North Fork Salmon River Habitat Restoration Miller Property

Project Narrative

The North Fork Salmon River Habitat Restoration Miller Property project directly addressed and improved limiting factors in the production and survival of ESA listed Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (O. mykiss) in the North Fork of the Salmon River (NFSR). The project improved spawning, rearing, and overwintering habitat for fish in a high priority area of the NFSR that had very little habitat complexity. Spawning, rearing, and overwintering habitat was improved by excavating pools, placing wood and boulders, creating lateral habitat and staging areas for adult migrating fish, and planting riparian vegetation. The project was designed to naturally recruit spawning gravel. Habitat features and riparian plants will be monitored for the next several years for functionality. Actions completed include: 1. In 0.4 miles of the mainstem NFSR, eight engineered log jams and four boulder fields were installed. A total of 44 pools were excavated. 2. A 300-foot side channel was constructed using an engineered riffle and apex jam to regulate flow into the side channel. Side channel construction included installation of 13 habitat log features and excavation of 3 pools. 3. Riparian vegetation was installed throughout the entire project on both sides of the river to help with river shading and habitat. A total of 2.5 acres were planted with native trees, shrubs, and grasses. Due to the sale of a portion of the private property in the project area between being awarded the grant and construction, the original design was modified to accommodate the new landowner. The number of log jams on the upstream end of the project were reduced and some were shifted further downstream. The new property owner agreed to installation of a side channel through an aspen grove to create lateral habitat, a feature lacking in the North Fork drainage. Early design called for the installation of four channel spanning weirs; these were taken out of the design after further evaluation, due to the width of the channel and the steep banks on one side of the river. The winning construction bid for project implementation came in significantly under engineer cost estimates. As a result, the PCSRF award was decreased from $158,000 to $88,000 in an amendment. The amount of the match was also decreased and came solely from BPA funding. This project will increase habitat complexity, create pools, provide cover, provide staging areas for adult migrations, recruit spawning gravels, add lateral habitat, and create overwinter and summer rearing habitat on private property for ESA listed Spring/Summer Chinook salmon and steelhead. As spawning and rearing conditions improve, the number of juveniles surviving in the North Fork to pre-smolt and smolt stages is expected to increase. Native plants, shrubs, and trees will also help provide bank stabilization, future material recruitment, and shade for the restoration site.