Hancock Springs Restoration Project II

This project was an extremely unique and successful project. It started as a shallow widened dammed indiscernible channel completed degraded from livestock that slowly evolved into a major steelhead spawning and rearing tributary in the upper Methow River drainage basin.

After identifying the potential natural production opportunities that Hancock Springs had to offer, a systematic restoration plan was employed. This plan included actions for narrowing the channel, adding hydraulic complexity through LWD and restoring riparian vegetation.

Narrowing the channel was accomplished through log and rock weir and baffle construction. Log and rock structures were put in place using hand tools. Structures were placed by excavating channel substrate and moving restoration material by hand. Construction of riffles and pools were also done using hand tools.

LWD was added in the form of root wads and small diameter logs. These pieces of wood added hydraulic complexity through pool scouring and cover.

Utilizing coir logs and mats we stabilized stream margins and disturbed wetted areas along the banks. This coir material allowed for sediment catching and plant growth.

Riparian restoration was accomplished through deer and cattle fencing along with plantings of different native vegetation.

The benefits of this project, as a whole, will be the restoration and protection of a critical environment that is essential to ESA listed salmonid spawning and rearing habitat, which in turn will play a major role in the efforts to restore viable salmon populations in the Mid Columbia River watersheds. As a possible acclimation site the restored spring will provide the means to rear and release juvenile salmonids. At this time there are no acclimation sites within the upper Methow Basin.