Swale Canyon Watershed and Trail Enhancement Prioritization
Construction and maintenance of an embankment for rail use contributed to a reduction of in-channel habitat, floodplain connectivity, and the transport of wood and sediment in Swale Creek, a tributary of the Klickitat River south of Wahkiacus, Washington. Now part of a regional trail system, 13 miles of the Klickitat Trail run within Swale Canyon along a historic railroad embankment.
W2r has prepared a restoration prioritization scheme which builds upon existing Yakima Nation (client) data sources and knowledge to establish distinct reaches within the Swale Creek watershed. This required basin-wide hydrologic and geomorphic analysis and GIS mapping, project identification, prioritization, concept designs, and cost estimates.
Concept designs were developed for the tributary and mainstem trail crossings such as culvert replacements, low fords, and bridges.
This project continues efforts to improve aquatic habitat conditions for ESA-listed steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and other native fish and wildlife on a local and watershed scale.
