The Middle Fly portion of this project involves implementing restoration in Middle Fly Creek to improve habitat for listed spring/summer chinook and summer steelhead. The project is located in the Lower Fly Creek Subwatershed (170601040108(T 5S, R 35.5E, S 3, 4, 8, 9)). Currently, the stream channel is simplified with low levels of large wood, course substrate, and lack of quality pool habitat. Floodplain inundation and function is limited. The project would construct debris jams and habitat structures at 56 sites within the middle 3.0 miles of Fly Creek (RM 4.0 – RM 7.0). Approximately, 2400 trees and tops will be flown in and placed by helicopter. There will be 100 trees directionally felled by hand and 85% of the racking material will be incorporated into the structure and stream through hand placement.

Project partners are United States Forest Service, Grande Ronde Model Watershed and Bonneville Power Administration.

Overall Goal: To achieve proper ecological form and function of Middle Fly Creek and thereby restore habitat for  the imperiled Snake River Basin Spring/Summer Chinook and Snake River Basin Steelhead.

Subgoal 1: Physical - Restore Hydrologic Function
Increase hydration of a laterally confined channel to improve groundwater retention through channel spanning log jam construction.

Subgoal 2: Physical - Activate Side Channel Scrolls
Encourage and create perennial side channels through channel spanning log jam construction.

Subgoal 3: Biological - Improve Fish Habitat
Restore habitat complexity. Existing LWD structures will be modified and additional whole trees will be placed.  These structures will encourage scour pool habitat, and fish cover.

This contract portion will only cover the helicopter portion of the project.  We split the project into two parts, due to increased overhead costs within the USFS.