Most of the streams listed in the project area have been significantly altered by land management actions, or direct channel modifications. For example, East Canyon Creek has experienced dramatic modifications over time. During the 1900's much of the stream was heavily grazed and then treated with herbicides to remove willows in an effort to maximize forage production for cattle. The resulting channel changes, including lateral bank erosion and channel incision greatly impacted ecological function, degraded water quality and in many cases, permanently altered the water table. Resultant headcutting has delivered fine sediments downstream, where water quality has been negatively affected. In East Canyon Creek historical mining also impacted water quality by releasing large amounts of phosphorus through fine sedimentation. As the area has developed, additional phosphorus-laden fine sediment has been released into the watershed along with dramatic changes in the hydrograph associated with development. These include a flashy hydrography and severely reduced flows. Ultimately the sediments are stored in East Canyon Reservoir. Additionally, many of the original BDA projects are aged and in need of repair/upkeep. Until such time that beavers are re-introduced (if that is planned), some maintenance will be needed.

This project seeks to use constructed beaver dams as a tool to: 1) Maintain or enhance floodplain connectivity to reduce the stream energy during flashy high water events 2) Store fine sediment in the upper watershed and prevent it from being deposited into local reservoirs 3) Improve instream fish habitat 4) Provide templates and/or suitable habitat for reintroduction of beavers 5) Enhance brown trout migration (invasion) barriers in places where native species restoration has occurred

BDA's have proven to be an effective restoration strategy at reducing channel degradation within headwater streams. Primary threats addressed by this project include: 1. Continued headwater tributary degradation. This project is needed to begin reversing the trend of habitat degradation within the proposed areas. Continued degradation may result in increased restoration costs with future restoration. 2. Habitat for native fish is currently very degraded in these low-mid elevation low-order tributaries. BDA's reincorporate important habitat variability elements that provide habitat diversity. 3. As was observed in East Canyon Creek. BDA's function very effectively to store fine sediment on the floodplain. Fine sediment filtering is important for maintaining water quality and quantity for reaches downstream. This model is transferable and should be implemented in other regional waters where applicable

The 2014 Weber River Restoration Plan indicated that the impacts from land development and management were major challenges to habitat and water quality in East Canyon Creek and the South Fork of Chalk Creek. This project compliments much of the past restoration work that has been completed in the watersheds in the past and implements new strategies in new areas to restore floodplain connectivity. Chalk Creek and all of its tributaries are currently listed as impaired waters by the Utah Division of Water Quality for elevated levels of Phosphorus, fine sediment and physical habitat degradation. In addition to the listed impairments, sections of Chalk Creek reach elevated temperatures during the summer, sometimes exceeding the known lethal limit for Bonneville cutthroat trout. Nevertheless, the strong cutthroat trout population is sustained through a partially connected network of habitat with thermal refugia throughout the watershed. The South Fork of Chalk Creek has the potential to be a significant coldwater refuge for Bonneville cutthroat trout, however past and current land management patterns result in significant heating along the longitudinal gradient of the creek and its tributaries during the summer. This is partially due to unmanaged livestock grazing in riparian areas. The streams on the north slope of the Raft River mountains are also in need of sediment mitigation. Additionally, restoration of yellowstone cutthroat trout has occurred in Johnson Creek and BDAs and beavers will be used to deter brown trout invasion. Utah Beaver Management plan Mule Deer herd unit plans (variable as per herd unit) Utah Native Cutthroat Management Plan WAP

Healthy and robust riparian areas can provide a significant buffer against catastrophic effects of fires.

We expect to see the following water quality benefits: 1) Improved (colder) stream temperatures 2) Reduced fine sedimentation in riffles 3) Reduced fine sediment being transported downstream out of the system

This will be a noninvasive project. We will consult with the appropriate agencies to ensure that all clearances have been addressed. We will be completing a stream alteration permit for this project

Beaver Dam Analogs will be constructed based on design techniques using the ICRRR beaver restoration principles. The basic construction techniques include the use of sharpened lodgepole fence posts, approximately 3-4" diameter, which will be driven into the ground with a gas-powered hydraulic post pounder. The posts will be driven to a depth of approximately 1 m into the streambed. The posts will extend about 1 m above the channel bed depending on the stream. The posts will be spaced approximately 0.5 - 0.8 m apart. We will then weave willow branches or other tree branches that are available onsite between the posts to create a structure that will mimic a beaver dam. The concept is that the dams will last until sediment has aggraded behind the the dam. Riparian an emergent vegetation begins to grow and the stream channel aggrades and floods. We will place dams about 10 - 100 m apart, depending on factors such as gradient and degree of incision. Where appropriate, postless BDAs will be utilized. After a year we will assess the health of the streams again and determine what progress has been made.

Visual inspection during post-treatment site visits will be used to determine effectiveness of treatments. Maintenance will be performed as necessary. Those areas colonized by beavers either naturally or via re-introduction will be noted.

Trout Unlimited USFS UDAF USU, BLM

Depending upon the rate at which the Beaver Dam Analogs are occupied by beavers, we will work with the landowners and project partners to use volunteers to continue maintenance of the beaver dams to ensure that they have the intended effect.

We expect the project to improve riparian area productivity by enhancing the water table and serving as a local example of rangeland/riparian practices that can be beneficial to livestock, especially if they are paired with livestock management techniques such as off-channel watering and rotational grazing techniques.

07/01/2020

06/30/2021

2021

Despite the desire to add several BDAs to the landscape, this project was basically left largely unfinished. Inability to secure volunteer labor due to Covid restrictions led to a scenario where the project was inadvertently confused with a similarly named project and it 'slid off the radar'. Some initial work was completed in the Wellsville area tributaries (Three Mile) and a potential worksite was abandoned once beavers were discovered to have inhabited the area (Echo Creek). Some of this effort was also directed towards Fish Creek (Chalk Creek tributary).

Only a small portion of this project was actually completed. Restrictions on use of volunteers precluded its initiation early in the fiscal year when working conditions were favorable. A minimal effort was put into restoring some of the existing BDAs in the Wellsvilles and reconnaissance completed on Echo Creek indicated that beavers had taken up residence there and that precluded the need for BDAs. The intent was to ask for carry-over, but an error on my part with regard to similarly named projects left it off of the request list. Better communication with partners was needed to insure that this project met its expectations. Partner priority alterations mid-year were also an issue.

Consult with partners to decide if this project is a high enough priority to re-submit.