Cherry Creek Floodplain Restoration
Location:
King County, WA - Near mouth of Cherry Creek & Snoqualmie River.
Project type:
Restoration
Status:
Active
Start Date:
01/01/2008
Completion Date:
Spring 2013
Description:
Cherry Creek is the Snoqualmie River’s lowest major tributary; its location provides high recovery-benefit potential for chinook, coho, and other salmonids. The ditching and straightening of the lower mainstem has compromised salmon habitat in the Cherry/Snoqualmie floodplain, reducing the availability of off-channel high-flow refugia, juvenile rearing areas, and adult spawning grounds. Through its Salmon Recovery Board-funded feasibility study, Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) prioritized actions to improve salmon habitat in Cherry Valley while meeting stakeholder drainage requirements. During the study WFC worked closely with King County Drainage District #7 (DD#7), WDFW, and NOAA Fisheries.
Goals & Objectives:
To address compromised habitat conditions in lower Cherry Creek Valley, in 2012 Wild Fish Conservancy consolidated three floodplain ditches into a single naturalized stream channel. This project, located within the Mainstem-Primary Restoration Strategy Group, improved instream and riparian habitat diversity and complexity for nearly one mile of channel within lower Cherry Creek and its floodplain. These habitat improvements will benefit seven species of salmonids, including chinook and steelhead. This project complements Cherry Valley acquisition/restoration efforts being undertaken by WDFW and DD#7. WFC and project partners planted native vegetation within the new riparian corridor during winter/spring 2013 – additional plantings are planned for the coming years.
Primary Habitats Impacted By Project:
Instream and riparian habitat for nearly one mile of channel within lower Cherry Creek and its floodplain
Managing Agency/Organization:
Wild Fish Conservancy
Project Contact:
Jamie Glasgow
Budget or Project Cost:
$550,000.00
Funding Sources/Partners:
- Puget Sound Acquisition & Restoration
- King Conservation District
- Stewardship Partners
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- WFC In-kind Match
- Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)
- Snohomish County LE
Attachments:
Plan view of constructed project
Images:
