Drops
Of
Water
Issue 27 February 1999
The first people to find errors in spelling or word structure receive a free map of the Chehalis watershed. Send us an e-mail note telling us about the error.
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Issue 27 February 1999 |
This newsletter appears monthly in 45,000 households throughout the watershed. Printing is done by The Chronicle, and distribution is by the Chronicle, the Olympia Daily Olympian, the Tenino Independent, the Rochester Sun News and the Aberdeen Daily World. This is an early edition available only to WWW users. Please send us your feedback.
The first people to find errors in spelling or word structure receive a free map of the Chehalis watershed. Send us an e-mail note telling us about the error. |
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Sticking My Chin Out
Dave Palmer, Chehalis River Council
Over the past 2 years Drops of Water has focused on nonpoint sources of pollution. Our situation is not unique. The Nature Conservancy published a report: Rivers of Life , in 1998. Here is a portion of their perspective on the health of our rivers:
"As a whole, organisms that depend on freshwater ecosystems are in grave condition. The 1997 Species Report Card released by The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the state Natural Heritage Network, found that:
67 percent of U.S. freshwater mussels are vulnerable to extinction or are already extinct; more than 1 in 10 mussels may have become extinct during this century alone.
303 fish species (37 percent of the U.S. freshwater fish fauna) are at risk of extinction;
17 species have already gone extinct, mostly in this century.
51 percent of U.S. crayfishes are imperiled or vulnerable.
40 percent of amphibians are imperiled or vulnerable.
"At least 106 major populations of salmon and steelhead trout on the West Coast have been extirpated, and an additional 214 salmon, steelhead trout, and sea-run cutthroat trout stocks are at risk of extinction.
"Freshwater species as a whole are much more imperiled than terrestrial species. An assessment of the proportion of imperiled and vulnerable species in different groups of organisms in the United States reveals that the most imperiled groups are those that consist entirely or primarily of freshwater species.
"Startling as these findings are, they are consistent with other recent assessments of the deteriorating condition of freshwater species and ecosystems in the United States. Although extinction is a natural process, scientists report that current extinction rates are on the order of 1,000 times normal rates. Reflecting the severity of the situation, more than 300 freshwater species are listed or proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Moreover, scientists report that under existing and often worsening habitat conditions, conservation efforts for most federally listed or candidate aquatic species are inadequate to prevent continuing declines in abundance, distribution, and other measures of viability."
Some causes?
We've emphasized, over time, the issues facing us from nonpoint sources of pollution. This is a national as well as local problem. Rivers of Life reports on nonpoint pollution this way:
"The Clean Water Act has been more effective in controlling "end of pipe" (point source) industrial and municipal discharges than the diffuse, nonpoint sources of sediments and pollution that are now the greatest cause of degraded water quality.
"Agricultural lands are critical for protection of water quality and streamlife because fields and pastures can deliver vast quantities of sediments, chemicals, and nutrients to receiving waters. The President's Council on Environmental Quality reports total soil erosion losses at 2.1 billion tons nationwide, or 5.6 tons per acre per year. Approximately 65 percent of the sediment washed into U.S. streams, rivers, and lakes comes from cropland, pastures, and rangeland. Often bound to this eroded sediment is phosphorus, the nutrient primarily responsible for eutrophication in freshwater systems. Eutrophication can cause "blooms" of algae that virtually kill lakes and clog freshwater supply intakes.
"Well-tested and readily available management practices can greatly limit losses of valuable topsoil and nutrients from agricultural areas while reducing farmers' investments in chemical additives.
"Urban and residential areas not only contribute nonpoint source pollutants but alter natural water flows within watersheds by increasing the percentage of roads, driveways, parking lots, and other impermeable ground surfaces.
"Pollution in residential areas is caused by failing septic systems, septic system additives, improper disposal of household chemicals, stormwater runoff, construction activities, and inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides. More than 30 studies have found that stream systems become significantly degraded when 10 to 12 percent of the watershed is made impermeable. For example, in one study, trout were lost when watershed impermeability reached 12 percent. Stormwater runoff from impermeable surfaces carries large amounts of sediment, heavy metals, oil, and oxygen-demanding organic matter.
"Moreover, an increase in impermeable surfaces increases the intensity of stormwater runoff, hastening the erosion of streambanks and further degrading stream systems. "
What can be done?
The choices facing us are numerous. We can point fingers at each other and try and fix the blame, which is sort of a "the problem is all yours" approach. Another choice is to take advantage of work already done. In 1992 Wa. Dept. of Ecology approved the Chehalis River Basin Action Plan for the Control of Nonpoint Sources of Pollution . This plan identified the major sources of pollution and created plans to address these local issues. Work with your community leaders at the local and county level and encourage them to implement the portions of the plan that apply. You can start with your home, then your neighborhood, community, and county. Then this watershed we call the Chehalis Watershed will be protected for the future..
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By Teri King, Washington Sea Grant Program
For a well-planned landscape design, first you need to understand how your septic system works. Videos and brochures are available to give you information on septic system.
Take the time to educate yourself in septic system functioning and maintenance, then apply this information to your situation. For instance, should you plant your vegetable garden over your drainfield area? A standard septic tank separates solids and greases form liquid waste. As effluent slowly trickles through soil, predator microbes consume harmful bacteria, and the treated effluent eventually enters the water table.
Sewage effluent is distributed through the soil in the drainfield area.
Any root vegetables planted in this area may be directly exposed to septic tank effluent. Digging in your drainfield area might also cause harm to the drainfield if not done cautiously.
Plan to keep your septic area free of surface water and downspout discharges. Your system is designed to treat the sewage entering from your household. Adding extra surface water to the area overloads your soils and can cause septic system failure. Keep any irrigation system at least 10 feet from the edge of your septic system.
Try to maximize the exposure of your drainfield to sunlight and wind currents to improve its performance. Surrounding the perimeters of your drainfield with tall trees can not only block winds, but their roots could also invade the drainfield lines, interfering with uniform delivery of effluent across the area.
Your septic system is a major component of your landscape and requires regular maintenance. Know the exact locations of all of your septic system components. Many of the newer systems are being designed and installed so they are accessible at grade. Consider retrofitting your older system with risers to make access easier.
Plan attractive markers for your septic system components. Use planter, sun dials, sculptures, wishing wells, benches or bird feeders to mark septic components that need regular inspection. Moving a marker to access a septic port is much easier than digging around in your yard to locate the port for inspection.
Even difficult landscaping situations can be enjoyable. Every situation gives homeowners the opportunity to use their creativity and personal style. You can choose low maintenance native ground covers or a wildflower meadow. Choose a formal lawn for outdoor activities or entertaining. Shallow rooted perennials can be planted for a beautiful cutting flower garden. Attract your favorite wildlife whether it is butterflies or birds.
For a free copy of the brochure Landscaping Your Septic System send a self addressed stamped business sized envelope with postage on it to Teri King, Washington Sea Grant Program, University of Washington, 11840 N. Highway 101, Shelton, WA 98584
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By Rob Schanz, Chehalis River Council
The Chehalis River Council (CRC) is developing a new volunteer river monitoring program that will help basin residents collect water quality, hydrologic, and biologic data from the rivers of the Chehalis basin. The program will be open to all residents, and requires no special skills beyond a willingness to learn. It is now being tested by a small group of volunteers, but will be opened up to anyone who is interested beginning in the summer of 1999.
Program Goals
The goal of the program is to serve as a vehicle for both public education and data collection. It will provide a systematic way for volunteers to record their observations, and will increase their understanding of how rivers respond to changes in their watersheds. Data collected by volunteers will provide early warning of problems in the river, and will be used by water resource professionals to evaluate ecological trends.
Many monitoring programs rely on outside grants and professional staffing, and often die out when funding resources disappear. Our program is unique in that it will be an all-volunteer effort. The CRC will coordinate the program and provide technical assistance, but volunteers will be responsible for buying monitoring kits. The methods used will require only limited training, and will be affordable for most volunteers. This type of monitoring may not always meet the rigorous quality standards used by state and federal agencies, but will allow a broad group of people to participate.
Our hope is that the program will create a network of river-watchers who will exchange information and work together to improve conditions in the river. Volunteers will compile their data and prepare a short report at the end of each year. These will be summarized and distributed by the CRC so that participants can compare monitoring results throughout the watershed.
What Will be Monitored?
After consulting with the CRC, volunteers will be asked to select a monitoring site on a river, stream, or lake that is conveniently located for them. Volunteers will then visit the site on a monthly or quarterly basis, and record the following measurements and observations:
1. General observations - based on visual inspections of the site, volunteers will describe river flow conditions, sediments, river banks, riparian vegetation, water quality, aquatic habitat, wildlife, and human uses of the river.
2. Hydrologic measurements - volunteers will measure stream depth, width, velocity, and water level. Volunteers will have the option of installing water level gages at their sites.
3. Water Quality Sampling - volunteers will measure water quality with kits used by the GREEN program (equivalent to Dept. of Ecology Level 2 monitoring). These kits measure Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Coliform Bacteria, pH, Nitrates, and Phosphates.
We anticipate that volunteers will come from a variety of backgrounds, and will participate in the program at different levels of sophistication and cost. The program is therefore designed to allow volunteers to participate at the level where they are most comfortable. Even simple visual observations recorded consistently and accurately can be immensely useful. Those with more time and energy may choose to install water level gages and perform water quality tests.
How do I Sign Up?
The CRC has developed a draft manual for the program, and is testing it this winter. We anticipate opening up participation to the general public in the summer of 1999; look for updates in future issues of Drops of Water. If you are interested in receiving an early draft of the manual, contact the Chehalis River Council (360/273-6137 crc@crcwater.org). The program will be funded entirely by volunteers, so we are asking for a $3 donation to cover production and postage costs for the manual.
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Mike Kuttel, Jr. Lewis County Conservation District
The Lewis County Conservation District (LCCD) is a subdivision of Washington State government. Restoration and/or protection of natural resources throughout Lewis County are our main objectives.
The District seeks to achieve these goals through public education and technical assistance to residents. In many cases, financial assistance is available to implement practices that will benefit environmental quality.
One example of this process is the Salzer Creek Watershed Restoration Project (you may have seen our sign near the bridge over Salzer Creek just northwest of the Lewis County Mall.)
The District has performed many forms of public education including numerous press releases in local newspapers, a booth at the Southwest Washington Fair, public meetings, and many visits/activities with area elementary and high school students.
One year of water testing performed by LCCD along Coal and Salzer Creeks revealed that both of these streams were suffering from low dissolved oxygen levels and high temperatures. Both streams flow through large areas devoid of riparian vegetation. Restoration of these riparian areas should improve dissolved oxygen and temperature levels in the creek, but it will likely take several years for noticeable improvements to occur.
The District has completed several planting projects to date. One site is found along Salzer Creek on National Frozen Foods' Property, a second is located along a tributary of Salzer Creek near Proffitt Road, and a third is found along the mouth of Coal Creek west of the Lewis County Mall.
We would like to complete several additional streamside plantings in the coming months. Residents of the Coal and Salzer Creek Valleys are encouraged to participate in this project. We will need a significant amount of volunteer participation to make these projects successful. Trees and shrubs native to Washington and rodent protection devices will be provided free of charge to residents owning land adjacent to streams in the Salzer Creek Watershed.
In return the District asks that landowners (and/or volunteers on large projects) plant the vegetation in a 10-25 feet wide buffer along stream banks, and maintain the vegetation for the first two years following planting. Maintenance includes watching for rodent damage, controlling competing vegetation, and watering plants during extremely dry periods. Any residents of the Chehalis Basin are welcome to volunteer to plant or maintain vegetation.
If you are interested in this project, please call Bob Amrine or Mike Kuttel, Jr. at (360) 748-0083. If you prefer to write, please E-mail Bob Amrine (bob-amrine@wa.nacdnet.org) or Mike Kuttel, Jr. (mike-kuttel@wa.nacdnet.org). Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors about this project. All interested parties are welcome to participate.
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Editors note: This month the focus is on the Middle Chehalis above Grand Mound. Each month we will publish a watershed description from the 1992 Chehalis River Basin Action Plan.
We are looking for serious volunteers who can assist the Chehalis River Council bring this section of the report up to date. Please contact us if you are interested.
Topography and Geology
This section of the Chehalis River drains 118 square miles. It consists of minor streams between the mouth of the Newaukum and the gaging station at Grand Mound.
In this subarea, the Chehalis River meanders through a flat flood plain valley. The land is largely being cleared for agricultural purposes on the west side of the river. The east side of the river has been heavily developed, and is the location of Centralia, Chehalis, and Fords Prairie. The small community of Galvin is west of the river. Here, the Chehalis River averages about 50 yards in width, flowing through a cut bank area and consists mostly of pools with an occasional gravel riffle. The banks are primarily forested with deciduous timber and brush. As in adjacent subareas, the uplands are in timber production. Residential areas are scattered throughout these forest and agricultural zones. Flooding is a serious problem in this area and in adjacent tributary stream valleys.
The average mean annual discharge of the Chehalis River, at the USGS gaging station near Grand Mound was 2836.8 cfs in the years between 1929 and 1979. The highest discharge recorded in these years was 49,200 cfs on January 1, 1972, but during the January, 1990 flood, flows were the highest on record, and estimated to be over 60,000 cfs at this station. A low mean flow of 85 cfs was recorded for one day in 1968.
The landscape of this subarea consists of smoothly rounded hills and fairly straight slopes that curve gently downward to valley floors. This is a typical ridge and ravine landscape of humid regions that support dense plant cover.
The upland area was carved by the process of erosion and its character has developed as a function of the vegetation that protects the soil from most erosive processes, except landslides and soil creep. Landslides are fairly common in the uplands because the region has a deep cover of wet soil that rests on weak bedrock. Elevations above sea level range from 100 to 1800 feet.
The lowland area from Centralia northward to Grand Mound consists of quaternary age out wash deposits of sand and gravel and is generally flat to very gentle sloping. Elevations range generally up to 100 feet.
The sedimentary deposits of the uplands yield only small amounts of ground water, suited for limited domestic use. The out wash deposits on the other hand, are very permeable and yield large quantities of high quality water. These aquifers are currently being tapped by the City of Centralia to augment their water supply. Minerals in this subarea include sand, gravel, clay, and coal.
Major tributary streams on the east side of the river are Salzer, Coal, Dillenbaugh and Prairie Creeks, while Lincoln, Scammon, and Coal Creeks enter from the west.
Prairie Creek enters the Chehalis River at Grand Mound, and is largely intermittent. The lower portion lies in the Chehalis River flood plain and is subject to seasonal flooding. The gradient increases somewhat in the middle portion and contains some gravel riffles. The upper portion lies east of I-5 and consists largely of swamps and beaver dams.
Dillenbaugh Creek also flows through the Chehalis River flood plain in its lower reaches, with the main creek valley being used for agricultural and residential purposes. Upland areas are in timber production. The upper portion of this stream flanked by brush and deciduous trees and contains some gravel riffles. Several business areas are located along the lower part of the stream.
Scammon and Coal (WRIA 23-0877) Creeks enter the Chehalis River from the west and are similar in character. The lower reaches lie in the flood plain, and their valleys are being cleared for agricultural and residential uses. The upper reaches are in timber production. The streams have low gradients and have predominantly sandy bottoms.
Lincoln Creek flows into the Chehalis River near the town of Galvin. The lower reaches are in broad stream valleys and flood annually to at least mile 4. The soils in these lower valleys are a heavy clayey alluvium. Stream gradients are very low with sand and silt being the primary bed material. The banks are low cut, with deciduous brush and trees adjacent to the water course. The upper reaches flow through narrower valleys and gravel is the predominant stream bed material. The adjacent slopes are in timber production. The Lincoln Creek watershed drains an area of 43.2 square miles and has a mean annual discharge of 123 cfs.
Salzer Creek enters the Chehalis River between Centralia and Chehalis from the east. The stream is similar to Lincoln Creek in physical characteristics, but is only about three-fourths as long as is Lincoln Creek. The Salzer Creek watershed drains an area of 17.3 square miles and the mean annual discharge is 38 cfs.
The valley holding Salzer Creek is much less used for agricultural production, but has been highly developed for residential and commercial uses in the lower third of its length. Serious flood damage is incurred by increasing residential encroachment on the flood plain.
Coal Creek (WRIA-23-0872) is a short stream that flows from the east, just north of Chehalis, and enters Salzer Creek between Chehalis and Centralia. The lower reaches of Coal Creek are heavily developed with commercial enterprises. The stream bed is of low gradient and primarily has a silty, sandy bed. The upper reaches are in a narrow valley, bordered by rural homesites, with the adjacent slopes in timber production.
Climate
The climate of the subarea is characterized by generally mild temperatures year round. Precipitation is generally rain with some snowfall. Moderate accumulations occur at higher elevations. Average precipitation for this area ranges from 45 to 60 inches annually.
Beneficial Uses of Water
Surface water uses in this reach of the Chehalis are typical of those of the Basin as a whole, and include domestic, industrial, and agricultural water supplies, aesthetic enjoyment, fishing, and other water--based recreation. Fish and wildlife maintenance is considered a beneficial use of water, but is limited in this portion of the river, especially in the Centralia-Chehalis area, due to seasonal low flows, high temperature, pollution, and low dissolved oxygen levels.
Existing Land Use Patterns
Land use in this subarea is very diverse and includes a large urban area and associated rural populations around Centralia, Chehalis, and Fords Prairie. The population is concentrated along the I-5 corridor but has been expanding into adjacent forested uplands and valleys.
Urban expansion is somewhat restricted at this time because of moratoriums on construction due to ground water contamination or the threat of contamination.
Industrial uses in the area include a cannery (frozen food processing) and a wood products site. Development of the port of Centralia is increasing industrial use in the area.
Agriculture in the subarea occurs in the form of large commercial poultry, dairy and beef operations, a meat processing plant and a variety of associated cropping such as hay, feed grains, and peas. Commercial berry production is an important agricultural industry.
Commercial forestry is an important and major land use in the subarea and includes operations on small private, industrial and state ownerships. The majority of forestry operations occur in the forested uplands lying east and west of the I-5 corridor and extend to the headwaters of all of the major tributaries of the Chehalis River.
Numerous parks and recreation areas around the Centralia/Chehalis area provide extensive year around recreational opportunities. Dispersed recreation in the form of hunting, fishing, bird watching and ATV occur throughout the subarea on both state and private forest lands.
There are no Native American groups residing in the subarea. The Chehalis Indian reservation, however, is immediately downstream and all of the activities, including residential, industrial, agricultural and forestry have a direct effect on water quality and fisheries on which these people depend. Although at this time, no information is available regarding Native American Cultural sites in this subarea, it does not preclude their eventual discovery.
Biological Resources
The streams, sloughs, and small lakes in this subarea provide needed habitat for many species of fish which include trout and salmon as well as spiny-rays such as bass, perch and sunfish. The lower reaches of the tributaries, due to their silty or sandy bed material, provide suitable summer rearing as well as escapement during times of flood. The upper reaches, having more incidence of gravel and being colder, serve as anadromous spawning areas. Shellfish, notably fresh water mussels, are common in the main Chehalis River.
The upland areas in the subarea are forested primarily with young to mature stands of Douglas fir and associated conifers such as western red cedar and hemlock. Stand of red alder occupy the wetter sites and riparian areas.
The low lying areas are predominantly in agricultural crops and native grasses in the extremely wet soils of Salzer and lower Lincoln Creek. In some of the wet valleys, noxious plants, such as loose strife are becoming established.
The variety of habitat in this subarea is an important factor in the wide diversity of wildlife found here. A wide range of forest age classes in the forested areas provide cover for big game species such as deer, bear, and elk as well as many upland bird species and non-game animals. Fur bearing animals common to other Chehalis subareas can be found here as well as many representatives of migratory fowl.
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This month we welcome Ann Coleman to Drops of Water.
Ann lives in Glenoma and has volunteered to write the Youth Corner for Drops of Water each month.
Ann is a fifth grade student, she enjoys sports and participates in baskeball, bowling, volleyball and baseball.
Animals, movies, music, school and writing are some of her favorite things. She is a good student and has lots of nice friends and we are happy she is helping us out!.
Ann's first puzzle follows (you must have graphics turned on to see it!)
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To see the answers turn on graphics and click here
RIDDLES
What do a fish and a doctor have in common?
Where does a fish keep his money?
If you still want something to do, see how many words, of three letters or more, that you can make from the letters in the words:
"FISH HATCHERY"
See you next month!
Ann
RIDDLE ANSWERS: Scales and In the river bank
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The following is an update of projects funded in 1998 by the Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program (CFRP). I realize that this is not the most exciting thing to read, and I'm going to have a hard time inserting many jokes. But this describes important work being done by a lot of dedicated people, so I think it should be worth your time. Please call Mike Kelly at 360-753-9560 (E-mail mike_kelly@fws.gov) if you have any questions, or would like more information.
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COOPERATOR: Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force
LOCATION: Singer Creek is a tributary to the West Fork Satsop River.
DESCRIPTION: This is a particularly difficult culvert in terms of both fish passage and finding a fix. The potential habitat gain is tremendous, so we funded the Task Force to coordinate an engineering assessment. The assessment was completed this fall, and we intend to help fund work in 1999 or 2000.
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COOPERATOR: Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force
DESCRIPTION: We are working with the Task Force and other groups to present workshops that explain how, and through what programs, citizens can help improve the health of local streams. We hope to carry out workshops in two or three watersheds over the coming year. By the time you read this we will have done one such workshop in the South Fork Chehalis watershed. Several other groups and agencies, including the Department of Ecology, Conservation Districts, the Chehalis River Council, WSU Cooperative Extension, Weyerhaeuser, and the Chehalis Tribe are helping to organize and present these workshops. We hope to see you at one of them, and we'll provide dates and locations through this newsletter.
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COOPERATOR: Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force
LOCATION: Stearns Creek is a tributary to the Chehalis River near Adna
DESCRIPTION: This project included livestock exclusion fencing and revegetation to 700 feet of the creek.
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COOPERATOR: Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force, Washington Department of Natural Resources
LOCATION: Jack Creek is in the Rock Creek watershed, which drains from the Lower Chehalis State Forest in the area between Oakville and Porter.
DESCRIPTION: This project was delayed for a season in order resolve some considerations about the road under which the culvert passes. The culvert is a partial barrier to adult salmon and a complete barrier to juveniles. Above the culvert there are approximately 1200 feet of open channel and significant potential rearing habitat. We are back on schedule for the 1999 construction season.
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COOPERATOR: Grays Harbor Conservation District
LOCATION: Various sites in Grays Harbor County
DESCRIPTION: This project is providing monitoring, maintenance and replanting at six riparian revegetation sites that were funded by the CFRP and the Conservation District between 1993 and 1997. These efforts will continue through 1999.
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COOPERATOR: Washington Department of Ecology
LOCATION: Various CFRP project streams in the Chehalis Basin
DESCRIPTION: This was the fifth year of monitoring water quality associated with CFRP restoration projects and other key sites in Chehalis Basin. We are seeing water quality improvements in streams where our projects have excluded livestock and replanted streambanks.
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COOPERATOR: Grays Harbor College
LOCATION: The "Weyerhaeuser-Brisco" gravel pits on the Wynoochee River
DESCRIPTION: This project is the third year of monitoring fish use and water quality of enhanced gravel pits on the Wynoochee River. A variety of enhancements were made to the ponds during the early to mid-1990s. The work included placement of woody cover, native terrestrial and aquatic vegetation planting, and development of a channel through which juvenile and adult salmon can access the ponds for spawning and rearing.
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COOPERATOR: Chehalis River Council
LOCATION: In your local newspaper once a month
DESCRIPTION: Unless you are reading this on the Chehalis River Council's excellent web site, you hardly need me to describe what you are holding in your hands. For the web site folks: Drops of Water is a newsletter that reaches 45,000 households in the Chehalis River Basin. It contains articles, puzzles, photos and all sorts of other great stuff that are in some way related to water in the Chehalis River Watershed.
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COOPERATOR: Mason Conservation District and Simpson Timber
LOCATION: Several logging roads in the West Fork Satsop basin
DESCRIPTION: The project decommissioned approximately 2.75 miles of road and controlled sediment delivery to the river. Crews used hand labor and heavy equipment to stabilize slopes, re-contour road surfaces, and plant native vegetation. The roads are in the Little and Canyon River drainages in the West Fork Satsop basin.
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COOPERATOR: Columbia -Pacific RC&D
LOCATION: The Humptulips watershed
DESCRIPTION: Columbia-Pacific RC&D is working to compile a watershed assessment for the Humptulips basin. The goals would be to guide future watershed restoration, and lead to an on-the-ground assessment of habitat conditions for the Humptulips. Recently several large land managers have agreed to perform a Watershed Analysis for the upper Humptulips basin. The cooperator is currently looking for ways to dovetail our project with the Watershed Analysis efforts.
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COOPERATOR: Columbia - Pacific RC&D, Trout Unlimited, John Hancock Mutual
LOCATION: Big Creek is in the Humptulips basin.
DESCRIPTION: Crews placed approximately 100 pieces of large wood along one mile of the creek to create complex fish habitat. The logs were large enough that we were able to place them without having to anchor them in place. When we have large enough wood, and the landowner's blessing, we prefer to place the wood so that it is allowed to move into a "natural" configuration in the stream. Several pieces have moved this winter, but all pieces remain in the project reach.
The project also includes extensive planting of trees and shrubs within the existing riparian zone.
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COOPERATOR: Agua Tierra Environmental Consulting
LOCATION: Tributaries to Waddell Creek in the Black River basin
DESCRIPTION: A total of four culverts on three tributaries to Waddell Creek will be removed and/or improved to allow passage to a total of 8800 feet of spawning and rearing habitat. One mile of dirt road will also be abandoned to help stop sediment delivery to the creek. This project is undergoing engineering design, and is scheduled to take place during the summer of 1999.
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COOPERATOR: Thurston Conservation District
Location: O'Conner Creek, a tributary to the lower Skookumchuck River
DESCRIPTION: This project provided riparian revegetation to 2,600 feet of O'Conner Creek that was recently fenced to exclude livestock.
Back to top or back to home page or back to Whats New COOPERATOR: Lewis Conservation District
LOCATION: Kearney Creek is a tributary to the South Fork Newaukum River
DESCRIPTION: This project included livestock exclusion fencing and revegetation to 1445 feet of the creek.
Please contact us at the number provided above if you would like copies of reports.
This page created and maintained by Chehalis River Council
O'Conner Creek Revegetation Project
Kearney Creek Fencing
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