Prioritized Watershed Restoration

The goal is to reset the trajectory of habitat degradation and address the highest priority restoration and protection needs in a single watershed within a defined timeframe.
Developing Pilot Watershed Restoration Plans for the Washington Coast Region

Prioritized Watershed Restoration is strategic, process-based restoration at the watershed scale. Research tells us that at least 20% of a watershed must be restored to see a response in fish numbers. The PWR program improves our chances of creating and maintaining salmon habitat at a meaningful spatial scale and is envisioned to be replicated across the Washington coast region.

What is needed?
What is important?
What is feasible?

What is needed is informed by geomorphic features, habitat-forming processes, and the history of impairment within each focal watershed. What is important is informed by scientific assessments and stakeholder input that set priorities. What is feasible is informed by landowner participation, accessibility, time frame, and available funding.

Calawah River

This watershed is home to spring and fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon, summer and winter steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. Road building and the legacy of a wildfire and timber salvaging degraded fish habitat and watershed function. Restoration will improve sediment and water transport, channel-floodplain interactions, and riparian succession.

Restoration Priorities (Web Map)
Restoration Objectives

  • 21 mi invasive plant removal
  • 21 mi low-tech instream wood
  • 21 mi road storage, decommission

Newaukum Headwaters

This watershed is home to spring and fall-run Chinook and coho salmon, winter steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. A legacy of timber resource extraction and declining summer low flows degraded fish habitat. Restoration will improve riparian conditions, fish passage, channel and floodplain connections, and summer stream flows.

Restoration Plan
Restoration Objectives

  • 13.1 miles riparian restoration
  • 12.7 mi instream wood
  • 3 fish barriers (16.4 mi upstream)

Middle Nemah River

This watershed is home to fall Chinook, chum, and coho salmon, winter steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. A legacy of timber resource extraction degraded fish habitat and watershed function. Restoration will improve instream habitat complexity and channel and floodplain connections while waiting for the native riparian forest to mature.

Restoration Plan
Restoration Objectives

  • 4.7 mi instream wood
  • 2.4 acres floodplain reconnection