Elwha River Engineered Log Jams - Ranney Reach

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe proposes to construct 24 engineered logjams (ELJs) and reinforce 3 existing natural logjams in the Elwha River between river mile 2.5-3.5. This reach is essentially channelized and as a result has few pools, low levels of functional wood, and is subject to high velocity flows during winter. Our goal is to use ELJs to split flows through the reach and create deep, stable pools with complex cover for rearing as well as reducing peak flow velocities through the reach. ELJs will affect stream morphology in the reach and form an island braided morphology with multiple, stable side-channels. Those side-channels will provide improved spawning and rearing sites for multiple species of salmon including federally listed Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout as well as cutthroat trout, and coho, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon. Between 1999 and 2017, 52 ELJs have been constructed in the Elwha River between river mile 1.0-3.5. This is one of the largest scale projects of its kind anywhere in the world. Elwha ELJs have proven effective at positively influencing physical habitat with documented benefits to salmonids including pool formation, spawning gravel accumulation, creation of side channels, and providing complex cover to both adult and juvenile salmon. Those benefits have accrued prior to, during ,and following the removal of two mainstem dams on the Elwha River.

Create deep, stable pools with complex cover for rearing as well as reducing peak flow velocities through the reach of the Elwha. Provide improved spawning and rearing sites for multiple species of salmon including federally listed Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout as well as cutthroat trout, and coho, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon.