Restoring Tidal Wetlands at Winter Lake

The Coquille Working Landscapes Team has worked together for ten years to fulfill a vision of providing dramatically improving over-wintering habitat for Coho salmon while also providing benefits to local agricultural landowners. The 1,700 acre project, located on the Coquille River, is being implemented in three phases: (1) improving fish passage by replacing failing tide gates and removing culverts; (2) restoring 407 acres of tidal wetlands; and (3) revegetating the wetlands and monitoring project effectiveness. The project is now entering its last phase, with revegetation launched in October 2018. The results of the project allow for increased fish passage, improved water quality, and better water control provide landowners with increased grazing opportunities. The project is projected to add 159,000 smolts annually to the Coquille River (Nickelson, 2012) and is highlighted in NOAA’s Final ESA Recovery Plan for Oregon Coast Coho Salmon as the type of cross-jurisdictional, public-private partnerships that are needed to accelerate the recovery Coho.