Port Blakely will be harvesting timber on lands near the proposed restoration work and will provide non-merchantable timber, root wads, slash, and at cost large wood (60-80’ length, 18-24” DBH) totaling at least 400 individual logs for the aerial large wood project and associated in-stream log placement in floodplain tributary channels and along the mainstem of Abernethy Creek. The Upper Abernethy Tributary and Martin Creek components will supply another 200 large logs in a series of log jams placed in these cool water tributaries to Abernethy providing gravel sorting potential and improving spawning habitat.
Logs will be placed via heavy-lift helicopter in strategic locations over 3.93 miles of stream channel, creating cover over the stream channel to maintain existing pool habitat, sort gravels to improve spawning conditions, and enhance floodplain connectivity. At least 30 large wood structures in the wetland will consist of long 60-80 foot logs, many with root wads and will be self-ballasted. Little movement of these large logs is expected, and structures are anticipated to slow flows and restore channel functionality reducing down cutting.
Along Martin Creek, this project will increase the amount and quality of large wood in the stream channel to support creation and maintenance of habitat for native fish. Large wood placed in the channel will force the creation of pools that will increase the quality and quantity of habitat used by juvenile fish. Strategically placed wood will also increase the quality/quantity of spawning habitat by improving sorting of sediment in the stream channel. Riparian habitat will also be improved through removal of invasive plants and establishment of native trees and shrubs.
Finally, this project will improve instream and riparian conditions along 1924-feet of stream channel in an unnamed tributary to upper Abernethy Creek.
