Goble, Mulholland, and Upper Coweeman Design

This design continued the work the Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group started in 2016 with their Coweeman Headwaters Design (SRFB #16-1668). The project capitalized on our working relationship with Weyerhaeuser and added 21.9 miles of additional instream and floodplain restoration work beyond the 7.3 miles that LCFEG implemented in the watershed between 2019 and 2023. The Coweeman River watershed supports ESA-listed Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead. The Chinook in the Coweeman are a legacy population, genetically unique in the Columbia River basin. LCFEG has used this design process to identify where to prioritize next restoration efforts in the Coweeman River watershed. We used the lessons learned from the Lower Columbia IMW and focused the design on increasing winter rearing habitat with an emphasis on pearls in these streams where floodplain activation was possible. We designed the plan to be fundable, functional, and climate resilient. Once implemented, this project will produce cold water refugia and increased flow at incremental locations along the whole length of the Coweeman River from the cool headwaters at Baird Creek (RM25.9), to the 303d temperature-listed middle reaches at Mulholland Creek (RM18.5) and Goble Creek (RM11.2).

1. Re-establish structure in Goble Creek, Mulholland Creek, and the upper Coweeman River channels and floodplains to retain wood and sediment that will improve spawning and rearing habitat and water quality and quantity for ESA-listed Chinook, coho, and steelhead.
2. Aggrade reaches in Goble Creek, Mulholland Creek, and the upper Coweeman River that were historically alluvial-dominant (assumptions will be made based on slope and valley width) to re-establish hyporheic zones that will reduce summer water temperatures and retain flow further into the summer for summer rearing ESA-listed Chinook, coho, and steelhead.
3. Create side-channel and off-channel habitats in Goble Creek, Mulholland Creek, and the upper Coweeman River where valley width allows to improve winter rearing habitat for ESA-listed coho and steelhead.
4. Work with landowners (Weyerhaeuser) and easement holders (Cowlitz County) to relocate or abandon roads in the Coweeman River (Rose Valley Road), Mulholland Creek (1732 bridge), and NF Goble Creek (6130 road) to restore natural processes, create flow refugia, and recover off-channel and side channel habitats.
5. Diversify riparian plant communities and remove noxious weeds to increase climate resiliency, restore long-term wood sources, and to provide forage and building materials for beaver.
6. Establish baseline water temperature data for all reaches to inform restoration actions.