The Twisp Ponds project is in the Lower Twisp River Assessment Unit (AU), a major spawning area for both spring Chinook and steelhead.  Both the Biological Strategy and EDT rank the Lower Twisp/ Twisp-Lower AU as a top priority for restoration.  The project addresses important ecological concerns as identified in the Biological Strategy. Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) and BPA technical leads will identify in channel complexity improvements that will prevent seasonal disconnection of the intake that feeds the side channel network.  Design leads will also review potential improvements within the intake channel that could A) provide increased habitat for target species or B) reduce winter ice build up at three road crossing culverts.  

One of the project objectives is to provide a demonstration of the potential for small team efficiency in developing adaptive actions.  This project assumes that MSRF and BPA staff will be able to sufficiently develop a preferred alternative that can be fully permitted, reviewed, and constructed with limited use of an independent engineering contractor.

Project is intended to restore a perennial connection to the Twisp Ponds side channel network flowing from an existing connection to the Twisp River at River Mile 1.5.  This project will increase off-channel rearing habitat and main channel for juvenile spring Chinook and steelhead by providing a perennial connection to the Twisp Ponds side channel network and increasing instream complexity in the main channel.

MSRF Contract Manager and MSRF's design consultants will all cooperate, coordinate, collaborate, and maintain effective communication with BPA PM/COR, EC Lead, HIP Review Lead, and Hydraulic Engineer during the entire length of this contract with regards to project design.  MSRF and its subcontractors will address BPA comments and concerns, and the two entities will arrive at a mutual beneficial consensus.  MSRF contract manager will upload all the subcontracts being executed under this contract.