Brim Bar: Lower Cowlitz RM42.7 Side Channel Restor

The Brim Bar Side-Channel Rehabilitation project was the 10th priority of 80 potential restoration opportunities in the lower 52 miles of the Cowlitz River. The project enhanced over 1,700 of side channel habitat benefiting coho salmon (Primary species), as well as fall Chinook, winter steelhead and chum (all Contributing species). This site was highly ranked for restoration potential in regards to: stream channel habitat structure; riparian conditions and function; off-channel & side channel habitat; and floodplain function and channel migration zone.

The Tribe enhanced a willow-choked side-channel by improving volitional access for fish, pre-excavating pools, constructing engineered log jams and log wiers, planting native riparian shrubs and trees, and controlling noxious weeds. Deep pool creation and introduction of rootwads and large wood increased in-stream habitat complexity and provided protected holding, rearing and refuge habitat for salmonids.

The project site is owned by Tacoma Power and managed as wildlife habitat by WDFW with easy site access. Tacoma Power provided large wood for the project, with additional cash contributions provided by their Habitat Assessment Group (HAG). The Lower Columbia Fish Enhancment Group contributed use of an in-stream construction equipment package, and Cowlitz and Lewis Counties provided corrections crew labor.

The goal of the project was to connect and enhance side channel habitat to increase the quantity and quality of salmon and steelhead habitat in the lower Cowlitz River. The objectives of the project were to increase salmonid access to side channel habitat, increase instream cover, spawning, and resting areas, and restore natural streamside vegetation to decrease stream temperature, reduce erosion, and provide large woody debris recruitment potential.