East Fork Lewis River Reconnection

Revegetation along a formerly channelized river restores crucial habitat for juvenile salmon and steelhead.

The East Fork Lewis River was once a complex multi-channel river and wetland habitat connected to a vast floodplain. Decades of development in the area to allow for gravel mining had altered the river’s flow through a single channel that wasn’t beneficial for native fish species.

To reduce flood and erosion risk, improve recreation opportunities, and restore vital habitat, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership initiated the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project. Biohabitats was contracted by the Partnership to revegetate and provide invasive species management on a recently restored three-mile portion of the river.

Biohabitats applied herbicide and removed invasive species before planting over 150,000 native riparian species, including willow and cottonwood cuttings, bare root plants, wetland plugs and seeding. Biohabitats will also provide ongoing maintenance and planning from fall 2025 through fall 2027.

TAGS

• Construction
• Ecological Restoration