Lower Dosewallips Floodplain & Estuary Restoration
Location:
Dosewallips State Park, Hood Canal, WA.
Project type:
Restoration
Status:
Active
Start Date:
January 2008
Completion Date:
June 2011
Description:
The Dosewallips River, the second largest tributary watershed to the Hood Canal, is used extensively by three ESA listed species: Puget Sound Chinook, Puget Sound steelhead, and Hood Canal summer chum. Several regional salmon recovery planning efforts have recognized the Dosewallips watershed as offering one of the best chances for effective salmon habitat protection and recovery.
Although the upper river basin is pristine due to its protection within Olympic National Park, the lower reaches of the river have experienced severe habitat degradation. In this reach of the river, bank armoring, large woody debris removal, and dredging have all contributed to the disruption of geomorphologic processes such as lateral channel migration, erosion and sedimentation, leading to reduced habitat quality in the river and estuary.
In this phase of the project we will remove 1000 ft of bank armoring and levee, and recreate a natural shoreline with woody debris and riparian plantings. This will restore natural process to over 5 acres of historic floodplain. Additionally, we will conduct a geomorphological reach analysis to assess the potential for geomorphic work in the lowest reach. This will be used to further target selected reaches for the removal of bank armoring and to site large woody debris placement.
Goals & Objectives:
1. Restore natural process to over 5 acres of historic floodplain
2. Assess the potential for geomorphic work in the lowest reach of the river
Primary Habitats Impacted By Project:
Restoration of over 5 acres of historic floodplain
Managing Agency/Organization:
Wild Fish Conservancy
Project Contact:
Micah Wait
Budget or Project Cost:
$811,000.00
Funding Source(s):
- State of Washington
- Puget Sound Acquisition & Restoration
Partners:
- Hood Canal Coor Council LE
- Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)
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