Project Details

Provide evidence about the nature of the problem and the need to address it. Identify the significance of the problem using a variety of data sources. For example, if a habitat restoration project is being proposed to benefit greater sage-grouse, describe the existing plant community characteristics that limit habitat value for greater sage-grouse and identify the changes needed for habitat improvement.

Provide an overall goal for the project and then provide clear, specific and measurable objectives (outcomes) to be accomplished by the proposed actions. If possible, tie to one or more of the public benefits UWRI is providing.

The Weber River is home to several imperiled native fish species, including the bluehead sucker and Bonneville cutthroat trout. Restoration of this stretch of the river will provide a unique opportunity to create and enhance the habitat for these aquatic species, as well as establish riparian flora and fauna on a site that is now mostly barren.
The bluehead sucker populations in the Weber River basin have been shown to be genetically distinct from the populations in the Colorado River basin.  If the Weber River population is declared to be a separate species, it will increase the urgency of measures to slow and reverse the current population decline.  The bluehead sucker here is suffering from a juvenile rearing bottleneck, and the creation of improved habitat may significantly increase the survival of juvenile fish.
This project adds to other efforts to create habitat for the bluehead sucker along the lower Weber River, including the new channel constructed in 2020 on this same property.  Thus it has the potential to help keep the bluehead sucker from being listed as an Endangered Species.

LOCATION: Justify the proposed location of this project over other areas, include publicly scrutinized planning/recovery documents that list this area as a priority, remote sensing modeling that show this area is a good candidate for restoration, wildlife migration information and other data that help justify this project's location.

TIMING: Justify why this project should be implemented at this time. For example, Is the project area at risk of crossing an ecological or other threshold wherein future restoration would become more difficult, cost prohibitive, or even impossible.

This project is part of a large-scale restoration plan along the reach of the Lower Weber River.  It occurs within the Ogden River--Cottonwood Creek reach of the Weber River, which has been highly degraded and modified, negatively affecting macroinvertebrates.   This is a core area of bluehead sucker and Bonneville cutthroat trout habitat, two species that have been identified as indicators of success in the 2014 Weber River Restoration Plan. That plan identified past and current habitat loss due to channelization and flood control actions as a high threat within the Lower Weber River.
The Lower Weber River Watershed Plan, commissioned by Ogden City, describes the river between the mouth of Weber Canyon and the confluence with the Ogden River as "a significant stronghold for bluehead sucker."  The report goes on to state that historic flood overflow channels have been filled in or disconnected from the river, resulting in an unstable river channel that no longer functions naturally.  "Water quality degradations and habitat alterations have likely diminished the health of the fishery," and stream restoration projects could improve bluehead sucker rearing habitat and benefit macroinvertebrates.  The report recommends "improvement of the natural characteristics of the channel by removing levees, digging side channels, and improving riparian conditions."  A new side channel was dug here in 2020, and this project will reconnect existing natural side channels.
The 2017 Western Weber County Resource Management Plan recommends the protection of "the Weber River floodplain, wetland areas associated with the meander corridor, and streamside vegetation."  It also recommends providing "habitat for plant communities, wildlife, and fisheries," including "unique ecological communities for rare, threatened or endangered species."  This project accomplishes all of these objectives, setting aside a mile of the river that will be protected from development as well as improving the habitat for imperiled species such as the bluehead sucker and Bonneville cutthroat trout.

The Utah Division of Water Quality has identified hydromodification as a key feature of the degradation of Weber River habitat.  This project will take steps to reverse this hydromodification, and a similar project was identified in 2004 under a proposal to the Army Corps of Engineers Section 206 ecosystem restoration program.  The entire program was never funded, but that proposal has been maintained with the Corps.
The Utah State Resource Management Plan has identified the preservation and enhancement of rivers and floodplains as important objectives to consider when planning projects. Additionally, wetlands and riparian areas have been identified as key resources to provide both environmental and economic benefits to Utah communities. Recreation has also been called out as essential to Utah's ecological and economic vitality into the future. This project addresses these RMP objectives and also will help to bring the community together around this rare resource, the River.

List management plans where this project will address an objective or strategy in the plan. Describe how the project area overlaps the objective or strategy in the plan and the relevance of the project to the successful implementation of those plans. It is best to provide this information in a list format with the description immediately following the plan objective or strategy.

If applicable, detail how the proposed project will significantly reduce the risk of fuel loading and/or continuity of hazardous fuels including the use of fire-wise species in re-seeding operations. Describe the value of any features being protected by reducing the risk of fire. Values may include; communities at risk, permanent infrastructure, municipal watersheds, campgrounds, critical wildlife habitat, etc. Include the size of the area where fuels are being reduced and the distance from the feature(s) at risk.

Describe how the project has the potential to improve water quality and/or increase water quantity, both over the short and long term. Address run-off, erosion, soil infiltration, and flooding, if applicable.

Description of efforts, both completed and planned, to bring the proposed action into compliance with any and all cultural resource, NEPA, ESA, etc. requirements. If compliance is not required enter "not applicable" and explain why not it is not required.

Describe the actions, activities, tasks to be implemented as part of the proposed project; how these activities will be carried out, equipment to be used, when, and by whom.

Describe plans to monitor for project success and achievement of stated objectives. Include details on type of monitoring (vegetation, wildlife, etc.), schedule, assignments and how the results of these monitoring efforts will be reported and/or uploaded to this project page. If needed, upload detailed plans in the "attachments" section.

List any and all partners (agencies, organizations, NGO's, private landowners) that support the proposal and/or have been contacted and included in the planning and design of the proposed project. Describe efforts to gather input and include these agencies, landowners, permitees, sportsman groups, researchers, etc. that may be interested/affected by the proposed project. Partners do not have to provide funding or in-kind services to a project to be listed.

Detail future methods or techniques (including administrative actions) that will be implemented to help in accomplishing the stated objectives and to insure the long term success/stability of the proposed project. This may include: post-treatment grazing rest and/or management plans/changes, wildlife herd/species management plan changes, ranch plans, conservation easements or other permanent protection plans, resource management plans, forest plans, etc.

The reconnection of the overflow channels will not only take flooding pressure off the Weber River during high runoff years, it will also provide an opportunity for groundwater recharge when the old borrow pit is filled with water, creating a seasonal pond.  In this way the project could lead to the sustainable storage of water supplies as well as the creation of three acres of wetland habitat. Blackner's Bend also provides access to the river for angling and wildlife watching opportunities. 
The project site is currently accessed from South Weber's Fisherman's Point Trailhead by a primitive single-track trail used by anglers.  This project will enhance opportunities for angling by improving fish habitat.  Future phases are envisioned to include a 10-foot wide non-motorized public pathway and a bridge to the Uintah Springs Business Park on the north bank.  This pathway and bridge will be a vital link in the connection of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Weber River parkway, and Centennial Trail loop, enhancing the community's opportunities for transportation and recreation by foot, bicycle, and horse, as well as providing a place for wildlife viewing.

Potential for the proposed action to improve quality or quantity of sustainable uses such as grazing, timber harvest, biomass utilization, recreation, etc. Grazing improvements may include actions to improve forage availability and/or distribution of livestock.