Each of TU's contracts supports the goal of the Yankee Fork Dredge Tailings Restoration Project to restore natural river channel characteristics, floodplain function, hydraulic and sediment regimes, and aquatic habitat within the dredged reach of the YFSR, initially by redistributing dredge tailings piles from the floodplain. The Pond Series 4 Reconnect project modifies the inflow to the series of ponds to establish perennial flows that add habitat features and availability.

TU applies adaptive management modifications to two previously restored sets of split channels directly upstream (West Fork Confluence project) that were negatively impacted by high flows in the Yankee Fork in 2017 following implementation of the West Fork Confluence. The upstream set of split channels will be described as Adaptive Management, as the work in this area is aimed at modifying conditions to return them to those attempted during the West Fork Confluence project.  The set of downstream split channels will also be modified to return conditions to those attempted during the West Fork Confluence Project.  However, modification in this area is also necessary to facilitate achieving perennial flows into Pond Series 4 and is therefore part of the PS4 Project proper.  

This contract will cover implementation of the Pond Series 4 project after 1 July 2025 (implementation of the Pond Series 4 project prior to that date will be covered with BPA contract 94864.  Funding from NOAA is also secured to pay for Pond Series 4 project implementation.  

This contract will also cover design development and permitting for either the Jerrys Creek or Silver Creek Reconnect project.  One of these projects will be selected by the Yankee Fork Interdisciplinary Team, based on concept plans put together under BPA contract 94864.   Analysis of these plans and selection of the project was incomplete when this contract was completed (March 2025).