The Restoring Anadromous Fish Habitat in the Lapwai Creek Watershed, project 2002-070-00, began in 2003. This multi-year project focuses on restoring and improving fish habitat within the Lapwai Creek watershed. The limiting factors addressed include low summer flows, wide fluctuation in annual stream flows, connectivity, loss of all or partial floodplain, sedimentation of spawning and rearing habitat, high summer stream temperatures, and lack of in-stream cover. Past accomplishments have entailed the installation of land improvement projects to address these limiting factors, including 9.92 miles of riparian fencing, 6.21 miles of upland fencing, 928.07 acres of weed control, two livestock waste systems, 10,916.8 LF of riparian plantings, 8 stream crossings, 12.25 miles of road improvements, 2 miles of streambank bioengineering restoration, 10.38 acres of wetland enhancement, 24,655.8 acres of direct seeding, 20 alternative watering systems for livestock, 13 water and sediment control structures, 2,200 LF grassed waterway, the development of 16 habitat conservation plans, 9.27 miles of access restored, 3.1 miles of floodplain reconnected, 85.1 acres of tree planting, and 200 acres of grass seeding.

Prior to the initiation of this project, a massive data gap existed on fish, the condition of fish habitat, and limiting factors within the watershed. Under the FY 2007 contract, we focused primarily on the analysis and compilation of the fish presence and abundance data, and stream habitat data collected annually since 2003. The data was analyzed and converted into a GIS-compatible format and then combined with other available, watershed-wide data sets developed by the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District, the Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Division (NPT) and the NPT Water Resources Division. The synergistic effect of these combined data sets came together in the development of the "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed," a document intended to direct efforts and resources toward the highest priority restoration projects and areas of the Lapwai Creek watershed. This document provides an assessment of the status and health of the aquatic resources within the watershed, and allows the spatial prioritization of the implementation of future watershed protection and restoration projects for the Lapwai Creek watershed. This plan was updated in FY08 to incorporate information identified by the ISRP review.

May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 Contract Summary:

The "Strategy for the Ecological Restoration of Lapwai Creek Watershed," which was completed under the FY 07 contract and revised in FY08, and the 2014-2018 Geographic Review proposal were the main references for prioritizing implementation and developing this contract period's SOW. Work during this contract period includes more design and plan development than the previous 3 contract years. The plan and design will allow for future implementation actions. The NPSWCD anticipates the installation of projects planned and designed through this contract period in the years 2019-2021.

Under this contract, the NPSWCD plans to plant 1.1 acres with native trees and shrubs, maintain vegetation at 6 sites (44 acres), develop 4 habitat restoration plans, treat 0.8 acres of hybrid knotweed, protect 39.45 acres of meadow wetlands from noxious weeds, install 2,000 LF of fence, install 2 water developments, install woody debris at 5 locations, and install 1,109 acres of direct seeding. Work completed under this contract assists in meeting the following objectives:

Objective 1 – Reduce stream temperatures
Reduce water temperatures to levels meeting applicable water quality standards for life stage specific needs of anadromous and native resident fish, with an established upward trend in the number of stream miles meeting standards. The benchmark for this objective is to reduce overall days exceeding daily average temperatures at less than 16 degrees Celsius for spawning and rearing for anadromous salmonids and less than 20 degrees Celsius under all circumstances (NPCC 1994). Additional benchmarks for specific project types are discussed under relevant deliverables. Desired outcomes include restoring hydrologic and riparian functions related to temperature, identifying and rehabilitating wetland and floodplain areas, and continuing efforts aimed at increasing streamside shading where shading has been reduced by anthropogenic activities. This objective is consistent with the Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan, pg 35 (NPCC, 2005).

Objective 2 – Improve aquatic habitat diversity and complexity
Improve aquatic habitat diversity and complexity to levels consistent with objectives in the subbasin plan, with particular emphasis on recovery of anadromous stocks. Aquatic habitat condition (including diversity and/or complexity components) is limiting all focal species. Improvement in habitat productivity is considered critical to attainment of goals for both anadromous and resident species. Address priority problems with protection and restoration activities designed to promote development of more complex and diverse habitats through improved watershed condition and function. Desired outcomes include additions of large woody debris, stream channel reconstruction, increased side channels, increased pool quality/quantity, floodplain reconstruction, protecting and restoring wetland, and improved hydrologic functions. Management criteria includes water temperature of 16°C, adequate sources of woody debris recruitment, width to depth ratios <10, streambank conditions are >90% stable, with on average, less than 10% of banks actively eroding, and overbank flows occur on a 1.5 – 2 year event. Link to Clearwater Subbasin Plan, pg. 37 (NPCC, 2005).

Objective 3 – Reduce instream sedimentation
Reduce instream sedimentation to levels meeting applicable water quality standards, with an established upward trend in the number of stream miles meeting standards. Benchmarks for this activity include streambanks are >90% stable, < 20% cobble embeddedness, and turbidity is low (NOAA, 1996). Additional benchmarks for specific project types are discussed under relevant deliverables. Desired outcomes include restoring streambank condition, reducing sediment delivery to the stream from hydrologically connected roads and uplands, and reducing sediment inputs by implementing practices that address problems from logging, mining, agriculture, and other historic and current sediment producing activities. This objective is consistent with the Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan, pg 35 (NPCC, 2005).

Status and Trend and Implementation/Effectiveness monitoring under this contract is coordinated with the Nez Perce Tribe. The Nez Perce Tribe conducts the monitoring and evaluation required to determine population status and trends, as well as the physical and biological response to the habitat/watershed restoration efforts. The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (NPSWCD) utilizes the Nez Perce Tribe's monitoring data to prioritize habitat improvement and site specific project areas.