Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force
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Habitat Projects in Other River Watersheds
Beatty Creek · Frye Creek · Jack Creek
Beatty Creek
The focus of the Beatty Creek Project is to protect and improve salmonid spawning habitat through the use of conservation practices and stream bank bioengineering. The project was designed and implemented by students of the Ecosystem Restoration class at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. To eliminate livestock access to valuable spawning habitat on Beatty Creek students installed 960 feet of fencing along the stream bank. With an average setback of 25 feet, portions of the riparian corridor could be well preserved.
A 60-foot channel was constructed to direct water flows through a large patch of Reed Canary Grass that had hampered adult and juvenile passage. Large woody debris in the form of eight in-stream log structures was strategically placed to channel creek flows and create inter-gravel flows. This procedure served to increase bank stability and improve spawning habitat parameters. Also included in the project was the stabilization of over 300 linear feet of stream bank and a replanting of the surrounding riparian zone. Ninety 4 foot to 6 foot Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedars were planted along with 30 different species of riparian trees and shrubs and 200 Willow and Red Osier Dogwood stakes. Improvement of the riparian zone served to provide cover, control temperatures and diversify the canopy.
With the approximate investment of only $2,750, this project has provided a highly visible and easily accessible educational opportunity. Native Coho are using Beatty Creek in high numbers for spawning and rearing. The creek has relatively high densities of juvenile Coho that rear in the channel. Fish are highly visible within their habitat and the restoration techniques can be easily evaluated.
Frye Creek
The focus of the Frye Creek Project, located on Port of Grays Harbor property in Aberdeen, Washington, was to reduce the impacts of development and improve habitat conditions in and along the creek. The Port of Grays Harbor and the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force joined forces in a cooperative effort to reduce stream velocity, restore riparian vegetation and reduce stream temperatures. To reduce stream velocity crews placed 21 Large Woody Debris in the stream at intervals through out the Port’s property. A culvert was anchored by placing one-man rock on the stream bank around the mouth of the culvert. In order to reduce stream temperatures the riparian zone along both sides of the stream bank was replanted with evergreen and deciduous trees. The Frye Creek Project is an excellent example of community involvement and cooperative effort. Funded at $10,286 with in-kind contributions totaling over $5,000 the project is highly visible to the community and promotes urban awareness of ecosystems and habitat.
Jack Creek Culvert Removal
Jack Creek, a tributary of Rock Creek, is located near the town of Oakville, Washington. The goal of the Jack Creek project is the provision of additional upstream spawning and rearing habitat for Coho adults and fry. Recent spawning surveys by the Chehalis Indian Tribe had identified a partial impediment to adult migration and a 100% impediment to upstream fry migration. A culvert under an abandoned roadbed was found to be undersized causing a heavy concentration of debris to collect at the site. During periods of low water the debris acted as a barrier to adult and fry migration. For a total project cost of $9,830, the Chehalis Indian Tribe, the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force the Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service worked in tandem to remove the culvert. The surrounding stream banks were sloped and seeded and a tank trap was installed to prevent future vehicle access.