The project on the Fromm property would restore riparian and off-channel habitat, and reduce future bank erosion on Lower Icicle Creek,near Leavenworth. The Fromm property,which is presently used for grazing,is one of the largest deforested sections on Icicle Creek with no riparian vegetation along 1,300 of the right streambank. Our project would reestablish a 75-wide vegetated riparian buffer. A 400 section of riprap bank has been breached by previous floods, and the present right bank is now 85 landward of the former riprapped bank, forming a barren backwater. The project would excavate the existing backwater area, increasing its depth and connecting it with the main channel. Rootwads and wetland plants would be installed in the backwater to enhance fish habitat. The project would provide a 0.77 acres of high-quality off-channel habitat. A rootwad revetment would be constructed at the existing line of riprap, which remains from the former right bank. The revetment would provide complex holding habitat, protect the off-channel habitat from high-velocity flows, and protect newly-installed riparian vegetation during its establishment. Our project would provide rearing habitat for chinook and coho salmon, bulltrout, and steelhead; would protect steelhead, chinook, and coho spawning habitat by eliminating a source of sediment; and enhance holding habitat for all salmonid spawners, including Rocky Mountain whitefish.
