Windler Floodplain Habitat Enhancement

The project will re-initiate geomorphic processes on the bar and create high quality winter rearing habitat and cold-water summer refugia for coho and other anadromous salmonids. The project design was funded by FRGP in 2019. 90% designs developed by MLA are consistent with the CA Restoration Manual. Project components include lowering the floodplain, side channel and alcove excavation, increasing side channel habitat complexity, and riverbar revegetation.

The Windler Floodplain project will re-initiate fluvial geomorphic processes that promote scour and deposition, a complex channel network, bar top inundation, and groundwater recharge; create/enhance off-channel winter high-flow refugia for a broad range of flows, create/enhance in-river and off-channel cool water refugia; enhance low gradient spawning habitat; and restore riparian vegetation to provide shade and future large wood sources for natural recruitment.