Big Creek Floodplain Restoration

This restoration project aimed to improve instream, floodplain, and wetland function through floodplain grading, floodplain fill removal, instream bedload material placement to remedy channel incision, and placement of large woody debris. This increased large wood loading will further increase connectivity and side channel development over time. Riparian planting and seeding will improve the functioning of the riparian zone and enhance a pollinator corridor between two known reproduction sites for the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly. Placement of spawning gravel was mistakenly included at the projects proposed status. Riparian plant removal and upland planting were inadvertently omitted at proposed but were successfully completed. Only 3 acres of planting was planned, the rest was expected to be included in OPRDs management purview. However, OPRD experienced major layoffs due to COVID-19, and OPRDs capacity to lead the planting portion of the project was also lost. Therefore, MCWC utilized this grant funding to plant more area than expected, totaling 4.7 riparian acres. Project partners include OPRD, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service, Siuslaw and Lincoln SWCD, Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.

This project will directly address the OCC Recovery Plans call to increase stream complexity and floodplain connectivity through floodplain fill removal and grading, large wood (instream and floodplain) placements and installation of beaver dam anchors. The habitat features will increase connectivity, channel complexity and floodplain interaction by allowing natural stream meandering, creation of pools and active sorting of spawning gravels. Planting a diverse suite of native species will increase shading and microclimate effects to reduce stream temperature, filter excess nutrients, create habitat for terrestrial and aquatic insects used as food by salmonids, and provide a long-term source large wood recruitment on the project reach.