Riparian Fencing: This project consisted of fencing approximately 5300 feet along Bear Creek, a tributary to the Mainstem Coquille River. The fence was constructed on both sides of the creek with an average setback of 50 feet. This project also included a small bridge built for cattle to cross Bear Creek, for which the landowner donated all materials needed. The landowner uses the property for grazing cattle and horses. After the fence was complete, mixtures of native species were interplanted within the well-established riparian area. There is a large beaver complex just above the project area that the landowner let us fence to protect form cattle disturbance. The landowner assisted with site prep and donated all materials for the bridge construction. The landowner will be responsible for all fence and water system maintenance for the life of the project.

Instream Site Description: Bear Creek is a tributary to the Mainstem Coquille. Bear Creek is an important tributary due to the fact that it is the largest non-tide gated system in the lower Coquille. Furthermore, this creek has been left in it’s natural meandering channel (it has not been ditched or altered). Bear Creek had not been splash dammed but it was the victim of intensive stream cleaning efforts in the1970’s and 80’s. The scope of the instream portion of the project was to increase the pool/riffle ratio within the upper section of Bear Creek and increase the size of available spawning areas. This project was designed with full channel spanning logs that were removed from a nearby upland location.

Scope of work: The Bear Creek instream project consisted of placing large logs within the channel at 9 sites. Each site had 3-4 logs and the logs averaged 24-34 inches DBH and 60 to 70 feet in length. The logs were purchased from Westbrook Timber and removed form an upland site adjacent to the project site. The trees were removed by the same contractor that was hired for the Bear Creek project. The contractor blasted and took the trees down with the root-wad still attached. The trees were transported to the creek and placed with the same “fish friendly” excavator. 29 total whole trees were placed within Bear Creek. All of the disturbed areas of soil were mulched and seeded at the end of the project to prevent erosion and soils runoff into the creek. The purpose of these logs is to improve instream an riparian habitat for salmonids and other aquatic organisms. The logs will also serve to check stream gradient, trap and stabilize bed-load, scour and maintain pools.