FY07-09 proposal 200707700
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Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Hemlock Dam Removal |
| Proposal ID | 200707700 |
| Organization | Gifford Pinchot National Forest |
| Short description | This project will remove a 26-ft high dam on Trout Creek, a tributary to the Wind River. Trout Creek provides spawning and rearing habitat for LCR steelhead. The project will restore unimpeded fish passage and improve water quality and habitat. |
| Information transfer | |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Bengt Coffin | U.S. Forest Service | bcoffin@fs.fed.us |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Bengt Coffin | U.S. Forest Service | bcoffin@fs.fed.us |
| Bengt Coffin | U.S. Forest Service | bcoffin@fs.fed.us |
| Bengt Coffin | U.S. Forest Service | bcoffin@fs.fed.us |
| Bengt Coffin | U.S. Forest Service | bcoffin@fs.fed.us |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Columbia Gorge / Wind
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout Creek | River mile 1.8 on Trout Creek, a tributary to the Wind River. The Wind River enters the Columbia River in the Bonneville Pool at River Mile 154. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: Steelhead Lower Columbia River ESUSection 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 199801900 | Wind River Watershed | The Wind River Watershed Project is an ongoing partnership effort to coordinate agencies and the public in recovering fish and habitats and monitoring in the Wind River watershed. The project focuses on assessing habitat conditions, restoring degraded habitats, and monitoring physical and biological conditions across the Wind River watershed. A key component of the Wind River project has been to restore instream, riparian and upslope conditions in Trout Creek to reduce water temperatures and improve habitat for LCR steelhead. The Hemlock Dam removal project works in concert with the restoration that has occurred and that is ongoing in Upper Trout Creek. Removal of Hemlock Dam would provide improved access to the habitat that is being restored in upper Trout Creek, would provide additional high quality habitat in the lower reaches of Trout Creek, and would contribute to the reduction in peak water temperatures in Trout Creek. In combination, these habitat and access improvements will increase productivity and resiliency of steelhead populations in Trout Creek. |
| BPA | [no entry] | Unknown | A companion project is being developed and submitted for BPA funding by the WDFW. That project proposes to construct a fish counting facility on Trout Creek in the general vicinity of Hemlock Dam. The project would allow for continued counting of adult steelhead once Hemlock Dam is removed. Currently, a fish trap exists in the upper chamber of the fish ladder at Hemlock Dam that allows for counting of each fish that ascends the ladder and successfully passes the dam. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir | Removal of the dam and restoration of the degraded habitat in the reservoir reach will decrease maximum stream temperatures and the duration of temperature maxima. This will increase the quality of habitat for steelhead in Trout Creek. EDT modeling results indicate that dam removal and conversion of the reservoir to an active channel, the number of adult steelhead returning to Trout Creek would be increased by over 50% from the average returns of the past 10 years (WDFW 2004). | Lower Columbia | S.S4 (Vol. 1 Plan) Address stream habitat conditions that limit fish as well as stream habitat forming processes in watersheds or subwatersheds that affect stream habitat in any given location. |
| Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek | Productivity of Wind River steelhead will be improved by: 1) complete elimination of an artificial passage barrier and known source of direct mortality to steelhead; 2) increasing available habitat; 3)improving habitat diversity in the reservoir reach; and 4) reducing peak water temperatures to sub-lethal levels. | Lower Columbia | S.S1 (Vol. 1 Lower Columbia Subbasin Plan) "Provide habitats...through access improvements, habitat protection and restoration." S.S5 (ibid) "Restore access of key populations...and closely coordinate access improvements and habitat improvement..". |
| Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek | Increased viability by restoring natural watershed processes and improving habitat quality. | Lower Columbia | S.S8 (Vol. 1 Plan) Utilize a combination of active and passive habitat restoration measures to provide near-term and long-term benefits. |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Vegetation | Revegetate Riparian Areas | Revegetate disturbed areas where dam and reservoir have been removed and where new channel has been constructed | 3/1/2009 | 5/30/2009 | $20,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics |
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| Realign, Connect, and/or Create Channel | Construct Channel Through Reservoir Reach | Construct a channel through the reach now occupied by the reservoir behind Hemlock Dam. This work item includes conserving, stockpiling, washing and re-using stream gravels wherever feasible, acquisition and placement of boulders and large woody debris, installation of fabric encapsulated lifts and fabric-wrapped slopes where necessary in the new channel, and contract administration. | 8/1/2008 | 9/30/2008 | $180,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics * # of stream miles treated, including off-channels, after realignment: Convert approx 0.3 miles from reservoir to stream |
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| Remove/Modify Dam | Remove Hemlock Dam | Remove Hemlock Dam and all associated structures and dispose of the materials in an upland location. Remove sediments that have built up behind the dam and dispose of them in an upland location. This item includes work to divert the stream during the period of work, erosion control work during the work period, installation and removal of temporary weirs upstream and downstream of the site, removal of fish from the work area prior to activities, establishment of access routes for heavy equipment access to the dam and to the sediments in the reservoir, and to prepare and stabilize the disposal area where sediments will be taken. It also includes cleanup and repair of the haul route to the sediment disposal site. | 7/1/2008 | 9/30/2008 | $2,200,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics * # of miles of habitat accessed: Improve access to over 15 miles of habitat |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Coordinate and Manage the Hemlock Dam Project | Develop and manage budgets, acquire funding, coordinate with regulatory agencies for permit acquisition and monitoring plan, identify and procure needed contract services, administer A&E contract. | 1/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $150,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics |
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| Produce Design and/or Specifications | Produce Designs and Contract Specs for Hemlock Dam Project | Produce designs and contract specifications for removal of Hemlock Dam and associated sediments, and for construction of a new stream channel through the reservoir reach. This includes designing erosion control and water diversion plans, and FS preparation and administration of A&E contract. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $160,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Conduct Project Monitoring | Monitor the physical and biological conditions in Trout Creek and the Wind River prior to dam removal, during dam removal, and following removal to evaluate compliance with permits, terms and conditions, mitigation requirements, and to gauge the effectiveness of the project. Note that monitoring of returning fish is covered under companion proposals including the Wind River Watershed Project (199801900) and a proposal being submitted by WDFW for construction of a fish counting facility on Trout Creek (no name or number yet). Also, monitoring is to continue beyond the 2009 period, and is addressed under Section 9 of the Application (Project Future) | 7/1/2007 | 12/31/2009 | $35,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Biological Monitoring conducted separate FWP proj. |
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| Develop RM&E Methods and Designs | Develop Monitoring Plan | Develop a monitoring plan in coordination with other agencies to evaluate the project compliance with permits, with terms and conditions and mitigation requirements, and to assess the effectiveness of the project. | 3/1/2007 | 6/1/2007 | $7,000 |
|
Biological objectives Eliminate temperature effects of dam and reservoir Improve fish passage in lower Trout Creek Restore sediment routing in lower Trout Creek |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Personnel include engineers, fisheries biologist, hydrologist, archaeologist, technicians | $60,000 | $110,000 | $20,000 |
| Supplies | Stream diversion pipe, coffer dams, weirs, geotextile, trees, grass seed, rock, monitoring supplies | $10,000 | $110,000 | $10,000 |
| Travel | Vehicle, mileage, meetings, site visits, coordination trips | $0 | $6,000 | $1,000 |
| Overhead | Assume 18% | $60,000 | $400,000 | $10,000 |
| Other | Contracts | $200,000 | $1,700,000 | $10,000 |
| Fringe Benefits | Assume approximately 20% of Personnel Cost | $15,000 | $25,000 | $5,000 |
| Totals | $345,000 | $2,351,000 | $56,000 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $2,752,000 |
| Total work element budget: | $2,752,000 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USFS | Cost Share | $20,000 | $460,000 | $20,000 | Cash | Under Development |
| USFS | Cost Share | $20,000 | $460,000 | $20,000 | In-Kind | Under Development |
| Totals | $40,000 | $920,000 | $40,000 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $50,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $50,000 |
Comments: Wetland mitigation, followup planting and post-project monitoring. |
Future O&M costs: Two to three more years of monitoring are possible (2012-2015) depending on monitoring results acquired in the first two years after project implementation. The monitoring plan which will define the endpoints for monitoring has not yet been completed.
Termination date: 2013
Comments: Termination date assumes 5 years of post-project monitoring.
Final deliverables: Unimpeded access for LCR steelhead into the Trout Creek watershed, resulting in reduced predation and harassment, and elimination of the direct mortality of fish associated with the dam. Improved quality of habitat, increased diversity, increased habitat availability, and improved water quality upstream and downstream of the dam. This project will restore natural hydrologic and sediment processes in lower Trout which will have long term and significant benefits to the Trout Creek and Wind River fish. The combination of the habitat improvements and elimination of the passage issues at the dam is expected to increase the number of adult steelhead returning to Trout Creek according to EDT runs (WDFW 2004). Over time, the benefits of this project and associated habitat improvement work in the Trout Creek watershed are likely to yield significant increases in fish returns, as habitat improvements develop and mature.
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $345,000 | $2,351,000 | $56,000 | $2,752,000 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $345,000 | $2,351,000 | $56,000 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: ISRP fundable qualified: produce an updated streambank stablization plan prior to dam removal. |
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ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)
NPCC comments: This well-written proposal provides a clear description of what appears to be an important problem and excellent opportunity for substantial gain for fish, especially steelhead, by improving access to 15 mile of stream. The current fish ladder is inadequate. Dam removal would open up significant habitat that has received some extensive restoration such as side channel work. There is strong collaborative effort on this project, especially with USFS, and monitoring and evaluation would be done by WDFW and UCD under separate projects. The ISRP is not requesting a response but believes the project sponsors, Council, and BPA should consider the following points. A new 1/3 mile-long channel will be excavated through the accumulated sediments and stabilized prior to dam removal. Stabilizing the stream banks will not be an easy task. Although the proposal describes some methods to stabilize the banks, such as use of root wads and tree planting on the banks, reviewers expect a major element will be - or should be - soil bioengineering in nature. This “fundable” recommendation is qualified. If funded, the Council and/or BPA should require a more complete description and clarification of how the streambed and banks will be stabilized, and what variations in plan, longitudinal and cross-sectional profiles are envisaged. If requested, the ISRP would be willing to review the updated stabilization plan.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)
NPCC comments: This well-written proposal provides a clear description of what appears to be an important problem and excellent opportunity for substantial gain for fish, especially steelhead, by improving access to 15 mile of stream. The current fish ladder is inadequate. Dam removal would open up significant habitat that has received some extensive restoration such as side channel work. There is strong collaborative effort on this project, especially with USFS, and monitoring and evaluation would be done by WDFW and UCD under separate projects. The ISRP is not requesting a response but believes the project sponsors, Council, and BPA should consider the following points. A new 1/3 mile-long channel will be excavated through the accumulated sediments and stabilized prior to dam removal. Stabilizing the stream banks will not be an easy task. Although the proposal describes some methods to stabilize the banks, such as use of root wads and tree planting on the banks, reviewers expect a major element will be - or should be - soil bioengineering in nature. This “fundable” recommendation is qualified. If funded, the Council and/or BPA should require a more complete description and clarification of how the streambed and banks will be stabilized, and what variations in plan, longitudinal and cross-sectional profiles are envisaged. If requested, the ISRP would be willing to review the updated stabilization plan.