Goat Creek Complexity for Confluentus

The primary goal of this collaborative in-stream restoration project in Goat Creek, a tributary of the Upper Methow River, in the Upper Columbia Basin, was to improve complexity of 0.9 miles of designated critical habitat to benefit ESA threatened bull trout, O. Mykiss and westslope cutthroat. The project has helped restore natural structural and bedform complexity within the stream channel, between RM 6.7 and RM 7.6, through the addition of large woody material (LWM). Prior to the project, the reach lacked significant LWM due to past management practices, which directly reduced cover, deep pools, and gravel retention. The addition of LWM included single logs, as well as multi-log structures, in the main channel and along the margins.

In addition to adding complexity, the project is providing downstream benefits to UC Spring Chinook and Steelhead populations by reducing fine sediment export to occupied habitat in lower Goat Creek and the adjacent mainstem of the Upper Methow River.

Also as part of the project, we constructed strategic fencing to prevent livestock access to the LWM structures and newly created habitat. We also blocked and naturalized former logging roads in the riparian area to prevent motorized vehicles from entering the fragile area and crossing the stream.

The project was completed in the Fall of 2015 and all objectives for the on-the-ground portion of the project were met at that time. A grant extension was requested in order to see whether any modifications were required to instream structures, to ensure survivability of riparian plantings and to observe effectiveness of fencing. Post implementation, we have continued to monitor and maintain the reach, the riparian plantings, and the fencing. Post-project observations have revealed significant changes to stream habitat as a result of the project. These changes are fully consistent with project objectives and are expected to further influence the development of habitat complexity at the site for many years to come.

Objective 1: Increase Instream Habitat Complexity. Install 100+ pieces of large wood and construct 5 large wood structures within the project area to increase bedform complexity including creation of scour pools and localized sediment deposition (i.e. spawning gravel). Additional habitat benefits for fish include high flow refugia and instream cover.
Objective 2: Promote localized channel aggradation and gravel retention. Addition of large wood is expected to result in localized increases in the height of the water table and development of side channel habitat. These changes would increase hyporheic flow within the project area and decrease downstream sediment transport to benefit fish.
Objective 3: Complete the first targeted bull trout restoration project in the Upper Columbia Basin. Funding for ESA listed bull trout has not yet been a priority for Columbia River salmon recovery even though bull trout populations are affected by many of the same land use and management actions that have adversely affected listed salmon and steelhead. Additionally, it is an appropriate time to begin treating habitat deficiencies in upper elevation streams, such as Goat Creek, where there are no barriers to fish passage. These streams may someday provide the only suitable habitat for salmonids when downstream habitats become thermally unsuitable because of climate change.