Upper Quinault River - PA5 Phase 1

Well let's just say it's been a very wet winter in western Washington. On the Upper Quinault there have been 4flows that exceeded the 1-yr peak flow estimate and 2flows that exceeded or equaled the 2-yr peak flow estimate. With high river flows we are seeing a lot of river change and respond and the Upper Quinault is no exception.

Phase 1 structures built in 2014 have accumulated lots of mobile wood, are creating deep pools for fish habitat, and decreasing streamflow energies resulting in sediment deposition and slowed bank erosion. In addition Phase 2 structures are working in concert with Phase 1 to re-direct the river away from an eroding bank and road. The winter is not over yet but it's really exciting to see how our projects are evolving on such a rapid time scale.