Rockview Diversion

Eliminate Surface Water Diversion and Restore Side Channel Habitat of the

Methow River

Connie Iten – Area Habitat Biologist

Washington Department

of Fish & Wildlife

Rockview Proposal

Conversion of surface water diversion to well.Removal of screen and restoration of screen site.Removal of check dam. Development of side channel. Channel enhancement with instream structure.Plantings.Monitoring.

Project Location

Big Valley Ranch

Channel Conditions in the Upper Methow Sub-watershed

Area below the Weeman bridge is a gaining reach.Spring chinook spawning in the upper Methow sub-watershed would benefit from additional off channel habitat.

Biological Objectives:

Restore floodplain complexity.Protect and enhance riparian habitat.Increase instream and riparian habitat diversity to provide cover, breeding and feeding areas for fish and wildlife.

Lack of Side Channel HabitatIdentified as limiting to salmonids in the Methow Watershed.

Methow Limiting Factors Report – WCC 2000Priority Considerations for Protection & Restoration of Salmonid Habitat in the Upper Columbia Region – UCRTT 2001Sub-basin Summary – CBFWA 2001

Need for ProjectLoss of available side channel habitat.Exisiting conditions are limiting and potentially harmful to listed species.Supplementation and recovery efforts create demand for increased carrying capacity of available off-channel habitat.

Increased survival to outmigration is aided by adequately functioning, available rearing and over-wintering habitat.

Removal of Screen and Restoration of Screen Site

Eliminate conveyance loss and provide more water to the side channel.

Eliminate the potential for stranding fish.

Removal of Check Dam

Allow natural flows through the channel.

Develop Side Channel

Provide adequate gradient for flows.Assure connection with the mainstem Methow river.

Channel Enhancement

Establish functioning channel geomorphology.Provide habitat diversity.Provide adequate velocities for flows to maintain channel condition.

Plantings

Provide shade, structure, and nutrient sources to the channel.Provide thermal cover, breeding and feeding areas for wildlife.

MonitoringDetermine pre-project use by fish & wildlife.Assess fish & wildlife use of restored channel and riparian area.Evaluate changes in water quality, channel morphology and habitat diversity.

Feasibility

Complements other projects in the upper Methow watershed.Previously functioning channel.Channel is used by salmonids.

Benefits:

Increase in available side channel habitat.Increased floodplain complexity.Protection and enhancement of riparian habitat.