MSRF purchased 24 acres of riparian area on the south bank in the lower Twisp River floodplain. MSRF constructed a series of 5 ponds along the disconnected side channel and restored habitat around the ponds. Ponds 1 and 2 (numbered starting from upstream end) have been used as water supply, and are screened making them inaccessible to fish.  Ponds 3, 4, and 5 provide off-channel rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids. Ponds 4 and 5 each have a return channel back to the Twisp River and are currently used for wild fish. Pond 3 is used for acclimation of hatchery upper Columbia River steelhead under a cooperative agreement with WDFW. Following completion of Phase II improvements, acclimation activities will be relocated to Pond 5.

MSRF project involves about 2,000 feet of side channel, which runs through a vegetated flood plain bench between the Twisp River and Twisp River Road.  Three open channels run through the project site connecting ponds 3 and 4, and extending from ponds 4 and 5 back to the river. Completed Phase I work included a concrete headgate structure, measuring flume, and replacement of 3 existing culverts with 30-inch diameter HDPE culverts. Additional widening and deepening was completed to enhance flow and create resting areas below the outlet of each culvert.

Phase II is scheduled for construction during summer of 2006, and will include open channels with control structures between Ponds 1 and 2, and between Ponds 2 and 3. Other improvements include a metal control structure between Pond 5 and Twisp River on existing channel. Average width of new channels will be less than 5 feet. The average elevation change between ponds is about 3 feet, which requires 4 to 5 drop structures in each channel, with a 0.8 foot or less drop at each. The channel between Ponds 1 and 2 is about 115 feet in length, while the channel between Ponds 2 and 3 is about 90 feet in length. No headgates or other structures will be used to control or stop flow between ponds. The channels will accept any overflow from the pond. The banks of constructed channels will be lined with sod cut from the area to stabilize channels. Additional vegetation will be completed in disturbed areas using native plants and shrubs. Channel base will be lined with sized gravels suitable for spawning.

Metal control structure between Pond 5 and the Twisp River will be constructed of 1/2" steel plate and will have a low flow notch that can be closed off with stop logs to raise the water surface and create a passage barrier at times of the year when it is not desirable to have fish passage into pond system. Height of structure above streambed will be about 4 feet.

THIS IS THE FINAL PHASE OF A 2-PHASE PROJECT.