The Port partners launch construction phase of Kalama River Fish Enhancement Project to restore habitat and protection for salmon and steelhead

KALAMA, WASH. (PRWEB) AUGUST 17, 2018

The Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group next week launches the construction phase of the Kalama River Fish Enhancement Project at the Port of Kalama. The ambitious restoration project will enhance habitat for juvenile and adult fish, increase holding water for salmon and steelhead and create cover for fish to hide from predators.

The Port provided matching funds toward the construction of the wood structures along the shoreline to provide shelter and safe feeding areas for young salmon. This next phase of the project is expected to run from August 20, 2018 through summer 2019 and will impact some areas and Port walking paths in the Kalama River Industrial Park. Visitors should look for area signage. For more information on the construction projects visit https://www.rco.wa.gov/; search project number 16-1532.

The comprehensive strategy is to maximize the function of the lower Kalama River as a thermal refuge habitat to benefit multiple in-basin and out-of-basin stocks including Chinook, coho, steelhead, sockeye, and chum. A secondary goal is to increase productivity of in-basin stocks and to decrease predation of all salmonids via increased aquatic habitat complexity and diversity.

Overall recovery and enhancement efforts will include:

The Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group and the Port of Kalama thank the following partners for their contributions to the Kalama River Fish Enhancement Project:

In addition, the following firms are involved in the efforts:

Woody materials: HFI Consultants
Engineering: Inter-Fluve Inc.
Contractor: Kysar-Koistinen

For more information on the project, visit https://www.rco.wa.gov/. Search project number 16-1532. You can also call Brice Crayne, LCFEG project manager at 360-904-7922.

“The Port of Kalama is dedicated to preserving Kalama’s natural environment through community service projects and facility enhancements that protect its natural resources,” says Liz Newman, marketing manager, Port of Kalama. “This fish enhancement project will further our local efforts to restore and enhance habitat for salmon and steelhead navigating the Kalama River.”

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