East Fork Lewis River Habitat Improvements

LCEP developed preliminary designs for the following elements: removal of 1,200 feet of hardened shoreline; reconnection of two tributaries including Dyer Cr. to the mainstem East Fork Lewis River (EFLR), a 10-acre floodplain wetland, riparian areas and the re-establishment of native plant species. The project was previously identified as important and includes two sites (referred to as EF 35 & 36 in East Fork Habitat Restoration Plan, LCFRB 2009 & USACE, 2014- see attachment LCFRB and USACE). Both sites 35 and 36 are armored with rip-rap and the adjacent floodplain habitats have been disconnected from fluvial processes. The project designs addressed degraded habitat conditions and removed barriers to salmon and steelhead so that they can access historic floodplain habitats and several adjacent cool water tributaries for rearing and hydraulic and thermal refuge. LCEP collaborated with the landowner, Clark County as well as Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project represents an obvious initial way to jump-start restoration actions within this Reach of the EFLR. LCEP integrated climate adaptation measures into the project by reconnecting cool water tributaries to serve as thermal refuges into the designs.

The project goals are unchanged and are:
• Restore natural channel sinuosity and migration and increase channel complexity.
• Restore quantity and quality of habitat to reference conditions.
• Reduce channel energy to allow sediment deposition and streambed aggradation.
• Reconnect existing off-channel wetlands and two tributaries to the mainstem.
• Maximize access to and enhance cold water thermal refuge areas.
• Improve riparian conditions and establish native riparian buffers.
We envision the sites will have greater hydrologic connectivity to floodplain wetlands and cool water tributaries and that riparian areas will be dominated by native plants. The channel will provide greater habitat complexity improving spawning. Off-channel wetlands and tributaries will offer high quality rearing and hydraulic refuge. The project will benefit juvenile and adult coho, Chinook, w/s steelhead and chum; other life history stages that will benefit include rearing, fry colonization, and pre-spawn holding.