OUR Results
COOS BASIN COHO PARTNERSHIP
MONITORING OUR WORK
MEASURING OUR RESULTS THROUGH MONITORING
The success of restoration work will be determined by monitoring the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and assessing the extent to which it is achieving the desired outcomes on a substantial scale. This involves evaluating the effectiveness of the restoration efforts in improving fish passage, instream complexity, habitat conditions, water quality, and overall ecosystem health.
By tracking the progress of the restoration projects over time and comparing the data before and after the interventions, we can measure the rate at which the SAP measures are being applied and the level of impact they are having on restoring and enhancing the natural environment.
TRACKING PROGRESS
HAS THE WORK,
WORKED?
Utilizing the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) where metrics and limiting factors are addressed
01
Use Long Term Monitoring Programs and Historical Data to track progress
02
Before and Afters - Monitor additional parameters of individual projects to measure effectiveness
03
MEASURING RESULTS OVER TIME
Determining sucCess
SAP Outcomes by 2045 | Monitoring Goal | How We Will Do It |
|---|---|---|
1: Restore natural features and provide more living spaces for fish along 63.5 miles of smaller streams. | Check if the project created more natural spaces and homes for fish in smaller streams. | Survey the habitat and sediment in the water, study aerial images, and measure the water temperature during different seasons. |
2: Improve the natural features along 89.7 miles of bigger rivers. | Check if the project improved the natural features in bigger rivers. | Survey the habitat and sediment in the water, study aerial images, and measure the water temperature during different seasons. |
3: Enhance the health of plants and animals along the banks of 81.3 miles of rivers and smaller streams. | Check if planting trees and other vegetation is helping to bring back native plants, improve soil health and nutrients, and reduce soil erosion along rivers. | Study the plants and soil along the banks of the rivers, and see how stable the banks are. |
4: Restore the flow of water between 93.4 acres of marshes and surrounding areas that were previously cut off. | Check if the project helped reconnect water flow in marshes between freshwater and saltwater areas, either permanently or seasonally. | See how many tidal gates were improved and measure the quality and quantity of water flowing through them. Also, study how the gates operate, and use images from above to see how they affect the surrounding area during high tide. |
5: Improve the connections between 67.5 miles of smaller streams to support the spawning and growth of Coho salmon. | Check if the project is making it easier for fish to move and find places to spawn and grow in smaller streams. | Check the types of barriers that fish have to navigate, and see if any changes have been made to make their journey easier. |
Project Designs | Evaluate if the project's plan worked well and if any changes are needed to manage it better. | Use the measurements and data collected above to see how much progress has been made and if the changes are making a difference in the water quality and flow, the stability of wood jam structures, and fish passage. |
asking questions
Project Outcomes & Continuous Learning
The Coos Basin Coho Partnership will continue to track and monitor our projects over time. We will keep asking questions that will help us determine further study and measure results. Explore our discussions about recent projects below.
Q: Looking at the Palouse Tide Gate Project- how will we know if there are more Coho than before?
Meagan Abele, Monitoring Program Manager at the Coos Watershed Association, explains how historical data from the last twenty years and new findings will be compared to determine the success of the project.
​Full Project Details: Palouse Tide Gate Change
Q: Looking at Kentuck Creek, Palouse and Lillian Slough- How will we know if the water quality has improved?
​Dan Draper, Restoration Project Manager at the Coos Watershed Association, discusses monitoring water pollutants before and after the project to see if the buffers created are indeed effective.
Project Details: Kentuck Creek​
Palouse Tide Gate
Lillian Slough
Q: Looking at the Millicoma Confluence project- are the restored wetland areas more resilient to climate change?
Ed Cope, Plants Program Manager at the Coos Watershed Association, explains how the changes made at Millicoma Wetlands will benefit changing environments.
Project Details: Millicoma Wetland Confluence
