Kittitas conservation trust will implement an in-stream restoration project on river mile 2-3 of gold creek, in kittitas county, washington

This federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program, CFDA No. 15.507, provides $3,017,964.00 to the Kittitas Conservation Trust to implement an in-stream restoration project on River Mile 2-3 of Gold Creek in Kittitas County, Washington. The project aims to restore the geomorphology and increase the habitat complexity of Gold Creek by installing engineered log jam structures. Expected outcomes include creating deeper pools with shaded cover, providing relief from high-velocity flood flows, improving groundwater recharge, and reducing the likelihood of future flood events harming the channel morphology. This will benefit the successful rearing of juvenile bull trout and migration of mature fish. The project will run from the award date of June 25, 2024 through the ultimate completion date of September 30, 2027.

Activities

Activities performed will restore the geomorphology and increase the habitat complexity of gold creek river in kittitas county, washington by installing engineered log JAM structures.expected deliverables or outcomes: the instream wood replenishment will create habitat complexity, including deeper pools with shaded cover, provide relief from high velocity flood flows, and ensure optimal habitat for both the successful rearing of juvenile bull trout and migration of mature fish. The project will also provide floodplain reconnection, which will improve groundwater recharge from flood flows, and reduce the likelihood of future flood events further harming the channel morphology.

Intended beneficiaries

This project achieves the public purpose of the act by completing an infrastructure improvement or activity that will advance one or more components of an established strategy or plan to increase the reliability of water supply for ecological values and watershed health.subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): N a