The purpose of this message is to inform you of active in-water construction on the South Fork Nooksack River (SFNR) as part of the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s SFNR Homesteader Reach Restoration Project (Homesteader Project). The Homesteader Project is a reach-scale restoration project located between river miles 5.7-6.4 on the lower SFNR, approximately 2.2 river miles downstream of the Sate Route Highway 9 Bridge in Acme.
Project Details
The Project includes constructing 23 new engineered log jam (ELJ) structures, enhancement of two existing ELJ structures, removal of approximately 125-feet of riprap rock, and floodplain channel grading. The ELJ’s will be constructed within the active channel of the river on both the right and left banks. Construction will occur July 15th through mid-September 2024. Please be aware that low, impassable, bridges have/will be installed over the active channel as shown in the notification sign attached.
Project goals are to address early SF chinook limiting factors of lack of key habitat (deep pools with complex cover), low habitat diversity, and high water temperatures. Restoration is designed to benefit SFNR chinook and there will be collateral benefits to summer and winter steelhead, bull trout, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon, and cutthroat trout. Increasing the frequency and complexity of pool habitat and creating temperature refuges will increase holding adult survival and rearing juvenile productivity, while converting hydromodified bank to natural bank is expected to increase juvenile habitat capacity.
River User Information
Whatcom County Council passed a seasonal flotation ban (Whatcom County Code Chapter 11.20.025 ) on July 11, 2023 that restricts floating on the SFNR. The ban restricts paddleboard, innertube, inflatable flotation device, foam flotation device, limb-propelled flotation device, rubber raft, canoe, and kayak floatation devices on the SFNR from June 1st to October 31st. Unfortunately, illegal river use has been observed recently so this notice is being sent as a public safety precaution. River users planning to access the project reach should become familiar with the project elements shown on the notification attached and should be prepared to portage around the construction area following the designated portage routes. Signs will be placed upstream of the construction area to warn river users to exit the river and designated portage routes will be spray-painted on the gravel bar.
The attached notification sign is being posted at popular river access locations throughout the lower SRNF valley and is being shared with local and regional recreation groups. Following construction, reflective yellow warning signs will be attached to each ELJ. The American Whitewater Association and other national and regional river recreation groups that host online river databases will be notified of the project completion.
Best Fishes,
Lindsie Fratus-Thomas (she/her)
Watershed Restoration Coordinator
Nooksack Indian Tribe
Natural Resources Department