Swauk Creek Riparian and Floodplain Restoration Project

Project Title: Swauk Creek Riparian and Floodplain Restoration
Project Sponsor: Yakama Nation Fisheries
Grant Amount: $206,000

The Middle Swauk Creek Riparian and Floodplain Restoration Project was proposed on privately owned land. Historically this reach of stream has been negatively impacted by various land-use practices; including logging, mining, railroad construction and irrigated agriculture. Because of these practices the stream is entrenched and disconnected from its floodplain, resulting in a lack of late-season flow and shallow water that is too warm. This reach also lacks riparian vegetation and thus needs better shading to help reduce water temperature. The shortage of large wood in stream has resulted in few pools and thus the expected hydraulic drops necessary to sort and concentrate spawning gravels-in general, the reach lacks complexity.

By enhancing riparian canopy, increasing bank retention of Spring run-off and reactivation of historic meanders along the one mile of stream, the project proposed to lower water temperatures and enhance both aquatic and terrestrial habitat as corollary benefits.

The enhanced riparian canopy will provide shade and associated cooling; proposed grade controls and other in-stream structures will increase bank retention of Spring run-off and generally raising the water elevation/table along the affected reach. The solar radiation delivered to the stream will be reduced once new vegetation is established, resulting in more hyporheic flow and cooler water temperatures during late summer.