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Since 1999, Ruth
Goodfield has spent a part of each summer working with the Humboldt
Redwoods State Park in Bull Creek, a tributary to the South Fork Eel
River, restoring a streambed that used to resemble a bowling alley
to more complex, salmon-friendly habitat. This coming summer,
we will have funding approved for another phase of instream
restoration on this scenic and seasonally tumultuous river.
This phase of the Bull Creek Restoration Project begins at the
bridge just upstream of the confluence with Mill Creek, and extends
all the way downstream to the confluence with Albee Creek (near
Albee Campground). Over thirty instream structures and
erosion-control riparian plantings are slated to be implemented in
September and October.
Last summer, ERWIG completed
the previous phase of the Bull Creek Restoration Project, which
began at the confluence of Cuneo Creek and extended about 1/2 mile
upstream to Burns Creek. Similar to the previous downstream
projects from years past, this stretch had several boulder weirs,
turning logs, root wads, and willow baffles added to the
stream. These structures are intended to create a
healthier stream channel through erosion control, pool development,
spawning gravel recruitment, riparian growth and instream shelter,
primarily for salmon and steelhead. In one area of last year's
project reach that suffered very heavy erosion, about 5 acres were
lost in the winter of 2002-03 alone. Here, a new structural
design, called a "J" Hook deflector, was used to redirect the stream
away from the bank as well as create pool habitat for fish.
In addition to anchoring all of
the structures in last year's project reach, CCC Corpsmembers worked
to repair and enhance instream structures that had been damaged in
the winter of 2002-03. Last winter, the CCC also planted over
600 riparian trees on the flats above the project reach. ERWIG
will be working with the CCC again this summer to complete the next
phase in restoring beautiful, historic Bull Creek.
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