After 14 years of extremely hard work from some very dedicated conservationists, the Gold Creek Valley Restoration Project is officially under construction!
KCT and partners from the USFS, USFWS, WDFW, BOR, permitters from the state and the county, the project design team (Natural Systems Design), and members of the construction team met on site for a preconstruction meeting on May 1st. Mobilization and work on forest service land around the pond began shortly after. The first tasks were to install turbidity curtains, silt fences, and straw waddles to protect fish and other aquatic organisms.
A fish exclusion structure was carefully installed in the pond outlet channel to allow fish to leave the pond, but prevent fish from entering.
Fish rescues in the NE corner of the pond are complete, and pond fill has begun! Fish rescues in other areas of the pond are ongoing.
Clearing and grading around the pond, and placing fill from the adjacent levees into the pond is the focus current construction efforts.
Boulders, logs with rootwads, and other materials are being imported and staged on site.
As large machinery works in the area clearing trees, grading, and staging materials, the area is closed. For the safety of our contractors and the public, no unauthorized public access is allowed beyond the gate at Frontage Road. We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation.
To learn more about KCT’s restoration efforts in Gold Creek Valley, please visit our Gold Creek Valley Restoration project page.
Protect the Lands You Love
We love this amazing area and we know you do too! From the alpine environment at Snoqualmie Pass to the shrub steppe habitat of the Yakima River Canyon, Kittitas County is home to an amazing diversity of habitat types. These special places are under increasing pressure from development. The population is projected to grow by 40% in our rural areas in the next 20 years. This growth makes it more important than ever to protect our lands before it is too late, and you can help.
Your support will ensure critical habitat in Kittitas County remains accessible and healthy for wildlife, fish, and people. Just $25 or more for the year will preserve important habitat and restore streams and rivers that have been degraded by human impacts.
