About the Project
In 2015, Mid-Columbia Fisheries removed a check dam, concrete, and plenty of trash (including auto parts and shopping carts) from East Branch Wilson Creek between the new Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue station and the Grand Meridian Cinema in Ellensburg. To restore this section of Wilson Creek, a contractor re-graded the site to restore the function of the floodplain and MCF installed native plants along 800 feet of stream to provide shade and water quality protection. The project enhanced both banks of the creek, and utilized recycled tarps to block weeds as needed. Ten years later, the trees are tall, and staff and volunteers are removing tarp, cleaning up trash, and managing weeds.
East Branch Wilson Creek utilizing its newly accessible floodplain in May 2020.
Native shrubs and bunchgrasses establishing in the new floodplain of East Branch Wilson Creek in May, 2020.
East Branch Wilson Creek floodplain in late fall 2021. Native grasses dominate the floodplain, providing filtration and slowing floodwaters.
East Branch Wilson Creek western floodplain before restoration. A berm kept the stream from reaching the floodplain under many flows, and past land management had left barren soils and trash.
Partners
The project was supported by local volunteers, the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group program, Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue (KVFR), a private landowner, the Washington Dept. of Ecology, and the Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program. The restoration site is maintained each year by KVFR staff, MCF, Trout Unlimited, and community volunteers.