The Acme-Saxon Instream Restoration Project is a cooperative, voluntary effort to bring back salmon and trout to self-sustaining levels in the South Fork Nooksack River. In coordination with local landowners, carefully designed projects are being developed to re-create the river conditions that salmon need to thrive. Instream restoration practices typically include re-installing logjams and modifying bank armoring and levees where feasible. These strategies help restore natural river processes, which improves floodwater storage capacity and provides critical spawning, rearing and holding habitat for fish.

In the spring of 2000, the Acme-Saxon Restoration Planning Group was convened to begin the process of assessing river conditions and identifying restoration opportunities in the reach. The planning group included representatives from the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom County Parks and Recreation, Whatcom County Water Resources, Whatcom County River and Flood, and the Acme-Van Zandt Flood Control Sub-zone.

In 2001, the group produced the Saxon to Acme Reach Assessment, outlining the goals for the planning process and identifying the data needed to complete assessment of the reach. The following year, data was collected, compiled, and synthesized into another document: The South Fork Nooksack River Acme-Saxon Reach Restoration Planning: Analysis of Existing Information and Preliminary Recommendations (large PDF: 9.7 MB). This report, completed in November 2002, provides a comprehensive look into the habitat needs of fish, current fish habitat and fish use in the reach, historic habitat conditions, and changes over time. This Assessment yielded two types of restoration recommendations for the reach, those that focus on: (1) restoring the long-term processes that form and maintain floodplain and mainstem habitats over time; and (2) site-specific recommendations that address key habitat deficiencies.

The next phase of the planning process was a conceptual exercise to develop site-specific restoration alternatives that would correct and/or reverse the habitat deficiencies identified in the Assessment. A wide range of alternatives were considered and prioritized for their potential benefits to fish habitat. These alternatives were then evaluated for feasibility, including consideration of land ownership, existing infrastructure, logical sequencing, and readiness to proceed. An important aspect of feasibility is that a project only moves forward if the landowner voluntarily consents to the project on their land. If permission is granted, funding is sought, and a restoration project can be undertaken. The alternatives analysis resulted in the following document: Acme-Saxon Alternatives Development. In addition, a Snorkel Survey of the Acme to Saxon Bridge Section of the South Fork Nooksack River (large PDF: 7.7 MB) was conducted in 2003 to provide a snapshot of the abundance and distribution of salmonids in the reach, and to provide baseline information for project development and future monitoring efforts.

This planning process led to the identification of the Lower Hutchinson Creek area as a top priority location for restoration. Landowners Whatcom County Parks and Recreation and the Whatcom Land Trust provided landowner approval and funding was secured from state and federal agencies to plan and implement an instream restoration project. A conceptual design was developed to install a series of engineered logjams in the creek and river, and to remove a section of rock levee that artificially separates the South Fork and lower Hutchinson Creek on County Park’s property. The goal of the project is to develop deep pools around the logjams in the mainstem, and to develop an expanded cool water refuge area with deep pools and complex wood cover around the mouth of Hutchinson Creek. The conceptual design is now being evaluated and developed into a final design that will ensure public safety and habitat recovery objectives are being met.

At various stages in the planning process, public information and education efforts have been made to inform local landowners and community members about the project. While some have responded favorably to restoring natural river processes, others have expressed concern about potential flooding and safety risks to private property and infrastructure. It is important that community members are well informed about the project and have ample opportunities to engage in the development process. To this end, regular community meetings have been held in the town of Acme, and Project Updates are mailed regularly to landowners in the area.

For more information about the Acme Saxon Instream Restoration Project, contact Jim Hansen, Restoration Coordinator, Lummi Natural Resources Department, at (360) 384-2340.

Project Updates
July 2004
Autumn 2004