March 27, 2025

Restoring Jim Creek: A Bold Approach to Salmonid Habitat Recovery and Landowner Collaboration

By MATT TIEDEMANN and LISA TARIO
Special to the Journal

Tiedemann

Tario

Snohomish County’s Jim Creek, a vital tributary to the South Fork Stillaguamish River, has been a long-standing refuge for the endangered Chinook salmon. However, years of habitat degradation, characterized by simplified stream structure and warming water temperatures, have posed significant threats to the viability of this critical waterway. In recognition of these challenges, a remarkable collaboration took shape between the county’s Surface Water Management (SWM), part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), environmental engineers, and innovative landowners. This partnership led to a bold restoration effort—one that not only embraced risk and utilized innovative hydrological design but also firmly placed landowners at the heart of the decision-making process.

SCIENCE FIRST, CONSTRAINTS SECOND

Photos courtesy of Snohomish County [enlarge]

Matt Tiedemann during a September 2021 field visit.

The Jim Creek Restoration Project was fortunate to have a pivotal advantage from the outset—willing landowners ready for collaboration. As a result, the approach shifted significantly, allowing ecological science to take precedence over traditional logistical constraints. This focus ensured that the restoration efforts were meticulously tailored to address the creek’s most pressing needs.

Initial regional studies of Jim Creek laid bare its limitations, which included a lack of deep pools, inadequate wood for cover, and swiftly diminishing inputs of cold water from Vos Creek. Following this analysis, it became evident that a large-scale intervention was necessary to restore hydraulic diversity and enhance habitat resilience vital for the salmon population.

A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON TRUST

The project team began by identifying the most effective restoration areas and subsequently engaged landowners through targeted outreach. A remarkable success story emerged from this outreach with the Anderegg family, who own both banks of Jim Creek where it converges with Vos Creek. Their flexibility and enthusiasm were instrumental in shaping a high-impact restoration design that concentrated on rebuilding natural stream complexity.

From the beginning, SWM and the design team worked closely with the Andereggs, implementing transparent communication to explain the science behind the restoration, setting realistic expectations, and valuing their input. This early engagement proved to be invaluable. While many landowners typically approach heavy construction on their properties with trepidation, the Andereggs enthusiastically embraced the project, taking an active role in the design process. They even contributed by documenting the creek’s transformation through video updates, particularly during crucial flood events, thereby keeping the team informed of key site changes.

GOING BIG: THE ROLE OF ENGINEERED LOG JAMS

Jim Creek in Snohomish County in September 2024. Mimicking natural log jams found in pristine river systems enhanced fish habitat while stabilizing streambanks and improving flood resilience.

The project team adopted an ambitious design philosophy by incorporating Engineered Log Jams (ELJs)—significant, strategically placed log structures that enhance streambed diversity, create deep pools, and provide essential cover for salmon. The sheer scale of these installations was striking, with at least one-third of the channel intentionally obscured by ELJs to ensure substantial hydrological influence.

Advanced techniques were utilized to anchor and interlock these structures, allowing the river to interact dynamically with the wood instead of washing it away. By imitating natural log jams found in pristine river systems, ELJs not only bolster fish habitats but also stabilize streambanks and enhance flood resilience.

THE REAL-WORLD TEST: A RECORD FLOOD

In December 2023, only months after the project’s completion, Jim Creek faced a record-breaking flood event. The high water levels, robust currents, and extreme sediment transport created a significant natural trial for the project’s design. Rather than solely assessing structural integrity, the project team analyzed how the restoration elements operated as intended—replicating natural processes, fostering habitat formation, manipulating flow dynamics, and advancing the project’s ecological goals.

For the Andereggs, witnessing how their property adapted to such an extreme event served as powerful validation of their trust in the project. Their flood documentation via video provided critical insights into how the restoration impacted water movement and sediment deposition, reiterating the importance of designing for natural processes instead of rigid structural outcomes.

LESSONS FOR FUTURE RESTORATION EFFORTS

Nicole and Jimmy Anderegg, owners of both banks of Jim Creek where it meets Vos Creek in Snohomish County.

The restoration of Jim Creek provides a valuable roadmap for future projects tackling similar challenges. Several vital lessons emerged from this initiative:

• **Prioritize science over convenience** – Choosing the most ecologically impactful locations first enhances the chances of restoration success.

• **Engage landowners as partners, not mere stakeholders** – Meaningful communication and collaboration can transform landowners into advocates for a project.

• **Embrace risk and think big** – Small-scale interventions often do not yield significant ecological benefits. By designing for bold hydraulic changes, the Jim Creek project solidified lasting habitat advancements.

• **Monitor and adapt** – Continuous observation, particularly after extreme weather events, confirms that restoration efforts meet their goals and guides future initiatives.

A MODEL FOR PUGET SOUND CONSERVATION

As climate change intensifies flood events and further strains salmon habitats in the Pacific Northwest, Jim Creek stands as a compelling case study in successful restoration. The project exemplifies how the correct combination of scientific rigor, collaborative landowner involvement, and a willingness to undertake bold risks can significantly rejuvenate degraded stream systems.

For business and environmental leaders in the Puget Sound region, the Jim Creek project underscores an essential truth: conservation and economic interests need not be adversarial. By investing in smart, science-driven restoration efforts, communities can foster both ecological resilience and stronger, more engaged partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Moreover, navigating the legal and environmental frameworks that accompany such ambitious restoration projects can be overwhelming. Here, the AI legalese decoder can serve as a tremendous asset. By simplifying complex legal jargon, the AI legalese decoder empowers stakeholders to understand regulations, permits, and contractual obligations, facilitating smoother collaborations between landowners and project teams. This tool can be especially useful for landowners who want to ensure their rights and responsibilities are clear, ultimately enhancing their engagement and confidence in restoration efforts.

The Jim Creek project was funded by grants from the State of Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board through the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), the State of Washington Department of Ecology, and by Snohomish County Surface Water Management Utility fees.

Matt Tiedemann is a senior engineer with Natural Systems Design (NSD), the lead engineering firm on the Jim Creek Restoration Project. Lisa Tario is a river engineer at Snohomish County Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) Surface Water Management Division.

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