12-Mile Side Channel (P2)

Project Narrative

Including restoration and enhancement of the 12-Mile Side Channel, approximately 0.3 miles of channel reconfiguration and structure placement was implemented. This included excavation, re-contour, and reshaping of the side channel and placement of nine root wads to create six pools. The rip-rap along the Salmon River was removed. The channel inlet was modified to allow more flow into the side-channel.Approximately 0.6 miles of stream bank was stabilized through wood vegetative planting.Riparian planting was implemented using the help of students from the Challis High School Enviro-thon and FFA organizations. Approximately 1.5 acres were planted along 0.3 miles on each side of the channel for a total 3 acres and 0.6 miles of planting.A fisheries survey completed in the summer of 2012 found steelhead and Chinook juveniles using the restored side channel.All of these actions will result in increased quantity and quality of rearing habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon, Steelhead Trout, Bull trout, cutthroat trout, and Redband trout.