The Lower Peshastin Creek Restoration Project is complete after 12 years of planning and construction.
A major restoration in Washington will protect wildlife in the area. The project, led by Cascade Fisheries and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, "cleaned up contamination, reconnected the creek to its historical channel, and improved vital habitat for threatened and endangered fish species," per NCW Life.
The endangered fish — Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout — spawn in the Peshastin Creek. They often cannot survive in the warmer temperatures of the Wenatchee River. Since the creek is one of the only cold water refuges in the Lower Wenatchee Basin, these fish take refuge there.
A new streambed was laid to link the creek to the Wenatchee. This connection was blocked by the construction of Dryden Dam in 1975, but its restoration will be more hospitable to fish and other aquatic creatures.
Alongside this, 3 acres of vegetation were planted to expand habitats and support the survival of native plants and animals. Over 2,000 pounds of lead and toxic waste were removed and disposed of safely, making the area much safer and cleaner for the community, as well as the wildlife that call the creek home.
Although wildlife is the most obvious beneficiary of a restoration project, a thriving ecosystem can benefit local people, too. Protecting natural habitats helps protect pollinators and, in turn, the food supply.
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The local economy can be helped massively by a large-scale project like the Lower Peshastin Creek Restoration Project. Cascade Fisheries said this work generated $160,000 for local contractors, $60,000 for local businesses, and brought in $80,000 in local sales tax.
A similar creek restoration project in Oregon saw a native trout population skyrocketing, while in South Africa, a stunning transformation on a farm showed how quickly nature can bounce back.
The executive director of Cascade Fisheries, Jason Lundgren, commented, per The Leavenworth Echo: "Projects like Peshastin Creek offer a glimmer of hope for salmon and steelhead that make the long journey home."
"We're 500 miles from the Pacific Ocean. We're trying to give them the best chance they can for survival."
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