Tim B. Abbe, PhD, PEG, PHG
Entrix, Inc.
Bill ArmstrongQuinault Indian Nation
Arthur Fleming, PE, Jeremy Bunn, Karen Williams, PE,
Laura Musikanski, JD, CEM, Jenna Scholz
Entrix, Inc.
Channel migration, big trees, side channels and
the Sockeye (Blueback) Salmon:
Design and implementation of a comprehensive
sustainable restoration plan for the Upper
Quinault River Valley, Washington
Environmental and Natural Resource ManagementConsultants
Quinault River Basin
A = 531 km2
T = 363 cm
Upper Quinault River Valley
Forest valleys, bank erosion,
and channel patterns
Micheli, E.R., J.W. Kirschner, and E.W. Larsen 2003.
(Agricultural erosion rates) = 2 * (Forest erosion rates)
Erosion rates for agriculture and forest floodplains of Sacramento River
Normalized Erosion Rates for large and small diameter forest tree classes
Max
Min
75%
25%
Median
Riparian Forest Structure
No
rma
lize
d E
rosi
on
Ra
te (
m/y
r)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
Old Young
median
75% tile
25% tile
maximum
minimum
Abbe et al. 1996>21” dbh <21” dbh
(young forest erosion rates) > 2 * (old forest erosion rates)
Big trees were historically found on river banks
throughout North America
Sitka Spruce, lower Bogachiel River
Big trees in the river can deflect flows and partition shear stress to reduce shear stress acting on bank
Queets River, 2003
Forest plantation along glacial outwash terrace, Hoh River, 2002.
Small trees have no chance of sticking around and carried away along with the bank
Fallen trees can create
foundation for forest
colonization within valleys
susceptible to frequent
channel changes.
• ~700 km2
• Intact forests
• Unregulated flows
• Dynamic channel
Queets River – Olympic National Park
50 km50 km
© J.J. Latterell 2005
• ~700 km2
• Intact forests
• Unregulated flows
• Dynamic channel
Queets River – Olympic National Park
50 km50 km
© J.J. Latterell 2005
Queets River
Photo by Josh Latterell
Side channels
through trees
Old-growth riparian
forest encroachment
into valley
Old-growth valleys show forest encroachment on the river valley (Abbe et al. 2003)
Wood accumulations buried in these floodplains (can be an issue in driving piles)
Logjam Hardpoints
in the Upper
Quinault
Hard point
Mature
conifers
(Abbe & Montgomery 1996)
Initiation and evolution of a
hard point
Upper Quinault Geomorphic
Investigation:
River assessment by Davidson and Barnaby, 1936:
“the constant shifting of the channels has been
particularly noticed. It is worthy of note that this
feature is a matter of comparatively recent years
and has developed at an alarming rate during
the past twenty years… there is no definite river
bed ….”
Similar interpretations were documented more than 60
years later: QIN Watershed Analysis 2001, O’Conner et
al. (2003), BoR 2005
Gravel bars
much wider than
low flow channel
Limited small
woody debris, lack
of key members
Limited conifers
only on floodplain
margins
Channel Conditions in 2004 near Ewell Homestead
(about 3.6 kilometers above lake)
Historic expansion of channel migration zone
Within HCMZ few
vegetated areas have
persisted more than
50 yrs with a mean
residence time
of 25-30 yrs
Current pattern of floodplain forest maturation
Desired pattern of floodplain forest maturation
Different Types of Side
Channels found in
Quinault Floodplain
H H
“Young” Side Channels
Young side channels
Young side channels
Young side channels
Young side channels
“Old” Side Channels
Old side channels
Old side channels
The loss of old side channels has
important implications for fish:
The productivity of the Quinault stock has declined
significantly since the 1950s.
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1905 1915 1925 1935 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005
Year
Nu
mb
er
of
Blu
eb
ac
k
HARVEST
ESCAPEMENT
RUNSIZE
Project Site
Pre-existing conditions Spring 2008
Pre-existing conditions Spring 2008
Alder Creek
side channel
Quinault
mainstem
Project Plan
Before
Eroding
bank Unstable
natural
logjams
Infra-
structure
As-built
Protective
buffer Stabilization
of natural
logjams
Infra-
structure
Created by Herrera Environmental Consultants
Future
Protective
buffer
Mature forest
patches develop
on ELJ hard-
pointsInfra-
structure
Fundamental Elements of Restoration Plan
Project Plan
Structures Q100=51,000 cfs
U = 3.7 m/s
t0 = 270 Pa
River 2D Finite Element output
River 2D Finite Element output
Scour Analysis
abutment pier
• Pier Scour Equations: 14-18 ft.
• Abutment Scour Equations: 12-20 ft.
Existing Log Jam – Reinforced with new Piles
Pile Driving for ELJ (1 down, 158 to go)
Log Crib Installation
Looking Upstream from top of ELJ
Slash gets stuffed along inside face
Backfilling begins as crib walls go up
Fastest Way to backfill (D-8 dozer)
Racking Logs Installed in Front of ELJ
1 of 13 Completed ELJs
Project site prior to construction, Spring 2008
Before
Project site post-construction, high water December 2008
After
Project site post-construction, high water December 2008
After 2 high flows, January 21, 2009
11/8/08 – 1.5 yr event
1/8/09 - 5 yr event
ELJ 1
ELJ 2
After 2 high flows, January 21, 2009
11/8/08 – 1.5 yr event
1/8/09 - 5 yr event
Blueback Sockeye spawning by ELJ 5
13 ELJ structures
November-January 2 peak flows
~1.5 yr (16,100 cfs, 456 cms)
~5 yr (25,050 cfs, 710 cms)
Alder Creek Side channel remains intact
5 new pools
1 in active mainstem channel
5 m deep, 50 m2
4 in gravel bar
1.2 m average depth, 32 m2 average area
2 of 4 pools inhabitated by juvenile coho
Acknowledgements: Funding
Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund
Washington Salmon Recovery Funding
Board
Wild Salmon Center
Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition
Jefferson County
U.S. Forest Service
Total Cost (assessment, design, materials, & construction)
$1,100,000
Acknowledgements: Project Partners
Quinault Indian Nation
Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Park
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Marine Fisheries Services
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Ecology
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington State Historical Preservation Office
Jefferson County
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Lutz Family
Esses Family Partnership
Mr. Clay Butler
Mr. Vern Wilson
Acknowledgements: Construction
DO Construction
Quinault Valley Forestry