our action
coos basin coho partnership
RESTORING OUR VALLEY
PROJECT GOALS
Changes on the land and in the water over the years have affected the survival and health of our Coho Salmon, so we are taking action to change the future for our Coho.
By restoring vital watershed functions, implementing innovative strategies, and collaborating with tribal partners, we aim to protect the Coos Coho population and preserve the ecosystem for future generations. Scroll down to learn about our restoration work and projects below.
Biggest Factors Undermining Coho’s Health and Survival
Obstacles preventing fish from moving freely
Loss of complexity in streams
Declining water quality, temperature and pollution
Insufficient long-term habitat protection
Decreased Coho fitness affecting their numbers and productivity
Restoration In Action: How are we improving the land?
Creating structures (nurse cribs) to bring back tidal forests
Using beaver dam imitations to improve water flow
Implementing Stage Zero techniques to restore wetland-stream areas
Thinning out forests with different densities to restore their complexity
Collaborating with tribal partners to preserve cultural resources
Restoration PROJECTS:
WHAT WILL WE DO?
Our projects often have multiple types of restoration action with plans that span the next 25 years and beyond.
01
In-stream Restoration
What it is: In-stream restoration focuses on improving stream and river habitats by adding natural elements like boulders and large wood to create better habitats for aquatic species and enhancing fish passage by removing barriers.
By 2045: We will place large wood and create natural bends in 63.5 miles of smaller streams and place large wood in 89.7 miles of the main river
Check in-stream work in this project: Tioga Creek Falls
02
Riparian Enhancement
What it is: Restoring the plants and vegetation alongside of the waterways to create healthy, natural habitats for fish and other aquatic species. This includes removal of invasive species, planting and more.
By 2045: We will install fences, plant native species, and remove invasive plants along 81.3 miles of both the main river and smaller streams to improve the area alongside the water.
Check out Riparian work in this project: Kentuck Creek
03
Tidal Reconnection
What it is: Reconnecting wetlands to tides and putting them on track to being self-sustaining. This involves breaching dikes or levees, installation of culverts, removal of tide gates, etc.
By 2045: We will restore 93.4 acres of freshwater and saltwater marsh to allow the tides to flow in and out again.
Check out Tidal Reconnection work in this project: Palouse Tide Gate Upgrade
04
Longitudinal Connectivity
What it is: When a river or stream is connected throughout its length and the water is flowing
By 2045: We will make it easier for fish to move by opening up 67.5 miles of smaller streams and sloughs.
Check longitudinal connectivity work in this project: Tioga Creek Falls
Prioritizing the Most Critical Areas
Where Are We Working?
The Coos SAP identified 13 specific focus areas within the Coos Basin, 9 sub watersheds in the Lower Basin and 4 in the Upper Basin, that are considered high-priority for Coho Restoration.
lower basin
Sub Watersheds:
The focal areas selected in the lower Coos Basin
Biggest Problems:
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Loss of wetland habitat
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Loss of beaver homes
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Lack of wood and gravel
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Warm water
upper basin
Sub Watersheds:
The focal areas selected in the upper Coos Basin are .
Biggest Problems:
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Older timber practices
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Loss of natural vegetation
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Lack wood in the streams
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Too much sediment
MAKING PROGRESS
