Nason Creek LWP Floodplain Reconnection Assessment

The CCNRD has completed the alternatives analysis and preliminary design for the Nason Creek Lower White Pine Floodplain Reconnection project. This project will for reconnect the two highest priority floodplain areas in Nason Creek. The preliminary design builds directly from USBR’s Tributary and Reach Assessments on Nason Creek. The design evaluates two project sites, the upstream and downstream connection to floodplain areas, that the BNSF railroad grade has disconnected. These sites are identified as projects LWP-DIZ-1 and LWP-DOZ-2 (RM 11.05 - 10.65) , and LWP-DIZ-2 and LWP-DOZ-4 (RM 10.2 - 9.6) in the LWP Reach Assessment (USBR 2009).

Nason Creek, a Category 2 watershed in the Wenatchee Subbasin, contains major spawning areas for ESA-listed spring Chinook salmon and steelhead, is a bull trout core area. The restoration of ecosystem function through floodplain and off-channel habitat reconnection is a priority. These projects will reconnect 29 acres of channel and floodplain habitat and 4,755 linear feet of channel at LWP-DIZ-1/DOZ 2, and 78 acres of channel and floodplain habitat and 5,494 linear feet of channel at LWP-DIZ 2/DOZ-4. This reconnection will also reconnect 7 sq.mi. of the Roaring Creek subwatershed and 5 sq.mi. of the Coulter Creek subwatershed. These projects will address Tier 1 habitat restoration as listed in the Biological Strategy (UCRTT 2008) and Recovery Plan (UCSRB 2007). The CCNRD used data provided by the USBR to develop the design alternatives for each site in 2010 and preliminary design was completed in fall 2011.

The goal of the project is to increase/improve information to help select projects that have a high certainty and benefit. The objective of the project is to determine feasibility of creating or reconnecting off-channel habitat.