The Klickitat Watershed Enhancement Project (KWEP) focuses on restoration, enhancement and protection of aquatic habitats in the Klickitat River and its tributaries to support native anadromous fish production. The goal of the KWEP, in keeping with the objectives of the Klickitat Subbasin Plan, the Klickitat Lead Entity Salmon Recovery Strategy and the 1994 NPCC Fish and Wildlife Program, is to restore watershed health to aid recovery of salmonid stocks in the Klickitat Subbasin.
Restoration activities are aimed at restoring stream processes by removing or mitigating watershed perturbances, and improving salmonid habitat conditions and water quality.
Protection activities complement restoration efforts within the subbasin by securing refugia and preventing degradation of habitat.
Actions under these projects include instream large woody debris placement, culvert replacements and other passage improvements, forest road rehabilitation, floodplain reconnection, and habitat acquisition. All of these habitat actions are consistent with objectives described in the Klickitat Subbasin Plan (NPCC 2004, pp. 333-352).
Assessment, monitoring and data management are also crucial components of the KWEP Program. Cooperation with state, Federal, tribal, and private entities ensures maximum effectiveness in 90% of the off-reservation project area in private ownership.
