Seven years of field data were collected to prioritize the most important conservation actions in the watershed.
In July, the Wild Salmon Center released one of the most intensive habitat studies ever conducted on Pacific salmon. The report focuses on the Hoh River Basin, one of the most productive wild salmon rivers in northwest Washington. Findings will be used to inform the prioritization of Hoh River tributaries for conservation actions and bolster the case for funding watershed health projects identified by the North Pacific Coast Lead Entity. The report will help agencies and community groups prioritize habitat restoration, land conservation easements, and willing-seller land acquisitions.
What the Report Found:
- Winfield Creek was found to be the most productive tributary of the Hoh River Basin. While this sub-basin represents only 3.5 percent of the Hoh watershed, it contains 15 percent of all fall Chinook redds observed. Thus, the sub-basin represents the highest priority in the Hoh River Basin for conservation actions such as willing seller acquisitions and easements of private and corporate timberlands.
- Nolan Creek and Elk Creek each scored good for habitat and salmon. Because these are privately owned tributaries, they are good candidates for willing seller acquisitions and easements, as well as restoration projects that increase instream wood and spawning gravel.
- Other tributaries (Braden, Anderson, Alder and Willoughby) generally scored fair for salmon and good for habitat. Of these tributaries, Braden scored excellent for habitat. The report recommends that these creeks will benefit from a gold-standard forestry certification process, such as that of the Forest Certification Council.
Click below to view or download the full report:
