Lilliwaup Creek Restoration Project

Lilliwaup Creek Restoration Project: All-H Management in Practice

Recovering salmon requires efforts across the management regime, from harvest to habitat and hatcheries. LLTK is demonstrating the principles of All-H management through field efforts like our Lilliwaup Creek Restoration Project.

LLTK has committed over 12 years and several hundred thousand dollars toward recovering summer chum in Lilliwaup Creek, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. After a 2007 flood event brought thousands of yards of gravel downstream into the 0.7 mile anadromous reach of Lilliwaup Creek, we grew concerned about the long-term viability of our hatchery supplementation effort to restore the creek’s summer chum population. In 2008, we responded by performing initial, emergency work to remove some of the gravel from the creek so that it could continue to support salmon. However, more work must be done.

Project Manager Jed Moore notes, “Current habitat conditions limit the spawning and rearing success of summer chum and other salmon species. Stream flow, tidal influence, estuarine connectivity, and spawning range are still impaired by gravel aggradation. Lack of riparian vegetation also contributes to channel instability, reduces contribution of large woody debris, and reduces the amount of shade cover to cool the water and provide fish with protective refuges. Unmaintained culverts also prevent access to side streams and pools. Upstream and in tributaries of the anadromous reach, some steep stream banks and seasonal creek beds require attention to ensure that the areas don't deliver cobble and gravel sediments faster than the creek can flush them out.”

In December 2009, LLTK received funding from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to develop a project design for the restoration and protection of the anadromous reach of Lilliwaup Creek. The Preliminary Project Design identifies sites, methods, and alternatives for restoring: mainstem flows and side-stream connectivity (e.g. removal of aggraded gravel and culverts); riparian and in-stream habitat (e.g. revegetation, install large woody debris); and the natural tidal influence. Upstream banks will also be assessed and stabilization alternatives proposed. We are currently seeking funds to complete the design and begin restoration, with the goal of completing the project by fall, 2012.