The Chinook River is home to 5 species of anadromous salmonids: coho, chinook and chum salmon, steelhead, and searun cutthroat trout. Chum, chinook and steelhead are listed as threatened, and searun cutthroat will soon be listed as threatened. Located at RM 5 of the Columbia River, the Chinook estuary also provides critical habitat for all Columbia Basin Salmonids. The estuary provides the last feeding and rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids prior to entering the Pacific Ocean. Sediment and organic material dynamics were identified as the limiting factor in the Chinook watershed. Tidegate removal, upland stabilization and riparian enhancement were identified as critical salmon habitat improvement projects. This proposal will restore 850 acres of estuarine wetlands and 2 miles of river and riparian habitat. To date, this project will be the largest estuarine restoration project in the Columbia River estuary and one of the largest such projects on the entire West Coast. Tidal function will be restored by removing tidegates. Other restoration activities include: filling drain ditches, restoring tidal swales, reforesting riparian areas and building a new levee with sufficient tidegates to protect nonparticipating landowners. Restoring tidal function to this estuary will improve habitat conditions within the Chinook River estuary and in Baker Bay. Sea Resources, working with DU, USFWS, WDFW, CLT and NRCS will design, implement and monitor the project.
