Salmon River 12-Mile Reach Fence & Stockwater

The project area is located within the 12-Mile Reach of the Salmon River near Challis, Idaho. The area was part of the planning effort for the Upper Salmon River Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration. This project was initiated for the purpose of enhancing salmonid habitat in the 12-mile reach. An important objective of this project is to protect and restore the riparian shrub community. The project plan will benefit Endangered Species Act listed steelhead, in addition to Chinook Salmon, by improving a variety of vital habitat components necessary for salmonid survival in this reach of the Upper Salmon River drainage.



Project actions prescribed to increase habitat for salmon and steelhead include: 1) construct a new jack post and pole fence along approximately 1.8 miles of the main Salmon River within the 12-Mile reach, and 2) install an off stream livestock watering system to eliminate livestock degradation of stream banks.

To address the Upper Salmon River Watershed Project’s established “Goals and Priorities” for the 12-Mile reach within the project area, the main goal for riparian condition is to establish riparian vegetation along critical areas to provide cover and reduce temperatures. Installation of a cattle-exclusion fence and the development of off stream stock-water will assist in the development of new growth of native vegetation and protect banks in good condition as well as allowing degraded streambanks to recover.

The reduction of livestock pressure along the main Salmon River and associated side channels will help recover vegetation and provide shade for all life species. Installing an exclusion fence will eliminate livestock watering along the river will help address recovery of vegetation.

The Hannah Slough, immediately downstream of the project area on the Salmon River shows that the juvenile fish densities for Chinook are higher than anywhere documented in the Upper Salmon. Improving stream vegetation will enhance habitat capacity for juvenile life stages of salmon and steelhead above this key reach.

According to personal communication with the local NOAA fisheries staff, juvenile fish utilize this entire reach for summer and overwintering habitat. These types of projects would enhance the potential for recovery. The Lower Mainstem SR Chinook population is in dire need of increased abundance and higher productivity just to reach a maintained status.