Lower Chiwawa AU, Area D - Prel. Design

This project seeks to address identified habitat limiting factors for high- and medium-priority spring Chinook, steelhead and bull trout life stages (e.g., holding/maturation, summer rearing, winter rearing, and fry colonization) in Reach 4 of the Lower Chiwawa River AU including  In-stream Cover (wood), Floodplain Connectivity, Off-channel Side-channels, Temperature (rearing), and Riparian Canopy Cover. By fall 2024, the project will prepare conceptual and preliminary designs, conduct studies to support permit applications (cultural resources survey and wetland delineation), and complete environmental compliance tasks (including consultation with regulatory agencies and preparation of permit applications) to improve conditions along ~1.25 miles of mainstem channel through placement of engineered log jams; create up to 0.25 miles of off-channel habitat; enhance cold water refuge at two tributary confluences; and consolidate/reduce dispersed camping, decommission approximately 1,000 lf of forest roads and enhance vegetation within ~15 acres of riparian habitat.

The goal of the proposed project is to complete work needed to develop preliminary designs for restoration actions that address Limiting Factors identified for Reach 4 of the Lower Chiwawa River AU including cover-wood, floodplain connectivity/off-channel side channels, water temperature, deep pools, and riparian habitat. The project also will complete cultural resource surveys and prepare permit applications, which will facilitate the subsequent project implementation phase. Upon completion of this phase we will have a clear understanding of existing conditions and preliminary designs for restoration actions that, when implemented, will enhance conditions along an ~1.25 mile reach of the lower river.
The designs will identify actions intended to result in improved habitat characteristics important for a variety of spring Chinook, steelhead and bull trout life stages including summer & winter rearing, fry colonization, holding/maturation, subadult rearing, natal rearing, & adult non-spawning life stages. Benefits from actions likely to occur are realized very quickly, persist for decades and are year-round in nature. Goal 1: Add structure (large wood and/or boulders) within the mainstem channel. Goal 2: Create/Improve off-channel floodplain/side channel habitats. Goal 3: Improve pool quality and cover at two cold water tributary confluences. Goal 4: Treat impacts associated with dispersed camping in the area, decommission social roads and consolidate camping.