Asotin Creek Intensively Monitored Watershed
Anabranch Solutions Design and implementation
Eco Logical Research Monitoring and design
Project Goals and Objectives
This project is part of the larger Asotin IMW experiment which was started in 2008 to test the effectiveness of large wood additions to treat structural starvation of tributaries in Asotin Creek, promote self-sustaining wood accumulation, and ultimately increase productivity and production of the Asotin wild steelhead population. The goals are to increase in stream complexity, promote wood accumulation, and wood recruitment, which may lead to floodplain connection, increased riparian condition and extent, and ultimately increased juvenile steelhead production.
Structure Construction Elements
Used a variety of post-assisted log structures (bank-attached, mid-channel, channel spanning, and seeding) to promote hydraulic and geomorphic diversity. All the structures other than seeding were constructed using donated wood from the USFS consisting of small trees (3-8" diameter, 6-15' long) harvested from seed tree plots. The PALS were secured using 2-4" diameter untreated wooden fence posts. Some key pieces of wood (too large to move by hand) and loose small trees (seeding) were added and not secured with posts. Maintenance of the wood treats is ongoing and conducted by adding new wood to structures, adding new structures, and adding more loose wood and cut trees (seeding) to maintain the density of wood in the restoration areas based on annual surveys of structure integrity.
Project Photos
Cover Photo