North Newell Creek Stream Restoration Project

The North Newell Creek Stream Restoration project successfully placed over 150 logs in jams along 5,800 linear feet of Newell creek above the confluence with Abernethy Creek. Log structures were placed as designed to improve channel complexity, provide channel spanning logs, many with rootwads and brush to improve habitat structure, retain and sort gravels for spawning, and form pools for rearing. Additionally, three log structures along the main channel of Abernethy Creek near the confluence with Newell creek were constructed to provide refugia for rearing salmon, trout, and other native fish.

Lower Columbia River coho and winter steelhead are negatively impacted by loss of habitat, impaired water quality and lack of access to historic spawning areas. This project will restore habitat elements believed to be most limiting to salmon and steelhead as identified in local and regional assessments referenced above and below in this application. Lack of Large Wood (Riparian corridor, instream): Only one tree greater than 20’’ DBH every 1,000 feet was noted within the channel’s active riparian area. Several more upland pieces were identified. Due to this limited number of large trees in the riparian areas, few opportunities exist for large trees to fall and provide the amount of large wood to stream channels necessary for high quality fish habitat. Further, a 2017 stream habitat inventory (Cascade Environmental Group) found there are relatively low quantities of instream large wood pieces, particularly large logs (key large wood pieces). Replacing large wood along Newell Creek and Abernethy Creek in addition to lacking large wood along the river corridor will provide salmon and steelhead complex overhanging cover and recruit gravels for improved substrate complexity. Upland downed wood is also important for amphibians and other terrestrial species that require escape cover and areas for hibernation. Significantly increasing the density of large wood on the site would greatly enhance biological conditions for fish and wildlife.