Project Titles:

• Chocktoot Delta Restoration (FFS #R8TA)
• Fish Passage at Fivemile Creek (FFS #R8TB)

State: Oregon

Project Description: Within the Upper Klamath Basin, conservation efforts are coordinated by the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office through the voluntary cooperation and participation of a variety of agencies, organizations, private landowners, and individuals. Conservation efforts to maintain and restore the function and health of the Upper Klamath Basin ecosystem are supported and facilitated through USFWS-sponsored activities including:

• Protecting and restoring animals and plants that are in danger of extinction both in the United States and worldwide.
• Providing expert biological advice to other Federal agencies, states, industry, and members of the public concerning the conservation of fish and wildlife habitats that may be affected by development activities.
• Administering Federal grant money to support specific projects carried out by state fish and wildlife agencies.
• Assessing the effects of contaminants on fish and wildlife.
• Working with farmers, ranchers, and agriculture agencies to conserve and restore wetlands on private lands.

Chocktoot Delta Restoration

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a Cooperative Agreement with The Nature Conservancy of Oregon to fund the design and engineering for restoration work in the Chocktoot Delta that would restore the hydrologic regime in Chocktoot Creek and the alluvial fan onto Sycan Marsh. Restoring the hydrologic regime and functional elements is considered essential to achieve the following specific objectives in Chocktoot Creek:

1. Restore the geomorphic form and function of Chocktoot Creek onto Sycan Marsh;
2. Accommodate year-round fish passage; and
3. Enhance in-stream channel morphology to provide sustainable fish habitat.

The project is underwritten by funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“The ARRA contract makes it possible for this project to be conducted,” explained Craig Bienz, Director, Sycan Marsh Preserve, The Nature Conservancy. “Without this funding, the scientific information needed to advance restoring the hydrologic regime may have been delayed, which would have led to delays in our understanding of how to better manage for sustainable agriculture in the Klamath Basin.”

Scope:

A. The Service shall:

• Provide funding in the amount of $134,000.
• Participate in the development of the implementation phase of this project.
• Provide technical input into project implementation.

B. The Cooperator shall:

• Receive the $134,000 in project funding for project implementation.
• Involve the Service in all phases of project implementation.
• Consider technical input provided by the Service.
• Provide access to the Service to the project site.
• Work in a partnership manner with the Service.
• Implement the project design to finalize the project.

C. The project performance will be evaluated as a success by achieving the following:

• Removal of irrigation diversion ditches that hinder the hydrologic flow path of Chocktoot Creek.
• Restoration of the hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecological functions of Chocktoot Delta.
• Restoration of the creek channel that provides movement and delivery of sediment, wood, and water.

In addition to making the project possible, ARRA funding also benefitted the local economy. “During these difficult economic times, this project has provided employment to engineers and technicians that would have been unemployed,” added Bienz. “While the project provided direct employment, we’ve also seen how the scientific information has been used to implement other on-the-ground projects, which have also provided employment.”

Project Status: The Cooperative Agreement with The Nature Conservancy of Klamath Falls, Oregon, was signed on September 25, 2009, in the amount of $134,000.00. The on-the-ground work is scheduled to begin the first week in May. The project is expected to be completed by October 2010.

Photos:

Chocktoot Creek. Photo by Craig Bienz, The Nature Conservancy.

Chocktoot Delta. Photo by Craig Bienz, The Nature Conservancy.

Fish Passage at Fivemile Creek

The problem was a year-round barrier to fish passage caused by an irrigation diversion dam. The reconstruction of the historic channel provided fish passage and improved fish habitat by reconnecting the creek to its floodplain, increasing the meander length, improving riparian conditions, and simulating natural stream conditions.

The project’s primary objective was to recover fish and other aquatic resource populations protected under the Endangered Species Act. The secondary objective was to maintain diverse, self-sustaining fish and other aquatic resource populations.

Reestablishing fish passage for native Lost River sucker, Klamath large-scale sucker, and reband trout to upstream spawning habitat during the spring was critical. The project created a passage for the large-scale sucker (Catosstomus and Chasmistes), which is the native migratory fish species with the most limited swimming capabilities.

This project is one component of a larger project aimed at fish passage and habitat improvement on Black Drake Ranch. Overall restoration is targeted toward improving Klamath large-scale sucker, redband trout, and federally endangered Lost River sucker populations.

Project partners and friends included:

• Fremont-Winema National Forest
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Private Landowners
• Klamath Country Fly Casters
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Effect on Wildlife Habitat and Species: The project removed a barrier to 26 miles of spawning and rearing habitat. It provided a diverse and enhanced habitat along the 600-foot reconstructed channel. Pools were sustained by the placement of large woody debris and provided excellent cover. Riffles are shallow stretches of a river or stream where the current is above the average stream velocity and the water forms small rippled waves where oxygen enters the water, and are often the location of fish spawning habitat. These were maintained through the use of spawning gravel and rock fragments, which created excellent spawning areas, as well as stabilizing the channel grade. Backwater wetlands were created, which provided rearing habitat for juvenile fish. Riparian vegetation was planted adjacent to the stream to provide shade, cover, and enhanced habitat.

Long-term Economic Benefits for the Local Community: Large equipment operators, laborers, and quarry personnel were hired locally to work on the project. They were able to be employed during a difficult economic time and the money earned was spent several times over within the community. In addition, these workers gained experience working on a restoration project.

The improved fisheries will enhance the economics of the local community by increasing recreation potential of the area. Most of the upstream watershed is public land, both Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, and there will be more opportunities for camping, hiking, wildlife observation, and fishing. We anticipate that these areas will be visited more frequently as a result of the enhanced fisheries and improved watershed condition. The increased recreational use brings economic stimulation to the community through the purchase of food, supplies, fishing equipment and licenses, and other necessities.

Project Status: The contract was awarded to Balance Hydrologics, Berkeley, California in August 2009, in the amount of $27,590.00. The contract was completed on December 4, 2009.

June 2010 Project Update: An open house will be held at Black Drake Ranch on June 25.

Video: Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office — Fish Passage at Fivemile Creek
Play the video below to learn more about this project!

Read the transcript for this video.

Photos:

The old diversion dam blocked fish passage year-round. It was replaced with a series of fish-friendly step pools.	Volunteer secures fabric and prepares ground for planting to improve stream bank stabilization.
Site preparation at Fivemile Creek.	Fish passage at Fivemile Creek project.
Volunteers plant native vegetation along Fivemile Creek.	Volunteers plant native vegetation along Fivemile Creek.
Members of Klamath Country Fly Casters volunteer with planting at the restoration site.	Fish-friendly steps gradually raise the elevation of the stream for irrigation purposes.

The bypass channel is excavated prior to connecting to the main channel. Large wood and gravel will be added to establish pools and riffles.

For more information, visit the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office website, or contact:

Laurie Sada
Project Leader
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Klamath Falls Office
1936 California Ave
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: (541) 885-8481
Email: laurie_sada@fws.gov

Nolan Banish
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1936 California Avenue
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
Phone: (541) 885-2508
Nolan_Banish@fws.gov

Craig Bienz
Director
Sycan Marsh Preserve
The Nature Conservancy
226 Pine Street
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
Phone: (541) 273-0789
cbienz@tnc.org

Matthew Barry
Assistant Project Leader
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Klamath Falls Office
1936 California Ave
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: (541) 885-8481
Email: matthew_barry@fws.gov

Sue Mattenberger
Project Manager
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Klamath Falls Office
1936 California Ave
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: (541) 885-2519
Email: sue_mattenberger@fws.gov

Originally posted 01/15/2010
Updated 03/31/2010
Updated 04/22/2010
Updated 05/03/2010
Updated 06/08/2010