Little River LWD Planning Project

The Little River is a large, low to moderate gradient tributary to the Elwha River. The Little River flows into the Elwha River at the delta of the former Aldwell Reservoir and was one of the first locations colonized by salmon following the removal of Elwha Dam beginning in 2012. To date Little River has been recolonized by steelhead, chinook, coho and bull trout. Although the headwaters of Little River are protected in Olympic National Park, a significant proportion of the drainage has been historically affected by riparian logging, intentional wood removal from the channel and road construction impacts. As a result, salmon habitat has degraded over time. Reductions in large woody debris have led to increased channel incision and subsequent reductions in pool frequency and complexity. Increases in sheer stress on the channel bed associated with reductions of in-channel wood have led to a coarsening of the channel bed and increase in substrate dominated by cobble and small boulder size particles (loss of spawning gravels). This planning project includes dozens of private property owners and we will analyze existing conditions, and engineer designs to accomplish fish habitat restoration on those parcels that have willing landowners within the lower 1.5 miles of river. This planning project resulted in a final design, cost estimate and permit package to restore and maintain spawning and rearing habitat using large wood in Little River for multiple salmonid species. A total of 86 sites have been identified for sturctural treatments on 5 different property owners. Engineering plans and hydraulic analysis was completed as well as an engineered plan set to support the future restoration actions.

Restore and maintain spawning and rearing habitat using large wood in Little River by completing a final design.