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Newsletter, Page 2
2. RECENT PROJECTS ON THE EAST FORK OR TRIBUTARIES OF THE RIVER
A. The old dike on the west side of the old Storedahl-Ridgefield gravel ponds was lowered with the help of the BPA. This was done to protect the power lines from flood damage and at the same time re-activate about 70 acres of wetland that were cut off from the river by the old dike.
B. A fish rescue pond was built by volunteers on Rock Creek north from an old fish pond about a year ago. This pond was restocked with salmon stranded in ditches and disconnected pools this summer by the local land owner. We hope to develop more of these small ponds on or near tributaries off the East Fork.
C. Several side channels that had become disconnected from the main river were identified and mapped with the help of local land owners. We hope to obtain funding to re-connect them to the river as part of the Strategic Plan river reach level projects. Some of these can be done this coming year if funding is available. These are highly productive projects for both fish and wildlife.
D. Friends of the East Fork assisted Fish First this summer in building a new Chum Channel on the lower East Fork on the Deen Swanson property. This was a major project for salmon restoration on the East Fork as Chum had almost disappeared as well as being a key species which are on the Threatened and Endangered listing for this area.
Also associated with this project was the improvement of a 500 ft. Long side-channel that provides critical rearing habitat and refuge for salmon fry after they emerge from their egg sac phase.