Closure extends from July 16 through August 11 for a Salmon Habitat Restoration Project

information and photo released

The Silver Falls Campground located on the Entiat Ranger District, 30 miles northwest of Entiat, WA on the Entiat Ranger District, will be closed between July 16 through August 11 for a streamside restoration project to improve habitat conditions for fish.

Restoration work will also include rehabilitation of the Silver Falls Accessible Interpretative Trail located within the campground. Additionally, dispersed campsites along the lower section of the Tommy Creek Road #5605 will also be closed to public use during construction.

This restoration project will focus on enhancing side channels and will include minor excavation of the floodplain, placement of large wood structures, and revegetation of the site. Some placements of large wood will occur via helicopter during the first week of the project.

The Silver Falls National Historic Trail #1442 and Day Use area will remain open; and all other developed campgrounds on the Entiat Ranger District will remain open during this time.

The Forest Service is partnering with Yakama Nation Fisheries staff on this stream restoration project along the Entiat River to improve rearing and holding habitat for Spring Chinook salmon, which are listed as ‘Endangered’ under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and steelhead, which are list as ‘Threatened’ under ESA; and other migratory and resident fish species.

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Photo: Yakama Nation Fisheries biologist surveys the Silver Falls Accessible Interpretive Trail at a site where the trail is falling into the Entiat River. Large wood structures will be placed at this site to increase in-stream habitat complexity and reduce further erosion. The trail will be rehabilitated post-construction.

(Photo credit: USDA Forest Service, Mariah Mayfield, Fish Biologist)