Riparian Restoration in Arid Landscapes

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Riparian Restoration in Arid Landscapes
Alison Bower- Restoration Project Coordinator for
the Walla Walla County Conservation District
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A place so nice they named it twice

• County population 55,180 (81 urban, 19 rural)
• 813,120 acres (96 private ownership
• 596,093 acres in crop production
• Well known crops
• Wheat 208,168 ac
• Grapes 3,100 ac
• Onions 1189 ac

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The land of Water Water

• Bi-state basin
• 1732 mi 2 (67 in WA)
• 7- 40 annual precipitation
• 300 - 6,410 elevation
• WRIA 32 (Snake River Region)
• ESA Listed Species
• Bull trout 1998
• Steelhead 1999
• Re-introduced
• Spring Chinook (100 return in 2006)
• 
  
  
  
  
  map provided by WWBBC

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Environmental Challenges to Fish Recovery in the
Walla Walla Basin

• Over appropriation of water
• Water Quality Temperature, etc.
• Stream degradation
• Erosion
• Sediment
• Habitat loss

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1998 Americas Most Endangered River List 18

• Walla Walla River used to be completely diverted
  during summer irrigation season
• Fish rescues were required
• ESA Listing Catalyst for Change
• In 2000 three irrigation districts Oregon (2),
  and Washington (1), entered into a landmark
  agreement with federal fish agencies and
  environmental groups to voluntarily bypass 25 CFS
  

August 1999
August 2002
Tum A Lum Bridge, Oregon
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Riparian Habitat Restoration in the Walla Walla
Watershed

• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
  1998-2006
• 123 Projects (107 contiguous)
• 2,700 Acres
• 175 Stream miles
• 1.2 Million Plants
• 86,198 ft. Fencing

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Challenges to Establishing Riparian Forest
Buffers in an Arid Landscape

• Competition
• Broadleaf weed
• Annual grasses
• Drought
• Wildlife
• Natural disaster
• Erosion
• Adjacent crops

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Buffer Layout and Installation to Meet These
Challenges
Bare Roots
Willow cuttings
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Success
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With success comes new challenges
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Riparian Buffer Livestock

• Lower Walla Walla River
• CREP installed over 3 years, 2001-2003
• 6.87 Stream Miles
• 169.5 Acres
• 76,494 Plants
• 6,600 Ft. fencing
• 80 Survival

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Progression of growth
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Riparian Buffer Rural Residential

• Stone Creek
• CREP Installed 2001
• 0.35 Stream Miles
• 5.2 Acres
• 2,903 Plants/ 95 survival

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Restoration Challenges of Urban Expansion
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Creating Urban Riparian Buffers

• CURB is new program is geared towards homeowners
  with a creek running through their property.
• Homeowners will be offered
• Landscape design for a riparian buffer.
• Cost share to install the buffer.
• Maintenance plan that will focus on green
  alternatives.

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Riparian Buffers Dryland Agriculture

• Coppei Creek
• Critical Habitat
• 20.7 Stream miles
• 368 acres of riparian buffer
• 117,814 Plants
• 160 ft. avg. width
• 323 acres permanent conservation easement

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Coppei Creek Restoration 1998-2006

• Instream Habitat and Barrier Removal
• 61 instream structures
• numerous pools formed

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Buffer on Coppei Creek 1999-2006
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Lessons Learned
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