Fourth Creek Habitat Improvement Project

All technical designs, pre-project surveys and environmental documents were done and secured prior to the implementation of this project. Large woody debris(logs), root-wads and gravels were added to six sites on Fourth Creek and an additional eight sites on Second Creek, also located within the Coquille Tribes Empire Property. 900 of access road was not constructed for access in the Fourth Creek watershed. All work in Fourth Creek was done near the two bridges crossing the stream in the mid to upper reaches. The cost, time and disturbance by opening additional access road in the watershed was deemed as not beneficial. Eight sites in Second Creek were substituted for the sites deleted in lower reaches of Fourth Creek.
Removal by physical means of toxic and noxious plants did occur in both 2nd and 4th Creek watersheds, with the bulk of this work type occurring in the 4th Creek watershed.
Sites where there were disturbed soils from actions taken during implementation of this project were mulched and seeded.
Actual amount of pools created is an estimate(20) until stream flows enlarge with winter rains and additional pools are created.
There were 81 beaver removed from Second and Fourth Creeks in two recent trapping seasons. 22 major beaver dams were breached in Fourth Creek to improve flow, connectivity, and fish passage. 53,974 coho fry were introduced into 4th Creek March 2011 by ODFW. 22,000 coho fry were introduced into 4th Creek in March of 2012. Since Sept. 2011, at least 20 site visits that include pictures and field notes. Macro-invertebrate sampling was conducted pre-project and taxonomy completed. A sampling strategy is being built and more sophisticated equipment is on hand. Spring surveys in 2011 and 2012 in 4th Creek confirmed coho fry did disperse from point of introduction at the Lower Bridge downstream to below the reservoir. Cutthroat fry and adults have been viewed in both 2nd and 4th Creeks at or near LWD and gravel sites in 2011 and 2012.
Tree planting in 2nd and 4th creeks (616 conifers) was completed in April of 2012. The finger weir at 4th Creek Dam is installed and upgrades (ladder, steps and gate) have been acquired and are to be installed in 2012 during low flow months. A failed culvert on 2nd Creek was replaced with a fish-friendly culvert and is being monitored.

Project Outcomes:
• Increase in large woody debris at five sites along Fourth Creek
• Increase in spawning gravels at five sites along Fourth Creek
• Increased pool frequency in Fourth Creek
• Increased channel complexity in Fourth Creek
• Increased stream productivity over 2 miles of Fourth Creek
• Better understanding of fish presence and usage
• Long-term adult and juvenile monitoring program
• Immediate increase in production due to strategic placement of Coho fry
Project Outcomes:
• Increase in large woody debris at five sites along Fourth Creek
• Increase in spawning gravels at five sites along Fourth Creek
• Increased pool frequency in Fourth Creek
• Increased channel complexity in Fourth Creek
• Increased stream productivity over 2 miles of Fourth Creek
• Better understanding of fish presence and usage
• Long-term adult and juvenile monitoring program
• Immediate increase in production due to strategic placement of Coho fry