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Construction underway on the Upper Wenatchee Habitat Restoration Project

Upland construction work has begun on the Upper Wenatchee Habitat Restoration Project, and public is being asked to avoid travel through the project area (on land or in the river) between June 10 and Sept. 12. Please limit recreational use of the river to areas well away from the project area during this period.

The project will enhance in-stream habitat conditions and better connect a 55-acre river-left floodplain (and associated channel network) between river miles 36.5 and 37.9 of the upper Wenatchee River. In-stream, project-constructed elements will occur between river miles 37.0 and 37.9, and include installation of six engineered log jams, 12 boulder clusters (four to five large boulders/cluster) and 18 side-channel habitat logs.

Engineered log jams are designed to direct flows toward the river-left floodplain and improve mainstem habitats. The boulder clusters and habitat logs will enhance cover and hydraulic diversity in mainstem and side channel areas. The project also includes excavation of a river left pilot channel to better connect the mainstem channel to the existing floodplain channel network. The pilot channel will be about 225 feet long and about 40 feet wide (with a wider, flared inlet).

To access work areas, the project will re-open and improve 1,300 linear feet of U.S. Forest Service Road NF-7906, which was previously closed and partially obliterated by the forest service. This road segment will be closed, re-contoured and re-vegetated post-construction.

To isolate in-water work areas around engineered log jams and pilot channel inlet and to get heavy equipment and materials across the Wenatchee River, the project will construct temporary coffer dams and a multi-span, temporary bridge. These features will be removed once in-stream and floodplain work are complete.

Construction requires helicopter-based and ground-based techniques, and will occur primarily between June 10 and Sept. 12. Trail and river closures are in effect to assure public safety during project construction. You will see warning and informational signs at river access sites throughout the upper basin.

Between June 10 and Sept. 12, the trail on the west side of the river will be closed to all forms of travel where it passes through the project area. There will be no detour or bypass in place.

In-stream construction will occur between July 13 and August 23rd. Aquatic travel will be restricted during the entire in-water work period. A helicopter will be working over the river corridor July 13-15, and a temporary, channel-spanning bridge will be in place July 25th- August 6th, 2024.

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Last Updated: 08/01/2024 12:02 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 11
    Dec 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on December 11, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1
  • 04
    Dec 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - December 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 26
    Nov 2024
    01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

    Public Meeting: Certify Election

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office