Methow Restoration Council
 

Living With the Methow River

Monthly Activities and Learning Opportunities

November 2016

The Methow Bridge Project

Heavy flooding after the 2014 Carlton Complex fire sent tons of mud and debris down Frazer Creek. Small culverts under driveways clogged, the creek backed up and flooded, and the driveways crossing Frazer Creek were washed away. Landowners along the creek were left with no access to their homes. To help these landowners, the Methow Bridge Project has so far installed six new wide-span bridges across the creek. These new crossings have held up well through several high-flow and debris-flow events since their construction, and unlike the culverts they replaced, they are unlikely to clog with flood debris. The bridges are better for creek habitat, too, replacing the uniform swift water of a culvert with a naturally meandering creek bed more easily navigated by fish.

Two more crossings are currently slated for construction. One, at the lower end of the creek near Highway 20, should be fairly straightforward. The second one will be built in a more challenging section of the creek, but will restore access for a landowner who lost a home to fire and flooding.

Installing Bridges over Frazer Creek

Hurst Construction of Wenatchee installs a bridge over Frazer Creek in early winter of 2014.

Each year's high water continues to reshape Frazer Creek. It may take five to seven years for the creek to reestablish its equilibrium. Flooding and sediment flow in Frazer Creek will continue to raise challenges for landowners and the restoration community. In the short term, the Frazer Creek Bridge Project restores access for local landowners. Once the creek settles down, the switch from bridges to culverts should make the habitat more suitable for native salmon and steelhead.

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2016 Calendar

 

This year’s MRC calendar connects to ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION tailored to each month. If you haven't gotten your calendar yet, you can download an electronic version here.

Come back each month and find interactive activities, print outs, and suggested learning opportunities in our community.

Follow Me Fish Logo

 

Just follow the fish and engage in learning.