The chapter has had an ongoing project restoring Barr creek
(near Monroe, WA) over the last 10 years. With a multitude of wood placements,
and native plantings, the area has really been transformed. On a recent visit to the
site I was impressed by how much better the stream was doing, and the size of
the trees that we had planted. We now have alders over 50 ft, Doug firs over
30ft and tons of good cover. I saw some pink salmon carcasses on the banks, and
signs of spawning reds. There was even a deposit of bear scat near the pond; it
looked like the bear was eating pink salmon. Both Barr and Kissey creek are
important “off-channel” rearing areas for anadromous fish, and also provides habitat
for a multitude of other species.
Overall the area is doing well, but we need to continue to
do maintenance on the site. There is a need to knock back the blackberry vines
to keep them off the trees, some general weed whacking, and additional
plantings. We will plan to have a work party in the spring of 2014, we can use
as many volunteers as we can get. The work at Barr and Kissey creek greatly
benefits Salmon and Steelhead; biological studies have shown this area to be
highly productive. Anyone that is interested in helping at Barr creek please
contact Chris Tompkins (ctompkins84@hotmail.com).
Here are some recent photos from my visit at Barr creek in
November 2013.
Chris
Pink Salmon Carcasse
Cedar Tree planted in 2011
Barr Creek
Kissey Creek
Bear Scat
Kissey Creek
Barr Creek
Barr Creek
Cottonwood planted in 2009
Kissey Creek
Barr Creek
Barr Creek
Barr Creek
Cedar tree planted in 2010
Barr Creek
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