Mason II Meadow Restoration Project

Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments

Project ID	010 17 CW
Recovery Domains	Snake River
Start Date	03/19/2018
End Date	09/15/2020
Year	2017
Status	Completed
Last Edited	01/25/2024

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Description

The Latah Soil and Water Conservation District (Latah SWCD) requested funding for engineering and design for the Mason II Meadow Restoration Project on West Fork Big Bear Creek for the purpose of restoring meadow hydrology and thereby improving downstream habitat for steelhead trout. During this project timeframe, Latah SWCD contracted with Alta Science and Engineering to conduct surveys and complete hydraulic modeling exercises to develop conceptual design alternatives followed by 30 and 90 percent designs. Alta also assisted with planning meetings and provided permitting support. Latah SWCD coordinated these efforts with the landowners, started permitting work, and sought funding for implementation funds upon completion of the design work. Latah SWCD’s implementation proposal for this project was successfully funded through PCSRF Round 21.

Project Benefit

The purpose of this project is to restore the meadow hydrology and thereby improve downstream habitat for steelhead. Improving water quality and quantity in this meadow system will improve summer base flows and positively impact steelhead habitat within the Big Bear Creek drainage. The fish impacted by the results of this project are part of the lower mainstem Clearwater population of the Clearwater Major Population Group of the Snake River steelhead Distinct Population Segment.

Source

Funds

PCSRF

$57,821

Other

$23,942

Report Total:

$81,763

Worksites

Mason II Meadow

Worksite Identifier: Mason II Meadow
Start Date: 04/01/2018
End Date: 06/30/2020

Area Description
Clearwater Subbasin, Clearwater 4th Field HUC 17060306, Big Bear Creek

Location Information

Basin: Clearwater (170603)
Subbasin: Clearwater (17060306)
Watershed: Big Bear Creek (1706030610)
Subwatershed: Upper Big Bear Creek (170603061001)

State: Idaho
Recovery Domain: Snake River
Latitude: 46.799805
Longitude: -116.647106

ESU

Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS

Map

Photos

Metrics

B.0 Salmonid Restoration Planning and AssessmentsY (Y/N)

. . B.0.a Planning And Assessment Funding 81,763.00
. . B.0.b.1 Area Encompassed 9.7
. . B.0.b.2 Stream Miles Affected .45

. . B.1 Restoration Planning And CoordinationY (Y/N)

. . . . B.1.a Planning and Coordination funding 81,763.00

. . . . B.1.b.11 Engineering/design work for restoration projectsY (Y/N)

. . . . . . B.1.b.11.a

Name of plan implemented
NMFS. 2017. ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) & Snake River Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Latah SWCD (Latah Soil and Water Conservation District). 2007. Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and 2019 Amendment

. . . . . . B.1.b.11.b

Description and scope of the plan implemented

The Mason II Meadow project design, when implemented, will address four priority actions for steelhead recovery as provided by the NMFS 2017 recovery plan, these 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. The limiting factors identified for this population include the following: water temperature, instream flow, flow timing, sediment supply, floodplain connectivity and riparian vegetation, habitat complexity, and migration barriers. (NMFS, pg. 46)