The project site lies along the low gradient stream reach at the confluence of Nelson Creek and Lake Creek, both of which historically supported abundant anadromous fish populations. For the last decade, the land owner has managed the area for hay production, but planned on shifting towards cattle grazing due to market issues. The land owner was well aware of the detrimental effects of grazing cattle within the riparian area and so came to us for assistance in developing a plan to address the issue. He also wanted assistance in stabilizing his stream banks at three different erosion areas and to lease back 38 acres worth of irrigation water rights. 9 acres of riparian buffer will be fenced off, replanted with native vegetation, and enrolled in Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).

    Lake Creek is listed by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on their 303(d) list of impaired waters for several parameters including: temperature, sedimentation, and flow modification. The Siuslaw Watershed Council’s Watershed Assessment (2002) identifies the project area as high in priority for restoration. Oregon’s Coastal Coho Conservation Plan (ODFW, 2007) identified stream complexity and water quality as the primary and secondary limiting factors for Coho in the Siuslaw Watershed. We decided to further develop the project since it addresses both primary and secondary limiting factors for Coho within the Siuslaw River, as well as improving overall water quality and quantity. The project was made possible with funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and the EQIP.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts have formed a close working bond with the NRCS.  The staff of the NRCS provides technical assistance to local land managers, SWCDs, and many other entities.  The NRCS has a staff of technical specialists in many different fields to aid in solving a wide range of natural resource problems.  NRCS staff share office space with the Siuslaw SWCD and coordinate management of programs and technical assistance.

In 2008, the Siuslaw SWCD held a landowner workshop at the Fiddle Cr. Grange, primarily for residence of the Coastal Lakes Basin.  One landowner on Fiddle Cr. itself, followed up with the District wanting assistance developing a conservation plan for his property.  Fiddle Cr. is one of the larger tributaries to Siltcoos Lake, and supports one of the healthiest runs of Coho salmon in the state of Oregon.  The land owner has a 42 acre parcel that had historically been used as a dairy operation.  Currently he leases the land to ranchers who graze cattle for beef production.  He wanted to address one area in particular, where annually several feet of pasture land was lost during high winter flows.  After several meetings with the former District Watershed Conservationist Sharon Corrigan, and District liaison Jeff Jones of Habitat Contracting, the landowner agreed to set aside and re-vegetate a 50 ft riparian buffer.  They also agreed to build an exclusion fence that ran the entire length of the 1.2 mile, ~ 9 acre buffer.  The District agreed to address the re-occurring washout by first re-contouring the stream bank to a slope of 3:1.  The design also incorporated placing smaller (10-14 inch dbh) conifer plantation trees with root wads attached, within the toe of the bank to provide both further bank protection and native fish habitat.  Following the wood placement, the excavation area was slated for intense willow planting, on a 2 ft grid pattern.

     With funds from the ODA, the USFWS, the Siuslaw Resource Advisory Council, and ODFW’s Restoration and Enhancement Board, the District began implementation in the Summer of 2010.  The stream bank excavation was completed in July, and the New Zealand style, 4 strand exclusion fence was completed in early December.  The remaining riparian planting and livestock off-stream watering components are to be completed in Spring 2011.  This project compliments an adjacent restoration on Kimberly Creek, funded by an OWEB Small Grant and implemented by NRCS.  Kimberly Cr. is a tributary to Fiddle Cr., and runs through the same land owner’s property.  The landowner has since enrolled the ~9 acres of riparian buffer in the CREP, which was approved through the FSA, and begins on March 1, 2011.  In conclusion, the Fiddle Cr. Stream Enhancement is a prime example of how a cattle grazing operation can be managed for production, while still providing improved water quality, and habitat for multiple species.

Project Totals:   

·         (50ft wide x 1.2 miles in length =)~ 9 acres of riparian buffer; ~400 native shrubs/trees per acre.

·          1.2 mile long, New Zealand Style (4 strand) Exclusion Fence.

·         200 ft of stream bank re-contoured to slope of 3:1.

·         ~50 conifer plantation trees place within the toe of the 200 ft of re-contoured stream bank.

·         3 Livestock Off-stream Watering Facilities.

Personnel Associated with the Project:

·         Seth Mead (Watershed Conservationist, Siuslaw SWCD)

·         Kate Danks (District Liaison, NRCS)

·         Jeff Jones (District Liaison, Habitat Contracting)

·         Paul Burns (Fisheries Biologist, Siuslaw National Forest)

·         Sharon Corrigan (Former Watershed Conservationist, Siuslaw SWCD)

·         Kevin Fenn (Mid-Coast Water Quality Specialist, ODA)