Two-Mile Meadow Stream and Meadow Restoration

Implementation will treat a total of 2.24 stream miles by redirecting flow from an existing channel, which is straightened and incised, into a historic channel, new persuasion channel segments, constructed channel, and off-channel segments.

Approximately 1,084 feet of new channel will be excavated throughout the project to move the flow from the diversion back into the historic channel and between reaches of existing historic channel in the meadow. Meanders will be “added” by virtue of placement of the streamflow into the sinuous historic channel. Portions of the existing historic channel will become off-channel habitat (0.16 miles - 0.5 acres). With flow re-directed out of the over-deepened straight reach of the existing channel into the historic channel, floodplain connectivity will be re-established in 44.4 acres of riparian zone and meadow/floodplain. This will also be possible by removal of Approximately 2,700 feet of railroad berm to reconnect overland flow from the adjacent slope to the floodplain.

The varying bottom elevation and meandering morphology of the historic channel will provide some pool habitat. 44 instream structures (22 log jams with rootwads and 22 loose instream logs) will be installed in the new/historic channel to provide cover for rearing and over-winter habitat for juvenile steelhead; 24 scour pools are expected to form. No hardware will be used to anchor any of the structures or components of structures. Other engineered structures will include brush fascine (1,410 feet) and double-vegetated soil lift (320 feet) will be installed in and along the historic channel.

Approximately 350 cubic yards of spawning gravel excavated from the existing channel will be added to 0.18 miles of newly-constructed channel in the new/historic channel system.

Management of the habitat to encourage beaver recolonization will be a higher priority than reintroduction of beavers into the restored system, though if needed the Latah SWCD has the capacity to trap and translocate beavers to the restored reach.

Riparian work will include planting 4.48 miles of streambank encompassing 10.9 acres. Native riparian woody and herbaceous plants will be used as well as native seedings and weed free mulch. Non-native invasive species will be removed from 4.5 acres. Approximately 2.38 miles of livestock exclusion fencing will protect 29.4 acres of riparian area (which includies the riparian area to be planted). There will be two livestock crossings constructed. The 29.4 acres of protected area will not have livestock use for at least five years.

Upland treatments will include 1.49 miles of existing road treated for erosion control. An additional 0.75 miles of existing road will be abandoned after construction is completed. the total of 2.24 miles of upland road to be treated will also include a total of 3.26 acres of planting for erosion control.

Work on wetland restoration will include construction of the ditch plugs in the old channel/ditch in 2018 and 2019, followed by seeding, mulching, and planting. The ditch plugs will create approximately 1.6 acres of new wetland cells and will trap overland flow and snow melt that will provide additional infiltration and rehydration of the meadow. 3.26 acres of wetland will be planted and an additional 15 acres seeded. Non-native invasive plants will be removed from approximately 4.5 acres.

This project will implement four of five priority actions identified in the NMFS October 2016 proposed recovery plan for the Lower Mainstem Clearwater River steelhead population of the Clearwater MPG and Snake River steelhead ESU in a priority watershed. The proposed actions include the following:

1. Restore hydrologic processes to retain surface flow by reducing surface runoff from altered land surfaces, disconnecting artificial drainage systems from natural drainage systems, and modifying water uses. This will contribute to reducing stream temperature problems.

2. Restore channel-forming processes by reestablishing floodplains in incised channels, removing or setting back flood control structures, and rehabilitating stream channels that have been straightened.

3. Reestablish riparian vegetation to improve LWD recruitment and create shade for streams.

4. Reduce fine sediment delivery to streams where it is increased caused by agriculture, road drainage systems (including undersized culverts), or other artificial sources.