Cascade Fisheries (CF) will continue to lead  a design process to complete a habitat restoration project at the Goodwin Side Channel Site (GSC). The goals for this restoration project are: 1. Improve rearing habitat in the GSC by increasing connection to groundwater; 2. Enhance the floodplain and side channel habitat functions through improved connections with the river while taking advantage of the benefits provided by  groundwater inflow.; 3.Promote native woody vegetation cover throughout the floodplain by planting where current RCG patches exist and preserving existing mature native riparian forest.; 4. Increase Large Wood Cover and habitat complexity; 5.Increase floodplain inundation. The design set will progress from 15% - 60% this contract period.

Under the previous contract (90897) an alternatives analysis was conducted where conceptual alternatives that all meet the high level project goals, but with different methods and metrics, were developed. The design team chose the most suitable alternative to advance to the next design stage. After a preferred alternative was chosen, the designs were progressed to 15% (conceptual) level.

In FY 2024 Cascade Fisheries, the design consultant, BPA, and project stakeholder will work collaboratively to advance designs to the 30% (preliminary) and 60% (permit set) level. At each design phase, Cascade Fisheries will consult with BPA and project stakeholders to gather feedback that will be incorporated into the next design phase. Cascade Fisheries will lead the effort to complete EC tasks including a wetland delineation and cultural resources survey between the 30% and permit set design levels.

The project area occurs on 10.75 acres on the left bank floodplain of the Wenatchee River starting at RM 11.15 and ending at RM 11.5. The project falls within the Wenatchee River Ollala 01 reach of the Wenatchee River – Ollala Canyon Assessment Unit within the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Region’s prioritization scheme. This Assessment Unit is listed as a tier 1 priority for Steelhead restoration. At the reach scale, winter rearing is listed as a high priority life stage for both spring chinook and steelhead, while summer rearing is a medium priority life stage for steelhead. The highest ranking limiting factors for this reach are cover-wood and off-channel/side-channel habitat, and the second highest ranking limiting factor is floodplain connectivity.

The current habitat benefit of the existing side channel is limited by its infrequent surface water connection with the mainstem. From 2000-2020, the side channel was connected (at or above 8,000 CFS) for an average of only 36 days a year. This connection overwhelmingly occurred during spring freshet, and the side channel is inaccessible during the critical summer and winter rearing months.

The proposed restoration project improves floodplain connectivity and frequency of fish access to the Goodwin Side Channel, which addresses the highest-ranking species, life stages, and limiting factors for this reach of the Wenatchee River.