Austin, C., Beamer, E. and LeMoine, M., 2021. Barnaby Slough floodplain restoration validation monitoring using smolt traps – Technical Memorandum 2021. Skagit River System Cooperative, La Conner, WA. pp. 12.

Phase 1 of the Barnaby Slough Restoration Project involved removing off-channel hydromodifications
such as dikes and structures to increase connectivity and natural process in a historically modified
floodplain reach. Pre-project effectiveness monitoring for this project included evaluation of juvenile
fish emigration from the project area and reference areas using fence weir smolt traps. This annual
report fulfills requirements listed in the Quality Assurance Project Plan for Floodplain Restoration
Validation Monitoring Using Smolt Traps, Revision 1, dated November 18, 2020. Subsequent monitoring
will occur post-project and be reported in a later document. Juvenile fish enumeration for 2021
demonstrated lower catches and outmigrant estimates than the previous year, with catch dominated by
coho salmon. Coho were most numerous in Washington Eddy, a reference site location on the north
side of the Skagit River across from the restoration project area.