Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The Wolf Creek watershed, a key tributary to the Umpqua River, is a recognized area of conservation concern that supports significant habitat for fish and wildlife. Major restoration efforts were conducted between 2008 and 2012 to benefit salmonids and other conservation-reliant species. Despite extensive monitoring through the U.S. Forest Service’s Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Inventories Program (AQI), substantial gaps remain regarding the effectiveness of these restoration actions. To address this issue, we will analyze nearly 17 years of in-stream monitoring data collected in the Wolf Creek watershed. Our research will leverage AREMP and AQI data to investigate the effects of large wood and boulder weir placements on habitat features and how these changes correlate with the rearing capacity and abundance of target salmonid species. By comprehensively analyzing these high-quality monitoring data, this project will enhance our understanding of the long-term impacts of widely used stream restoration techniques and will inform private and public land management strategies. Furthermore, our findings will facilitate advancements in stream restoration practices throughout the Umpqua River basin and across Oregon.