The East Fork Lewis River reconnection project is restoring three miles of critical floodplain and aquatic habitat by re-establishing a multi-threaded river channel and installing large woody debris structures for young fish to feed and hide. To further stabilize the environment, volunteers and contractors planted thousands of native trees and plants to cool the stream, improve fish spawning habitats, and provide nesting areas for birds and insects.
Wildlife_habitat
Clark County Close Up · Apr 26, 2026 · 27:09–27:29 · Watch on CVTV ↗
Keywords: nesting Salmon habitat
What was said
26:09 We expected to see flows going across that reconnected floodplain and after the two flood events in December, I walked the site with the project engineer and it was really amazing to see the restoration really responded as we expected. Woody structures really helped to push the water out onto the wider floodplain which prevents the river from rising as much as it would if it was in a confined channel. The woody structures also capture leaves and other organic material to create habitat for aquatic insects as well as a place for young fish to feed, hide and rest. To restore and stabilize areas that were disturbed, volunteers planted native plants during the winter. Clark County partnered with the Estuary Partnership to host several community planting events. We had 850 volunteers and students come and plant over 9,100 trees.
27:02 Native plants that are put in these properties are meant to help cool the streams, improve fish habitat areas for spawning and also include web for insects and birds and nesting areas. In the harder to access areas of the project, revegetation companies planted 150,000 native plants. The remainder of the construction work will be completed this year and we expect the construction to be up and running by late May. The focus for this year is going to be on constructing the remaining channels that are on the north sort of east side of the river. Along with filling the three remaining gravel pits, the Daybreak Park Trail will be realigned to allow grading to stop the ongoing bank erosion. What we're seeing on right now will actually become a floodplain bench to allow for more flood capacity and storage as well as some woody debris channels will be put in.
28:01 The lower Daybreak parking lot and trail will be closed to users during the construction time, but the eastern edge of Daybreak Park that has playgrounds will remain open. After the 2026 construction, there will be more opportunities for community plantings during the winter of 2027. For more information on the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project, visit estuarypartnership.org/eflr.
Evidence (1 match)
direct keyword 27:09–27:29 nesting, Salmon, habitat
nty partnered with the Estuary Partnership to host several community planting events. We had 850 volunteers and students come and plant over 9,100 trees. Native plants that are put in these properties are meant to help cool the streams, improve fish habitat areas for spawning and also include web for insects and birds and nesting areas. In the harder to access areas of the project, revegetation companies planted 150,000 native plants. The remainder of the construction work will be completed this