STREAM RESTORATION FIELD TRIP FOR TNF FOREST PLAN REVISION

Date: May 2, 2018

Meeting Time: 9:30 AM

Meeting Place: Alderwood Campground Important Field Trip Logistics: • Try to carpool to the site, if possible • Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and your own lunch • The first site will be . The second site, , will be optional. Canyon Creek is an hour and fifteen minutes away from Haigler Creek.

Background The (TNF) is revising its Forest Plan Canyon Creek Stream Restoration and is asking partners for input and support on stream restoration into the future. Trout Unlimited and the Game and Fish Department have conducted successful restoration projects on Haigler Creek, Canyon Creek, and other streams of the TNF, and are co-leading this field trip. On the field trip, participants will share their experiences with stream restoration and identify potential future roles in enhancing stream health on the TNF.

Figure 1: Photo of Haigler Creek Field Trip Objectives • Establish a shared understanding of the use of stream restoration as a tool to achieve desired conditions • Share examples of successful projects and the range of effective tools and techniques • Identify how partners could be involved in helping the TNF achieve desired conditions for streams STREAM RESTORATION FIELD TRIP FOR TNF FOREST PLAN REVISION

Agenda Stop 1: Alderwood Campground 9:30AM Introduction and desired conditions • Introductions – All participants • Logistics – Southwest Decision Resources • Overview of stream restoration in the new Forest Plan – Kenna Belsky, Grant Loomis, and Robert Madera, Tonto National Forest o Definition and context of desired conditions o Other efforts, and how they relate to the Forest Plan • Haigler Creek Restoration Project – Curt Gill, AZ Game and Fish Dept. • Discussion: Desired conditions applicable to sites across the Tonto National Forest Stop 2: Haigler Canyon Campground 11:00AM Successful methods and approaches • Examples of other successful projects/efforts: o Canyon Creek (passive and active restoration) – Curt Gill and Kelly Wolff, AZ Game and Fish Dept. o Dude Creek (Gila Trout reintroduction) – Nate Rees, Trout Unlimited o (channel stability & water rights) – Alan Haden, Natural Channel Design; Grant Loomis, Tonto National Forest • Discussion: Methods and outcomes that the Tonto National Forest (and partners) should aim for in future restoration projects 12:00PM Lunch Stop 3: Bridge site 1:00PM Multiple use and management actions • Overview of the site and the effects of the bridge – Kenna Belsky, Tonto National Forest; Curt Gill, AZ Game & Fish • Narrative on possible management actions to be done o 4FRI Flexible Toolbox for Aquatics – Joe Miller, Trout Unlimited; Kelly Wolff, AZ Game and Fish Dept. o Other efforts to engage in: . East Verde headwaters – Tony Bush, Tonto National Forest . Lower – Justin Eddinger and Robert Madera, Tonto National Forest . Arnett Creek – Tony Bush, Tonto National Forest • Discussion: What actions could be taken to bring this site to meet the Desired Conditions identified earlier? What partners should we engage into the future for stream restoration? • Wrap-up: In what ways could you or other partners be involved in helping the TNF to achieve 3:00PM Stopdesired 4 (Optional): conditions? Canyon Creek • Drive to Canyon Creek to see an example of a different restoration project.

• Discussion: An active restoration project was completed 2 years ago, with passive restoration efforts beginning in YEAR. How has the site matured since then?

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Information on the Haigler Creek Habitat Project Background Haigler Creek is a perennial tributary of Tonto Creek. The headwaters are located along the Mogollon and Naegelin Rims east of Payson, AZ. The majority of land surrounding the stream is managed by the Tonto National Forest. Two National Forest campgrounds are located along the stream providing loci for recreational fishermen. The low-water crossing below the upstream campground also provides easy access to the stream for fishermen. However, there are several tracks of private land along the stream with limited public access between the two campgrounds. The entire area is serviced by F.R. 200. An assessment survey was conducted in 2009 to provide information about current and potential habitat and geomorphic conditions. This assessment looked at two reaches, the Haigler Creek Campground reach and the Alderwood Campground reach, of Haigler Creek. While most of Haigler Creek provides very good quality habitat, the majority of habitat surrounding both campground reaches is shallow runs that lack depth and cover to hold fish. Additionally, the Alderwood Campground Reach exhibited some stream channel instability due to a split channel which allowed flows below bankfull discharge to follow different channels. Lack to sediment transport capacity in this reach has caused some aggradation of material and stream widening. The purpose of the habitat work at Haigler Creek was to improve fish habitat and stream morphology in heavily utilized reaches of Haigler Creek. Site Description The Haigler Creek Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project reaches are located on the Tonto National Forest in the vicinity of two popular campgrounds, Haigler Canyon Campground (upper) and Alderwood Campground (lower; Figure 1). In general the reach above the Haigler Creek Campground provide good habitat conditions and no action was needed. This reach provide insight into the habitat potential for Haigler Creek. The reach closest to Haigler Canyon campground had longer runs that provided adequate depth for fish but provided little overhead cover. These areas were improved by increasing the complexity of the stream channel, providing resting and feeding cover for fish. The area around Alderwood Campground contained a long run that also lacked sufficient cover. The channel split just below the run and base flows had migrated from the left channel to the right channel. This area also had a section of eroding stream bank and highly traveled, denuded stream banks. Stabilization of the channel split and revegetation of the denuded banks along with formalized access points improved habitat and angler experience at this site. Purpose The purpose of the project was to enhance and improve aquatic habitat within two sections of Haigler Creek. The first section is located in the vicinity of Haigler Canyon Campground. The second section is adjacent to Alderwood Campground. These actions are necessary due to negative in-stream habitat changes resulting from past recreational use practices. These impacts have contributed to unstable stream banks, continued erosion, increased sedimentation, and decreased heterogeneity of habitat within the creek. These actions were necessary due to negative in-stream habitat changes resulting from past recreational use practices. These impacts have contributed to unstable stream banks, continued erosion, increased sedimentation, and decreased heterogeneity of habitat within the creek.

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Figure 1. Location of Habitat Enhancement Reaches.

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CONSTRUCTION REPORT

Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement

Arizona Game and Fish Department Alderwood and Haigler Canyon Campground Reaches

May 2017

ural Channel ...... -. _Design, Inc. Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

DETAILED STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION LOG BARBS Log barbs are structures placed along the outer edges of the stream channel and are used to provide overhanging cover for fish as well as creating stream hydraulics that contribute to maintaining deeper pool pockets downstream of the structures.

Logs used for barb structures were obtained on site from dead alder or juniper trees. Each log had a diameter of 12 to 18 inches at the butt end and was around 20 feet long. Barbs were installed along the outside bank of meanders or in deeper sections of the channel where cover was lacking. These structures were cabled to boulder bolsters at one end, which are buried in the bed of the stream. The other end of the log was placed into the bank and boulders were placed on the end of the log to provide ballast.

When the barb is located on a section of stream where bank shear stress is high, the upstream end of the log is filled in with rock and gravels to create a solid structure which provides bank protection up and downstream from the structure, and a pool is then dug on the downstream side to provide deeper water habitat (Figure 6 & 7).

If the structure is sited in a deeper pool or where bank stability is a lesser concern, there is no fill placed on the upstream side of the structure and the log remains open on the underside, providing overhanging cover (Figure 8).

Figure 6. Installation of a log barb.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 7 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 7. Completed barb.

Figure 8. Log barb cover.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 8 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

BOULDER CLUSTERS Boulder clusters are an assembly of three to four larger rock set into the streambed. Gaps are left between the rocks and provide hiding cover and cause localized scour to maintain deeper areas of water (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Boulder clusters provide hiding cover.

During installation, the excavator would dig out the bed where the clusters were to be installed, thereby providing a deeper pocket of water around the boulders.

LOG OVERHANG A log overhang is a structure that utilizes a log set against a bank in a deeper section of stream and provides overhead hiding cover, similar to an undercut bank. The logs are cabled onto footer rocks and placed against the target bank. A non-woven geotextile is secured to the log and to the bank. This prevents soil from washing down from behind the log. Once the fabric is in place, the gap between the bank and log is filled with rock and soil. This is then planted with wetland plugs. The bed in front of the logs is excavated to provide a deeper pool and ensure there is adequate room beneath the log for a fish to enter (Figure 10 – 15). At the Alderwood reach, the log overhang structure was comprised of four logs, each between 10 and 15 feet in length. The total length of this structure was approximately 48 feet long. The Haigler Canyon reach had a log overhang structure installed that is approximately 25 feet long, and is comprised of two logs (See page 22 for photos).

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 9 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 10. Log attached to footer bolsters.

Figure 11. Log placed against the bank.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 10 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 12. Second log placed against bank.

Figure 13. Fabric attached to logs.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 11 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 14. Backfilling behind the logs.

Figure 15. Wetland plugs are planted in soil behind logs.

This particular reach had changed since the design was completed and the log structure location and channel modifications had to be revised in the field. Excessive sediment accumulation had occurred since the initial survey in this meander and had resulted in the pool becoming very shallow and overly wide. During construction, the pool was excavated to a more appropriate depth and dimension to assist in sediment transport. However, the source of the sediment is unknown and because this material is so sandy and mobile, this pool may once again aggrade over the next series of high flow events.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 12 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

BANK SLOPING Bank sloping was done on approximately 140 feet of eroding bank at the Alderwood Campground reach. Erosion against the right bank at the end of the reach was causing excessive sediment input and creating a near vertical, eroding bank. Sloping this bank back to a 2H:1V slope reduces shear stress against the bank and helps to slow down erosion, reducing sediment input into the channel and also allows vegetation to become established (Figure 16).

After the bank is sloped, willow plantings are installed along the lower 1/3 of the bank. A native grass seed mix is spread over the bank and erosion control fabric is installed on the slope. This fabric (Double Net Straw Fabric, 8’ x 112’ per roll) is made out of cotton thread netting with a straw filling and functions as mulch which helps with the germination and establishment of the grasses that are seeded. Two overlapping rows of this fabric were installed on the sloped bank (Figure 17 & 18)

Figure 16. Looking downstream on recently sloped bank.

Wetland plugs were also installed along the toe of the bank. Approximately half of the toe had abundant wetland species growing, but towards the downstream end this vegetation was lacking. Approximately 70 wetland plugs were planted along the toe of this bank.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 13 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 17. Planting willows on sloped bank.

Figure 18. Completed bank at Alderwood.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 14 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

WILLOW AND WETLAND PLANTINGS A total of 325 willow poles were planted throughout the project site. Some willows were planted in a willow cluster, which consist of three willow stems, from locally harvested arroyo willows, that are planted into a hole augured into the soil. A mini-excavator with a hydraulic auger attachment was used to drill 4 inch holes along the banks were indicated. The drilling went down from 2 to four feet, deep enough to penetrate the water table. Willow stems were inserted into the holes, which were then backfilled with soil and watered in (Figure 19).

Figure 19. Planting willow clusters.

In addition to planting in clusters, a row of willow stems was planted behind the rock sill installed at the Alderwood site (Figure 20).

Figure 20. Willows being planted behind rock sill.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 15 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Wetland plugs were planted along the stream banks in areas where the log overhangs were installed, along the toe of the sloped bank, around the ends of the log barbs and wherever there was a lack of vegetation in areas we were working. The plugs are composed of native wetland plants (sedges and rushes) that were found growing all along the stream channel. Anywhere there was disturbance caused by the machinery, wetland plants were dug up and set aside, to be planted after construction was completed. Most plugs were dug by hand, cut into smaller 2-3 inch plugs with roots attached, and planted along the creek edge (Figure 21 & 22). This activity allows for a more rapid establishment of vegetation in the disturbed areas.

Figure 21. Planting wetland plugs.

Figure 22. Wetland plugs along river edge.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 16 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

STAIRS AND ROCK CROSSING At the Alderwood site, a steep bank near a dispersed campsite was eroding due to heavy foot traffic from people accessing the stream. At this site, a set of rock steps was installed to facilitate stream access and reduce bank trampling. Grass seed was spread over the bank and covered in erosion control fabric (Figure 23).

6 Figure 23. Rock steps on steep bank.

At the toe of this bank, a series of rocks were placed to allow foot access across the creek. An additional crossing was placed just downstream (Figure 24 &25)

Figure 24. Rock stepping stones.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 17 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 25. Stepping stones placed downstream.

ROCK SILL At the Alderwood site, an old channel exists that we did not want to see capture the stream. In order to help maintain the channel in its current location, a rock sill was placed across the older channel. The height of the sill was determined by bankfull elevation, and high flows can still access this channel. The rock was excavated approximately two feet down, and then a larger coarse rock was used to construct the sill. Willow plantings were installed behind the sill and wetland plugs installed closer to the creek (Figure 26 & 27).

Figure 26. Installing the rock sill.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 18 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 27. Rock sill with willows planted.

GABION REMOVAL At the Haigler Canyon Campground, several old, non-functioning gabion baskets were located along the river’s edge. The wire from these baskets was removed and the rocks spread out over the site (Figure 28 - 30).

Figure 28. Old gabion basket needing removal.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 19 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona Haigler Creek Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Construction Report

Figure 29. Basket location after removal.

Figure 30. Wire from gabion baskets being removed.

After work was completed, all machinery tracks were brushed out and exposed ground was seeded. At the Alderwood site, the staging area near the rock sill was also seeded and covered with erosion control cloth.

Natural Channel Design, Inc. 20 May 2017 Flagstaff, Arizona

STREAM RESTORATION FIELD TRIP FOR TNF FOREST PLAN REVISION

Directions to Canyon Creek (Optional) Directions From Haigler Canyon Campground:

• Take Chamberlain Trail norht for about 8 miles to the Colcord Rd and turn left. • Take Colcord Rd west for 4 miles to Hwy 260 and turn right. • Take Hwy 260 E for approximately 7 miles to the Young Rd (FS 512) and turn right. • Take FS 512 S for 3 miles to Colcord Ridge Campground (Terminus of pavement) and turn left onto FS 33. • Take FS 33 east for 3 miles to FS 34 and turn right. • Take FS 34 for just over to miles to FS 188 and bear left. • Take FS 188 for 2 miles to lower Canyon Creek. Location of Canyon Creek:

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Information on the Canyon Creek Restoration Project Background Canyon Creek is a perennial stream originating along the in northern Arizona and flowing southward to a confluence with the Salt River. The creek has a low-gradient meandering stream channel with broad, well-vegetated floodplains, a gravel bed, and riffle/pool bed forms, and has historically supported a high quality trout fishery. Following the Rodeo-Chediski Fire in 2002 trout numbers, as well as native fish numbers, declined by roughly 90% generating concern over the quality and quantity of aquatic and riparian habitats. An assessment of the existing aquatic and riparian resources suggested that increased habitat diversity, greater depth and cover, and shading within and along the stream channel could enhance habitat for fish and that additional native riparian vegetation could improve riparian habitats as well as benefit the aquatic system. As a result of this assessment, the Canyon Creek Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project was planned and implemented by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in cooperation with the Tonto National Forest, Natural Channel Design, and M.D. Merritt Construction. While the stream had recovered somewhat prior to the implementation of the first phase of Canyon Creek habitat project in late winter 2015, several areas were still degraded.

The primary objectives of this project were to:

• Improve the aquatic habitats along the project reach of Canyon Creek to benefit native and recreational non-native fish species, and • Improve native riparian plant communities and associated wildlife habitats.

Site Description The Canyon Creek Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Project reach is located on the Tonto National Forest in a broad, low gradient alluvial valley immediately downstream of the fish hatchery operated by Arizona Department of Game and Fish. The project was broken into two phases for implementation due to the amount of stream work to be completed and the cost of the project. Phase I began in late winter 2015 and consisted of 42 site-specific treatment covering just over 7,000 feet of stream (Figure 1). Practices within the treatment locations included boulder clusters (53), cross over logs (3), root wads (2), boulder darts (13), log barbs (15), vegetative toe extensions (4), bank sloping (665 ft), and willow clusters (730) and willow bundles (39). Phase II was implemented in late winter 2016 and consisted of 25 site-specific treatment covering just over 4,000 feet of stream (Figure 2). Individual practices for Phase II included boulder clusters (39), cross over logs (3), log barbs (25), mini weir (1), bank sloping (300 ft), and willow clusters (342).

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Excerpt from the project plan Need • Rodeo-Chediski Fire (2002) severely degraded habitat – 2200% increase in sedimentation/erosion rate – > 90% reduction in fish population Purpose • Improve habitat for a naturally sustaining trout • Improve stream stability • Reduce erosion along banks

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Canyon Creek Before and After Photos: Bank Sloping October 2013 Bank Sloping March 2015

Bank Sloping August 2015 Vegetated Toe Extension May 2014

Vegetated Toe Extension March 2015 Vegetated Toe Extension March 2015

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Bank Sloping/Boulder Darts February 2015 Bank Sloping/Boulder Darts March 2015

Bank Sloping/Boulder Darts August 2015 Cross Over Log February 2015

Cross Over Log March 2015 Cross Over Log August 2015

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STREAM RESTORATION FIELD TRIP FOR TNF FOREST PLAN REVISION

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