For the past 86 years, steelhead,chinook,coho,chum,lamprey, sea-run cutthroat have been blocked by Condit Dam at RM 3.2 on the White Salmon River. A recent agreement between PacifiCorp,tribes,agencies and interest groups marks 2006 for the opening of 30-40 additional miles of habitat. Since 1993,a watershed council and technical group have worked to enhance water quality and habitat in the basin. Much work has centered on Rattlesnake Cr., judged to be the tributary with the highest andadromous fish production potential in the entire White Salmon. The Panakanic Watershed Analysis established a detailed assessment of the basin (Western Watershed Analysts1997). Major fish limiting factors identified by the assessment include a) low summer flow, b) excessive stream energy,c) excessive sediment, & d) high temperatures.This landscape-scale project proposes to install 50 loose rock grade control structures (check dams) in selected upper Rattlesnake Cr. channels which have become severely down cut. Structures are intended to elevate headwater channels by causing sediment deposition,re-establish flood plains and increase groundwater recharge. Outcomes/benefits will be a) increased downstream base flow, b) reduced flood flow energy, c)reduced sediment amounts, and d) decreased summer water temperatures. All project tasks & outcomes will be monitored using both implementation and results monitoring. Project goals/accomplishments will be publicized using press releases & project signs.
