Elk Creek Beaver Dam Analogue (BDA) and Wetland Habitat Enhancement Project

The project will use low-tech, process-based restoration techniques to increase the quality and quantity of salmonid rearing habitat in Elk Creek. Specifically the project will install four pairs of beaver dam analogue (BDA) structures totaling eight BDAs, install 200 to 300 willow cuttings along the project reach, and install 2,000 feet of cattle exclusion fencing. The BDAs will be placed in a hydraulically suitable location along the mainstem of Elk Creek where the relatively small channel size will facilitate constructability and multi-thread planform can accommodate fish passage along multiple flow paths. The project will enhance wetland habitat adjacent to Elk Creek by increasing surface flow connection.

The project will enhance approximately 400 linear feet of stream habitat, 1200 feet of riparian habitat, and improve connectivity to 5 acres of off-channel wetland habitat. The instream habitat enhancements will increase the quantity and quality of rearing habitat available to salmonids. Riparian habitat enhancements will provide forage for beaver. Fencing will exclude cattle from the riparian area and control the extent of invasive reed canary grass.