WRIA 1 FY2010 Priority Habitat Project Implementation

The project partially funded construction of 35 engineered log jams in the North Fork Nooksack River, Wildcat Reach (RM 54.0-54.6), to address limiting factors of channel instability and low habitat diversity in the reach. This project represented phase 1 of a 3-phase project designed to: (1) increase the low-flow connectivity and habitat diversity of the Wildcat Side Channel (an existing 2000-foot side channel); and (2) to increase channel stability and protect and encourage growth of maturing forested islands in the main channel. Other funding sources provided the remainder of the funds needed for construction, including the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) and EPA/PSP funding administered through the NWIFC. The project also supported purchase of materials to repair a log jam installed in 2010 as part of the South Fork Van Zandt reach restoration project. Since project completion, considerable erosion at a sharp meander bend caused considerable loss of structural integrity at one of the log jams.

Restoring side channel habitat will improve survival and productivity of chinook and other salmonids by providing stable spawning habitat; redd failure in side channels is significantly lower than in mainstem and braid habitats in the North Fork. Protecting and encouraging growth of forested channel islands will ultimately increase spawning to incubation success by restoring the more stable island-braided planform historically evident in the North Fork.