Tribal Allotment 369B Habitat Restoration Phase II (#2)

The Nez Perce Tribe DFRM will implement a channel realignment and restoration on a 0.20 mile segment of Sweetwater Creek near the confluence of Sweetwater Creek and Lapwai Creek. Current habitat conditions include a straightened stream segment which contains little LWD, confined by Webb Road and agricultural fields, no side channels or other lateral habitat, a floodplain that has been converted to agricultural or cut off by the county road, and limited riparian vegetation.



Project actions include: A properly aligned stream channel that will increase length and complexity (including large wood, side channels, pools, and cover), increased access to floodplain and adjacent riparian habitat.



Phase I of this project, which has already been funded and will be implemented in 2027, consists of stream realignment and habitat restoration, while phase II of this project will consist of an undersized bridge replacement and associated road work (performed under PCSRF project 23-NezP-06) and associated habitat work (performed under this project 24-NezP-06).





Worksite #1: Tribal Allotment 369B Habitat Restoration Phase II (#2)



Proposed Work:



Following phase I implementation in 2027, this project will accomplish remaining stream and habitat work to finish the project including channel reconfiguration and connectivity and channel structure placement.



Benefits to Target Salmon Species



This project focuses on ESU Snake River Basin steelhead trout DPS. The project site lies within designated critical habitat for ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead trout, and Essential Fish Habitat for multiple salmonid species including ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead, ESA-listed Snake River Fall-run Chinook salmon, and reintroduced Spring Chinook and Coho salmon.



This second phase of the project will address the undersized bridge that is creating upstream channel aggradation, downstream channel degradation, and increased occurrences of fish stranding in adjacent agricultural fields. A properly sized bridge will allow appropriate sediment transport, large woody debris transport, and eliminate stranding caused by the existing undersized bridge. This will also allow the upstream habitat work done in phase I to remain stable as the new bridge will not contribute to upstream sediment deposition.

This project focuses on ESU Snake River Basin steelhead trout DPS. The project site lies within designated critical habitat for ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead trout, and Essential Fish Habitat for multiple salmonid species including ESA-listed Snake River Basin steelhead, ESA-listed Snake River Fall-run Chinook salmon, and reintroduced Spring Chinook and Coho salmon.



This second phase of the project will address the undersized bridge that is creating upstream channel aggradation, downstream channel degradation, and increased occurrences of fish stranding in adjacent agricultural fields. A properly sized bridge will allow appropriate sediment transport, large woody debris transport, and eliminate stranding caused by the existing undersized bridge. This will also allow the upstream habitat work done in phase I to remain stable as the new bridge will not contribute to upstream sediment deposition.