In the News
Backyard Habitat Program helps property owners keep watersheds natural
Jessie Darland, Kitsap Sun
June 7, 2021
Helping landowners restore stream habitat
Kitsap county residents have shown an interest in preserving the health of watershed they live in, and the Backyard Habitat Program provides the funding and assistance to make the project possible.
Before
After
There are many questions that come with living along the stream and even more when it comes to working in the stream to make improvements. Erosion control, stream health, noxious weeds, flooding and permitting are common concerns that we can help with. Success is realized when fish are seen using the new habitat created and the landowners know they have left their stream healthier than how they found it.
Stream Side Planting
Planting stream side areas will provide many water quality and habitat benefits, and look beautiful. Plants and leaf litter provide food and shelter for wildlife and insects. Root systems of established plants will stabilize stream banks. Plants can also uptake and clean pollutants in surface water, and provide shade to reduce water temperature, improving stream water quality.
Clean Up Refuse
Over the years streams have been used as dumping grounds, or a place to get refuse out of site. Whether it is old tires, metal pipes, or just trash, these substances degrade over time and can impact water quality.
Fish Barrier Removal
With so many streams and road crossings in Kitsap County, undersized culverts have restricted access to miles of salmon spawning and rearing habitat. Additionally, streams overtop roadways and cause erosion. Removing an undersized culvert or blockage is a win-win for landowners and fish.
Noxious Weed Removal
Himalayan blackberry, English Ivy, Reed Canary Grass and Scotch broom can take over a stream side in no time and prevent the growth of native trees and shrubs that provide better and more diverse habitat. Removing weeds and replacing them with natives give the stream the ability to heal itself long-term.
Habitat Logs
Have you ever been hiking and noticed the number of logs and pools is a stream system that has not been impacted by humans? Wood creates habitat pools for where spawning salmon can rest and juvenile salmon take shelter. It can also slow the movement of water, reducing erosion, and control sediment transport. Clean gravel is also needed for salmon to spawn in.
Remove Bank Armoring
Before
After
Remove concrete or rip-rap banks and stabilize using bioengineering techniques - click images for examples.
Design
Unsure where to start? Funding may be available for design. An engineered design will help determine the best way to enhance your stream. This may include surveying, water flow analysis, and engineered stream crossing structures.
