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Clients retain RDG to address aquatic habitat impairment in watersheds supporting threatened and endangered fish species, and species of special concern. Example focus species include bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in Montana and Idaho; shortnose suckers, Lost River suckers, Klamath large scale suckers, and Klamath redband trout in the Upper Klamath Basin of southern Oregon; Chinook salmon, steelhead, and coho salmon in systems supporting anadromous fisheries in Oregon; and Kootenai River white sturgeon in the Idaho Panhandle.
RDG's multidisciplinary staff conducts fish habitat assessments as components in watershed assessments. Standard surveys include channel morphology surveys, large woody debris counts, riparian vegetation evaluations, aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys, and water quality sampling. Understanding river processes and how aquatic habitats are formed and maintained are essential in the river restoration design process.
RDG’s biologists also employ Arc-GIS to compare existing and proposed stream condition habitats to species’-specific preferred habitat criteria. Using preferred habitat criteria to substantiate restoration prescriptions directly addresses limiting factors that suppress fish populations.
Example restoration prescriptions include both passive and active restoration. Passive restoration treatments might include riparian easements or expanding existing riparian buffers. Large wood structures, rock grade control, vegetated soil lifts, and riparian plantings include active restoration treatments RDG commonly employs. Encouraging responsible post-project land stewardship benefits both the landowner and the natural resources.
Fisheries Services
- River corridor and fish habitat assessments
- Fish habitat mapping based on preferred habitat criteria
- Woody debris recruitment evaluation
- Fish sampling plan design and implementation
- Aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling
- McNeil core sampling and spawning surveys
- Habitat enhancement designs
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