French creek has been identified as one of the eleven most productive tributaries in the southern oregon northern california coast region for coho salmon

French creek enters the mainstem scott river which supports both spawning and rearing coho salmon. Although french creek provides high quality spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids, portions of lower french experience seasonally limiting conditions influenced by drought, surface diversion, and diversion infrastructure. Lower french creek is also subject to large fine sediment deposits that decrease pool volume, create thermal barriers for coho, and restrict seasonal connectivity. Water quality monitoring within and downstream of the diversion infrastructure revealed thermal issues associated with sedimentation and a lack of riparian cover. Primary project objectives are to improve fish passage by increasing the depth and velocity within the low flow channel to flush sediment through the project reach by installing 6 large woody structures and grading to excavate 1,000 cubic yards of material from the channel. Live willow stake plantings within 16 linear trenched within the adjacent floodplain will add hydrologic roughness further contributing to a more defined channel and will improve water quality for salmon over time as they mature and provide shade to the creek. This project will greatly enhance habitat on approximately 600 feet of lower french creek for coho salmon by increasing the depth and velocity within the low flow channel to flush sediment through the project reach and creating cover and scour pools. Over time, as instream and riparian habitat develops, the project will improve water quality to the scott river by flushing sediment and providing cold water input.