New bridge at Downey Creek, installed summer 2014.
New bridge at Downey Creek, installed summer 2014.

The US Forest Service Forest Road 26 crossing at Downey Creek was constructed on an elevated embankment that restricted flow and channel formation across the Downey Creek alluvial fan. Immediately downstream of the bridge and embankment, Downey Creek flows into the floodplain of the Suiattle River, where it continues for approximately 1200 feet in an historic channel before entering the Suiattle River. Downey Creek is a highly productive tributary to the Suiattle River that in recent years has provided 20-40% of the Spring Chinook spawning in the Suiattle River basin. Due to high natural turbidity only very limited spawning occurs in the main Suiattle River, so the lower-gradient areas of large, clear water tributaries such as Downey Creek provide unique and important habitat.

This project restored the alluvial fan of Downey Creek by removing the existing roadway embankment and adding three 70 foot bridge spans to the existing 115-foot bridge for a total span length of 325 feet. This has restored connectivity to an existing side channel, restored the natural process of channel migration and side channel formation on the alluvial fan of Downey Creek, and improved connectivity between Downey Creek and the Suiattle River floodplain. This is a significant improvement to Chinook salmon habitat in this relatively rare and important habitat.

The previous section of bridge at Downey Creek.
The previous section of bridge at Downey Creek.

 

Project Status/Timeline
This project was constructed in Summer 2014.

Primary Project Contact
Devin Smith –Senior Restoration Ecologist

Funding Sources
SRFB – Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board
USFS – United States Forest Service

Project Partners
USFS – United States Forest Service