North Touchet Phase 3

This project was the 3rd Phase of a three phase project that occurred on the North Touchet River in Columbia County WA. The Phase 3 reach was approximately one mile long. We set back nearly 1 mile of levee to allow the river to migrate laterally and reconnected 20 acres of previously unconnected floodplain. We completed a cultural resources survey and successfully filed all appropriate documentation with DHAP for Section 106 clearance. We removed 30,000 cubic yards of material while setting back the levee and regraded the floodplain. We installed 8 large engineered log jams instream and constructed and installed some 12 smaller engineered logjams in the floodplain that work as high flow structures. We also installed a 150 foot free span steel bridge that removed channel constriction. Finally, we planted nearly 3000 potted conifer and riparian plants in the conservation easement. This restoration project to increased channel complexity and floodplain connectivity while improving habitat for Mid-Columbia summer steelhead and spring Chinook.

This was a large project with multiple funding sources. When the project was put under agreement, only a portion of the total outside funding was put under agreement to help facilitate project administration. The sponsor chose to report and bill all outside match, resulting in a much higher overall project cost than what was originally in the agreement.

The goal of the proposed project was to restore reconnect floodplain and improve instream habitat conditions for Endangered Species Act listed Mid-Columbia steelhead. This was achieved by levee removal and setback, installation of in-stream channel structures, floodplain roughness structures, and riparian planting. A new bridge was installed to remove channel constrictions.