This project will improve coho salmon rearing and refugia habitats within the rogue river estuary

Lack of instream complexity and floodplain connectivity is highlighted as a key stressor for all coho populations in the rogue. This limiting factor also impacts suitable habitat for steelhead, chinook, amphibians, reptiles, and beaver in the basin. The goal of the project is to increase suitable year round habitat for all freshwater life stages of coho and other native salmonids, while also supporting channel/floodplain processes that will benefit other native aquatic species. The actions proposed to reduce the limiting factor of structural complexity and connectivity is to add large wood to floodplains and sloughs to provide habitat complexity, and to revegetate riparian areas with native species to provide a long term source of wood, floodplain roughness, and diversity as well as overhanging cover to slow the rate of water warming and support insect production for fish. This location has been identified as a high priority area in the southern oregon northern california coho recovery plan. This project will help catalyze greater and more extensive investment in this priority area, leading to additional restoration benefits over time.