The Duncan and Hamilton Creek restoration project will enhance two productive groundwater-fed spawning channels to benefit ESA listed Lower Columbia River Chum salmon.  

Duncan Springs Extension:  This project will extend the existing chum channel by 580 feet west to the USFS property line. The intent of the project is to enhance access to increased spawning area in a upwelling ground water site which was documented in a ground water assessment project completed in 2008. Construction will include placement of toe armor protection with logs and cobble to prevent fine sediment inputs (which creates opportunity for invasive aquatic vegetation to take hold) and undermining by actively spawning chum. Up to 18 inches depth of new spawning gravel will be placed in new and renovated sections with weirs installed to maintain water surface elevations

Hamilton Springs Restoration: The proposed work will completely restore 500 feet of existing degraded groundwater channel (constructed as a chum spawning channel about 15 years ago but has filled with sediment and aquatic vegetation) and includes partial restoration of 350 feet of existing high quality chum spawning and rearing channel. The finished configuration of the existing channel will be 900 feet long and between 15 and 20 feet wide. Construction will include placement of toe armor protection with logs and cobble to prevent fine sediment inputs (which creates opportunity for invasive aquatic vegetation to take hold) and undermining by actively spawning chum. Up to 18 inches depth of new spawning gravel will be placed in new and renovated sections with weirs installed to maintain water surface elevations.