A majority of our work to date has been to document existing conditions (baseline) in the project area by performing extensive biological and hydrological monitoring. Our monitoring objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of the restoration for fish passage and fish use and any post-restoration hydrologic and ecologic changes. In fulfilling the monitoring objectives of the project, we seek to not only quantify the enhanced fish (salmon) use within the project area, but also evaluate and quantify the impacts of the restoration to adjacent agricultural land use. This should inform the cost/benefit questions surrounding this type of restoration work, as well as answer the question whether self-regulating tidegates can be an effective restoration tool adjacent to farmland.

Top: Martin Sampson measures the water level and samples the water in 1 of 14 monitoring wells, this site is FOR.5 50'

Bottom: Laura Klein and Rachel LovellFord GPS FOR.1W Hydrolab monitoring site.

Baseline monitoring includes biologic characterization of existing conditions including identification of current riparian vegetation, fish use studies, and benthic/macro-invertebrate sampling. Preliminary analysis of available data indicates that the project area is presently experiencing some saltwater influence. Salt tolerant plant and fish species have been identified landward of the existing tidegates, though salmonids are almost exclusively restricted to the seaward side of the tidegates. A botanical survey is conducted to determine what plants growing in the area and whether there are weeds or rare plants of interest. From this information we will know how many new plants will need to be planted to restore the wetlands. A total of 118 plant species were identified within the project area, about 1/2 of those are wetland plants. Fish use sampling is conducted to determine what species and how many fish are utilizing the habitat near the tidegate and the extent the tidegate poses a passage barrier to fish. Beach seining took place upstream and downstream of a tidegate location over several months in 2004. Sticklebacks and Sculpins were present upstream of the tidegate. However, all other estuarine or nearshore fish (Surf Smelt, Starry Flounder, Shiner Perch, and juvenile salmon) are more abundant downstream of the tidegate or in the tidegate vicinity (Swinomish Channel), rather than upstream of the tidegate. Benthic samples (macro-invertebrates or insects) are sampled to determine the biodiversity and habitat quality of the channel habitats. These samples are still being analyzed.

Top: Consulting Botanist Erin Colclazier gathers plant samples in the project area (the Flats).

Bottom: SRSC conducts beach seining at FOR.3 (upstream) to catch and count all fish species present. This is one of 3 sites: upstream of tidegate, downstream of tidegate, and downstream of tidegate in Swinomish Channel.

MONITORING PLAN (PART 3 OF 3)

Hydrologic characterization is included in the monitoring plan because installing self-regulating tidegates (SRTs) to restore fish habitat may cause an increased influence of saltwater in the adjacent farmland. To determine how much of an effect, if any, will be caused by the SRTs, we monitor surface and groundwater levels in and near to the creek and slough channels, basic water quality parameters in surface and ground water (pH, dissolved oxygen or DO, salinity, conductivity, temperature, and chloride), groundwater and surface water flow characteristics, and soil salinity. We have installed 14 monitoring wells and 7 soil salinity transects in the farmland, 12 surface water level monitors, 12 water temperature loggers, 10 flow monitoring stations, and 14 surface water quality stations in the slough channels. All this monitoring keeps us quite busy collecting and analyzing all the data. So, far, the hydrologic data indicate that the area is already experiencing some saltwater interaction due to existing natural conditions. Groundwater salinities and chlorides, as well as soil salinity, tend to decrease the further you get from both the tidegates and the freshwater channels. Water levels in the freshwater channels and the monitoring wells typically mimic tidal fluctuations, though groundwater flow directions vary from site to site.

Top: Kaia Smith downloads a well datalogger in the Flats at well site BIG.4 125'.

Bottom: Martin Sampson maps the location of a water level monitor at FOR.3E.

Channel Restoration

The purpose of restoring the channels in the Fornsby Creek project area (the Flats) is to: provide more rearing habitat for salmon and other fish; increase freshwater/saltwater mixing and storage area; and increase riparian and buffer areas next to the channels.

Preliminary work on restoring the channels in the southern portion of the project area began last August 2004. About 4700 feet of channel was changed from the original steep sided channel to the new wider and gentler slope channels. To complete restoration on this section of channel, this year the boundary between the channel and farmland will be bermed and saltwater tolerant wetland plants will be planted.

Channel restoration work in the northern part of the project area will begin this year and will cover 4300 feet of channel. Some of the northern channels will not require extensive restoration since they are currently in a more natural state.

Top: Pre-restoration of channel at FOR.5 site with narrow to non-existent buffers and channels, and steep slopes.

Bottom: During channel excavation near FOR5 site, widening of buffer and gentler slopes increases habitat and water storage capacity.

Tidegate Installations
The purpose of installing self-regulating tidegates (SRT’s) in the Fornsby Creek project area (the Flats) is to: allow access to rearing habitat for salmon and other fish; increase freshwater/saltwater mixings zones; and allow for increased drainage in the channels during the wet season. The larger tidegates and ability to allow water into the channels will improve water quality by better exchanging the water in the channels for cooler Swinomish Channel water. Currently, the water in the channels is shallow and stagnant. This will improve once the channel and tidegate improvements have taken place.

A total of 3 tidegates will be installed in the project area, 2 tidegates will function as SRT’s and 1 tidegate as a normal tidegate as part of the control comparison. The 1st tidegate was installed in 8/2004. The second of 3 tidegates was installed on 8/18/05. This barn-door style tidegate was fabricated by J&D Welding Service and installed by Nelson Construction. The 3rd will be installed in August of 2006.

The new FOR3 tide gate is made up of a headwall and attached tidegate and five 10 foot long and 4 foot wide concrete culvert sections which replaced the 3 foot wide round culvert and tidegate.

under construction