Suiattle Roads Sediment Reduction
This project includes upgrading and decommissioning forest roads on United States Forest Service land in the Tenas and Big Creek watersheds within the Suiattle River basin. The objective is to reduce sediment impacts in Tenas and Big Creek, important streams for Spring Chinook spawning and rearing. The Suiattle River is also likely to benefit from reduced sediment inputs. Elevated sediment supply can affect aquatic habitat in a number of ways, including reducing pool depth, increasing redd scour and fill, and widening channels. Reducing sediment supply is expected to improve spawning and rearing habitat conditions for all species that use this system, including Chinook, pink, coho, steelhead, cutthroat, and native char.
Upgrading roads involves upgrading stream crossings, adding and upgrading drainage structures, cleaning ditch lines, and removing or stabilizing hazardous fill material. Decommissioning roads involves removing all culverts, constructing water bars to increase drainage across the road, removing hazardous fill material from stream crossings and unstable slopes, and blocking the road to vehicle access.
Project Status/Timeline
Project sites were identified in a road hazard inventory (Olis and Veldhuisen 2007). In 2007, SRSC collaborated with the Forest Service to complete 3 miles of road upgrade and decommissioning in the Big Creek watershed. SRSC has obtained additional funding toward upgrading 4 miles and decommissioning 14 miles of forest road. Construction is anticipated to occur summer of 2008.
Primary Project Contact
Devin Smith, Senior Restoration Ecologist
Funding Sources
Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board
Bureau of Indian Affairs Watershed Grant
United States Forest Service Legacy Roads
Ecotrust
Project Partners
United States Forest Service
Supporting Documents
Olis, M. and C. Veldhuisen. 2007. Suiattle Forest Road Sediment Reduction Assessment Phase 1 – Northern Suiattle Basin. Prepared for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.