SSHEAR Legacy Fishway Resolution

This restoration project aimed to restore fish passage at three off-channel habitat sites: Tall Timber, T-Bone Springs, and Elkhorn Pond, all located in Clallam County, Washington. The overarching goal was to provide permanent access to high-quality, high-quantity habitat for juvenile salmonids, primarily coho, through naturally functioning processes. By replacing deteriorated man-made fishways with sustainable, nature-based solutions, the project supports the long-term recovery of salmonid populations.

Tall Timber and T-Bone Springs are situated on Rayonier Timber Company property, while Elkhorn Pond lies on City of Forks property. All three sites had fishways constructed in the 1980s by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to facilitate access to rearing habitats. Over time, these structures became partial barriers, limiting fish passage. Tall Timber and T-Bone included downstream weirs, while Elkhorn featured a dam structure located at the historical beaver dam site at the ponds outlet.

The project emphasized the use of natural structures, such as roughened channels and small wood installations, to maintain passable gradients and stable pond levels. Priority species targeted by the project included juvenile salmonids, particularly coho, with additional potential for adult coho and steelhead spawning.

Key Project Activities and Outcomes:

- Species Relocation:
De-fishing operations were conducted at both Tall Timber and T-Bone Springs to protect aquatic species during construction. This effort, carried out with the Wild Salmon Center, involved the safe removal and relocation of multiple juvenile salmonid species, sculpins, and salamanders. Temporary net barriers were installed to prevent fish and debris from entering the work area, ensuring the integrity of the ecosystem throughout the process. The areas of Elkhorn pond we worked in were dry during the installation, so no relocation was required.

The project addressed three primary sites: Tall Timber, Elkhorn Pond, and T-Bone Springs. Each location required tailored design plans and methodologies to address site-specific challenges and conditions.

- Tall Timber:
This site demanded the most extensive planning and equipment. The design engineers were involved throughout the entire process and were on site before, during, and after installation. The project began with an evaluation of site designs followed by a de-fishing process, conducted in collaboration with the Wild Salmon Center, to safely relocate aquatic species and install nets to prevent debris and additional fish from entering the work area. Construction focused on installing a Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) above the existing fishway, as a preliminary step to stabilize water levels before removal of the structure. Using heavy machinery, posts were driven into place and branches secured to form the BDA, providing a stable foundation to safely manage water flow during construction. The removal of the fishway, which served as a primary water barrier, was carefully managed to prevent downstream flooding. Additional efforts included felling trees and strategically placing logs along the banks to influence hydrological flow, anchoring logs to prevent erosion, and adding gravel to enhance spawning habitat and soil stability. The site was completed with further habitat improvements and a thorough cleanup to mitigate the temporary environmental impact of construction.

- Elkhorn Pond:
Work on this site commenced with the removal of the deteriorated fishway. Since the area lacked standing water, no de-fishing was required, though precautionary nets were installed. The team then constructed a total of 7 Beaver Dam analogs. The larger BDAs were installed with assistance from the 10,000 Year Institute, which expedited the process. Once the BDAs were in place, the materials from the previous fishway were removed,

iv. Reestablish natural flows to promote normative sediment delivery and passage while eliminating the need for chronic maintenance of fishways for fish access to quality habitat.