of the South Fork Nooksack, including off channels, in Hamilton, Washington (Skagit County). The goal of the project is to restore salmonid spawning, rearing and holding habitat in order to recover self-sustaining salmonid runs to harvestable levels, by addressing limiting factors in the reach. To achieve this goal, this project improved connectivity with off channel habitat, increased available thermal refugia for salmonids during summer months, and increased key habitat quantity by creating pools associated with logjams as areas of refuge for salmonids.

The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery fund administered through the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission provided match to this RCO grant and restoration metrics have been pro-rated accordingly. NWIFC Project ID = FY13 PCSRF

The goal of the Larson’s Reach Phase 2 project was to restore salmonid spawning, rearing, and holding habitat in order to recover self-sustaining salmonid runs to harvestable levels by addressing limiting factors of temperature and habitat diversity and quantity in the reach.