North Fork Newaukum Creek

The Mid-Puget Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group (Mid Sound) is one of fourteen Regional Enhancement Groups across the State of Washington. Mid Sound is a perfect example of community-based salmon recovery. By working with landowners, businesses and citizens within each watershed and allowing them to participate, Mid Sound has been successfully enhancing salmon habitat in King and eastern Kitsap Counties for over 10 years.

Newaukum Creek is the second largest tributary to the Green River and is located near the city of Enumclaw. Newaukum Creek is unique in that it boasts the largest number of natural spawning Coho in the Green River watershed. Stewardship Partners was asked to review the designs and manage the construction phase of the project. The project was a priority in the watershed due to severe erosion caused by lack of flood plain area and channelization of the natural stream course.

Existing pools were excavated to increase rearing and refugia habitat and nearly 40 log structures were placed to improve habitat. Additional gravel was added to enhanced spawning areas and stream banks were pulled back at a 3 to 1 slope widening the floodplain and decreasing erosion. This fall, spawning salmon were observed using the newly enhanced cover and spawning habitat. This project enhanced a total of 750 feet of stream channel.

Large woody debris is essential for productive salmon habitat

Before Construction

After Construction