Yankee Fork Pond Series 1 Outlet Channel

Project Narrative

The Yankee Fork Pond Series 1 Outlet Project restored/enhanced 0.7 miles of the side channel habitat in the Yankee Fork watershed by relocating the outlet channel, excavating pools, and adding LWD and spawning gravel. 0.07 miles of new stream length was constructed and 0.13 stream miles were enhanced by constructing 14 pool/riffle/run sequences. These pool/riffle/run sequences were constructed using 31 new LWD structures and 137 cubic yards of new spawning gravel. Prior to the project, the side-channel outlet was seasonally dewatered due to seepage through relic dredge tailings. Relocating the outlet to a more suitable location has restored year-round connectivity of the side channel to the Yankee Fork Salmon River, where the side-channel and ponds can provide important thermal refuge for fish during the winter. 1.8 acres of floodplain were reconnected to the stream by re-grading adjacent dredge-tailings. 1.4 acres (or 0.5 miles) of riparian areas were enhanced/added to the stream channel, 0.31 acres of wetlands were added to the project area and 4.91 acres of upland (dredge tailings) were treated with topsoil. A total of 6.62 acres of riparian areas, wetlands, and uplands were reseeded with appropriate native plant seed mixes. Reconnection of stream-channel to floodplain through removal of dredge tailings has restored some of the natural processes and riparian areas, which will help move this watershed towards recovery of its historically high value salmonid spawning and rearing habitat. This project also reduced fine sediment delivery to the stream through obliterating a 0.14 mile section of road. Trout Unlimited implemented this project in coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Idaho Governors Office of Species Conservation, the Salmon-Challis National Forest, National Marine Fisheries Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Match funding was provided by the Bonneville Power Administration. Non-match funding was provided by the US Bureau of Reclamation. The benefits associated with this project will be implementation of the two highest priority actions for recovery of Snake River steelhead DPS, Salmon MPG, and upper Salmon population and Snake River Chinook Salmon ESU, upper Salmon MPG, and Yankee Fork Salmon River population are the following: 1. Reconnect the river to its floodplain. Restoring natural processes to this portion of the river could recover its historically high value for salmonid spawning and rearing. 2. Restore and maintain a riparian corridor, which will also reduce fine sediment delivery to streams.