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Wallowa River/McDaniel Habitat Restoration

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Project Summary

Prior to this project, this 0.34 mile reach of the Wallowa River was channelized into a steep, narrow course at the base of a slope along the eastern edge of the natural floodplain. Human attempts to control the river since the 1900s had led to it being relocated to the base of the hillslope and locked into place with artificial dikes, resulting in a steep, high-gradient channel, 85% riffle with no high-quality pools.

Aerial photograph of project reach showing existing and constructed channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW Click on photo for enlargement.

Aerial photograph of project reach showing existing and constructed channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW. Click on photo for enlargement.

The project focus was to enhance and restore wetland meadow, water storage capacity, and instream aquatic habitat including critical backwater rearing areas. The establishment of conservation easements on the property through the NRCS CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) program will insure restoration investments.

The Wallowa River - McDaniel Habitat Restoration Project won the Oregon Land Board 2005 Stream Project Award. Read more about this project in the Ripples Summer 2005 issue; there are two articles that discuss this project (Page 1 & 4). The success of this project soon became evident when adult chinook and steelhead used the newly created habitat the first year water was transferred into the new stream channel.

Project Actions

  • Reconstruct 1/2 mile of stream reach to simulate historic stream channel
  • Construct 8 rock grade-control structures in new reach to prevent channel downcutting until vegetation can provide channel stability
  • Construct floodplain ponds for off-stream fish habitat
  • Place 6 log/rootwad revetments in new stream reach to stabilize meander bends
  • Plant, seed and control noxious weeds in the riparian zone of a 1.2 mile stream reach (12 acres)

Project Objectives

  • Stabilize streambanks
  • Reduce sediment
  • Improve fish habitat diversity
  • Reduce water temperatures

Project Partners

  • Doug McDaniel (landowner)
  • ODFW*
  • CTUIR*
  • Wallowa Resources*
  • OWEB
  • BPA
  • GRMW*

* Project Leads

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Project Pictures

Wallowa River/McDaniel Habitat Restoration

Photo point series showing new channel construction and planting

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Photo Point 3a. Prior to construction of new channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 3a. Prior to construction of new channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Photo Point 3a. Newly constructed channel prior to planting. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 3a. Newly constructed channel prior to planting. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

   
Photo Point 3a. Constructed channel showing rootwad revetments. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 3a. Constructed channel showing rootwad revetments with sedge-mat plantings. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Photo Point 3a. One year after channel construction. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 3a. One year after channel construction. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

   

Photo Point 3a. At third highest flood of record, second year after channel construction. Revetment has created pool habitat for salmonids. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

 

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Wallowa River/McDaniel Habitat Restoration

Photo point series showing channel redesign

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Photo Point 1c. Early spring 2004, prior to project implementation. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 1c. Early spring 2004, prior to project implementation. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Photo Point 1c. Existing stream channel in the foreground and newly constructed meandering channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 1c. Existing stream channel in the foreground and newly constructed meandering channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

   
Photo Point 1c. Constructed channel after removal of streamflow to old channel. Click on photo for details. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Photo Point 1c. Constructed channel after removal of streamflow to old channel. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Photo Point 1c. Photo Point 1c. During third highest flood of record, second year after project completion. Photo courtesy ODFW.

Photo Point 1c. During third highest flood of record, second year after project completion. Photo courtesy ODFW.

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Wallowa River/McDaniel Habitat Restoration

During Project

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Placing log/rootwad revetment. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Placing log/rootwad revetment. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Placing sedge mats on revetments. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Placing sedge mats on revetments. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

   
Whitman College students planting native vegetation along Wallowa River. Photo courtesy of ODFW

Whitman College students planting native vegetation along Wallowa River. Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Placing boulders. Photo courtesy ODFW.

Placing boulders. Photo courtesy ODFW.

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