Newby Narrows, Twisp River, Washington
The Newby Narrows project, pictured here in 2022 (5 years after construction) was originally identified as part of the Middle Twisp Reach Assessment in 2014, and it was ranked high for the potential benefit to Twisp River salmon and steelhead populations. We subsequently worked with the Yakama Nation to bring the project forward from conceptualization, to final design, and implementation.
A map from the 2013 geomorphic assessment identifies the then disconnected side channel.
Mike Brunfelt, geologist for Inter-Fluve, performs a site visit in winter 2013.
The disconnected side channel before construction (2013).
Apex bar jam at head of side channel just after construction (2017).
Apex bar jam in 2022.
Beavers immediately colonized the constructed side channel, built seasonal dams and felled many live deciduous trees.
Beavers immediately colonized the constructed side channel, built seasonal dams and felled many live deciduous trees.
The 1,200-foot-long restored side channel now maintains habitat important to juvenile fish including pools, riffles, hydraulic variability, and floodplain connectivity.
