Kendall Creek is a tributary of the North Fork Nooksack and provides approximately 2 miles of low gradient salmonid spawning habitat and several beaver pond complexes suitable for juvenile rearing. Segments of the stream have need altered by historical agriculture practices including channel straightening and removal of riparain vegeation and LWD. NSEA is presently working with 5 landowners downstream of this site to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of salmon habitat through LWD placement, minor channel reconfiguration, and revegetation of riparian buffers with native plants. In fall 2001, over 200 returning chinook, coho, and chum salmon were sighted actively using the spawning and holding habitat created at a JITW 2001 project downstream. This 1200 foot project, in conjunction with ongoing downstream restoration activities will result in over 3000 continuous feet of protected and enhanced salmon habitat in this watershed. Project activities: Removal of existing patches of Himalayan blackberry along the stream bank and reed canary grass from within the stream channel Place approximately 25 LWD structures within the stream channel Scalp and/ or create small planting mounds within a minimum average 100 foot buffer on the west side of the stream channel and a minimum average 25 foot buffer on the east side of the stream channel. Revegetati the riparian buffer with mixed indigenous confier, and deciduous tree and shrub species. Trees will be planted on approximately 8 ft. centers. Shrubs will be clumped (approximately 3 plants per clump) with approximately 5 feet between clumps. Willow cutting will be planted along the lower bank in clusters of 3-4 cuttings approximately every 4 feet. Trees will be wrapped for protection against vole and mice predation. Tree species prone to beaver predation will be caged using 3 foot field fencing. Ground cloth and/or mulch will be used to reduce competition from exotic invasive species. Larger trees may be staked and strapped for initial support. Existing fence will be removed and 1200 feet of fence constructed to exclude livestock from the riparian buffer. The site will be maintained and monitored for a minimum of three years. Habitat benefits: LWD structures will increase channel complexity, creating more cover, holding and rearing habitat crucial to adult and juvenile life stages. These structures will also help trap and sort sediments enhancing spawning habitat for returning adults. Riparian revegetation will increas stream water quality, quantity, and fish habitat by reducing erosion, increasing shade, providing detritus for macroinvertebrates, filtering pollutant inputs from adjoining agricultural lands, and providing a future source of LWD. Target Species: Puget Sound chinook, coho, and chum salmon, and bull and cutthroat trout. Riparian dependent flora and fauna will also benefit. Project monitoring: INstream structures will be monitored for 3 years following project implementation using repeatable channel cross sections, longitudinal profiles, and photo points at LWD placement locations. Riparian vegetation will be monitored by NSEA staff using procedures developed in consultation with the Nooksack Recovery Team. Effectiveness of the poant protection devices will be noted and tracked as will the survival of plants by species, site location area, planting time, and general plant health. Photo monitoring will be accomplished using photo points referenced according to the NW Region Watershed Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring Protocol (USFS 1996). United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Grant Number 134100036
