Red River Meadow Restoration

Through this project a portion of the mainstem Red River was returned to 0.78 miles of historic streambed, 7 channel meanders were restored, and 8 pools were excavated. The existing 0.46 miles of stream was lengthened to 0.78 miles, which added 0.32 miles of stream. The project work also reconnected the stream to 36 acres of floodplain by the removal of berms and historic mining dredge piles. Riparian planting included containerized stock and reseeding with native species of 1.56 miles of streambank (both sides of stream) comprising 45 acres. Exclusion fencing was installed around selected areas of plantings to prevent wildlife grazing of stock. These treatments increased habitat complexity for spawning and rearing for anadromous and resident fish species.

Variations from project design during implementation included the following:

* The original proposal included a reconnection to an off-channel segment; however, this was not part of the competed project; however, mining dredge piles were removed so in the actual project description levee removal was selected in the drop down menu for C.4.c.2.
* Due to some issues with de-watering and problems encountered with the design, a September 30 extension to the work window was sought & approved by NMFS & USFWS.
• The original design had a channel width of 45 feet at riffles for low flows, it was decided that this was too wide in comparison with references reaches above and below the treatment reach. Widths were adjusted to be 30 ft. for low flows.
• Channel elevations had to be adjusted throughout the entire treated channel. The Nez Perce Tribe had the design firm adjust all channel elevations to account for low summer flows.
• There was some minor adjustment to the original design channel due to poor fit of some of the new meander bends. The poor fit was attributed to design error and the lack of “field fitting” of the original design on the ground.
• Vegetated soil lifts were adjusted because of construction difficulties of the original design detail. The design typically called for 4 lifts to be constructed with three being constructed under low water elevations. However, it was determined that the lower two wraps would be extremely difficult, if not impossible because it was going to be impossible to completely de-water the worksite. The design engineers submitted a new design using 2 layers of soil lifts. It was also determined that live cuttings were not required for the lifts at directed by the original design because it was determined this would not provide structure stability and from past experience it has proven vegetation had high mortality. Planting stock in trenches close behind the soil lifts was substituted.
• Several cost adjustments occurred due to design flaws and the addition of planting stock (added 550 - 8 gallon alder plants) and transfer of excess topsoil (3,500 cubic yards) to Crooked River. The Nez Perce Tribe’s Bonneville contract budget was able to cover these added costs.

More complex channel alignment and floodplain will provide naturally functioning stream and floodplain processes and provide significantly more pool habitat for juvenile rearing. Pools provide refugia from predators and lower water velocities. The establishment of a healthy riparian corridor will provide for bank stability, shade for cooler water temperatures and protective cover. Overall this project will provide approximately 1.8 miles of quality spawning and rearing habitat for anadromous and resident fish species.