Lower Peshastin Creek Habitat Restoration Project to begin

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Cascade Fisheries are kicking off the Lower Peshastin Creek Habitat Restoration Project in the coming weeks. This project, led by Cascade Fisheries, will clean up lead waste, restore fish habitat, and enhance critical cold-water refuge where Peshastin Creek meets the Wenatchee River. The project is located at the Dryden Dam Access Site, which WDFW manages. 

Peshastin Creek is an important stream for native fish in the Wenatchee watershed. It supports three species listed under the Endangered Species Act: upper Columbia Spring chinook, upper Columbia steelhead, and bull trout. Unfortunately, Peshastin Creek has been heavily modified by past human activities. The construction of Highway 97 over Blewett Pass shortened the creek by a mile and restricted Peshastin Creek’s connectivity to more than one-third of its floodplain. 

The project restoration will be constructed in two phases. The first phase, focusing on lead cleanup, will begin in late August. The second phase, dedicated to aquatic habitat restoration, will take place in the summer of 2025. 

The lead cleanup will involve digging up and storing soil from near the surface, separating and recycling lead shot found in it, and treating and capping the remaining lead-contaminated soil on site. About 2,000 to 2,500 cubic yards of soil will be excavated and processed. This cleanup will prevent further human contact with lead-contaminated soil, protect groundwater and surface water from contamination, and safeguard plants and animals from harmful lead exposure. Fencing will also be installed around areas impacted by pesticides to protect the public. 

The habitat restoration phase will address impacted ecological conditions in lower Peshastin Creek. About 21,000 cubic yards of excavation will re-establish connection to the historical channel location during low flow conditions and expand the floodplain area. This will increase the floodplain area and connectivity. The project will also install 34 Engineered Log Jams (ELJs) and 13 wood structures to enhance plant diversity, sediment sorting, gravel retention, and pool creation. About 3,500 cubic yards of streambed material will be placed within the existing channel to rebuild the streambed and reduce damage during high flows. Finally, about three acres of riparian vegetation will be restored after the earthwork is completed. 

This project is years in the making and made possible through the support of various partners. WDFW, as the landowner, is facilitating the project. The Washington Department of Ecology is providing funding and technical resources for the lead cleanup. The Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Bonneville Power Administration are funding the habitat restoration project. The total project cost is expected to be between $3 and $3.5 million. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.