Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST)
$50,000

The purpose of this project is to enhance overall estuarine ecosystem function at an important location adjacent to Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge. Importantly, the project will benefit Endangered Species Act-listed juvenile salmonids through increased access and enhancement of rearing and foraging habitat. The South Tongue Point (STP) Habitat Improvement Project site is located along the western margin of Cathlamet Bay, approximately at river mile 18 of the Columbia River Estuary (CRE). Importantly, the site sits in the critical brackish area of the estuary ecosystem, where juvenile salmonids must undergo the physiological transition necessary for ocean conditions. The project builds on an adjacent restoration project completed by CREST and its partners in 2012.The primary features of the project are designed to improve and expand salmonid access to off-channel tidal marshplain habitat by restoring hydrologic connections and maximizing off-channel habitat quantity and quality. Project elements include tidal channel creation, marshplain development, placement of wood habitat structures, amendment of the existing soil with masticated wood, and an extensive revegetation effort. Additional design elements include reestablishing native plant communities, improving food web connections between the site interior and the Columbia River, and preparing a recreational and educational access trail.

Project Report