TRAA Stream Rehabilitation
The Rehab' Committee was busy again on Sunday, February 26th clearing obstructions so that returning steelhead (rainbow trout) had access to the spawning ares upstream. We were also concerned with allowing reasonable passage for our third year of Salmonid Monitoring.
Jeremy Beaton assesses the situation as Randy Bailey begins removal of some of the blockages. The key is to be selective about the cleanup as some "debris" naturally improves the habitat while also enhancing the watercourse.
Randy and Paul Holmes work together to remove an obstruction wedged in the streambed.
Jeremy and Paul remove another obstruction. Note the natural flow that now exists. Everything else was left to maintain the natural flow of the stream.
Most of the "dead falls" or "blow downs" are fairly large and cannot be removed in one piece. These are sawn into manageable sizes and are normally used for erosion control or for deflectors to naturally manage stream flow .
This picture is after the dead falls have been selectively removed (some remain as they enhance the natural hydrology of the stream). The stream now runs in its original channel. The brush & log structure in the foreground will hopefully collect silt and re-establish as a bank.
Jeremy begins removal of another obstruction as Randy looks on.
Paul Homes checks out another job well done: improving flow and access for returning steelhead while minimizing the impact on spawning areas and existing nursery habitat.