Desolation Creek Reach 3 Implementation
Project Overview
Basics
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Implementation
Implementation
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation restored ~100 acres of Desolation Creek’s Tier 1 Reach 3 between RM 2.6-4.4. The design uses ‘Stage Zero’ and traditional engineered techniques to improve floodplain connectivity and floodplain and channel complexity. Five constructed riffles, 3,480’ of channel fill, localized floodplain cuts, and 2,500’ of floodplain swale will improve high flow access to floodplain habitats. Large wood placements and structures (429), 5,750 willow cuttings, and 400 Torrent Sedge plugs will improve floodplain and stream complexity. Additionally, 0.3 miles of new USFS 1003 Road was developed and 250' of access Road obliterated.
2018
2022
2023
3/20/2024
Project Attributes
Additional Project Attributes
FIP Status
Receiving FIP Funding
Restoration Actions
10. Floodplain Construction, 12. Secondary (non-perennial) Channel, 14. Alcove, 18. Riparian Buffer Strip, Planting, 2. Channel Reconstruction, 27. Boulder Placement, 28. LWD Placement, 3. Pool Development, 35. Road Decommissioning or abandonment, 4. Riffle Construction, 5. Meander (Oxbow) Re-connect - Reconstruction, 9. Restoration of Floodplain Topography and Vegetation
For Land Acquisition and Easement Projects
Project Type
None
Location
Organizations
| Fiscal Sponsor | |
| Funders | |
| Lead Implementer | |
| Partners |
Contacts
Metrics
Expected Metrics
| Number of plantings | 6,162 | |
| Barriers improved for fish passage | Alteration Type: culvert replacement Type of passage barrier: juvenile | 2 |
| Number of pools created | 2 | |
| Number of riffles created | 5 | |
| Number of streambanks treated | Side of Stream: Right Treatment Type: Planting | 0.4 |
| Number of streambanks treated | Side of Stream: Left Treatment Type: Planting | 0.4 |
| Number of structures installed | Anchored: Anchored Location: Floodplain Type of Structure: LWD | 70 |
| Number of structures installed | Anchored: Unanchored Location: Floodplain Type of Structure: LWD | 109 |
| Number of structures installed | Anchored: Anchored Location: Instream Type of Structure: LWD | 135 |
| Number of structures installed | Anchored: Unanchored Location: Instream Type of Structure: LWD | 60 |
| Stream miles treated | Treatment Type: instream restoration | 1.8 linear stream miles |
| Total road miles treated | Treatment Type: improved | 0.4 miles |
Reported Metrics
| Number of plantings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units | |
| 6,412 | 6,162 | 250 | number | |
| Total | 6,412 | 6,162 | 250 | number |
| Number of pools created | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | number | |
| Total | 2 | 2 | 0 | number |
| Number of riffles created | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | number | |
| Total | 5 | 5 | 0 | number |
| Number of streambanks treated | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side of Stream | Treatment Type | Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units |
| Right | Planting | 0.75 | 0.7 | 0.05 | number |
| Left | Planting | 0.75 | 0.7 | 0.05 | number |
| Total | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.1 | number | |
| Number of structures installed | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchored | Location | Type of Structure | Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units |
| Unanchored | Floodplain | LWD | 109 | 109 | N/A | number |
| Anchored | Floodplain | LWD | 125 | 70 | 55 | number |
| Unanchored | Instream | LWD | 60 | 60 | N/A | number |
| Anchored | Instream | LWD | 135 | 135 | N/A | number |
| Total | 429 | 374 | 55 | number | ||
| Stream miles treated | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment Type | Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units |
| instream restoration | 1.55 | 1.55 | N/A | linear stream miles |
| off/side channel habitat created | 0.24 | N/A | 0.24 | linear stream miles |
| Total | 1.79 | 1.55 | 0.24 | linear stream miles |
| Total road miles treated | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment Type | Total | 2023 | 2022 | Units |
| improved | 0.4 | 0.4 | N/A | miles |
| decomissioned | 0 | N/A | 0 | miles |
| Total | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0 | miles |
Financials
Budget
| Comment: | None provided |
|---|
Reported Expenditures
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $69,850.00 | $991,519.00 | $0.00 | $1,061,369.00 |
| FIP - Restoration (OWEB) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $27,000.00 | $661,763.00 | $0.00 | $688,763.00 |
| One Tree Planted (One Tree Planted) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,120.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,120.00 |
| Grand Total | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $101,970.00 | $1,653,282.00 | $0.00 | $1,755,252.00 |
| Note: | None provided |
|---|
Focal Species
Focal Species
The project site is classified as over wintering habitat by the USFWS though past land management practices now limit their presence. Existing aquatic habitats contain less effective pool habitat, larger substrate size, less stream and floodplain complexity, and little streamside shade. The design increases floodplain inundation, encourages development and maintenance of multiple channels to reduce stream energy, encourages activation of old channel scrolls, improves channel and floodplain complexity through large wood addition, and encourages native hardwood recovery and bull trout presence.
The project site is classified as critical habitat by NMFS though past land management practices now limit their presence. Floodplain and stream channel habitats contain less effective pool habitat, larger substrate size, less stream channel and floodplain complexity, and little streamside shade. The design increases floodplain inundation, creates multiple flow channels to reduce stream energy, activates old channel scrolls, improves channel and floodplain complexity using large wood, and encourages native hardwood recovery and juvenile habitat development for juvenile and adult life stages.
Pacific lamprey are known to exist in the Desolation Creek basin. Unfortunately, past land management practices limit their presence. Floodplain and stream channel habitats contain larger substrate and fewer deposits of fine materials adjacent to low velocity flows. Areas containing fine material are inaccessible or of insufficient size to support juveniles and substrate size limits spawning opportunities. The design increases floodplain connectivity thereby encouraging access to existing fine material accumulations, encourages finer material deposition, and reduces substrate size for lamprey.
Spring Chinook salmon aren’t listed, however, they are a species of interest for the landowner and CTUIR. Past ODFW spawner surveys show limited use of Reach 3 between 2002 and 2018 with most of activity in its upper portions. The design will focus improvements in Reach 3’s upper and lower extents to encourage the development and maintenance of multiple channels to reduce stream energy, encourage activation of old channel scrolls, improve channel and floodplain complexity through large wood additions, and encourage native hardwood recovery thereby improving spawning and rearing opportunities.
Implementation and Ecological Results
Implementation and Ecological Results
The project site is protected by riparian fencing developed by the landowner and ODFW in cooperation with Grant SWCD and BPA. Riparian fencing is supported stock water developments developed by the landowner, ODFW, NFJDWC, and CTUIR. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring occurs through landowner, grazing permittee, ODFW, and NFJDWC efforts with assistance of the CTUIR.
Floodplain grading and restoration of appopriate topography includes cutting artificially high areas and filling low spots to construct riffles, fill portions of the channel, remove of two small levees, and remove a road bisecting a wetland. More specifically, high flow channels will be developed, 1,200’ of meander scroll will be reactivated, connectivity to 15 acres of wetland habitats will improve, and large wood features and native plantings will improve floodplain connectivity and shade. Shifting 0.4 miles of the 1003 Rd to adjacent hillslopes will remove the road from an existing wetland.
The project site is protected by riparian fencing developed by the landowner and ODFW in cooperation with Grant SWCD and BPA. Riparian fencing is supported stock water developments developed by the landowner, ODFW, NFJDWC, and CTUIR. Ongoing maintenance and monitoring is occurring through landowner, grazing permittee, ODFW, NFJDWC, and CTUIR efforts. Additionally, the design includes 4,050 plantings of native hardwood vegetation within developed structures and on the floodplain.
Material derived from floodplain grading will be used to construct five riffles for grade control and fill portions of the current channel. Fill within the channel will bolster constructed riffles and ensure flow connectivity to 1,200’ of disconnected meander bend and improve connectivity to 15 acres of floodplain wetlands. Pools will be developed and maintained with 65 Type 1, 3, 4, & 5 large wood structures and eight beaver dam analogs will improve existing wetland complexity and reduce flow velocity thereby increasing flow residence time and potential for beaver inhabitation.
The Desolation Creek Reach 3 design will improve upon existing habitat connectivity by breaching two small levees and more importantly the effects of past practices that actively moved or encouraged channel migration to hillslope margins. Forcing or encouraging flows into one channel encouraged vertical scour and abandonment of a 1,200’ channel scroll and ~36 acres of floodplain habitat throughout the site. Additionally the 1003 Rd prism bisects a wetland and contains two culverts which limit passage by aquatic organisms and ineffectively pass water, sediment, and debris.
The Desolation Reach 3 design will not increase water quantity significantly as would a lease or purchase. Rather the combined effect of riffle development resetting channel gradient will increase groundwater storage, distribution of high flows across the floodplain will elevate infiltration potential and residence time, and improved channel and floodplain complexity leads to higher hyporheic complexity and influence water quality. Streamside native vegetation decreases thermal inputs to Desolation Creek and in turn improved water temperatures.
The Desolation Reach 3 design includes 4050 hardwood plantings tied to this funding application with up to 8,700 planted at a later date with a separate funding source. Willow and dogwood cuttings will be installed within developed structures and along channel margins where water is readily available. Their location and growth will complement multiple channels developed and encourage effective shade to a greater portion of Desolation Creek and detrital input. Flow access to existing channel scrolls and healthy wetland areas will further encourage vegetative growth benefiting Desolation Creek.
Spatial distribution of native species will increase by transitioning the existing single thread channel and disconnected floodplain habitats to a primary channel with secondary channels activated at various flows with appropriate habitat frequency and complexity. Additionally, improved floodplain connectivity and flow access to existing meander scrolls and low elevation floodplain aquatic habitats will improve upon available habitat. Use of developed and existing features at various stages of maturity will more effectively increase available habitat than would reliance upon new features.
FLIR data shows significant warming through the site likely a direct result of thermal inputs reflecting current floodplain and stream channel condition, more specifically, floodplain and channel form and complexity, hyporheic complexity, and shade. The design incorporates features to will improve groundwater storage, floodplain and channel complexity, hyporheic complexity, and restore shade. The cumulative effect will be encouragement of the creation and maintenance of complex habitats and flow velocities to decrease sediment size and reinforce hyporheic cycling.
The Desolation Creek Reach 3 design improves upon the existing single thread channel and disconnected floodplain habitats by distributing stream energy across the floodplain during high flows, developing multiple channels activated at different flows, improving flow access to and enhancing floodplain aquatic habitats, encouraging instream and floodplain complexity and habitat frequency, enhancing gravel deposition and hyporheic cycling, and increasing stream side shade to influence water temperatures and detrital inputs. Shifting the 1003 road removes its direct influence upon a wetland.
Desolation Creek's Reach 3 currently supports native anadromous and resident species. However, the current single thread channel with very limited floodplain connectivity cannot support listed and unlisted wildlife to the extent it would in an undisturbed state. The accepted design builds upon existing features and allows for establishment of process related to floodplain and stream channel environments thereby improving habitats for native species across the floodplain.
Working Groups
Working Groups
This project was predominantly a private landowner/CTUIR effort with input from the Umatilla National Forest as needed, the JDBP was kept apprised of the project's development and implementation and updates were provided to the NF/MF John Day working group. Basin wide monitoring and coordination was encouraged amongst the working group. Umatilla National Forest staffing issues and the pending private lands sale to the forest, which includes this reach, created issues for the entire private property though working group members still coordinate with sale participants.
LJDWG - Critical Issues
LJDWG - Critical Issues
Past resource extraction activities and transportation infrastructure manipulated the floodplain to as significant degree and through active or passive means concentrated Desolation Creek's flows into a single channel. The combination of manipulations and channelized flows encouraged channel downcutting and drying of the floodplain which had a significant affect upon floodplain wetland habitat and fauna. Much of the floodplain is populated by Ponderosa pine which would not have survived well much wetter floodplain conditions.
The lack of streamside hardwood vegetation along Desolation Creek through much of this reach signifies the level of disturbance from resource extraction activities and infrastructure development. This is evident in a 2001 FLIR data which shows a two-degree Celsius warming though this reach. Prior to disturbance multiple channels and a well vegetated floodplain would have persisted throughout the site and provided a significant amount of shade to desolation Creek.
Floodplain manipulations and focusing flows within a single channel encouraged channel downcutting and decreased capacity for floodplain inundation leading to dry floodplain surfaces disconnected from groundwater inputs and seasonal overland flows. Where floodplain connectivity and groundwater inputs are available within the reach native floodplain vegetation and microhabitats persist.
Project Details
Attachments
2022 Desolation Creek Reach 3 Implementation Snapshot
- Uploaded On
- 3/18/2024
- File Type
- Description
- Brief Description of 2023 implementation activities.
2023 Desolation Creek Reach 3 Implementation Snapshot
- Uploaded On
- 3/18/2024
- File Type
- Description
- Brief Description of 2023 implementation activities.
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design Report
- Uploaded On
- 8/24/2021
- File Type
- Description
- Design report for the CTUIR's Desolation Creek Reach 3 Fishery Enhancement Project
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design Plan Set 1
- Uploaded On
- 8/24/2021
- File Type
- Description
- Plan set for the CTUIR's Desolation Creek Reach 3 fisheries enhancement effort
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design Plan Set 2
- Uploaded On
- 8/24/2021
- File Type
- Description
- Plan Set for the CTUIR's Desolation Creek Reach 3 fisheries enhancement effort
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design Plan Set 3
- Uploaded On
- 8/24/2021
- File Type
- Description
- Plan set for the CTUIR's Desolation Creek Reach 3 fisheries enhancement effort
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design MAMP
- Uploaded On
- 8/24/2021
- File Type
- Description
- Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan for the CTUIR's Desolation Creek Reach 3 fisheries enhancement effort
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design Statement of Goals & Objectives
- Uploaded On
- 8/26/2021
- File Type
- Description
- Statement of Goals and Objectives developed for the Desolation Creek Reach 3 Design effort
No attachments
CTUIR Desolation Creek Reach 3 FIP Interest Form Budget
- Uploaded On
- 8/26/2021
- File Type
- Excel (XLSX)
- Description
- Budget for the CTUIR's Desolation Creek Reach 3 FIP interest form
Desolation Creek Reach 3 Map
- Uploaded On
- 8/31/2021
- File Type
- Description
Notes
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External Links
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