North Fork Salmon River Hutton/Murphy and Dedmon/Kozacek Repair

IDFG repaired 7 channel spanning weirs on the Hutton/Murphy property. The repairs included removing of one or both weir logs, compacting the bed location, replacing the logs, and filling in with fine material. Large boulders were placed in the plunge pool area to create complexity in velocities. Two rock barbs were installed upstream of engineered log jams to promote complexity and maintain a pool on the Hutton/Murphy property. Two channel spanning weirs were repaired on the Dedmon/Kozacek property. The repairs included removing of one or both weir logs, compacting the bed location, replacing the logs, and filling in with fine material. Large boulders were placed in the plunge pool area to create complexity in velocities. One rock barbs was installed upstream of engineered log jams to promote complexity and maintain a pool on the Dedmon/Kozacek property. IDFG seeded all of the disturbed areas and planted 1500 1-gallon shrubs during the dormant season. The restoration site will be monitored yearly to evaluate plant growth and make sure the structures are functioning properly. Fish surveys will also be conducted at the restoration site

There were very few variations to this project from what was proposed. The permitting went very well and fast. IDFG looked at each structure that needed to be repaired, and did so based on what would work best at each location. All project activities were implemented as approved. The repairs included either replacing one or both weir logs. If one weir log was replaced, the structure stayed in the same location. If both weir logs were removed, the structure was reinstalled a few feet upstream. On one of the weir repairs, one weir log was kept in place, and created an engineered log jam on the other side. The rock barbs were installed as seen on the design. IDFG finished the project well within the work window.

This project will increase instream channel complexity, increase recruitment and retention of vital spawning gravels, provide resting, rearing, and overwinter habitat, provide bank stabilization, and protect and enhance the riparian vegetation. This will significantly improve habitat conditions for Chinook Salmon and Steelhead spawning, rearing, and overwintering conditions. This project will help stabilize the existing channel spanning weirs and prevent scour under the structures.