DESCRIPTION
The objective for phase 1 is to increase thermal refugia for salmonid species by creating up to eleven primary pool habitat units within five years in areas of cool water refuge through the placement of habitat structures.
To help restore salmon habitat and aid in salmon recovery in WRIA 1, this project constructed four new ELJs and four habitat log structures in the project reach of the mainstem South Fork Nooksack River (Figure 4), which will provide a pool/mile frequency of 14 (recovery target is 18). In addition, 600 feet of revetment was removed to provide for opportunities for additional woody cover. A derelict cabin was removed on the left bank to allow for improved floodplain habitat. Endangered early spring Chinook salmon, coho, pinks, steelhead and Bull Trout are benefitting from seven expected primary pools. These ELJ-formed scour pools are providing holding habitat with cover for migrating adults, which provides refuge when temperatures in the South Fork are elevated during summer spawning months. They also provide habitat and refuge for juveniles overwintering (rearing pools). Pools will increase habitat and bedform complexity, and diversity in the reach by creating hydraulic complexity and flow velocity refugia.