BOISE RIVER SIDE CHANNEL RESTORATION AT HARRIS RANCH
The Boise River Side Channel Project at Harris Ranch will create a new side channel of the Boise River for the purposes of restoring spawning, rearing, and over-wintering fish habitat, all of which have been lost over time due to a changed river ecosystem. The channel will be about 1/2 mile in length.
It will be constructed as part of the new Harris Ranch development along the Boise River, originating within a planned 35-acre riverfront natural park at the upstream end of the development. Boise City Parks and Recreation will own and manage the park. In future years, there is great potential to construct an additional 1.5 miles of side channels on Harris Ranch.
The Boise River is one of the few rivers within a major city (400,000 population) that has naturally spawning rainbow and brown trout. The section of the river at Harris Ranch has "quality" fishing regulations, a nearly 85 percent catch and release rate, and the most healthy and robust aquatic species community in the lower Boise River. Habitat studies of the Boise River found, however, that the river lacks suitable spawning and rearing habitat. Restoring side channels to the river is recommended because few remain. The Harris Ranch property represents the last area with the greatest potential for significant side channel development.
Three large storage reservoirs located in the basin have a combined storage capacity of nearly one million-acre feet. Reservoirs have been operated primarily to satisfy flood control and irrigation requirements with little concern for the fishery. Dams also prevent movement of suitable spawning gravel from the headwater streams to the Boise River through town. These projects prevent natural processes of streambed movement of larger and smaller gravel, channel formation, and other ecological processes of a river environment.
The Boise River is designated a "water quality limited" segment under Section 303 of the Clean Water Act. The water quality assessment (TMDL) of the Boise River included a finding that lack of spawning habitat is one issue needing attention.
A new side channel would benefit the Boise River by providing quality trout spawning, rearing, and winter holding water. There will be high quality pools primarily for winter holding habitats and several segments of optimal spawning habitat. The project would involve a partnership of Trout Unlimited, Harris Ranch, Idaho Fish and Game, Boise Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Reclamation involved in the design and construction of the side channel. Vegetation and fish population growth will be monitored with the assistance of Idaho Fish and Game and Trout Unlimited.
This project is designated as a high priority project in the City of Boise's Boise River Management and Master Plan, and will be the most significant action implemented to date under this plan. Trout Unlimited participated on the Steering Committee that helped the city write this plan. This plan enhances the management of the Boise River Greenbelt, a nationally recognized river and parkland protection effort that was initiated over 30 years ago. Because this will be the largest project to date under the Master Plan it will be a project of high public visibility.
A partnership approach of conservation interests, private landowner, and a city government to address urban fisheries habitat needs is necessary across the west. Many urban areas in the west will need to address habitat needs for pacific salmon species that have been placed on the endangered species list.
The most immediate transfer for project results will be additional side channel and wetland habitats identified at Harris Ranch. The results will also be transferred to additional downstream areas where habitat restoration and connectivity can occur along the Boise River. Other likely candidates include Cottonwood Creek, Loggers Creek, and side channels through the city owned Warm Springs Golf Course.
We also expect this project and additional projects along the Boise River will become a national model for habitat restoration in an urban setting. The planning and project implementation approaches can be adapted to other localities facing similar issues.
The Ted Trueblood Chapter has a solid record working with other conservation groups and with youth groups in the Boise area. We have asked for their cooperation in this project. We will incorporate this stream restoration project into our "Trout in the Classroom" curriculum now expanded to six schools in the Boise School District.
"Here is how the old channel looks today"------------------------------->
"Now just add water and you get this channel as it will look when it is restored."
Questions or comments send to:
boisetrout@aol.com
Ted Trueblood Chapter Idaho Trout Umlimited