Duckabush Oxbow Additional Preliminary Design

Salmonid Restoration Planning and Assessments

Project ID	21-1038 P
Recovery Domains	Puget Sound
Start Date	09/23/2021
End Date	05/23/2023
Year	2021
Status	Completed
Last Edited	05/12/2026

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Description

This project completed preliminary design on a proposed upstream channel connection. The goal of the project is connection of the oxbow channel to restore floodplain connectivity. The reconnected side channel habitat will benefit multiple species of salmon mainly for off-channel rearing during high flows, but over time may also lead to beneficial spawning habitat for Hood Canal Summer Chum.
HCSEG project staff and Pat Powers of Waterfall Engineering completed the additional preliminary design in May 2023. The overall intent of the design has changed since the 2018 application. The proposed design is to remove fill from within the floodplain and side channels as opposed to excavating and creating side channel habitat. The decision to change the design is based on a better understanding of the existing floodplain and side channel connection.
HCSEG has applied for final design and restoration funds in the current (2023) SRFB grant round as well as matching funds.

Project Benefit

The reconnected side channel habitat will benefit multiple species
of salmon mainly for off-channel rearing during high flows, but over time may also lead to
beneficial spawning habitat for Hood Canal Summer Chum.

These changes
will not result in the immediate creation of habitat in the side channel, but over time (5 to 20
years), the increased frequent flooding and flow in the side channel will likely scour and modify
the bed of the side channel to increase the connectivity with the river mainstem. Juvenile fish
will have more frequent access to the low velocity side channel habitat during times of peak
river flooding.

Source

Funds

PCSRF

$50,868

Report Total:

$50,868

Worksites

1-Duckabush Oxbow and Wetland

Worksite Identifier: 1-Duckabush Oxbow and Wetland
Start Date:
End Date:

Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

Basin: Puget Sound (171100)
Subbasin:
Watershed:
Subwatershed:

State:
Recovery Domain: Puget Sound
Latitude: 47.65650503
Longitude: -122.9496738

ESU

Hood Canal Summer-run Chum Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

B.0 Salmonid Restoration Planning and AssessmentsY (Y/N)

. . B.0.a Planning And Assessment Funding 50,868.00
. . B.0.b.1 Area Encompassed 13.0
. . B.0.b.2 Stream Miles Affected .50

. . B.1 Restoration Planning And CoordinationY (Y/N)

. . . . B.1.a Planning and Coordination funding 50,868.00

. . . . B.1.b.11 Engineering/design work for restoration projectsY (Y/N)

. . . . . . B.1.b.11.a
Name of plan implemented

Brewer, Scott et al. November 15,2015. Hood Canal & Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca Summer Chum Salmon Recovery Plan, Hood Canal Coordinating Council.

. . . . . . B.1.b.11.b

Description and scope of the plan implemented

Hood Canal summer chum are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Per ESA requirements, this recovery plan was developed to provide " site-specific management actions as maybe necessary to achieve the plan's goal for conservation and survival of the species". This plan outlines specific issues on the Duckabush River, where this proposed project would occur. The first listed factor contributing to decline of the species is "Loss of channel complexity.