Nez Perce Aquatic Restoration

Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Acquisition

Fish Passage Improvement Riparian Habitat Upland Habitat And Sediment
Project ID035 04 CW
Recovery DomainsSnake River
Start Date01/27/2005
End Date09/01/2006
Year2004
StatusCompleted
Last Edited01/14/2025
 
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Description    


Three stream-road crossing were restored to simulate natural stream conditions and accommodate passage of all aquatic species. These sites were located on Little Whitebird Creek, Storm Creek, and Camp Creeks. At all sites, the existing metal culverts were undersized to adequately handle anticipated flows and the culverts outlets had considerable drops preventing passage of fish at all life stages. At Storm Creek the exiting 84 round culvert was replaced with a new steel structural plate arch 15span, 79 rise, bottomless culvert. The existing 48 culvert at Camp Creek was replaced with a 171W x 110H pipe arch. At Little Whitebird Creek the exiting 60 round culvert was replaced with a new steel structural plate arch 14span, 73 rise, bottomless culvert.

Natural streambed simulation was implemented on each culvert installation, using the guidance of several recently published documents. Squash pipe (pipe-arch) structure was used with substrate throughout the length of the culverts when possible to mimic natural streambed conditions on Camp Creek and bottomless structural steel plate pipes were used on Storm and Little Whitebird Creeks. Designs embed each culvert, size for the active channel width or 100-yr. flood event(whichever is larger), allowing for substrate throughout the culvert bottom, and natural sediment movement by the road crossing location.

Approximately 1.7 miles of fence was constructed in the Slate Creek watershed to protect riparian areas. They type of fence construction was post/rail.

In addition, 16 sites in the Slate Creek watershed, were planted with vegetation to encourage the riparian areas to function at an enhanced level.

Eleven miles of the 27.26 total miles decommissioned are funded by this project; the remainder is funded by the US Forest Service. Within the 27.26 miles of road that were removed, 61 culverts (both log and metal) were removed and the stream channel restored to its natural topography.

Maintenance and reconstruction along the #398 trail within Slate Creek was completed in July. Water crossings were installed at 37 locations along the trail to assist in decreasing the amount of sediment delivered to the stream.

Project Benefit    


Passage improvements accomplished with this project will address both full and partial barriers. Improved passage provides for access to currently unavailable habitat, the ability of fish to move into various habitats in response to changing conditions (such as flow and temperature), and for sub-populations of fish to exchange genetic material. Several miles of stream habitat will be accessible that had not been used for decades, along with improving access for more of the time for juvenile fish into tributary habitat. Improved in-stream habitat and riparian enhancement actions will provide cover for fish, as well as rearing and over-wintering habitat. Temperatures will be reduced with riparian improvements. Cool stream temperatures are critical to the success of healthy fish populations. Road decommissioning will significantly reduce the amount of sediment delivered to these streams. Decommissioning roads by decompacting the soil and re-contouring them to their natural slope will significantly reduce sediment input to streams and decrease cobble embeddedness within the streams. Trail improvements will reduce erosion from problem areas within the trail system. Once completed, this project will contribute to the re-establishment of healthy self-sustaining populations spring Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat trout through increasing habitat in all life stages.

Accomplishments

Metric Completed Originally
Proposed
Riparian Habitat
  Stream Miles Treated 1.70 1.70
  Acres Treated 10.0 5.0
Upland Habitat
  Acres Treated 26.7 26.7
Fish Passage
  Barriers Removed 3 3
  Miles Opened 10.50 10.50

Funding Details

SourceFunds
PCSRF$480,035
State$317,106
Report Total:$797,141


Project Map



Worksites

Storm Creek    


  • Worksite Identifier: Storm Creek
  • Start Date: 11/01/2004
  • End Date: 09/01/2006
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Clearwater (170603)
  • Subbasin: South Fork Clearwater (17060305)
  • Watershed:
  • Subwatershed:
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 45.9437
  • Longitude: -115.8497

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS
  • Snake River Spring/Summer-run Chinook Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • C.0 Salmonid Habitat Restoration and AcquisitionY (Y/N)
    •      . . C.0.a Habitat restoration and acquisition funding 146,364.00
    •      . . C.0.b Length of stream treated/protected .01
    •      . . C.0.c
      Project identified in a Plan or Watershed Assessment
      NPCC. 2004. Salmon Subbasin Management Plan. Portland, Oregon
    •      . . C.0.d.1 Project Monitoring (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.2 Monitoring Location (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.3
      Monitoring text (from Phase I)
      Post construction monitoring for culvert replacements occurred after construction and included a rod and level survey to determine contract compliance and obtain baseline information on the newly constructed culvert, substrate and inlet/outlet channel conditions. No substantial deviations from the project design were found. The culvert was also monitored by optical observation for substrate retention throughout the culvert, to sustain stream simulation. In addition, fish surveys will be completed by the Nez Perce National Forest to identify whether species are accessing habitat above the structure. The Nez Perce Tribe will continue to perform monitoring of the culvert and associated stream morphology in the years to come, as funding allows. These surveys will continue annual, as funding allows.
    •      . . C.2 Fish Passage ImprovementY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . C.2.a Fish Passage Funding 146,364.00
      •      . . . . C.2.b.1 Length of stream made accessible 2.00
      •      . . . . C.2.b.3 Type of blockage/barrier (LOV)
      •      . . . . C.2.b.4 Number of blockages/impediments/barriers impeding passage 1
      •      . . . . C.2.c.1 Fish passage blockages removed or altered (other than road crossings reported in C.2.f to C.2.i)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.2.c.2 Number of blockages/impediments/barriers removed/altered 1
      •      . . . . C.2.f.1 Culvert installed or improved at road stream crossingY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.2.f.2 Number of culverts installed or improved 1
        •      . . . . . . C.2.f.3 Miles of stream made accessible by culvert installation/upgrade 2.00

Slate Creek    


  • Worksite Identifier: Slate Creek
  • Start Date: 11/01/2004
  • End Date: 06/30/2006
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Salmon (170602)
  • Subbasin: Lower Salmon
  • Watershed: Slate Creek
  • Subwatershed:
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 45.7038539122378
  • Longitude: -116.317633096572

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS
  • Un-Named ESU Bull Trout
  • Snake River Spring/Summer-run Chinook Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • C.0 Salmonid Habitat Restoration and AcquisitionY (Y/N)
    •      . . C.0.a Habitat restoration and acquisition funding 358,048.00
    •      . . C.0.b Length of stream treated/protected 17.70
    •      . . C.0.c
      Project identified in a Plan or Watershed Assessment
      NPCC. 2004. Salmon Subbasin Management Plan. Portland, Oregon
    •      . . C.0.d.1 Project Monitoring (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.2 Monitoring Location (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.3
      Monitoring text (from Phase I)
      Monitoring for road decommissioning included inspection for proper implementation techniques as well as post decommissioning monitoring using the protocol that was established in 1997 by the Clearwater National Forest. This monitoring includes selecting a sub-sample of road segments from the decommissioning project. Monitoring parameters include: cross sections and longitudinal profiles at stream crossings, and vegetation plots. Two monitoring sites of this nature were set up on road decommissioning sites. This monitoring will continue as funding is available. Photopoints have been setup to monitor the riparion restoration at this worksite and will be repeated annually, as funding is available.
    •      . . C.5 Riparian Habitat ProjectY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . C.5.a Riparian Habitat Funding 85,947.00
      •      . . . . C.5.b.1 Total riparian miles streambank treated 1.70
      •      . . . . C.5.b.2 Total Riparian Acres Treated 10.0
      •      . . . . C.5.c.1 Riparian plantingY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.5.c.2
          Species of plants planted in riparian
          2103 plants: Alnus incana, Physocarpus malevaceous, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa
        •      . . . . . . C.5.c.3 Acres planted in riparian 10.0
      •      . . . . C.5.d.1 FencingY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.5.d.2 Miles of fence along stream 1.70
      •      . . C.6 Upland Habitat And Sediment ProjectY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . C.6.a Upland Habitat / Sediment Funding 272,101.00
        •      . . . . C.6.b.1 Acres of upland habitat area treated 26.7
        •      . . . . C.6.b.2 Miles of road treated in upland area 16.00
        •      . . . . C.6.d.1 Road closure / abandonmentY (Y/N)
          •      . . . . . . C.6.d.2 Miles of road closed / abandoned 11.00

Little Whitebird Creek    


  • Worksite Identifier: Little Whitebird Creek
  • Start Date: 11/01/2004
  • End Date: 08/31/2006
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Salmon (170602)
  • Subbasin: Lower Salmon (17060209)
  • Watershed:
  • Subwatershed:
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 45.7463
  • Longitude: -116.0927

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS
  • Snake River Spring/Summer-run Chinook Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • C.0 Salmonid Habitat Restoration and AcquisitionY (Y/N)
    •      . . C.0.a Habitat restoration and acquisition funding 146,365.00
    •      . . C.0.b Length of stream treated/protected .01
    •      . . C.0.c
      Project identified in a Plan or Watershed Assessment
      NPCC. 2004. Salmon Subbasin Management Plan. Portland, Oregon
    •      . . C.0.d.1 Project Monitoring (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.2 Monitoring Location (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.3
      Monitoring text (from Phase I)
      Post construction monitoring for culvert replacements occurred after construction and included a rod and level survey to determine contract compliance and obtain baseline information on the newly constructed culvert, substrate and inlet/outlet channel conditions. No substantial deviations from the project design were found. The culvert was also monitored by optical observation for substrate retention throughout the culvert, to sustain stream simulation. In addition, fish surveys will be completed by the Nez Perce National Forest to identify whether species are accessing habitat above the structure. The Nez Perce Tribe will continue to perform monitoring of the culvert and associated stream morphology in the years to come, as funding allows. These surveys will continue annual, as funding allows.
    •      . . C.2 Fish Passage ImprovementY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . C.2.a Fish Passage Funding 146,365.00
      •      . . . . C.2.b.1 Length of stream made accessible 5.50
      •      . . . . C.2.b.3 Type of blockage/barrier (LOV)
      •      . . . . C.2.b.4 Number of blockages/impediments/barriers impeding passage 1
      •      . . . . C.2.c.1 Fish passage blockages removed or altered (other than road crossings reported in C.2.f to C.2.i)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.2.c.2 Number of blockages/impediments/barriers removed/altered 1
      •      . . . . C.2.f.1 Culvert installed or improved at road stream crossingY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.2.f.2 Number of culverts installed or improved 1
        •      . . . . . . C.2.f.3 Miles of stream made accessible by culvert installation/upgrade 5.50

Camp Creek    


  • Worksite Identifier: Camp Creek
  • Start Date: 11/01/2004
  • End Date: 09/01/2006
Area Description

No Area Description data was found for this worksite.

Location Information

  • Basin: Clearwater (170603)
  • Subbasin: South Fork Clearwater (17060305)
  • Watershed:
  • Subwatershed:
  • State: Idaho
  • Recovery Domain: Snake River
  • Latitude: 45.6747
  • Longitude: -116.0273

ESU

  • Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS
  • Un-Named ESU Bull Trout
  • Snake River Spring/Summer-run Chinook Salmon ESU

Map

Photos

Metrics

Metrics
  • C.0 Salmonid Habitat Restoration and AcquisitionY (Y/N)
    •      . . C.0.a Habitat restoration and acquisition funding 146,364.00
    •      . . C.0.b Length of stream treated/protected .01
    •      . . C.0.c
      Project identified in a Plan or Watershed Assessment
      NPCC. 2004. Salmon Subbasin Management Plan. Portland, Oregon
    •      . . C.0.d.1 Project Monitoring (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.2 Monitoring Location (LOV)
    •      . . C.0.d.3
      Monitoring text (from Phase I)
      Post construction monitoring for culvert replacements occurred after construction and included a rod and level survey to determine contract compliance and obtain baseline information on the newly constructed culvert, substrate and inlet/outlet channel conditions. No substantial deviations from the project design were found. The culvert was also monitored by optical observation for substrate retention throughout the culvert, to sustain stream simulation. In addition, fish surveys will be completed by the Nez Perce National Forest to identify whether species are accessing habitat above the structure. The Nez Perce Tribe will continue to perform monitoring of the culvert and associated stream morphology in the years to come, as funding allows. These surveys will continue annual, as funding allows.
    •      . . C.2 Fish Passage ImprovementY (Y/N)
      •      . . . . C.2.a Fish Passage Funding 146,364.00
      •      . . . . C.2.b.1 Length of stream made accessible 3.00
      •      . . . . C.2.b.3 Type of blockage/barrier (LOV)
      •      . . . . C.2.b.4 Number of blockages/impediments/barriers impeding passage 1
      •      . . . . C.2.c.1 Fish passage blockages removed or altered (other than road crossings reported in C.2.f to C.2.i)Y (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.2.c.2 Number of blockages/impediments/barriers removed/altered 1
      •      . . . . C.2.f.1 Culvert installed or improved at road stream crossingY (Y/N)
        •      . . . . . . C.2.f.2 Number of culverts installed or improved 1
        •      . . . . . . C.2.f.3 Miles of stream made accessible by culvert installation/upgrade 3.00