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Heavy equipment returns to the river as the
Kootenai Tribe river restoration construction
projects ramp up for the summer |
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July 15, 2016 |
In just a few weeks, those in downtown Bonners
Ferry or crossing the Kootenai Bridge will once
again see heavy equipment in and around the
river, as the Kootenai Tribe once again ramps up
its Kootenai River restoration projects for this
year.
The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho will build two river
habitat restoration projects near Bonners Ferry
this summer.
The
Bonners Ferry Islands and Straight Reach
projects are part of the Kootenai Tribe’s
ongoing Kootenai River Habitat Restoration
Program. The purpose of the program is to
restore and improve habitat conditions for
endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon, burbot
and other native fish.
 Work will proceed on two river projects. Both
will be easily visible, one just upstream from
the Kootenai Bridge, another just downstream
from the bridge.
The project that will soon be seen upstream from
the bridge is the Bonners Ferry Islands project.
Work on the Bonners Ferry Islands project began
in last year, and will be completed this summer.
The project will be easily seen upstream from
Highway 95 in front of the Kootenai River Inn.
This summer’s activities on the Bonners Ferry
Islands project will include: excavation of one
deep pool where an existing small island is
currently located, grading of the south
riverbank, construction of new floodplain areas
using materials excavated from the pool, and
riparian planting. Two large spurs made of
piles, riprap and larger wood will also be built
from the south riverbank extending into the
river.
The second project, which will be seen just
downstream from the bridge, is the Straight
Reach project. Work on the Straight Reach
project will include construction of two small
rock spurs that extend from the riverbank into
the river to help redirect flows (also known as
"pool-forming structures.") One spur will be
built on the north bank and one on the south
bank. In addition, using a barge, rocky
materials will be placed in clusters over the
current sand and clay riverbed to provide
surfaces for sturgeon eggs to attach and spaces
between the rocks were larval sturgeon can hide
after they hatch.
The Tribe’s construction contractors began
putting construction equipment in place and
staging materials in early July. The in-river
construction and work along the river banks will
take place from August through November.
Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Program
projects are funded by the Bonneville Power
Administration through the Northwest Power and
Conservation Council’s Fish and Wildlife
Program.
Additional information about this year’s
projects and the Kootenai River Habitat
Restoration Program is available on the Kootenai
Tribe’s website: www.restoringthekootenai.org. |
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