Murphy Creek Rainbow Trout Spawning Channel Maintenance. Trail Wildlife Association

Author: A. Mallette

The TWA had two main objectives with associated goals for the Murphy Creek spawning channel maintenance project: (1) Enhance Rainbow Trout spawning and rearing habitat within the Murphy Creek spawning channel. Goal 1: Remove woody debris within the spawning channel to reduce sediment retention; Goal 2: Remove fine sediment from the spawning channel by dredging the settling pond (BGC water intake pond); Goal 3: Add new spawning gravel to the channel; and Goal 4: Add new flow control logs to increase pool depth in shallow pools. (2) Promote environmental awareness, education and outreach within the community and the TWA membership. Goal 1: Involve local high schools, colleges, clubs, and community members; Goal 2: Partner with local businesses and agencies; and Goal 3: Increase skills in spawning channel maintenance within the TWA for future upkeep at Murphy Creek. The project is aligned with the FWCP Columbia Streams Action Plan which seeks to enhance productivity in 15 priority tributary streams of the Columbia River downstream of the Keenlyside Dam (Rainbow Trout.)

We removed all dangerous overhead snags prior to working in the channel. We also removed large in stream woody debris that was causing sediment buildup in the channel. The material was placed alongside the channel for wildlife. Some of the larger snag segments were placed astride the pools to provide cover and rearing habitat. Fine sediment was removed via dredging and 1-2 inch round river rock was placed as spawning gravel.

We removed all dangerous overhead snags prior to working in the channel. We also removed large in stream woody debris that was causing sediment buildup in the channel. The material was placed alongside the channel for wildlife. Some of the larger snag segments were placed astride the pools to provide cover and rearing habitat. Fine sediment was removed via dredging and 1-2 inch round river rock was placed as spawning gravel.