BRETT CREEK IN SEPTEMBER, 2004

The project proposal to increase pool habitat and habitat diversity included:

1. Constructing approximately 50 habitat improvement structures including log barbs, log revetments and log pool structures.
2. Placing approximately 150 cover logs.

The heavy work of placing the logs was completed during the summer under a contract that carefully specified locations and types of structures to be placed. In order to avoid anything that would result in "change of conditions" arguments no one except the Contracting Officer was allowed on the project. So we don't have pictures of the equipment used or work in progress. Even Matt Davis, USFS, who worked on the specifications didn't show up.

Members of the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club, IEFFC, and the North Idaho Flycasters, NIFC, were invited to visit Brett Creek in September, 2004. The Idaho Panhandle Chapter of Trout Unlimited was also involved. This was mainly an informational trip for us to see the completed work before a spring runoff. Also we were able to see some of the required post-contract documentation which included: collecting photo points (about 100 digital photos in all), collect GPS points for future mapping and documenting post-contract stream conditions.

Besides a lot of walking through brush, etc. along the less than 0.75-mile project length we spread some grass seed around. Re-seeding started the process of reclaiming disturbed ground. Photos were taken by Bob Bates on September 14th and by Frank Faha on September 16th.

		We walked to the upstream end on the project. This is also the end of the road available for use by equipment. The miles of road beyond have been decommissioned and look like the rest of the hillside. Left to right: Dick Townsend (NIFC), Ray Kranches (IEFFC) and Matt Davis (USFS)
		Turn around and you see there is still some road. It is about 0.8 of a mile from here to the highway.
		Matt Davis, USFS, is standing on a V-structure, one of the first we observed. The point of the V is the lowest point to make the water flow fastest here. Increased water flow from a rain a few days ago has started a pool. On Sept. 14th Ray and I learned a new stream hydraulics term. "Thalweg" is the imaginary line that follows the deepest or lowest points along a streambed. If I look at it correctly, the point of the V is on the "Thalweg."
		The roots of the logs for the V structure are 20 to 34 feet back in hillside. After the 2005 spring runoff there will be a deep pool to protect fish below the V (see Big Hank pictures) and there will be spawning gravel in the tail-out. Left to right: Matt Davis and Dick Townsend
		An overview of the V Structure with two cover logs. These are just downstream from the V structure. Left to right: Tom May (IEFFC), Tom Hoag (IEFFC) and Matt Davis (USFS).
		The structure in the creek behind Ray Kranches is a diagonal step down.
		Another restoration feature is by the lath stuck into the stream in front of Matt. Things will be a little more obvious after the 2005 run-off.
		There was rain before and during the time Frank Faha took this picture of a diagonal step down structure. Spots in pool are rain drops on the lens.
		Downstream view of the diagonal step down structure, a bunch of cover logs and an off-color creek. Tom Hoag with back to camera.
		In high water, faster water around the cover logs will dig a small pool and the logs will provide cover. (The round spots in the water in front of Matt and elsewhere on the picture are rain drops on the lens.) Tom May on right.
		Many work sites look untouched. This is the area that was photographed in June. (Scott Fink should recognize the trees and bushes in the background. He and I sat in their shade to pick the bugs out of our gravel sample.) Dick Townsend is standing about where the level was in June.
		Tom May checking out more logs. Below him there are many logs placed to stop the stream from eroding the near bank. USFS personnel hope the stream will also move to the right a little and cut into the gravel bed.
		Cover logs protect the fish from predators. They also make a good place for Tom Hoag to get a little rest.
		Some super loading of logs.
		A real example of super loading. No possibilities for a long cast here.
		There was a little vegetation damage by moving equipment. Here it is not too obvious. Also, we saw areas where the brush was already recovering.
		There were many trips over this area photographed on September 16, 2004. It was re-seeded on Sept. 14th, but it is too soon to see much grass. Should look better next year.
		Speaking of re-seeding. Our leaders are trying to figure out how the seed spreaders work.
		Those of us who visited the site on September 14th had a chance to start re-seeding the log deck area and some of the damaged areas. Next year this area should look a lot different.
		Toward the end of the interesting tour on the 16th, Tom is probably thinking why do we keep standing here in the rain. Left to right: Matt Davis, Tom May and Tom Hoag.

Go to June Brett Creek page --- Click Here

Go to Big Hank page to see structures installed in '96-'97 --- Click Here

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