~Ennis Creek Project~
Ennis
Creek Project
Project Partners: Whatcom Land Trust, National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation, Whatcom County Public Works, Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife
Project Summary: Ennis Creek is an upper Samish River Basin tributary and falls within the target area of the Skagit Watershed Council. Although parts of Ennis Creek have experienced significant degradation through straightening, dredging, inadequate culvert placement, and redirection as roadside ditch, the creek remains one of the main salmon spawning grounds in the Samish basin. The proposed restoration project involves re-establishing the historic channel across Innis Creek Road, thus directing flow into the Samish River upstream of its present crossing. Downstream of Innis Creek road, a stream channel approximately 650-feet-long would be re-carved. Spawning habitat will be enhanced, and large woody debris may be installed to process gravel and help maintain pool riffle complex. Any available degraded riparian areas will likely be revegetated. Details regarding the actual stream restoration have yet to be worked out. There has been a fair amount of preliminary planning conducted including a topographic survey by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, a preliminary alternatives analysis by David Evans and Associates, and a reconnaissance geomorphic assessment by Geo-Engineers. SFEG is also working with Whatcom County Public works to resolve road crossing issues such as a bridge crossing. In addition, WDFW Engineers and Habitat Biologists have been consulted in the development of this project. The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) has applied for Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) funding for this restoration project on Ennis Creek in the Wickersham area of Whatcom County. SFEG has submitted a proposal to the Skagit Watershed Council for their review and prioritization process. The restoration / acquisition sub-committee has given this project a green light to proceed. The Whatcom Land Trust has recently acquired 50 acres of wetland property where, working with SFEG, this restoration process can begin. SFEG is also working with Whatcom County to plan and build a bridge crossing over Innis Creek Road. Once matching funds are secured, SFEG expects the project to be designed, permitted, and implemented by the end of 2005.
