Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss ESA-listed Threatened) restoration and protection activities are planned and implemented in priority subwatersheds of the Potlatch River wastershed through the implementation of the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and subsequent 2019 Amendment. Biological responses are monitored through the Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Program and through site-specific monitoring strategies. The Potlatch River has one of the most robust wild steelhead populations within the Clearwater River Lower Mainstem population (Bowersox et al. 2008). The Potlatch River is identified as one of the highest priority watersheds for protection and restoration within the Lower Mainstem Clearwater River steelhead population, and efforts to restore the Potlatch River steelhead population are vital to wild steelhead recovery in the Clearwater River basin (NMFS 2017).

This project (2002-061-00), which is paired with the implementation funding of the Potlatch Accord project (2008-604-00) continues to focus on three primary goals and their related objectives to address the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan’s goal of restoring steelhead to a robust and self-sustaining population. The project’s goals and objectives address the primary limiting factors affecting wild steelhead distribution, production, and productivity within the Potlatch River watershed.

Goal 1 – Improve fish passage to suitable habitat.
Goal 2 – Provide suitable habitat for steelhead spawning and/or rearing.
Goal 3 – Improve instream water flows and temperatures to support spawning and rearing habitat.

These objectives are addressed through coordinated identification, prioritization, planning, funding, implementation, and monitoring of restoration projects within priority tributaries of the Potlatch River on private, state, and federal lands. The 377,776-acre Potlatch River watershed is in north-central Idaho and is the largest tributary in the lower Clearwater River.

Factors that limit steelhead production in the Potlatch River watershed include water temperature, instream flow, flow timing, sediment supply, floodplain connectivity, riparian vegetation, habitat complexity, and migration barriers (NMFS 2017, Ch 6, pg. 46).  Guidance to address these limiting factors includes restoring hydrologic and channel-forming processes to retain surface flow and reconnect floodplains, addressing channel incision, reestablishing riparian vegetation, improving large woody debris recruitment, and eliminating artificial fish migration barriers (NMFS 2017).  The Latah Soil and Water Conservation District (Latah SWCD) has been working in the Potlatch since 2004 to address these limiting factors.  Projects have included meadow restoration to address flow conditions and longevity, temperature, and sedimentation; migration barrier removal to address limited spawning/summer and winter rearing habitat, and riparian plantings to enhance shading and provide for future wood recruitment. To date, Latah SWCD has implemented over 125 steelhead habitat restoration projects which have opened approximately 37 stream miles following the removal of over 30 migration barriers, reconnected 450 acres of floodplain, and restored approximately 28 stream miles throughout the Potlatch River watershed.

Contracts associated with Project 2008-604-00 (Idaho Accord) are coordinated with contracts associated with Latah SWCD's Project 2002-061-00.  The primary focus of the 2002-061-00 project is the identification, planning, and development of funding proposals for restoration practices that will be implemented through contracts associated with Project 2008-604-00 (Idaho Accord) and other private, local, state, and federal funding programs.

Bowersox, B. 2008. Potlatch River Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Project, annual report 2007. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report 18-139, Boise.

NMFS. 2017. ESA Recovery Plan for Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) & Snake River Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/recovery-plan-snake-river-spring-summer-chinook-salmon-and-snake-river-basin.